PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mike Barnes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karl Kunnas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Barnes comes to the cage accompanied by Black Eyed Peas - Imma Be. Karl Kunnas has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Barnes
vs
Kunnas

178 cm
31
158 lbs
24 - 17 - 3

157 cm
29
150 lbs
14 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 17 - 3, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Barnes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Karl Kunnas!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kunnas connects with a nice looking jab.
Karl Kunnas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Barnes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nice shot lands for Kunnas.
Kunnas chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Barnes can pounce on him.
Kunnas looks to land a combination but Barnes avoids it well.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kunnas. Barnes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kunnas throws a series of punches but Barnes avoids them all with ease.
Good leg kick by Barnes there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Sloppy strikes from Barnes. Those never looked like landing.
Kunnas throws the left hand but Barnes avoids the punch easily.
Barnes moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Kunnas moves into range and clinches up with Barnes.
A head punch on the inside from Kunnas fails to land.

Barnes wants the takedown. Kunnas is fighting it off but Barnes persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kunnas's guard against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kunnas preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunnas is pulling down on Barnes's head to control his posture.
Barnes wants to pass the guard but Kunnas is keeping the position.
Kunnas tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kunnas is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Barnes trying to control the position from guard on top but Kunnas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barnes works over Kunnas with some ground and pound from guard.
Kunnas really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Barnes. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kunnas keeping moving, preventing Barnes from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kunnas swivels though and keeps the full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kunnas wants to clinch.
Kunnas is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Barnes.
Barnes throws the left hand but Kunnas avoids the punch easily.
Kunnas moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Barnes blocks the low kick.
Barnes fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kunnas misses with an uppercut. Barnes saw that one coming.
Kunnas throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from Kunnas.
Barnes chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kunnas throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Barnes tries to clinch but Kunnas is having none of it.
Kunnas fails to land with a series of punches.

Barnes closes the distance and clinches.
Barnes missing with knees to the body.
Kunnas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Barnes scores with a nice short uppercut.
Barnes lands a body punch in the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kunnas.
Barnes is working for takedown but Kunnas is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kunnas swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kunnas avoids the elbow strike from Barnes, against the cage.
Kunnas misses with a short punch on the inside.
Knees in the clinch landing for Barnes.

That's four 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!
Kunnas managing to block the knees to the body from Barnes.
Kunnas has a couple of punches blocked by Barnes.
Kunnas misses with a hook to the ribs.
Barnes lands a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Barnes.
Kunnas swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kunnas swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A shot in the inside from Barnes.
Knees in the clinch landing for Barnes.
Barnes trying to land knees to the body.
Barnes misses with a hook to the ribs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kunnas takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kunnas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Barnes tries to work over Kunnas's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Barnes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Barnes dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Barnes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kunnas.
Barnes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kunnas.
Barnes fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kunnas is out of range.
Barnes sizes up Kunnas with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Barnes cracks a nice hook into Kunnas's ribs.
Barnes lands a jab to Kunnas's midsection.
Barnes wants to clinch.
Kunnas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Barnes counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Barnes digs a good body shot into Kunnas's ribs.
Kunnas misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kunnas has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Barnes.
Barnes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Barnes tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kunnas misses with a looping left.
Mike Barnes is winning the standup battle so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunnas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kunnas misses with a leg kick
and Barnes counters with a straight right hand.
Kunnas misses with a series of wild punches.
Barnes keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Barnes uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kunnas.
A nice inside leg kick there by Barnes. That's going to slow Kunnas down.
Kunnas blocks a low kick nicely.
Kunnas throws the left hand but Barnes avoids the punch easily.
Kunnas gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Barnes lands a leg kick that knocks Kunnas off balance momentarily.
Kunnas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Barnes manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Barnes connects with a body shot.
Barnes punishes Kunnas's body with a nice straight punch.
Kunnas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Barnes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kunnas moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Barnes uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kunnas misses with a few strikes there.
Barnes jabs at Kunnas's body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Barnes, as that shot connected.
Barnes lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kunnas throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Barnes counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Barnes connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Barnes digs a good hook to Kunnas's body.
Barnes fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kunnas has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunnas takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

