PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yrjo Puska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Damien Dark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Puska comes into the arena with GWB -rap blaring out of the sound system. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Puska
vs
Dark

183 cm
24
185 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

195 cm
20
193 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

BEST NUTRITION,no doping
Conviction

BEST NUTRITION,no doping

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yrjo Puska!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Damien Dark!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Puska is defended easily by Dark.
Puska fails with a takedown attempt.
Puska fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dark manages to avoid it.
Puska thows a body shot but no joy.
Dark takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Dark throws a quick inside leg kick.
Puska circles away from the clinch attempt.
Puska misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dark.

Puska darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Puska throwing shots but Dark is blocking nicely.
Dark trying to control from the bottom.
Dark avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Puska.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puska wants to control but Dark is keeping him busy.
Puska is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Dark is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Dark manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Damien Dark is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Puska with a jab.
Dark wants to clinch.
Puska shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Dark as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yrjo Puska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dark misses with an attempted mid kick.
Puska jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Puska throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Puska misses the shot to the body.
Puska throws a nice looking combination but Dark bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dark slips under a jab from Puska.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dark throws a head kick but Puska moves out of range.
Puska chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Dark can pounce on him.
Puska connects with a nice looking jab.
Puska avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Puska blocks a head kick by Dark.
Yrjo Puska seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Dark walks into a left hand.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Dark.
Puska lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Dark at a distance.
Puska digs a good body shot into Dark's ribs.
Nice defenses there by Dark.

Puska drives through and clinches with Dark against the cage.
Puska misses with a body punch.
Puska throws a head punch that misses.
Puska drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dark pulls his leg out and moves away.
Puska is looking to wear down Dark with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Puska tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dark was well out of range. Poor timing from Puska.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puska throws a jab but it's blocked by Dark.
Puska tries to clinch up
and Dark counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Puska thows a left - swing and a miss!
Dark blocks a jab.
Puska swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dark connects with a solid leg kick.
Puska misses the jab.

Dark gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Puska misses with the head strike.
Dark trying to control the position but instead, Puska has worked for underhooks and has pushed Dark into the cage.
Dark gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Puska.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dark stalling in the clinch but Puska improves position.
A knee to the head by Dark.
Puska has a couple of punches blocked by Dark.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but Puska blocks with his arms.
A left hand lands to the body for Puska.
Dark landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Puska misses with some punches.
Puska working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Dark misses with a knee to the head.
Dark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Puska lands a nice shot to the body.
Puska lands a hook to the side of the head.
Puska is working Dark over against the cage.
Puska scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Puska is leaning against Dark and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Dark blocks an uppercut.
Puska has Dark pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dark manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Puska digs a right hand underneath Dark's ribcage. Dark let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Dark looks gassed!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Puska lands a shoulder strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yrjo Puska dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Dark lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Puska has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Puska and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
No joy there for Puska, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Puska misses with a looping left.
Dark tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dark scores with a kick to the body.
Puska lands a head shot.

