PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pekka Topohanta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Howard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Topohanta comes into the arena with DJ Proteus : Illuminati blaring out of the sound system. Howard has chosen The Outlaw Torn as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Topohanta
vs
Howard

201 cm
29
275 lbs
20 - 5 - 1

193 cm
24
270 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Pekka Topohanta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jake Howard!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Felipe Paraventi and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Howard tests Topohanta's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jake Howard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Howard blocks a low kick nicely.
Howard throws a body punch but Topohanta moves out of range.
Howard throws a looping overhand right but Topohanta ducks down to avoid it.
Howard lands a nice shot to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Howard closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Topohanta has Howard pressed against the cage.
Howard slowing the pace effectively.
Howard blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Topohanta stalls.
Howard misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Topohanta lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Howard pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Howard fails to land.
Howard taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Topohanta misses with an elbow over the top.
Howard lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Howard tries a body shot but Topohanta blocks it.
Topohanta blocks a body shot from Howard.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Topohanta scores with a shot to the side of Howard's head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Topohanta obliges.
Topohanta looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Topohanta looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A bit of stalling here from Topohanta.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Topohanta creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Howard blocks the elbow strike.
Topohanta has Howard pushed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta lands an elbow just above Howard 's eye.
Topohanta missing with knees to the body.
Howard fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Howard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Howard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Topohanta is trying to stall.
Topohanta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Topohanta throws an elbow that misses.
Topohanta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Howard on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Howard tries to throw a body punch but Topohanta avoids it by throwing Howard back against the cage.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Topohanta.
Howard lands with a left to the head.
Howard is working Topohanta over against the cage.
Topohanta has Howard pushed against the cage.
Topohanta trying to stall but Howard improves his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Howard tries to work over Topohanta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Topohanta creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Topohanta dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Topohanta tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Howard avoids it.
Howard will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Topohanta up against the cage.
Topohanta misses with an elbow strike.
Howard is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Howard tries to throw a body punch but Topohanta avoids it by throwing Howard back against the cage.
Topohanta tries to stall but Howard uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Topohanta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Howard taking a breather.
Howard avoids a wild elbow strike from Topohanta.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Topohanta looking to slow down the pace here.
Topohanta lands a nice uppercut.
Topohanta on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Topohanta looking to slow down the pace here.
Topohanta stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Topohanta misses with an elbow over the top.
Topohanta is trying to stall.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Pekka Topohanta.
Howard uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Topohanta.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howard attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Howard pulls out of a head kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jake Howard will probably get the nod.
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.

Howard connects with a crisp jab.

Howard gets a clinch.
Howard lands a nice uppercut.
Howard working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Howard misses with the head strike.
Howard trying to stall but Topohanta improves his position.
Topohanta pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Howard is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Topohanta is defending well for now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Topohanta.
Howard avoiding damage as Topohanta throws knees to the body.
Howard lands a body punch in the clinch.
Jake Howard seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Topohanta lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Jake Howard has been cut.
Howard dodges an elbow strike from Topohanta.
Topohanta is pushing Howard up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Topohanta misses with a punch on the inside.
Howard scores with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
With the fighters up against the cage, Topohanta throws an elbow but misses.
Howard can't find room to land a body shot as Topohanta controls the action.
Topohanta landing knees to the body.
Howard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Howard on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Topohanta swings wildly with an uppercut but Howard uses good head movement to avoid it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Topohanta doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Howard misses with a body punch.
Howard tries a body shot but Topohanta blocks it.
Howard avoids the elbow strike from Topohanta, against the cage.
Topohanta pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Howard lands a right hand that snaps the head of Topohanta backwards.
Topohanta lands with a light punch inside.
Howard blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Topohanta fails to land.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Howard as Topohanta tries to tie him up.
Topohanta lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Howard tries to throw a body punch but Topohanta avoids it by throwing Howard back against the cage.
Topohanta prevents a body shot from Howard.
Howard avoids the elbow strike from Topohanta, against the cage.
Topohanta on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Howard lands a hook that snaps the head of Topohanta backwards.
Topohanta manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Topohanta doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Howard takes an elbow to the temple.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Howard.
Howard looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howard keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Topohanta's efforts to push away.
Howard effectively controlling the action here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Topohanta.
Howard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Topohanta manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A right hand to the body from Howard.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Howard can't find room to land a body shot as Topohanta controls the action.
Topohanta pressing his opponent against the cage.
Topohanta tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Howard is keeping busy.
Howard avoids a wild elbow strike from Topohanta.
Howard is leaning against Topohanta and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Howard lands a left hand that snaps the head of Topohanta backwards.
Howard tries to throw a body punch but Topohanta avoids it by throwing Howard back against the cage.
Topohanta effectively controlling the action here.
Howard is pushing Topohanta up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Topohanta looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Howard tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Topohanta's elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howard slowing the pace effectively.
Howard misses with a knee strike.
Topohanta manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Topohanta avoiding damage as Howard throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Howard showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jake Howard's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice uppercut there from Howard.

