PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Povetkin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toni Touhu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Povetkin comes to the cage accompanied by Mother Russia. Touhu has chosen AC/DC - TNT 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.

Povetkin
vs
Touhu

185 cm
24
165 lbs
7 - 2 - 1

170 cm
22
165 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexander Povetkin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Toni Touhu!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Touhu fails with the takedown

and Povetkin counters by clinching up.
Touhu drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Povetkin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Povetkin is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Touhu is working for takedown but Povetkin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Alexander Povetkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Toni Touhu.
Touhu is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Povetkin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
A hook to the body from Povetkin.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Povetkin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Povetkin lands an uppercut.
Povetkin is leaning against Touhu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Touhu is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Povetkin lands a left hand.
Povetkin scores with a shoulder strike.
Povetkin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Povetkin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Povetkin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Touhu looks gassed!
Povetkin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
Povetkin lands a nice shot to the body.
Povetkin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Povetkin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Povetkin holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Povetkin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Touhu or not.
Povetkin lands a nice uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Povetkin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Povetkin lands a shot to the body.
Povetkin lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Povetkin.
Povetkin presses Touhu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Povetkin lands an uppercut.
Povetkin lands with a short shot to the head.
Povetkin lands a left hand.
Povetkin lands with a light punch inside.
Povetkin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A hook to the body from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
Povetkin presses Touhu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Povetkin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
Povetkin scores with a shot to the side of Touhu's head.
Povetkin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Touhu or not.
Povetkin lands a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Povetkin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Touhu tries to score a body lock takedown but Povetkin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Povetkin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Povetkin lands a left hand.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Povetkin takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin scores with a hook to the body.
Povetkin lands an uppercut.
Touhu goes for a takedown attempt but Povetkin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Touhu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Povetkin can pounce on him.
An inside leg kick lands from Povetkin.
Povetkin dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Touhu. That did some damage!
Touhu misses with a takedown attempt
and Povetkin counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Touhu takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Touhu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Povetkin can pounce on him.

Povetkin forces Touhu back against the cage and clinches.
Povetkin digs a right hand into Touhu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Touhu's gas tank.
Povetkin lands a body punch in the clinch.
Povetkin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
Povetkin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Touhu.
A right handed body shot lands from Povetkin.
A shot in the inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin digs a right hand into Touhu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Touhu's gas tank.
Still in the clinch, Povetkin scores with a nice short uppercut.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Povetkin.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Povetkin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Povetkin.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin gets through Touhu's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Povetkin presses Touhu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Povetkin scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin pushes Touhu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Povetkin scores with a shot to the side of Touhu's head.
Povetkin is stalling here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Povetkin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Povetkin cracks Touhu with a nice body shot.
Povetkin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Povetkin presses Touhu against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Povetkin has Touhu pushed against the cage.
Povetkin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Povetkin lands with a short shot to the head.
Povetkin lands a hook to the side of the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Povetkin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Povetkin is leaning against Touhu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A right hand to the body from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Touhu or not.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Povetkin is leaning against Touhu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Povetkin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Povetkin lands a body shot.
Povetkin throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Povetkin cracks Touhu with a nice body shot.
Povetkin slows down the pace here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Povetkin rushes Touhu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Povetkin lands a body punch.
Povetkin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
Povetkin is pressed up against the cage. Touhu has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Povetkin down to the mat. Povetkin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Alexander Povetkin seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Povetkin throws out a leg kick but Touhu moves out of range and Povetkin only half commits.
Povetkin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Touhu can do to turn this around?
Povetkin fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Touhu checks it well.
Povetkin feints and then cracks Touhu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Touhu down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Touhu chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Povetkin can pounce on him.
Touhu is breathing heavily.