Puska has closed the distance and engaged Dark in a clinch.
Puska misses with a short punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Puska.
Dark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Puska throws a head punch that misses.
Puska is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Dark pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Puska stalling.
Dark missing with knees to the body.
Dark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dark trying to stall but Puska improves his position.
Puska misses with a body punch.
Dark looking to throw knees to the head but Puska is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puska lands a shoulder strike.
Puska drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nice body punch from Puska.
Dark is trying to maintain a safe position but Puska gets an underhook and turns Dark into the cage.
Puska misses with some punches.
Puska lands an uppercut.
Dark avoiding damage.
Puska lands a nice shot to the body.
Puska lands a shoulder strike.
Dark slowing the pace effectively.
Puska is working for takedown but Dark is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yrjo Puska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Puska is leaning against Dark and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Dark misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Puska.
Dark is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Puska is keeping busy.
Puska lands a shot to the body.
Dark is breathing heavily.
Puska controlling the action here for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puska pushes Dark back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Puska tries for a takedown but Dark manages to get underhooks.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Puska as Dark tries to tie him up.
Puska lands an uppercut.
Puska scores with a nice hook to the head.
Puska lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dark backwards.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Dark obliges.
Puska slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dark.
A shot in the inside from Puska.
Dark with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Puska digs a right hand into Dark's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dark's gas tank.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nice body punch from Puska.
Dark trying to land knees to the body.
Puska lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Puska blocks it with crossed arms.
A nice right hand lands inside from Puska.
Puska managing to block the knees to the body from Dark.
Puska misses with a punch on the inside.
Puska drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Puska on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Puska.
Puska doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Puska doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Puska lands with a left to the head.
Dark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Yrjo Puska has scored more points in the clinch so far.
A short body shot lands from Puska as the two fighters clinch.
Dark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Puska misses with a punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Puska.
A short left from Puska.
Puska misses with a punch on the inside.
Puska managing to block the knees to the body from Dark.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A knee to the head by Dark.
Dark blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Puska is leaning against Dark and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Puska content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Puska lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Puska lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Dark or not.
Puska working aggressively here.
Dark using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Dark takes a shot to the head.
Dark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Dark misses with a knee to the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Puska.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Puska.
Puska avoiding damage as Dark throws knees to the body.
Puska lands a body punch in the clinch.
Puska lands a body punch in the clinch.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Puska lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yrjo Puska dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dark throws a head kick but Puska moves out of range.
Dark misses with a low kick as Puska jumps back.
Dark pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The crowd cheers as Puska lands an impressive looking overhand right. Dark doesn't seem phased though.
Puska tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dark swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Dark keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Puska fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Puska scores with a sloppy right hand. Dark should have avoided that one.
Puska loads up on a big right hand but Dark slips the punch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puska scores with the left hand. Dark knows he should have avoided that one.
Puska tries to clinch up but Dark circles away and keeps his distance.
A looping hook to the body misses from Puska. Dark does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nice uppercut lands for Puska. That snapped Dark's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puska throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Puska will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Dark feints and then cracks Puska's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Puska down.
Puska darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Puska misses with an uppercut.
Dark turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Dark walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Puska tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Dark swivels and escapes.

Dark clinches up with Puska and pushes him back against the cage.
Puska lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Puska lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Dark misses with a knee to the head.
Puska swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Dark blocking some punches.
Dark misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puska tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dark misses with a knee strike.
Puska misses with a body punch.
Dark prevents a body shot from Puska.
Puska lands a hook that snaps the head of Dark backwards.
Puska swings wildly with an uppercut but Dark uses good head movement to avoid it.
Puska tries to throw a body punch but Dark avoids it by throwing Puska back against the cage.
Dark missing with knees to the body.
Dark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Puska scores with a hook to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Dark obliges.
Puska is leaning against Dark and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Puska.
Puska tries to throw a body punch but Dark avoids it by throwing Puska back against the cage.
Puska tries to score a body lock takedown but Dark shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yrjo Puska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dark misses with a knee to the head.
Puska misses with a hook to the ribs.
Puska working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Puska lands a shoulder strike.
Puska lands a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dark connects with a knee to the head.
Puska throws a punch but it's blocked by Dark.
Dark with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Puska is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Dark is keeping busy.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Puska.
Dark looking to throw knees to the head but Puska is blocking nicely.
Dark takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dark prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Dark prevents a body shot from Puska.
Dark is trying to maintain a safe position but Puska gets an underhook and turns Dark into the cage.
Puska digs a right hand into Dark's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Dark's gas tank.
Puska throws a head punch that misses.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Nice body punch from Puska.
Dark using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Puska has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Puska slows down the pace here.
Puska tries to throw a body punch but Dark avoids it by throwing Puska back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dark tries a knee to the head but Puska blocks it.
Puska lands a left hand that snaps the head of Dark backwards.
Puska on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Puska takes a knee to the side of the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dark.
Puska lands a hook that snaps the head of Dark backwards.
Puska lands a body punch.
Puska throws a head punch that misses.
Puska lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Puska misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Dark is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Dark blocks a body shot from Puska.
Puska lands a body shot in the clinch.
Puska tries for a takedown. No joy.
Puska misses with a punch to the body.
Dark avoiding damage.
Puska swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yrjo Puska clearly takes that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Puska throws a looping overhand right but Dark ducks down to avoid it.
Dark buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Puska misses with a hook to the body
and Dark counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Dark tries to clinch there but Puska circles away.
Puska is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Puska throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Puska misses with a straight left.
Dark misses with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Puska blocks the low kick.
Puska getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Puska takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Puska blocks a head kick by Dark.
Dark throws a head kick but Puska moves out of range.
Puska lands with a cross.
Puska just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dark fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Puska.
Dark tries to close the distance and clinch up but Puska swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Puska looks to land a left hand but Dark moved out of range nicely.
Dark scoring well with a low kick there.
Dark throws a leg kick but Puska sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Puska misses with a looping right.
Puska lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Dark circles away quickly and effectively.
Dark tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Puska paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A telegraphed right hand from Puska misses the target.
Puska tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dark swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Puska misses with a jab to the body
and Dark counters with a nice leg kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Puska, as that shot connected.
Puska swats away the attempt to clinch by Dark.
Puska scores with a crisp jab that stopped Dark in his tracks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puska misses with a body shot.
Dark pivots, looking for a leg kick but Puska is out of range and Dark settles back down.
Puska fails with an attempt to clinch.
Puska looks to throw the jab but Dark is out of range.
Puska jabs at Dark's body.
Dark closes this distance looking for a takedown but Puska circles away.
Dark gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Puska circles away from the clinch attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Dark. That's going to slow Puska down.
Puska misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dark.
Dark moves away from the strike by Puska.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dark is looking to clinch but Puska is avoiding it.