It looks like Pekka Topohanta has been cut.

Howard clinches up against the cage.
Topohanta tries to stall but Howard uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Knees in the clinch landing for Topohanta.
Topohanta throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Howard prevents Topohanta from breaking the clinch.
A short right from Topohanta on the inside.
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!
Howard trying to control the position but instead, Topohanta has worked for underhooks and has pushed Howard into the cage.
Topohanta pushes off an throws an elbow but Howard leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Topohanta wants to break free but Howard has control.
Howard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Topohanta trying to control the position but instead, Howard has worked for underhooks and has pushed Topohanta into the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Topohanta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Howard gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Topohanta wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Howard has him pressed against the cage.
Howard softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Topohanta wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Howard has him pressed against the cage.
Come on Howard - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Topohanta creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Topohanta working hard to break the clinch.
Howard scores with a hook to the body.
Howard blocking some punches.
Topohanta looking to slow down the pace here.
Topohanta is trying to force a seperation but Howard has the dominant position.
Topohanta misses with an elbow strike.
Topohanta misses with an elbow strike.
Howard is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Howard avoids it.
Howard blocks an elbow strike.

Topohanta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Howard thumps Topohanta with a low kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Topohanta showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Howard.
Jake Howard seems to be getting the better of the standup.
That kick from Howard tenderised Topohanta's leg. Topohanta is trying to keep his angry face on.
Howard connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

Howard has Topohanta up against the cage in a clinch.
Howard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Topohanta wants to break the clinch but can't.
Topohanta pushes off an throws an elbow but Howard leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Howard is stalling here.
Howard is leaning against Topohanta and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Howard tries a body shot but Topohanta blocks it.
Howard is working Topohanta over against the cage.
Howard goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Howard stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Topohanta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right handed body shot lands from Howard.
Topohanta is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Howard is keeping busy.
A short uppercut from Howard.
Howard working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Topohanta throws an elbow that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Howard.
Topohanta managing to block the knees to the body from Howard.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Howard blocking some punches.
Howard presses Topohanta against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Topohanta doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Topohanta prevents a body shot from Howard.
A nice left hand lands by Howard.
Howard blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Howard doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Topohanta creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Howard lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howard scores with a shoulder strike.
Howard tries to work over Topohanta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Topohanta throws an elbow but it misses.
Howard is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Howard really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Howard throws a head kick that misses.
Howard cracks Topohanta with a good jab.
Howard misses the jab.
A punch combination from Topohanta misses.
Howard tries a head kick but it misses.
Howard lands a nice leg kick that just misses Topohanta's sensitive parts.
Howard misses with a wild combination.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
A head kick from Howard lands but Topohanta takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Topohanta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Howard fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Howard misses with a kick to the body.
Howard throws a series of punches but Topohanta avoids them all with ease.

