PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Goro Utini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Imum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Imum has chosen Candy Paint - Ken Tuck as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Utini
vs
Imum

215 cm
26
194 lbs
10 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
186 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Goro Utini!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Max Imum!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Imum throws a head kick that misses.
Imum throws a low kick but it's checked well by Utini.
Utini misses with a body shot.
Utini connects with a right hand. Imum shakes it off.
Imum misses with a lunging right hand
and Utini counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Utini stuffs the takedown.
The fighters circle momentarily. Utini darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Good work by Imum as he checks the leg kick.
Utini takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Utini misses with the combination.

Utini gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Imum to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Utini really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Utini avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imum trying to control the position from guard on top but Utini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Utini escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Imum gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Utini keeping moving, preventing Imum from controlling successfully.
Imum is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Imum postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Utini trying to control the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Imum accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Imum is looking to advance position but Utini has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Imum has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Imum gets back to half guard.

Utini stands up from half guard.
Utini misses with an uppercut.
Imum misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Imum slips a jab and a cross from Utini.
Imum is looking to clinch but Utini is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imum looks to score with a jab to the body but Utini is just out of range.
Imum scores with a head kick.
Imum looks for a takedown but Utini sprawls well.
Utini lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Imum tries to clinch but Utini moves out of range.
Utini works the jab nicely.
Utini throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Utini scores with a punch to the head.
Imum lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Utini steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Imum.
Utini bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Imum lands a leg kick that knocks Utini off balance momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imum tries a head kick but it misses.
Imum shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Utini but Utini pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Goro Utini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Imum.
Imum fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Utini keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Imum.
Imum slips a jab from Utini.
Utini keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Imum.
Imum looks to score with a jab to the body but Utini is just out of range.
Imum tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Utini loads up on a big right hand but Imum slips the punch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Imum with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Utini to score with a decent uppercut.
Utini wants to land a leg kick but Imum is out of range.
Imum is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Imum takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Max Imum will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Utini digs a good body shot into Imum's ribs.
Imum throws a jab but it's blocked by Utini.
Utini scores with a nice right hand.
A punch lands to the side of Imum 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Imum misses with a kick to the body.
Utini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Imum was well out of range. Poor timing from Utini.
Imum uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Utini.
Utini lands a jab.
Jab, jab by Utini - just one landing.
Imum tries for a takedown but Utini sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Imum throws a head kick that misses.
Imum tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Utini swings for the body but Imum moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Utini thows a body shot but no joy.
Utini is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Imum lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Utini at a distance.
Utini misses with a low kick as Imum jumps back.
Utini misses with a hook to the body
and Imum cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Utini scores with a nice head shot.
Utini is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Utini misses with a two punch combination.
Imum dodges the punch combination from Utini.
Utini pivots, looking for a leg kick but Imum is out of range and Utini settles back down.
Goro Utini is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Imum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nice straight punches there by Imum. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Imum.
Utini scores with the left hand. Imum knows he should have avoided that one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imum connects with a high kick.
Utini jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Utini's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Utini duly obliges.

Imum is rocked!
Utini throws a hook but Imum avoids it easily.
Imum tries a head kick but it misses.
Imum scores with a kick to the midsection.
Utini cracks Imum with a right hand to the side of the head.

Imum shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Imum showed some decent athleticism there.
Utini moves into full guard.
Imum trying to control the position from guard on top but Utini is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Utini pulls Imum in close to prevent any damage.
Imum working some strikes from top position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Utini keeping moving, preventing Imum from controlling successfully.
Imum loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Imum landing with the ground and pound.
Imum throwing strikes from guard but Utini blocks nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Utini is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Imum slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Imum is trying to keep Utini in close.
Utini is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Imum wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Utini is now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Goro Utini will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Utini scores with a jab to the head.
Utini fails to land with a series of punches.
Utini throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Imum.
Utini misses with a low kick.

Imum moves into the clinch.
Imum looking to slow down the pace here.
Utini can't break the clinch.
Imum misses with a punch on the inside.
Imum with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Utini as Imum tries to tie him up.
Imum lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Imum working aggressively here.
Imum trying to stall but Utini improves his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Utini's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Utini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Imum fails with a takedown attempt.
Utini waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Imum.
Imum wants to clinch.
Utini throws a right hand that Imum ducks under and follows up with a left that Imum also avoids with ease.
Imum pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Imum changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Utini tries to avoid it but Imum manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Utini to the ground. Utini escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Imum drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Imum in side control, throwing shots but Utini defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imum throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Utini parries the strikes from Imum easily there. Imum is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Utini to escape.
Imum wants to lay and pray for a moment but Utini keeps working.
Utini takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Imum cracks Utini with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The ground and pound from Imum seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Utini is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Utini dodges the ground and pound from Imum.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Utini tries to buck Imum off but Imum is having none of it.
Imum landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Imum controlling from side mount.
Imum throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Imum throws an elbow but Utini slips to the side and avoids it well.
Imum trying to control the action but Utini is working from the bottom.
Imum scores with punches from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Utini is not content to let Imum control the position.
Utini defending against the ground and pound.
Imum in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Utini is not content to let Imum control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Imum cracks Utini with an elbow. That is naaassty.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Max Imum really dominated that 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.

