PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Tuhkasaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tuhkasaari has chosen Proteus - Full Metal Jacket as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Howlett
vs
Tuhkasaari

168 cm
26
142 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

164 cm
22
143 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very strong

ADCC Champion
Good low kicks
Powerful

Conviction

. : : Valhalla War Gear : : .
FinnFighters Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Howlett!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teppo Tuhkasaari!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Glass and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tuhkasaari tries a low kick but Howlett avoids it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tuhkasaari.
Howlett checks a leg kick.
Tuhkasaari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Howlett takes a swing at Tuhkasaari's ribcage but misses.
Tuhkasaari uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Howlett.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tuhkasaari tries to land a front kick but Howlett steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tuhkasaari misses with a body kick.
Howlett sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Howlett fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tuhkasaari manages to avoid it.
Tuhkasaari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tuhkasaari takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Tuhkasaari feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Howlett's calf.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tuhkasaari.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett misses with a wild combination.
Tuhkasaari throws a nice inside leg kick.
James Howlett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tuhkasaari slips a straight right by Howlett.
Howlett takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Tuhkasaari goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Tuhkasaari tries a head kick but it misses.
Tuhkasaari connects with a solid leg kick.
Tuhkasaari throws a front kick aimed at Howlett's knee but Howlett avoids it well.
Tuhkasaari pivots, looking for a leg kick but Howlett is out of range and Tuhkasaari settles back down.
Howlett is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tuhkasaari.
Howlett tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tuhkasaari fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tuhkasaari looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tuhkasaari misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett lands a jab to Tuhkasaari's midsection.
Howlett waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari thumps Howlett with a low kick.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tuhkasaari misses with a body kick.
Tuhkasaari cracks the inside of Howlett's front leg.
Howlett takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Tuhkasaari is looking to land body kicks.
Tuhkasaari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Howlett lands a jab-cross combination.
Howlett is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
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!
Tuhkasaari finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tuhkasaari. That's going to slow Howlett down.
Teppo Tuhkasaari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tuhkasaari lets loose with a powerful body kick. Howlett will feel that in the morning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Howlett. That did some damage!
Tuhkasaari slips under a jab from Howlett.
Howlett fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Howlett misses with a two punch combination.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick that misses.
Tuhkasaari motions for Howlett to come forward. Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Tuhkasaari looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Howlett is fending him off so far but Tuhkasaari persists. Nope, Howlett circles away and we're back to standing.
Tuhkasaari lands with a thumping leg kick.
Howlett is looking to wear down Tuhkasaari with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Howlett misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Howlett clobbers Tuhkasaari with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Howlett tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick but Howlett sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Howlett checks a low kick from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari misses with a body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tuhkasaari.
A jab from Howlett misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tuhkasaari.
Nice cross by Howlett.
Howlett defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tuhkasaari.
James Howlett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari feints and then cracks Howlett's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Howlett down.
Tuhkasaari lets loose with a powerful body kick. Howlett will feel that in the morning.
Nice takedown defense from Howlett. No joy for Tuhkasaari on that attempt.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Howlett blocks a leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Tuhkasaari. Howlett shrugs it off though.
Howlett throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tuhkasaari dominated that round.
That's time! Howlett's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tuhkasaari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Howlett waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari connects with a high kick.
Tuhkasaari slips a jab from Howlett.
Tuhkasaari tries to score a power double leg takedown but Howlett sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tuhkasaari somewhat.
Howlett will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Tuhkasaari takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Howlett tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Howlett moves out of range as Tuhkasaari throws a body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tuhkasaari is looking to land body kicks.
Tuhkasaari throws a push kick but Howlett slaps the foot to one side.
Howlett thows a left - swing and a miss!
Howlett misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari tried to score with a low kick but Howlett checks it.
James Howlett is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Howlett lands a jab-cross combination.
Decent striking displayed by Howlett there.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Tuhkasaari misses with a leg kick.
Howlett throws a looping overhand right but Tuhkasaari ducks down to avoid it.
Tuhkasaari scores with a nice body kick.
Howlett pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Howlett throws a right and a left that Tuhkasaari avoids nicely.
Howlett takes a swing at Tuhkasaari's ribcage but misses.
Howlett keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tuhkasaari ducks under a wild hook from Howlett.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari throws a wild body kick that Howlett sees coming a mile off.
Tuhkasaari shoots in and drives through. Howlett sprawls well.
Teppo Tuhkasaari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Howlett throws a jab but it's blocked by Tuhkasaari.
Howlett just misses with a punch to the body.
Howlett scores with a nice right hand.
Tuhkasaari looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tuhkasaari looks to land a body kick but Howlett moved away.
Tuhkasaari misses with a kick to the body.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick but Howlett sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Howlett scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Howlett misses with a few strikes there.
Howlett swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tuhkasaari throws a lazy body kick
and Howlett counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Howlett.
Howlett thuds a left hand into Tuhkasaari's body.
Howlett moves out of range of the leg kick from Tuhkasaari.
Howlett avoids the head kick by Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tuhkasaari feints and then cracks Howlett's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Howlett down.
Tuhkasaari is looking to land body kicks.
Tuhkasaari is looking to chop away at Howlett's legs.
Tuhkasaari shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Howlett as he jumps to the side.
James Howlett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Tuhkasaari.
Howlett connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tuhkasaari's hands.
Howlett checks a low kick from Tuhkasaari.
Howlett avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Good leg kick by Tuhkasaari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Howlett crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Tuhkasaari - the referee stops the clock and Howlett gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Tuhkasaari. Howlett manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick but Howlett moved away.
Tuhkasaari misses with a body kick.
Tuhkasaari lets loose with a powerful body kick. Howlett will feel that in the morning.
Howlett lands a body shot.
Tuhkasaari lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Howlett keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Tuhkasaari scores with a kick to the body.
Howlett lands a jab to Tuhkasaari's midsection.
Howlett scores with a body shot.

