PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Robert Fernan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Goro Utini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Goro Utini will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Fernan
vs
Utini

185 cm
23
185 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

215 cm
27
194 lbs
15 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

160! - Sale!
ĄFFĄKĘTIΘN

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Robert Fernan!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Goro Utini!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fernan looks to land a right hand but Utini moved out of range.
Utini throws a leg kick which misses Fernan's front leg but catches the back leg as Fernan tries to avoid it.
Fernan falls off balance throwing a combination
and Utini counters with a right hand to the body.
Fernan misses with a low kick.
Utini tries a low kick but Fernan avoids it.
Utini throws an overhand right that lands on Fernan's shoulder, as Fernan tries to avoid the shot.
Fernan motions for Utini to come forward. Fernan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Utini swings for the body but Fernan moves out of range.
Fernan needs to keep his hands up - Utini had a free shot at his head there.
Fernan buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Utini is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Utini moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Utini misses with an uppercut. Fernan saw that one coming.
Fernan looks to land a right hand but Utini moved out of range.
Utini tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fernan was well out of range. Poor timing from Utini.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Fernan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Utini was well out of range. Poor timing from Fernan.
Utini throws a hook but Fernan blocks it.
Fernan swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Utini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fernan tries a head kick but it misses.
Fernan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Utini.
Utini swinging wildly here.
Utini cracks Fernan with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Utini slips a jab and a cross from Fernan.
Utini with a nice cross.
A cross from Utini lands.
The fighters circle momentarily. Utini darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Utini throws a hook but Fernan avoids it easily.
Utini blocks a low kick nicely.
Fernan throws a low kick but Utini moves out of range easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Utini darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A thudding body kick lands there by Fernan!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fernan throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Fernan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Fernan is looking to slow Utini down with leg kicks.
Utini moves out of range as Fernan throws a body kick.
Fernan throws a low kick but Utini avoids it.
Utini checks a low kick from Fernan.
Fernan throws a wild body kick that Utini sees coming a mile off.
Utini throws a body punch but Fernan moves out of range.
Fernan fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Utini.
A leg kick checked by Fernan.
Utini checks the leg kick nicely there.
Utini is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Fernan lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Utini lands with an overhand left.
Fernan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Utini throws a good cross that connects.
Utini avoids the head kick by Fernan.
Utini is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Fernan had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Utini throws a series of punches but Fernan avoids them all with ease.
Fernan scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Fernan tried to score with a low kick but Utini checks it.
Utini throws a right hand that Fernan ducks under and follows up with a left that Fernan also avoids with ease.
Fernan fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Utini misses with a body shot.
Fernan throws a leg kick which misses Utini's front leg but catches the back leg as Utini tries to avoid it.
Fernan throws a leg kick which misses Utini's front leg but catches the back leg as Utini tries to avoid it.
Utini swats away the attempt to clinch by Fernan.
Utini misses with a looping right.
Fernan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fernan ducks right into an uppercut from Utini.
Fernan swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernan walks into a straight right hand from Utini.
A looping hook to the body misses from Utini. Fernan does a little dance to reset his feet.
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!
Fernan pivots, looking for a leg kick but Utini is out of range and Fernan settles back down.
Utini lands a really nice looking cross but Fernan seems unphased.
Utini scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Utini looks to land a right hand but Fernan moved out of range.
A clash of legs there as Utini blocks the low kick.
Fernan wants to land a leg kick but Utini is out of range.
Fernan moves out of range as Utini strikes.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Fernan, right into the meat.
Utini checks a leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fernan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Utini.
Fernan tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Utini manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Fernan throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Utini there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A jab from Utini does it's job there.
Utini is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Fernan.
Utini connects with a leg kick. Fernan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Fernan throws a chopping leg kick but Utini manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Fernan tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Utini is able to avoid easily.
Utini misses with a body shot.
Utini throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Utini pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Utini stuffs the takedown.
Utini has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Fernan connects with an inside leg kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Fernan looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Utini misses the shot to the body.
Utini uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fernan.
Fernan throws a nice inside leg kick.
Utini fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fernan manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Utini. Fernan does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fernan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Utini throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Utini lands a right hook to the body.
Good leg kick by Fernan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Utini fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fernan manages to avoid it.
Utini's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Fernan tries to close the distance and clinch but Utini swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Utini connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Fernan's hands.
Utini avoids the body shot from Fernan.
Fernan avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Utini takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Fernan throws a low kick but it's checked well by Utini.
Fernan is looking to wear down Utini with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Fernan throws a leg kick which misses Utini's front leg but catches the back leg as Utini tries to avoid it.
Utini misses with an uppercut. Fernan saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Fernan. Utini shrugs it off though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Good work by Fernan as he checks the leg kick.
Utini takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Utini moves out of range of the leg kick from Fernan.
Utini throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Fernan misses with a low kick.
Goro Utini is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Utini misses with a leg kick.
Fernan slips under a jab.
Fernan connects with an inside leg kick.
Robert Fernan seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fernan takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Good work by Utini as he checks the leg kick.
Fernan throws a nice head kick!

