PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mihail Monarkki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pulkan Naru (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Naru has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Monarkki
vs
Naru

194 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

190 cm
23
207 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mihail Monarkki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pulkan Naru!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Monarkki dives in and grabs Naru's left leg, looking for a takedown. Naru pushes down on Monarkki's head and hops out.
Monarkki defending well as Naru loads up on a big left hand.
Naru has his takedown stuffed

and Monarkki counters with a shoot takedown. Naru fights it but they end up in guard.
Naru looks gassed!
Monarkki landing with the ground and pound.
Monarkki trying to control the position from guard on top but Naru is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Monarkki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Monarkki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Naru keeping moving, preventing Monarkki from controlling successfully.
Monarkki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Monarkki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Monarkki'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 one minute gone in the round.
Monarkki throwing strikes from guard but Naru blocks nicely.
Monarkki is looking to work some ground and pound but Naru has wrist control.
Naru utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Monarkki works over Naru with some ground and pound from guard.
Naru utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Monarkki connects with a couple of short punches.
Monarkki makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Monarkki's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Naru preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Monarkki postures up and lands a big shot to Naru's brow.
Monarkki lands a couple of digs.
Naru avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Monarkki decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Monarkki scores with a takedown into Naru's guard.
Monarkki landing with the ground and pound.
Monarkki prevents Naru from getting back to his feet.
Monarkki trying to control but Naru is working from the bottom.

Monarkki stands and steps away. Naru gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Monarkki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Monarkki shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naru keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Monarkki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Monarkki has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Monarkki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Monarkki winds up and cracks Naru with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Monarkki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Naru taking some punishment here, with Monarkki in his half guard.
Monarkki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Naru keeps working.
Monarkki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Monarkki seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Monarkki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Monarkki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monarkki thows a huge punch but Naru dodges it nicely.
Naru keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Naru wants to get back to his feet.
Monarkki lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Naru keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Naru is trying to stand up here but Monarkki is controlling him well.
Monarkki seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Naru does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Monarkki scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Naru blocking the ground and pound attempt from Monarkki.
Naru blocking the ground and pound attempt from Monarkki.
Naru tries to kick Monarkki off but Monarkki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Monarkki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Naru's head.
Monarkki throwing shots but Naru is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mihail Monarkki dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Monarkki shoots in and drives through. Naru sprawls well.
Monarkki is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Naru.
Monarkki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Naru but Naru pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Monarkki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Naru throws out the jab.
Nice takedown defense from Naru. No joy for Monarkki on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mihail Monarkki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Naru has his takedown stuffed

and Monarkki counters with a shoot takedown. Naru fights it but they end up in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monarkki throws a big right hand that misses.
Naru avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Monarkki stops Naru from standing up.
Monarkki scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Monarkki throwing strikes but missing.
Naru is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Monarkki is controlling him.
Monarkki thows a big elbow that misses.
Monarkki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Naru really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Monarkki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Monarkki trying to control the position from guard on top but Naru is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naru utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two 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.
Monarkki trying to control the position from guard on top but Naru is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naru wants to stand and escape but Monarkki is having none of it.
Monarkki postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Monarkki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Monarkki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Monarkki is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Naru is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Naru has escaped and now he's on top!
Monarkki looking for a sweep. Not yet Monarkki, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monarkki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Monarkki is pulling down on Naru's head. It's preventing any offense from Naru, at least for the moment.
Naru would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's four 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.
Naru is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Mihail Monarkki wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Monarkki shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Naru napping and manages to drive through into side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mihail Monarkki dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Naru throws a shot from downtown. Monarkki moves away and avoids it.
Naru closes the distance but Monarkki moves to the side

and Monarkki counters with a single leg into guard. Naru didn't expect that.
Monarkki stands up over Naru, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Monarkki postures up in Naru's guard and throws a big left but Naru blocks it.
Monarkki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Naru is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Monarkki showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Naru preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Monarkki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Monarkki wants to control from the top but Naru keeps moving.
Monarkki postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Monarkki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Monarkki stands up over Naru, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Monarkki wants to control from the top but Naru keeps moving.
Monarkki prevents Naru from getting back to his feet.
Monarkki makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Monarkki prevents Naru from getting back to his feet.
Naru utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Monarkki trying to control but Naru is working from the bottom.
Monarkki pushing down on Naru's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

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.
Naru blocking the ground and pound attempt from Monarkki.
Monarkki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Naru is trying to stand back up but Monarkki is controlling him
Monarkki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Naru pushes Monarkki off looking to stand but Monarkki dives back in and keeps control.
Monarkki throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mihail Monarkki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Monarkki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Naru is trying to stand up here but Monarkki is controlling him well.
Naru on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Monarkki wants to lay and pray for a moment but Naru keeps working.
Monarkki lands with a punch from half guard.
Naru looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Monarkki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Monarkki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Naru is trying to stand up here but Monarkki is controlling him well.
Monarkki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Monarkki lands strikes from half guard.
Naru blocking the ground and pound attempt from Monarkki.
Naru wants to get back to his feet.
Monarkki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Naru's head.
Monarkki throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Monarkki throwing shots but Naru is blocking nicely.
Monarkki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Naru defending well though.
Monarkki missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's four 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.
Monarkki not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Naru is looking to escape.
Monarkki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Naru looks like he's trying to stand up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Monarkki connects with a nice short shot to Naru's temple.

Monarkki stands up and beckons Naru to join him on the feet.
Monarkki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Naru.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Monarkki shoots in and gets a takedown into Naru's guard.
Pulkan Naru has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Monarkki with a flurry of punches that miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mihail Monarkki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Monarkki, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mihail Monarkki!