Tuhkasaari drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Tuhkasaari tries to advance position but instead Howlett slips a leg back in to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tuhkasaari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A nice inside leg kick there by Tuhkasaari. That's going to slow Howlett down.
Tuhkasaari swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A jab from Howlett misses.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tuhkasaari.
Howlett moves out of range as Tuhkasaari throws a body kick.
Tuhkasaari fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Howlett.
A nice leg kick lands there from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari feints and then cracks Howlett's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Howlett down.
Tuhkasaari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tuhkasaari misses with a body kick.
Howlett fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tuhkasaari on the side of the head.
Tuhkasaari throws a push kick but Howlett slaps the foot to one side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett moves out of range as Tuhkasaari throws a body kick.
A left and a right from Howlett both land. Nice combination.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick but Howlett sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Howlett tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Tuhkasaari bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Howlett lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Tuhkasaari circles away quickly and effectively.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Tuhkasaari throws a chopping leg kick but Howlett manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Howlett fails to land with a series of punches.
Howlett moves out of range as Tuhkasaari throws a body kick.
Howlett throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Howlett.
Howlett throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Howlett lands a jab.
Howlett takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tuhkasaari scores with a spinning back kick!
Tuhkasaari looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Tuhkasaari will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Howlett displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari wants to slow Howlett down by chopping away at his legs.
Howlett throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tuhkasaari thuds his shin into the meat of Howlett's side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Howlett looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Howlett lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Howlett throws a shot from downtown. Tuhkasaari moves away and avoids it.
Tuhkasaari lands a head kick. Howlett smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Tuhkasaari misses with a kick to the body.
Tuhkasaari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Howlett jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Tuhkasaari has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Tuhkasaari there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tuhkasaari throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Howlett has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Tuhkasaari.
Nice body kick there by Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari lands a front kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett walks forward, straight into a front kick from Tuhkasaari.
Howlett fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Tuhkasaari on the side of the head.
Howlett takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Howlett lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Tuhkasaari has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Howlett finds it's way round the side to connect with Tuhkasaari's head.
Tuhkasaari fakes the leg kick and cracks Howlett in the body.
Howlett avoids a kick to the body.
Tuhkasaari plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Tuhkasaari ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Tuhkasaari shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Howlett is trying to defend but Tuhkasaari finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Tuhkasaari wants to control but Howlett is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Tuhkasaari really dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tuhkasaari tries to score a power double leg takedown but Howlett sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tuhkasaari somewhat.
Tuhkasaari will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick that misses.
Tuhkasaari throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Howlett.
Howlett just misses with a punch to the body.
Tuhkasaari walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Howlett connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tuhkasaari. Tuhkasaari circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tuhkasaari shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Howlett misses with a two punch combination.
Howlett misses with a wild combination.
Tuhkasaari tried to score with a low kick but Howlett checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari scores with a leg kick.
Tuhkasaari takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Howlett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tuhkasaari moves away.
Tuhkasaari looks for the body kick but Howlett saw that one coming.
Howlett blocks the body kick.
Tuhkasaari slips a jab from Howlett.
Tuhkasaari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick that misses.
No joy there for Howlett, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Good work by Howlett as he checks the leg kick.
Tuhkasaari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Tuhkasaari.
Howlett throws a shot from downtown. Tuhkasaari moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Tuhkasaari has his takedown stuffed
and Howlett counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick which misses Howlett's front leg but catches the back leg as Howlett tries to avoid it.
Tuhkasaari misses with a kick to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Howlett.
Tuhkasaari tries a low kick but Howlett avoids it.
Tuhkasaari is looking to chop away at Howlett's legs.
Tuhkasaari misses with a takedown attempt - Howlett sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
James Howlett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Tuhkasaari.
Tuhkasaari throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Howlett tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Tuhkasaari throws a leg kick but Howlett checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Tuhkasaari.
No joy there for Howlett, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Howlett checks a leg kick.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick that misses.
Howlett checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Tuhkasaari blocks a jab.
Tuhkasaari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Howlett misses with an uppercut.
An inside leg kick from Tuhkasaari misses.
Howlett bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Tuhkasaari's head.
Howlett takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Howlett takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tuhkasaari tries to score with a low kick but Howlett moves his leg out of the way.

