PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Merrimack Bullkowski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Depp Jones (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.

Bullkowski
vs
Jones

173 cm
18
227 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

210 cm
18
235 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Merrimack Bullkowski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Depp Jones!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jones shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Bullkowski but Bullkowski pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A clash of legs there as Bullkowski blocks the low kick.
Jones tries to close the distance and clinch up but Bullkowski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Bullkowski really is a fat lump.
Jones tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bullkowski manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Bullkowski closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Jones quickly recovers to half guard.
Jones trying to hold on to Bullkowski's head to control him but Bullkowski postures up.
Jones tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Bullkowski prevents Jones from improving his position.
Bullkowski knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jones on the ground.
Bullkowski is looking to take a break and control but Jones is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Merrimack Bullkowski has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Bullkowski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bullkowski working away.
Bullkowski is trying to ground and pound but Jones uses the momentary lack of control by Bullkowski to regain half guard.
Bullkowski throws a strike but Jones avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Jones working a defensive guard here.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Bullkowski from controlling successfully.
Bullkowski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Jones is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bullkowski controls from within his opponent's guard.
Bullkowski makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bullkowski stands up over Jones, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Bullkowski from controlling successfully.
Bullkowski controls from within his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Bullkowski from controlling successfully.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Bullkowski stands up over Jones, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Bullkowski might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Bullkowski works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Jones is staying active underneath Bullkowski, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bullkowski keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

We're going to have a standup here because Merrimack Bullkowski wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Nice takedown defense from Bullkowski. No joy for Jones on that attempt.

Bullkowski dives in and scores a takedown into Jones's guard.
Jones is trying to hold Bullkowski in close to prevent damage but Bullkowski has managed to pass into half guard.
Jones wants to improve his position but Bullkowski is controlling well.
Bullkowski is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Bullkowski seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Jones for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bullkowski seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jones does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bullkowski seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Merrimack Bullkowski just wasn't active enough.
Jones fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bullkowski tries to close the distance and clinch but Jones swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Bullkowski misses with a hook.
Jones shoots in for a takedown but Bullkowski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Merrimack Bullkowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Depp Jones.
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!
Bullkowski checks a low kick from Jones.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jones misses with a takedown

so Bullkowski counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Jones looks winded!
Bullkowski looking to sit in guard and control but Jones gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Bullkowski is controlling Jones's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merrimack Bullkowski dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Bullkowski fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Jones sprawls well initially but Bullkowski persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Bullkowski wants to control but Jones is keeping him busy.
Jones is looking to control Bullkowski's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Jones avoid being mounted?
Bullkowski stalling away here and it's allowed Jones to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Bullkowski is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Bullkowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jones not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bullkowski controlling from the top position.
Jones keeping moving, preventing Bullkowski from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Merrimack Bullkowski.

Bullkowski shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bullkowski makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bullkowski trying to control the position from guard on top but Jones 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.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Jones looking for a sweep. Not yet Jones, not yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Merrimack Bullkowski.

Bullkowski darts in and clinches Jones up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bullkowski doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Jones looking for a takedown.
Bullkowski prevents a takedown attempt there.
Bullkowski holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Jones prevents a takedown attempt there.
Bullkowski working aggressively here.
Jones blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Jones drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Bullkowski gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Merrimack Bullkowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Depp Jones.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jones is trying to break free.
Bullkowski is looking to take this one to the mat.
Bullkowski wants a takedown.
Jones tries to land knees in the clinch but Bullkowski avoids the damage to the body.
Jones fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Bullkowski prevents a takedown attempt there.
Jones gets underhooks to prevent Bullkowski's takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bullkowski can't find room to land a body shot as Jones controls the action.
Bullkowski slowing the pace effectively.
Bullkowski wants a takedown but no success here.

Bullkowski has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Jones clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
I really don't envy Jones right now.
Bullkowski wants to control but Jones is keeping busy.
Bullkowski scores with punches to the body.
Bullkowski lands a couple of good shots to his opponent's body and a final shot to the head. Good little attack there by Bullkowski.
Merrimack Bullkowski overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
What can Jones do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Bullkowski cracks Jones with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Jones from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merrimack Bullkowski dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bullkowski takes the fight into the clinch.
Jones is looking for a takedown.
Jones wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Bullkowski gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Jones.
Jones is pressed up against the cage. Bullkowski has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Jones down to the mat. Jones avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Bullkowski gets a takedown into half guard.
Bullkowski sitting and controlling from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bullkowski is looking to take a break and control but Jones is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Bullkowski scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Bullkowski trying to control from half guard but Jones is working away.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bullkowski looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Jones is not content to let Bullkowski control the position.
Jones wants to control but Bullkowski is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bullkowski is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Merrimack Bullkowski has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Bullkowski misses with a two punch combination.

Bullkowski closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Jones did well to prevent Bullkowski getting side control.
Bullkowski trying to control from half guard but Jones is working away.
Jones works his way to full guard. Good work.

Jones is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Jones takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bullkowski wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bullkowski tries to free his leg and advance position but Jones is retaining full guard.
Jones is controlling Bullkowski's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bullkowski wants to control from the top but Jones keeps moving.
Bullkowski controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Merrimack Bullkowski just wasn't active enough.

Bullkowski shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Bullkowski wants to control but Jones is keeping him busy.
Bullkowski is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Jones is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Jones controlling the position well.
Bullkowski lands with a punch from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bullkowski trying to control from half guard but Jones is working away.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Merrimack Bullkowski just wasn't active enough.
Jones has a takedown stuffed.
Merrimack Bullkowski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Depp Jones.
Bullkowski is looking to clinch.

Bullkowski clinches up against the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bullkowski turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Jones is not content to let Bullkowski control the position.
Depp Jones has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Merrimack Bullkowski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Bullkowski in side control lands a decent elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Merrimack Bullkowski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bullkowski 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merrimack Bullkowski!
Merrimack Bullkowski decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.