PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Danilo Donizeti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eemil Ponkalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Donizeti
vs
Ponkalainen

185 cm
18
135 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
18
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Danilo Donizeti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Eemil Ponkalainen!
The judges for this bout are Edson Gomes, Mauricio Rocha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ponkalainen tries to clinch up but Donizeti circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Donizeti is defended easily by Ponkalainen.
Donizeti tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Ponkalainen has closed the distance and engaged Donizeti in a clinch.

Ponkalainen pulls Donizeti into guard.
Ponkalainen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Donizeti is controlling him.
Donizeti trying to control but Ponkalainen is working from the bottom.
Ponkalainen wants to stand but Donizeti is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donizeti throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Danilo Donizeti wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Ponkalainen scoring well with a low kick there.

Donizeti clinches up against the cage.
Donizeti is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ponkalainen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Donizeti really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ponkalainen tries to land knees in the clinch but Donizeti avoids the damage to the body.
Donizeti fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danilo Donizeti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ponkalainen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Ponkalainen wants to break the clinch but can't.

Donizeti escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Donizeti shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ponkalainen but Ponkalainen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Ponkalainen wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ponkalainen misses with the combination.
Ponkalainen is looking to clinch.
Ponkalainen tries to clinch up
and Donizeti counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Ponkalainen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Donizeti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Donizeti looks for a takedown but Ponkalainen sprawls well.
Ponkalainen stuffs the takedown attempt from Donizeti. Donizeti gets slowly back to his feet.
Donizeti is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ponkalainen tries to bum rush Donizeti with a series of wild strikes but Donizeti uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Donizeti shoots for a takedown but Ponkalainen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ponkalainen is looking to clinch but Donizeti is avoiding it.
Ponkalainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Donizeti shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ponkalainen but Ponkalainen pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Donizeti clinches.
Ponkalainen is pressed up against the cage. Donizeti has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ponkalainen down to the mat. Ponkalainen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ponkalainen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Donizeti keeps the fight on the outside.
Ponkalainen throws a body punch but Donizeti moves out of range.
Ponkalainen tries to clinch but Donizeti moves out of range.
Eemil Ponkalainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Ponkalainen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ponkalainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ponkalainen tries to clinch but Donizeti is having none of it.
Ponkalainen looks to clinch
and Donizeti counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

Ponkalainen closes the distance and clinches.
Ponkalainen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Donizeti on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ponkalainen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Donizeti wants a takedown.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ponkalainen has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Donizeti after a bit of a struggle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ponkalainen trying to land knees to the body.

Ponkalainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ponkalainen is looking to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eemil Ponkalainen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Donizeti shoots for a double leg takedown but Ponkalainen sprawls well. He's pushed Donizeti's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Donizeti misses with a few strikes there.
Donizeti dives in and grabs Ponkalainen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ponkalainen pushes down on Donizeti's head and hops out.
Donizeti is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ponkalainen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danilo Donizeti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ponkalainen moves to clinch but Donizeti breaks away
and Donizeti counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Ponkalainen takes the fight into the clinch.
Donizeti on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ponkalainen misses with a knee strike.
A bit of stalling here from Ponkalainen.
Donizeti blocks an elbow strike from Ponkalainen.
Ponkalainen tries to land knees in the clinch but Donizeti avoids the damage to the body.
Donizeti has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ponkalainen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ponkalainen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Ponkalainen throws an elbow that misses.