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.
Tuhkasaari throws and low kick but Howlett moves out of range easily.
Tuhkasaari avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Howlett takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Howlett moves out of range as Tuhkasaari throws a body kick.
Howlett avoids a kick to the body.
Howlett chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tuhkasaari can pounce on him.
Howlett lands a body shot.
Tuhkasaari is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Howlett.
Howlett's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Howlett duly obliges.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Tuhkasaari scores with a spinning back kick!
Good work by Howlett as he checks the leg kick.
Tuhkasaari throws a head kick but Howlett moves out of range.
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 James Howlett will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tuhkasaari ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Howlett avoids a kick to the body.
Tuhkasaari takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tuhkasaari throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Tuhkasaari throws a low kick, looking for Howlett's leg but Howlett calmly moves out of range.
Tuhkasaari fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Howlett is out of range.
Crunch! Tuhkasaari slams his shin into Howlett's torso.
Howlett checks a leg kick.
Donk. Howlett catches Tuhkasaari right on the button with a cross.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tuhkasaari slips under a jab from Howlett.
Howlett looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Tuhkasaari moves out of range as Howlett strikes.
Howlett just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Tuhkasaari moves away.
Howlett misses with a hook. Tuhkasaari ducked under it nicely.
Tuhkasaari looks for the body kick but Howlett saw that one coming.
Tuhkasaari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Tuhkasaari.
Howlett sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Tuhkasaari shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Tuhkasaari fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Howlett is out of range.
Howlett throws a right and a left that both miss.

Tuhkasaari gets a takedown into half guard.
Tuhkasaari is just content to waste time from the top position. Howlett takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Teppo Tuhkasaari is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari wants to pass the guard but Howlett is keeping the position.
Tuhkasaari trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Howlett manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tuhkasaari trying to control the position.
James Howlett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuhkasaari has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Howlett has passed into side control.
Tuhkasaari manages to work his way to half guard, despite Howlett's best efforts.
Tuhkasaari has a hand on Howlett's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Howlett takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Howlett controlling from mount.
Howlett's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tuhkasaari is looking to get to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Teppo Tuhkasaari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Tuhkasaari has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 William Gold scores the fight 45:50
Judge James Glass scores the fight 46:49
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Teppo Tuhkasaari!
Teppo Tuhkasaari is the new bantamweight champion!