Barnes gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Kunnas swings wildly with an uppercut but Barnes uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kunnas managing to block the knees to the body from Barnes.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Barnes just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kunnas's brow.
Barnes lands a hook that snaps the head of Kunnas backwards.
Barnes lands a hook that snaps the head of Kunnas backwards.
Barnes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Barnes is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kunnas will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Barnes up against the cage.
A body shot lands from Barnes.
Barnes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kunnas is breathing heavily.
Kunnas takes an elbow to the temple.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Barnes working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Still in the clinch, Barnes scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kunnas lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kunnas throws a punch but it's blocked by Barnes.
Barnes stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kunnas tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kunnas is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Kunnas goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

Barnes has clasped his hands together around Kunnas's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Kunnas wants to control but Barnes postures up.
Barnes advances nicely into full mount.
Barnes tries to control but Kunnas wriggling away.
Barnes looking to finish with strikes here!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Barnes pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Barnes dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

A leg kick checked by Barnes.
Kunnas misses with a few strikes there.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from Kunnas.
Kunnas rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Barnes counters with a three punch combo that has Kunnas backing up. Kunnas nods at Barnes to acknowledge the strikes.
Kunnas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Barnes. Barnes obviously looking to wear him down.
Barnes is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Barnes.
Barnes cracks the inside of Kunnas's front leg.
Barnes throws a leg kick but Kunnas checks it.
Barnes looks to land a combination. Kunnas sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Barnes lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kunnas swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Barnes makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kunnas really felt that one!
Barnes throws a series of punches but Kunnas moves out of range.
Kunnas takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kunnas takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Barnes lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Danga de danga de dang - Barnes scores with a four punch combination!
Barnes checks the leg kick.
Kunnas throws a hook to the side of Barnes's head but Barnes sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Barnes lands a lovely overhand right.
Barnes ducks under a wild hook from Kunnas.
Kunnas misses with a double jab
and Kunnas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Barnes feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kunnas's calf.
Kunnas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Barnes throws a series of punches but Kunnas moves out of range.
Barnes moves into range and connects with a jab.
Kunnas wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Barnes clinches.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Barnes crunches a lovely knee into Kunnas's ribcage.
Kunnas throws a head punch that misses.
Barnes lands an uppercut.
A head punch on the inside from Kunnas fails to land.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Barnes.
A short uppercut from Kunnas.
Barnes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kunnas working aggressively here.
Nice elbow from Barnes.
Barnes lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kunnas backwards.
Kunnas misses with a hook from the clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Barnes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Barnes.
Barnes missing with knees to the body.
Barnes tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kunnas avoids it.
Barnes comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Barnes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kunnas can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A right handed body shot lands from Kunnas.
Barnes cracks Kunnas with a nice body shot.
Kunnas working aggressively here.
Kunnas prevents a body shot from Barnes.
Barnes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kunnas can't find room to land a body shot as Barnes controls the action.
Kunnas prevents a takedown attempt there.
Barnes throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Kunnas takes a knee to the side of the body.
Barnes is working for takedown but Kunnas is calmly controlling the position for now.

Kunnas pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Barnes feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kunnass jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Barnes fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kunnas on the side of the head.
Barnes connects with a nice looking jab.
Karl Kunnas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Barnes cracks the inside of Kunnas's front leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Barnes lands with a nice combination. Kunnas backs away looking to recover.
Kunnas throws a right hand that misses
and Barnes counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Barnes steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kunnas.
Barnes connects with a solid leg kick.
Barnes scores with a hook to the body. Kunnas takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Barnes dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Barnes throws a head kick that Kunnas semi-blocks.
Kunnas throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Barnes counter with a right hand.
Kunnas closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
An inside leg kick lands from Barnes.
Kunnas's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kunnas walks into a jab.
Barnes throws a right hand that Kunnas ducks under and follows up with a left that Kunnas also avoids with ease.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Barnes showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Barnes 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Barnes!
Mike Barnes spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.