Povetkin instigates a clinch.
Povetkin digs a right hand into Touhu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Touhu's gas tank.
Touhu is trying to drag Povetkin to the mat but Povetkin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Touhu has Povetkin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Povetkin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Alexander Povetkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Toni Touhu.
Povetkin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Touhu or not.
Povetkin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Povetkin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
A nice right hand lands inside from Povetkin.
Touhu goes for a takedown attempt but Povetkin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Povetkin pushes Touhu up against the cage in a clinch.
Povetkin is leaning against Touhu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Povetkin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
A short uppercut from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a shoulder strike.
Povetkin lands a body shot.
A short left from Povetkin.
Povetkin works on Touhu's body with a couple of short punches.
Povetkin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin scores with a shoulder strike.
Povetkin scores with a hook to the body.
Povetkin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Povetkin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Povetkin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Povetkin throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Touhus head.
Povetkin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Povetkin scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Povetkin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Touhu or not.
Povetkin digs a right hand underneath Touhu's ribcage. Touhu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A nice left hand lands by Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Touhu or not.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A short left from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a body shot.
A body shot lands from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Touhu has Povetkin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Povetkin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A short uppercut from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a body shot.
A short left from Povetkin.
Touhu has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Povetkin avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Povetkin.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Povetkin lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Povetkin.
A right hand to the body from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a right hand.
A short right from Povetkin on the inside.
Alexander Povetkin has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Touhu is working for takedown but Povetkin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Povetkin lands with a light punch inside.
Touhu tries to score a body lock takedown but Povetkin shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Povetkin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A hook to the body from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a body shot in the clinch.
A short left from Povetkin.
Povetkin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a body shot in the clinch.
Povetkin lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Povetkin lands a hook to the side of the head.
Touhu is working for takedown but Povetkin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Povetkin digs a right hand underneath Touhu's ribcage. Touhu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Good body shot from Povetkin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin digs a right hand into Touhu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Touhu's gas tank.
Povetkin prevents a takedown attempt there.
Povetkin works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Povetkin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
Povetkin scores with a shoulder strike.
Povetkin scores with a shoulder strike.
Povetkin lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Povetkin lands a body punch.
Povetkin scores with a shoulder strike.
Povetkin lands a shot to the body.
Povetkin lands a hook that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
Povetkin is pressed up against the cage. Touhu has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Povetkin down to the mat. Povetkin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Povetkin, right into the meat.
Povetkin throws a head kick that Touhu semi-blocks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A slapping leg kick lands for Povetkin.
Povetkin feints and then cracks Touhu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Touhu down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alexander Povetkin dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Touhu checks the leg kick nicely there.
Povetkin scores with a leg kick.
Touhu gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Povetkin counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Touhu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Povetkin rushes Touhu and presses him up against the cage.
Touhu is trying to drag Povetkin to the mat but Povetkin just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A left hand lands to the body for Povetkin.
A short right from Povetkin on the inside.
Povetkin digs a right hand underneath Touhu's ribcage. Touhu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Povetkin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Touhu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Good body shot from Povetkin.
Povetkin leaning against his opponent.
Povetkin digs a right hand underneath Touhu's ribcage. Touhu let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Povetkin lands a body punch in the clinch.
Povetkin lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Povetkin lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Still in the clinch, Povetkin scores with a nice short uppercut.
Povetkin lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
Povetkin lands a right hand that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
A short uppercut from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Povetkin lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Touhu.
A short uppercut from Povetkin.
A hook to the body from Povetkin.
Nice body punch from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Povetkin.
Povetkin lands with a short shot to the head.
Povetkin lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Povetkin.
Povetkin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Touhu is working for takedown but Povetkin is calmly controlling the position for now.
Alexander Povetkin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Toni Touhu.
Povetkin lands a right hand.
Nice body punch from Povetkin.
Povetkin has Touhu pressed against the cage.
Povetkin lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Povetkin.
Touhu wants a takedown.
A body shot lands from Povetkin.
Povetkin working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Povetkin gets through Touhu's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short body shot lands from Povetkin as the two fighters clinch.
Alexander Povetkin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Povetkin lands a nice uppercut.
Touhu's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Povetkin lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Touhu is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Povetkin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Povetkin lands a shot to the body.
Touhu is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Povetkin pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Povetkin lands a right hand.
Povetkin lands a left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Povetkin lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Touhu or not.
Touhu is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Povetkin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Touhu looking for a takedown.
Povetkin scores with a shot to the side of Touhu's head.
Touhu wants a takedown.
Povetkin pushes Touhu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Touhu has Povetkin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Povetkin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Povetkin is pushing Touhu up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Povetkin lands a nice shot to the body.

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.
Touhu looking for a takedown.
Touhu wants a takedown but no success here.
Povetkin lands a left hand that snaps the head of Touhu backwards.
A right hook to the body lands for Povetkin.
Povetkin lands a body punch.
Povetkin scores with a nice hook to the head.
Touhu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Povetkin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Touhu takes a shot to the head.
Touhu wants a takedown.
Povetkin stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Toni Touhu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Touhu tries to work over Povetkin's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Povetkin prevents a body shot from Touhu.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexander Povetkin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Povetkin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:24
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:24
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexander Povetkin!