PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kota Punga (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mattias Markstrom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mattias Markstrom has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Kota Punga's chin.

Punga
vs
Markstrom

190 cm
26
170 lbs
1 - 6 - 0

180 cm
28
170 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kota Punga!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mattias Markstrom!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Punga misses.
Markstrom misses with a double jab.
Markstrom displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Punga.
Markstrom tries to clinch up.
Markstrom tries to close the distance and clinch but Punga swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Punga rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Markstrom moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Punga really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Markstrom doesn't manage to clinch there - Punga circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Markstrom looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Markstrom checks the leg kick nicely there.

Punga tries to keep at a distance but Markstrom has taken the fight into the clinch.
Punga drops down looking for an ankle pick but Markstrom pulls his leg out and moves away.
Markstrom scores with a head kick.
Punga is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Markstrom.

Punga takes the fight into the clinch.

Punga has Markstrom pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Punga pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Markstrom tumbling to the mat - Punga dives into Markstrom's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Punga has gone for a leg lock! Markstrom slips out almost immediately though and dives into Punga's guard.
Punga has a closed guard, preventing Markstrom from standing up.

Markstrom gets to his feet - Punga follows without any prompting.
Markstrom takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Markstrom tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Punga manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Punga blocks a head kick by Markstrom.
Markstrom swats away the attempt to clinch by Punga.
Punga looks to land a combination. Markstrom sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Mattias Markstrom has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Markstrom has taken the fight to the clinch.
Markstrom is trying to push Punga away but Punga has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Punga gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Markstrom wants to sweep here but Punga controlling him for the moment.

Punga has gone for a leg lock! Markstrom slips out almost immediately though and dives into Punga's guard.

Punga has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Markstrom can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Markstrom throwing strikes from guard but Punga blocks nicely.

Punga looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Punga is breathing heavily.
Markstrom passes into half guard.
Markstrom working the head and body with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Markstrom wants to work for an arm triangle but Punga is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Markstrom missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Markstrom wants to stand but Punga has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

Markstrom is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Punga is just riding it out for now. Markstrom eventually gives up the hold.

Punga actively working from the bottom here.

Markstrom is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Markstrom tries to pass to full mount but Punga defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Punga looking for subs from the bottom but Markstrom mounts him!

Markstrom stands up from mount. Strange move.
Punga throws a right hand that Markstrom ducks under and follows up with a left that Markstrom also avoids with ease.
Markstrom wants to clinch.
Markstrom tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Markstrom looks to land a combination but Punga avoids it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Punga avoids the head kick by Markstrom.
Punga will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Punga lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kota Punga will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Mattias Markstrom's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A head kick misses from Punga.
Markstrom dodges the punch combination from Punga.
Mattias Markstrom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Punga misses with a head kick.
Markstrom fails in his attempt to clinch.
Punga keeps the fight on the outside.
Markstrom shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice sprawl there from Markstrom as Punga shoots in.
Markstrom wants to clinch.
Markstrom takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Markstrom walks into a jab.
Kota Punga is winning the standup battle so far.
Markstrom connects with a body shot that sends Punga's belly button to the back.
Punga shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Markstrom as he jumps to the side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nice takedown defense from Punga. No joy for Markstrom on that attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Punga fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Markstrom, pushing him back against the cage.

Markstrom successfully pulls guard.

Markstrom escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Punga gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Markstrom has his foot on Punga's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Punga works his way back into a safe position though.
Punga wanted to stand there but Markstrom had control of the position.
Punga landing some decent shots from guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Punga thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Markstrom is looking for a triangle but Punga pushes his legs off easily.
Punga tries to free his leg and advance position but Markstrom is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Markstrom working for a triangle but Punga defends it easily.
Punga tries to free his leg and advance position but Markstrom is retaining full guard.

Markstrom looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Punga postures up.

Punga drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Punga jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Punga thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Punga landing some decent shots from guard.

Markstrom looking for a triangle here. Punga is fighting it but it looks tight! Markstrom pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Punga is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:18 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Mattias Markstrom!