Howard clinches up against the cage.
Howard avoids the elbow strike from Topohanta, against the cage.
Topohanta is looking to control Howard's arms but Howard gets an underhook and turns him. Now Topohanta has his back to the cage.
Topohanta throws a head punch that misses.
Howard lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Topohanta backwards.
Topohanta throws an elbow but it misses.
Topohanta slowing the pace effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Howard just leaning against Topohanta, taking a breather.
Howard tries a body shot but Topohanta blocks it.
Howard avoiding damage as Topohanta throws knees to the body.
Howard lands an uppercut.
Topohanta looking to stall.
Topohanta pushes off an throws an elbow but Howard leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Topohanta working hard to break the clinch.
Topohanta will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Howard up against the cage.
Howard gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Topohanta looking to stall.
Topohanta takes a shot to the head.
Howard throws a punch but it's blocked by Topohanta.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta prevents a body shot from Howard.
Howard takes a shot to the head.
Topohanta misses with the head strike.
Topohanta creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Howard blocks an elbow strike from Topohanta.
Topohanta swings wildly with an uppercut but Howard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Howard blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Howard lands with a light punch inside.
Nice body punch from Howard.
Howard working aggressively here.
Topohanta blocks a body shot from Howard.
Howard lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Howard lands an uppercut.
Howard throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Howard lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Howard lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howard misses with an elbow over the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howard lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Howard scores with a nice hook to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Howard.

Topohanta is rocked!
Howard tries to work over Topohanta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Howard scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Oh Topohanta is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Howard is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Howard lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Howard lands with a short shot to the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Howard.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Howard as Topohanta tries to tie him up.
Topohanta throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howard blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Topohanta seems to have got his legs back now.
Howard misses with a body punch.
Howard struggles to land a body shot inside as Topohanta controls his hands.
Howard misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Howard dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Howard rushes Topohanta and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Howard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Topohanta taking a breather.
Topohanta swings wildly with an uppercut but Howard uses good head movement to avoid it.
Topohanta looks to throw an elbow but misses.
The referee is keeping an eye on Howard - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Howard avoids the elbow strike from Topohanta, against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Howard misses with a hook from the clinch.
Howard lands a shot to the body.
Howard avoids the elbow strike from Topohanta, against the cage.
Howard can't find room to land a body shot as Topohanta controls the action.
Topohanta goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Knees to the body from Topohanta.
Howard is working Topohanta over against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Topohanta wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Howard has him pressed against the cage.
Topohanta leaning against his opponent.
Howard lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Howard blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Howard as Topohanta tries to tie him up.
Howard lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Topohanta or not.
Howard blocks a body shot from Topohanta.
Howard tries a body shot but Topohanta blocks it.
Topohanta misses with an elbow strike.
Topohanta throws an elbow but it misses.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Topohanta just misses with a elbow thrown towards Howard's brow.
Topohanta blocks a body shot from Howard.
Topohanta prevents a body shot from Howard.
Topohanta avoiding damage as Howard throws knees to the body.
Howard is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta pushes Howard back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Howard tries to throw a body punch but Topohanta avoids it by throwing Howard back against the cage.
Howard throws a punch but it's blocked by Topohanta.
Topohanta controlling the action here for a moment.
Topohanta letting Howard take a breather here.
Topohanta stalls.
Howard is pushing Topohanta up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howard blocks the elbow strike.
Howard tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Pekka Topohanta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Topohanta throws an elbow that misses.
Howard has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Topohanta is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Howard is keeping busy.
Howard misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Howard fails to land.
Topohanta tries to land knees in the clinch but Howard avoids the damage to the body.
Topohanta has a couple of punches blocked by Howard.
Topohanta trying to stall but Howard improves his position.
Topohanta throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Howard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Topohanta misses with an elbow strike.
Howard is working Topohanta over against the cage.
Howard avoids a wild elbow strike from Topohanta.
Howard tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Topohanta throws an elbow that misses.
Howard has Topohanta pushed against the cage.
Howard lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Topohanta landing knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Topohanta blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howard lands a nice uppercut.
Topohanta throws a punch but it's blocked by Howard.
Topohanta stalling.
Howard dodges an elbow strike from Topohanta.
Topohanta lands a right hand.
Topohanta lands a body punch in the clinch.
Topohanta holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Howard avoids the elbow strike from Topohanta, against the cage.
Topohanta pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Topohanta creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Howard's defenses.
A right handed body shot lands from Howard.
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.
Topohanta lands a body punch.
Topohanta misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Howard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howard avoiding damage.
Topohanta throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Howards head.
Jake Howard is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Howard blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Howard avoiding damage as Topohanta throws knees to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pekka Topohanta showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Howard 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 46:49
Judge Felipe Paraventi scores the fight 46:49
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Howard!
Jake Howard is the new heavyweight champion!