PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Lauri Puukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Puukko
vs
Smith

180 cm
22
180 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

160 cm
23
160 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Crashforce Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lauri Puukko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Smith!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Puukko.
Puukko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Smith.
Smith lands an overhand right.
Puukko is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Smith.

It looks like Lauri Puukko has been cut.
Puukko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Smith on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Smith throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Puukko tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Smith is in Puukko's guard.
Puukko is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Smith is controlling him.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Puukko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith trying to control the position from guard on top but Puukko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Smith's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.
Puukko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Puukko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith lands a couple of decent looking shots.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Smith accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Smith wants to control from the top but Puukko keeps moving.
Puukko wants to stand and escape but Smith is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Smith thows a big elbow that misses.
Smith must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Puukko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith stops Puukko from standing up.
Smith working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Puukko's head.
Smith looking to sit in guard and control but Puukko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith wants to sweep but no luck.
Smith really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Puukko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Smith manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Puukko manages to get himself to full guard.
Puukko keeping moving, preventing Smith from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Puukko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Smith pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Puukko is keeping the position for now.
Puukko wants to stand up but Smith is controlling him.
Puukko working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Smith.
Smith not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.

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.
Smith is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Puukko being controlled here, momentarily.
Smith throws a big right hand that misses.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Puukko wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Smith manages to pass to side control.
Smith stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lauri Puukko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Puukko misses with a head kick.
Puukko looks to score with a jab to the body but Smith is just out of range.
Smith slips a jab and a cross from Puukko.
Puukko looks to land a combination but Smith avoids it well.
Smith throws a series of punches but Puukko avoids them all with ease.
Puukko misses with a double jab
and Smith counters with a nice uppercut.
Smith swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Puukko counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Smith is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Puukko walks into a jab.
Puukko throws a half hearted mid kick.
Smith moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Puukko.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Smith. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Puukko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Smith misses
and Puukko cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Smith lands a nice looking body shot.
Smith fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Puukko avoids the body shot from Smith.
Smith scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Smith scores with a jab.
Puukko on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Smith throws a right and a left that Puukko avoids nicely.
Smith lands with a good body shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Smith connects with a jab.
Puukko takes one on the button.
Smith scores with a body shot.
Smith misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Puukko counters with a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Smith.
Smith fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
A left and a right from Smith both land. Nice combination.
Smith fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Puukko throws a sloppy head kick and Smith moves out of range easily.

Smith changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Puukko looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Smith landing a few strikes.
Puukko dodges the ground and pound from Smith.
Smith grinds an elbow into Puukko's temple.
Smith lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Puukko down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith landing a few strikes.
Smith lands a decent elbow from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Smith taking a breather here.
Smith sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Puukko is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Smith is staying tight to Puukko's torso, preventing him from escaping.
Smith tries to score with some ground and pound. Puukko controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Puukko is not content to let Smith control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws an elbow but Puukko slips to the side and avoids it well.
You can see the frustration on Puukko's face as Smith controls the position.
Puukko taking punishment in the form of punches.
Smith is looking to take a break and control but Puukko is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lauri Puukko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Smith moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nice straight punches there by Smith. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Smith.
Steve Smith seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Puukko moves away.
Smith lands with a good body shot.
Puukko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Smith closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Smith is trying to ground and pound but Puukko uses the momentary lack of control by Smith to regain half guard.
Smith not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Smith seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puukko is trying to stand.
Smith thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Puukko's head.
Smith wants to free his trapped foot but Puukko is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Smith is just content to waste time from the top position. Puukko takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Smith throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Puukko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Puukko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Puukko is looking to stand up but Smith isn't so interested in that idea.
Smith trying to control but Puukko is working from the bottom.
Steve Smith has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Smith is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Smith is standing up over Puukko. Puukko looks to escape but Smith dives into side control.
Check out the look on Smith's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Puukko wants to get back to his feet but Smith drags him back down.
Smith working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Smith tries to score with some ground and pound. Puukko controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puukko is trying to escape the position but Smith is controlling the position.
Smith cracks Puukko with a big elbow.
Smith creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Smith throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Smith just content to control the position.
Smith works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Smith staying calm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Smith has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Puukko avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Smith.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lauri Puukko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Smith looks to score with a jab to the body but Puukko is just out of range.
Smith has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Puukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Puukko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Smith fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A combination from Puukko does no damage.
Smith ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Puukko moves away.
Puukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puukko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Smith is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Puukko rather than just go for the knockout.
Puukko tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Smith was well out of range. Poor timing from Puukko.
Smith lands a jab to the nose.
Puukko throws a head kick that misses.
Puukko has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Puukko there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Puukko on the side of the head.
Lauri Puukko is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice body punch from Smith.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Smith takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Smith misses with a shot to the body
and Puukko counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Smith misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Puukko.
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Smith looks to land a combination. Puukko sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
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!
Puukko walks into a left hand.
Smith lands a two punch combo.
Steve Smith seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Smith throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Puukko on the side of the head.
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Smith dips to his left and cracks Puukko with an uppercut!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a body punch but Puukko moves out of range.
Smith lands a two punch combo.