It looks like Goro Utini has been cut.
Fernan walks into a jab.
Fernan wants to land a leg kick but Utini is out of range.
Utini changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Fernan has Utini up against the cage in a clinch.
Fernan blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fernan tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Utini avoids it.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Utini's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Utini lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Fernan tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernan missing with knees to the body.
Fernan trying to land knees to the body.
Fernan misses with a punch on the inside.
Utini is looking to break free of the clinch but Fernan has double underhooks.
Fernan looking to stall.
Utini is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Utini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Fernan attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Fernan shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Utini but Utini pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A telegraphed right hand from Utini misses the target.
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 Robert Fernan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Goro Utini's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Utini lands with a nice combination. Fernan backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Robert Fernan has been cut.
Utini buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Utini jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Utini lands with a straight right. Fernan didn't see that one coming.
Utini misses with an uppercut.
Utini scores with a punch to the head.
Fernan moves out of range of the strikes.
Fernan dodges the punch combination from Utini.
Utini fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Utini throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fernan stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Utini lands with a straight right. Fernan didn't see that one coming.
Fernan moves out of range of the leg kick from Utini.
Fernan tries to score with a low kick but Utini moves his leg out of the way.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fernan tries a head kick but it misses.
Goro Utini seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Utini on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Fernan. Fernan obviously looking to wear him down.
Good leg kick by Fernan there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Utini throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fernan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fernan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Utini throws a good cross that connects.
Utini throws a nice looking combination but Fernan bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Utini misses with a looping right.
Fernan tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nice body punch from Utini.
Fernan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Utini just misses with a punch to the body.
Jab from Utini.
Utini throws a body punch but Fernan moves out of range.
Utini throws an ugly left hook that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernan dives in and grabs Utini's left leg, looking for a takedown. Utini pushes down on Fernan's head and hops out.
Utini throws an overhand right that lands on Fernan's shoulder, as Fernan tries to avoid the shot.
Nice shot by Fernan.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Utini sizes up Fernan with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Utini blocks a head kick by Fernan.
Utini throws a looping overhand right but Fernan ducks down to avoid it.
Utini misses with a jab, cross combination.
Utini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fernan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Utini throws a series of punches but Fernan moves out of range.
Utini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The crowd cheers as Utini lands an impressive looking overhand right. Fernan doesn't seem phased though.
Fernan tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Utini thumps Fernan with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Fernan blocks the low kick.
Fernan tries to clinch up but Utini circles away and keeps his distance.
A slapping leg kick lands for Fernan.
Robert Fernan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Utini swinging wildly here.
Utini looks to land a left hand but Fernan moved out of range nicely.
Fernan tries to land a leg kick but Utini saw it coming and moves away.
Utini throws a big shot that misses.
Fernan looks to land a body kick but Utini moved away.
Fernan tries to clinch but Utini is having none of it.
Fernan misses with an attempted mid kick.
Utini throws a jab but it's blocked by Fernan.
A combination from Utini does no damage.
Fernan turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Utini fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fernan manages to avoid it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Fernan.
Utini takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Utini lands a body shot.
Fernan throws a chopping leg kick but Utini manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Fernan tries to clinch up but Utini circles away and keeps his distance.
Fernan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Utini.
Utini takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Utini avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fernan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Utini throws out the jab.
Fernan throws a leg kick but Utini checks it.
Fernan looks to score with a jab to the body but Utini is just out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Utini scores with a sloppy right hand. Fernan should have avoided that one.
Utini takes a swing at Fernan's ribcage but misses.
Fernan slips a jab and a cross from Utini.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Goro Utini really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Utini throws a right and a left that Fernan avoids nicely.
Fernan connects with an inside leg kick.
Fernan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Fernan misses with a leg kick
and Utini counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Fernan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Utini.
Fernan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Utini.
Fernan connects with a body shot.
A chopping leg kick lands by Fernan.
Utini connects with a good right hand that stumbles Fernan. Fernan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Utini jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fernan shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Fernan throws a sloppy head kick and Utini moves out of range easily.