Utini misses with a body shot.
A swing and a miss from Utini.
Imum misses with a body shot.
Imum scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Imum throws a jab when Utini was well out of range.
Imum throws a sloppy head kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Utini feints a jab promting Imum to slip. Utini then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Imum slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Goro Utini is winning the standup battle so far.
Utini misses with a wild combination.
Utini lands a nice shot to the body.
Utini connects with a body shot that sends Imum's belly button to the back.
Imum looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Utini is fending him off so far but Imum persists. Nope, Utini circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imum bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Imum throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Utini scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Utini misses with a straight left.
Utini scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Imum doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Imum is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Utini misses the jab.
Utini tried to score with a low kick but Imum checks it.
Utini fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Utini connects with a body shot that sends Imum's belly button to the back.
Imum lunges at Utini with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Utini's hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imum fails with an attempt to clinch.
Imum tries to clinch but Utini moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Utini there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Imum shoots for a double leg takedown but Utini sprawls well. He's pushed Imum's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Imum checks a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Decent striking displayed by Utini there.
Utini throws out a powerful jab.
Utini connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Utini scores with a jab to the jaw.
Utini misses with a leg kick.
Utini blocks a low kick nicely.
Imum fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Utini is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imum stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Utini.
A head kick by Imum misses
and Utini counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Utini throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Imum stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Utini misses with a straight left.
Imum misses the shot to the body.
Utini takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Utini looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
No joy there for Utini, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Imum tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Utini paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Imum walks into a left hand.
Utini works the jab nicely.
A shot to the liver by Utini. Beautiful body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Utini is looking to slow Imum down with leg kicks.
Imum on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Imum misses with a body punch
and Utini connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Imum gets cracked there but stands up to it.
A leg kick checked by Imum.
Imum tries to move into range but Utini moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice body punch from Utini.
Imum lands a nice shot that snaps Utini's head back.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Imum takes the fight into the clinch.
Imum swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A frustrated look appears on Utini's face as he tries to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Goro Utini had his way with Max Imum in that round.
That's time! Utini's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Utini misses with a jab to the body

and Imum counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Utini escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Imum is looking to chop away at Utini's legs.
Utini throws a big shot that misses.
Imum lands with a thumping leg kick.
Imum moves out of range as Utini strikes.
Utini circles away from the clinch attempt.
Utini throws a hook but Imum avoids it easily.
Utini circles away from the clinch attempt.
Imum shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Utini but Utini pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Utini connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Imum shoots in but Utini avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Utini scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Imum doesn't seem bothered though.
Imum is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Imum throws a nice inside leg kick.
Imum doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Utini works Imum's body with a nice hook.
Imum has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Imum walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Utini misses with a wild body shot.
Imum misses with a hook. Utini ducked under it nicely.
Imum swings for the body but Utini moves out of range.
Imum throws a head kick but Utini moves out of range.
Utini scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Utini bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Imum's head backwards.
Imum slips a jab from Utini.
Utini scores with a shot to the body.
Imum looks for a takedown but Utini sprawls well.
Goro Utini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Max Imum.
Utini takes a head kick and keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Imum takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Utini ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Utini fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Utini ducks under a wild hook from Imum.
Utini uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imum throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Imum lands a nice hook to Utini's body. Utini takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Utini avoids the body shot from Imum.
Utini changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Utini scores with a decent looking hook.
A jab lands there for Utini.
Nice defenses there by Imum.
Imum uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Utini.
Imum throws a leg kick
and Utini counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Utini motions for Imum to come forward. Utini throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Utini throws a lazy right hand but Imum sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Utini misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Imum.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Imum misses the jab.
Utini throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Utini throws a low kick but Imum moves out of range easily.
Utini stuns Imum with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Imum will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nice body punch from Utini.
Utini avoids the body shot from Imum.
Utini lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Utini dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Imum thows a body shot but no joy.
Utini scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

And that's the end of the fight!
Goro Utini showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Utini has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Goro Utini!
Goro Utini retains his middleweight title!