Puukko is rocked!
Smith fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Puukko manages to avoid it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Smith.
Puukko on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Smith's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Smith duly obliges.

Lauri Puukko's cut is getting worse.
Smith fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Smith lands a nice shot that snaps Puukko's head back.
Good exchange - Smith coming out on top.
Oh Puukko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Smith shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Puukko sprawls well. Puukko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Smith gets slowly back to his feet.
Puukko seems to have got his legs back now.
Smith digs a good body shot into Puukko's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith just misses with a punch to the body.
Smith misses with a hook to the body
and Puukko counters with a nice uppercut.
Smith throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Smith fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Puukko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Smith stuns Puukko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
No joy there for Smith, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Puukko takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Smith listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Smith digs a good body shot into Puukko's ribs.
Smith lands with a nice body punch.
Smith lands a glancing blow to the side of Puukko's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Puukko doesn't seem bothered though.
Smith punishes Puukko's body with a nice straight punch.
Smith dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Smith lands with an overhand left.
The fighters circle momentarily. Smith darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Smith misses with a wild body shot.
Smith lands with a nice body punch.
Lauri Puukko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Smith scores with a decent looking hook.
Puukko looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Puukko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Smith.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Smith lands with a nice body punch.
Smith keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Puukko takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Smith dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Lauri Puukko's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Smith scores with a nice head shot.

Smith drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Smith working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Puukko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Smith loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Smith seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Smith stands up over Puukko, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
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.
Smith controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith working some strikes from top position.
Puukko being controlled here, momentarily.
Smith trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Smith working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Puukko's head.
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Smith lands a couple of elbows.
Smith wants to pass the guard but Puukko is keeping the position.
Smith throwing strikes but missing.
Smith wants to control from the top but Puukko keeps moving.
Smith might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Puukko kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Smith scoring with punches to the head and body.
Well,Puukko is on his way to losing a decision here. Can he use his experience to pull something off in the closing minutes?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smith throws a strike but Puukko rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Smith is pulling down on Puukko's head. It's preventing any offense from Puukko, at least for the moment.

Puukko gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Puukko tries a head kick but it misses.
Puukko misses with a wild body shot.
Sloppy strikes from Smith. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Puukko throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Puukko doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Smith throws a right and a left that both miss.
Smith throws a predictable looking body shot
and Puukko counters with a one-two to the body.
Smith lands with a right hand.
Smith blocks the body kick.
Smith digs a good hook to Puukko's body.
Lauri Puukko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Smith bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Puukko with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Smith to score with a decent uppercut.

Smith scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Smith lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Still in half guard, Smith seems content to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steve Smith comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Smith 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Steve Smith!
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Steve Smith!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Steve Smith!

Steve Smith wins by unanimous decision! Steve Smith retains his welterweight title!