Fernan closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Utini being controlled for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The strikes coming from Fernan are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Utini struggling a bit here.
Utini manages to work his way to half guard, despite Fernan's best efforts.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Utini looks like he's trying to stand up.
Fernan not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fernan is looking to take a break and control but Utini is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Utini wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Utini wants to control but Fernan is keeping busy.
Utini works his way to full guard. Good work.
Fernan throws an elbow that misses. Utini uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Fernan's guard. Nice move by Utini!
Fernan seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Utini trying to control but Fernan is working from the bottom.
Utini would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Utini looking to pass the guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Utini works Fernan's body with a nice hook.
Fernan takes one on the button.
Utini punishes Fernan's body with a nice straight punch.
Fernan showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Utini.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Utini manages to avoid it.
Fernan moves away from the strike by Utini.
Fernan misses with a body kick.
Utini throws an overhand right that lands on Fernan's shoulder, as Fernan tries to avoid the shot.
Utini throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Fernan throws a sloppy head kick and Utini moves out of range easily.
Fernan throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good shot there by Utini.
Utini misses with a hook. Fernan ducked under it nicely.
Utini lands with a cross.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Utini looks to throw the jab but Fernan is out of range.
Utini smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
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!
Utini circles away from the clinch attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Goro Utini dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Fernan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Fernan swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Sloppy strikes from Utini. Those never looked like landing.
Utini feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Fernans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Utini cracks Fernan with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Fernan chopping away at his opponent's legs.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Utini checks a leg kick.
A big right from Utini misses.
Utini misses with a hook.
Utini throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Fernan keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Utini throws a jab but it's blocked by Fernan.
Fernan tries to land a front kick but Utini steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Fernan misses with a head kick.
Utini misses with an uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Utini avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Utini with a nice cross.
Utini throws a leg kick but Fernan moved away.
Utini avoids the head kick by Fernan.
Fernan swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Utini goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Utini misses with a wild combination.
Utini swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Fernan.
Utini throws a low kick but it's checked well by Fernan.
Utini throws a lazy right hand but Fernan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Utini throws a right and a left that Fernan avoids nicely.
Fernan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Utini.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fernan.
Robert Fernan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Goro Utini is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernan tries a head kick but it misses.
Utini misses with a leg kick.
Fernan closes this distance looking for a takedown but Utini circles away.
Fernan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Utini manages to avoid it.
Fernan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Utini.
Utini scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Utini digs a good body shot into Fernan's ribs.
Fernan throws out a leg kick but Utini moves out of range and Fernan only half commits.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fernan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Utini throws out the jab.
Fernan motions for Utini to come forward. Fernan throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Fernan tries to close the distance and clinch up but Utini swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Fernan takes one to the side of the head.
Fernan defending well as Utini loads up on a big left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernan misses with a low kick.
Utini keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Fernan shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Utini defends it nicely.
Utini scores with a hook to the body. Fernan takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fernan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Good shot there by Utini.
Fernan slips a straight right by Utini.
Utini misses with a looping left.
Fernan slips a straight right by Utini.
Fernan uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Utini.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Utini!
Utini moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Utini checks the leg kick.
Utini swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Utini fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fernan manages to avoid it.
No luck for Fernan with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Robert Fernan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Utini swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Utini connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Utini throws a right and a left that Fernan avoids nicely.
A cross from Utini lands.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fernan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Utini.
Fernan looks to land a body kick but Utini moved away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Fernan.

And that's the end of the fight!
Goro Utini comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Utini has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 46:49
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Goro Utini! Goro Utini retains his middleweight title!
Goro Utini really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Undead clothing. All items 10$ logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.