Ponkalainen pulls guard successfully.
Ponkalainen keeping moving, preventing Donizeti from controlling successfully.
Ponkalainen wants to stand and escape but Donizeti is having none of it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Danilo Donizeti.
Donizeti shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ponkalainen but Ponkalainen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Donizeti keeps the fight on the outside.
Danilo Donizeti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ponkalainen is looking to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ponkalainen moves into the clinch successfully.
Donizeti scores with a shoulder strike.
Donizeti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Ponkalainen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Donizeti tries to circle away but Ponkalainen has him pinned against the cage.
Ponkalainen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Ponkalainen manages to break the clinch.
Donizeti throws a sloppy head kick and Ponkalainen moves out of range easily.
Ponkalainen doesn't manage to clinch there - Donizeti circles away.
Donizeti circles away from the clinch attempt.
Donizeti shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ponkalainen as he avoids it easily.
Ponkalainen tries to clinch up.
Eemil Ponkalainen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Donizeti goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ponkalainen moves into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ponkalainen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Donizeti's brow.
Ponkalainen tries to land a knee to the head but Donizeti blocks with his arms.
Ponkalainen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Donizeti is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Donizeti has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ponkalainen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Donizeti letting Ponkalainen take a breather here.

Ponkalainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ponkalainen slaps away a takedown attempt from Donizeti, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ponkalainen wants to clinch up but Donizeti keeps it at a distance.
Ponkalainen wants to clinch up but Donizeti keeps it at a distance.

Ponkalainen takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ponkalainen misses with an elbow over the top.
Ponkalainen prevents a takedown attempt there.

Ponkalainen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Ponkalainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ponkalainen fails in his attempt to clinch.

Ponkalainen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Donizeti, pushing him back against the cage.
Donizeti on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Donizeti with a knee to the head.
Ponkalainen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ponkalainen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eemil Ponkalainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Donizeti changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Ponkalainen tries to avoid it but Donizeti manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Ponkalainen to the ground. Ponkalainen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Eemil Ponkalainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Donizeti shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Ponkalainen as he jumps to the side.
Ponkalainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ponkalainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Donizeti shoots for a takedown but Ponkalainen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Danilo Donizeti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ponkalainen.
The fight stays on the outside here - Ponkalainen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Donizeti rushes Ponkalainen and presses him up against the cage.

Ponkalainen successfully pulls guard.
Ponkalainen wants to stand and escape but Donizeti is having none of it.

Ponkalainen has his feet on Donizeti's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Donizeti looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ponkalainen is fending him off so far but Donizeti persists. Nope, Ponkalainen circles away and we're back to standing.

Ponkalainen clinches.
Ponkalainen tries to land knees in the clinch but Donizeti avoids the damage to the body.
Donizeti is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ponkalainen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Donizeti avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ponkalainen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Donizeti in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Donizeti avoids the elbow strike from Ponkalainen, against the cage.
Donizeti managing to block the knees to the body from Ponkalainen.

Ponkalainen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Donizeti checks a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donizeti avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Donizeti.

Donizeti has Ponkalainen up against the cage in a clinch.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ponkalainen.
Ponkalainen misses with an elbow strike.
Ponkalainen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Donizeti tries to pull guard but Ponkalainen forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Donizeti letting Ponkalainen take a breather here.
Donizeti misses with a body punch.
Ponkalainen scores with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Donizeti is trying to drag Ponkalainen to the mat but Ponkalainen just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Ponkalainen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A leg kick checked by Donizeti.
Donizeti dives in and grabs Ponkalainen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Ponkalainen pushes down on Donizeti's head and hops out.
Ponkalainen wants to clinch up but Donizeti keeps it at a distance.
Ponkalainen misses with a kick to the body.
Ponkalainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Donizeti darts in and clinches Ponkalainen up against the cage.
Ponkalainen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Donizeti pulls his leg out and moves away.

Donizeti pushes Ponkalainen up against the cage in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Donizeti is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Donizeti is working Ponkalainen over against the cage.
Donizeti tries to break free but Ponkalainen pushes him back against the cage.

Ponkalainen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
No joy there for Donizeti, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ponkalainen fails in his attempt to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Donizeti darts in and clinches Ponkalainen up against the cage.
Eemil Ponkalainen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Ponkalainen manages to break the clinch.
Danilo Donizeti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ponkalainen misses with a low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eemil Ponkalainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ponkalainen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight for Eemil Ponkalainen!
Judge Mauricio Rocha scores the fight for Eemil Ponkalainen!
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight for Eemil Ponkalainen!

Eemil Ponkalainen wins by unanimous decision!