Puska clinches.
Dark is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Puska misses with a short punch on the inside.
Puska softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Dark tries to land knees in the clinch but Puska avoids the damage to the body.
Puska misses with a hook to the ribs.
Puska swings wildly with an uppercut but Dark uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dark tries a knee to the head but Puska blocks it.
Puska lands a shoulder strike.
Puska lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Puska trying to control the position but instead, Dark has worked for underhooks and has pushed Puska into the cage.
Dark looking to throw knees to the head but Puska is blocking nicely.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Puska presses Dark against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Puska.
Puska drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dark gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Puska lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Dark backwards.
A right handed body shot lands from Puska.
Dark is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Puska digs a right hand underneath Dark's ribcage. Dark let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Puska throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Darks head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Puska.
Puska lands a shoulder strike.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Puska.
Puska lands a hook that snaps the head of Dark backwards.
Puska throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Darks head.
Dark is pressed up against the cage. Puska has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dark down to the mat. Dark avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Puska misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Dark counters with a slapping leg kick.
Puska tries to score a power double leg takedown but Dark sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Puska somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yrjo Puska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Puska connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Yrjo Puska will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Puska swings for the body but Dark moves out of range.

Dark rushes Puska and presses him up against the cage.
Dark trying to control the position but instead, Puska has worked for underhooks and has pushed Dark into the cage.
Puska will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Dark up against the cage.
Puska lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Dark blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Puska swings wildly with an uppercut but Dark uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puska working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

Puska works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Dark holds on and takes a little breather.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Dark working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Puska.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puska trying to move into half guard but instead Dark has managed to sweep!

Puska has his foot on Dark's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Dark works his way back into a safe position though.
Puska might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Dark content to stall in guard here.

Puska is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Dark is aware though and is defending well.
Dark trying to control the position from guard on top but Puska is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Puska working a defensive guard here.

Dark gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Damien Dark seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Dark misses with a head kick.
Yrjo Puska is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puska swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Puska looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Dark is fending him off so far but Puska persists. Nope, Dark circles away and we're back to standing.
Puska misses with a body shot
and Dark counters with an inside leg kick.
Dark throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Puska tries to clinch

and Dark counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Dark.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dark.
A knee to the head by Dark.
Dark blocks a body shot from Puska.
Dark with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Dark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but Puska blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dark blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Dark.
Damien Dark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Puska lands a right hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Dark.
Dark is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Dark misses with a knee strike.
Puska scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Dark throws a knee to the head but misses.
Puska tries a body shot but Dark blocks it.
Puska scores with a shot to the side of Dark's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Nice body punch from Puska.
Dark is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Dark trying to land knees to the body.
Dark tries a knee to the head but Puska blocks it.
Dark tries a knee to the head but Puska blocks it.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but Puska blocks with his arms.
Puska lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nice body punch from Puska - that landed with a thud.
Dark looking to throw knees to the head but Puska is blocking nicely.
Dark missing with knees to the body.
Dark tries to land a knee to the head but Puska blocks with his arms.

And that's the end of the fight!
Damien Dark comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Puska has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 49:47
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:46
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yrjo Puska!
Yrjo Puska retains his middleweight title!