PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ivan Tunjic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Howlett's entrance music is Berserker. A fine choice. Tunjic comes into a darkened arena with his song building. More then a Feeling kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Ivan Tunjic told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Howlett
vs
Tunjic

172 cm
32
176 lbs
21 - 3 - 1

177 cm
30
173 lbs
17 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Conquer

Convicted Trap House

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Howlett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ivan Tunjic!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, David Schapiro and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tunjic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Howlett.
Howlett looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice cross by Tunjic.
Tunjic keeps the fight on the outside.
Howlett looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Howlett finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A shot to the liver by Tunjic. Beautiful body shot.
Howlett lands a leg kick that knocks Tunjic off balance momentarily.
Howlett takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Tunjic scores with a hook to the body. Howlett takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Howlett misses with a body kick.
Tunjic takes a swing at Howlett's ribcage but misses.
Tunjic on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Howlett. Howlett obviously looking to wear him down.

Tunjic feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Tunjic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Howlett is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tunjic is aware though and is defending well.

Howlett is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Tunjic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Howlett is keeping the position for now.
Howlett keeping moving, preventing Tunjic from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Howlett working for a triangle but Tunjic defends it easily.

Howlett working for a triangle but Tunjic defends it easily.
Tunjic throws an elbow that misses. Howlett uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Tunjic's guard. Nice move by Howlett!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett chips away with some ground and pound.
Tunjic wants to control but Howlett passes easily into half guard.

Tunjic looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Howlett trying to control the action but Tunjic is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Howlett prevents Tunjic from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Howlett won't allow Tunjic to sweep him here.
Howlett slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Tunjic can't do much from the bottom here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howlett throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Tunjic works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A jab lands there for Tunjic.
Howlett takes one to the side of the head.
Tunjic is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Howlett rather than just go for the knockout.
Howlett lands an overhand right.
Tunjic takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Howlett tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Tunjic swivels and escapes.
Howlett looks to score with a jab to the body but Tunjic is just out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tunjic checks a leg kick.
Tunjic's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Howlett connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Tunjic scrambles back to his feet.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Howlett.
Tunjic takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Howlett throws a poor cross that misses

and Tunjic counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Howlett looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Howlett wants to improve his position but Tunjic is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tunjic is nestled in close to Howlett, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Howlett won't allow Tunjic to pass to mount.
Ivan Tunjic has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tunjic sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Howlett defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Howlett controlling the position well.
Tunjic trying to control from Howlett's half guard. Howlett has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Howlett utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Tunjic working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Howlett has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Tunjic can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Howlett is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Tunjic is aware though and is defending well.
Howlett managing to control the position.

Howlett is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Howlett is looking for a triangle but Tunjic pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tunjic is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Howlett is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Howlett has escaped and now he's on top!
Howlett lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Tunjic has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Howlett can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Howlett wants to control from the top but Tunjic keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ivan Tunjic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Howlett tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Tunjic defends well and Howlett ends up having to push Tunjic into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Howlett misses with a hook from the clinch.
Howlett lands a shoulder strike.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Howlett.
Tunjic tries to work over Howlett's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tunjic misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Tunjic fails to land.
Howlett misses with some punches.
Howlett swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Howlett throws a head punch that misses.
Tunjic pushes Howlett back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Howlett blocks a body shot from Tunjic.
Howlett keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tunjic's efforts to push away.
Howlett throws a head punch that misses.
Howlett swings wildly with an uppercut but Tunjic uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tunjic lands an uppercut.
Tunjic tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett working aggressively here.
Howlett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tunjic leaning his opponent against the cage.
Howlett misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Howlett.
Howlett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Howlett tries a body shot but Tunjic blocks it.
A short body shot lands from Tunjic as the two fighters clinch.
Tunjic lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Howlett is leaning against Tunjic and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Tunjic.
Howlett tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Tunjic prevents a body shot from Howlett.
Tunjic is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Howlett working aggressively here.
Howlett throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Howlett fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Howlett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Howlett throws a punch but it's blocked by Tunjic.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Howlett.
A hook to the body from Howlett.
Tunjic has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Howlett seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Tunjic can turn it around.
Tunjic lands a hook that snaps the head of Howlett backwards.
Tunjic misses with some punches.
Howlett works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Tunjic lands an uppercut.
A short left from Tunjic.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Howlett.
Howlett misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Tunjic blocks a body shot from Howlett.
Tunjic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Howlett works on Tunjic's body with a couple of short punches.
Howlett tries to work over Tunjic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tunjic is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tunjic takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Tunjic softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A short uppercut from Howlett.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Howlett creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Tunjic is looking to control Howlett's arms but Howlett gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tunjic has his back to the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Tunjic lands a left hand that snaps the head of Howlett backwards.
Howlett can't find room to land a body shot as Tunjic controls the action.
Tunjic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Howlett lands with a light punch inside.
Tunjic is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A short right from Howlett.
Howlett misses with a punch on the inside.
Tunjic blocking some punches.
A shot in the inside from Tunjic.
Howlett being controlled against the cage.
Howlett misses with a short punch on the inside.
Howlett throws a head punch that misses.
Tunjic blocking some punches.
Tunjic scores with a shot to the side of Howlett's head.
Tunjic blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett lands with a right to the head.
Tunjic tries a body shot but Howlett blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tunjic blocking some punches.
Howlett misses with a short punch on the inside.
Tunjic blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Howlett misses with a punch to the body.

Tunjic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Howlett defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tunjic.
Tunjic avoids a kick to the body.
Tunjic lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Tunjic sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tunjic fails to land the takedown.
James Howlett has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ivan Tunjic.
Tunjic on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Tunjic bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Tunjic throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Howlett was covering up waiting for the punch and Tunjic finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Howlett keeping full guard, as Tunjic tries to pass.
Tunjic trying to control the position from guard on top but Howlett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Howlett trying to keep a closed guard but Tunjic is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Howlett holds on and takes a little breather.

James Howlett has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Tunjic misses with an uppercut.
Howlett tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Tunjic is able to avoid easily.
Tunjic checks the leg kick.
Tunjic checks a low kick from Howlett.
Howlett tries to land a front kick but Tunjic steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tunjic changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
A lazy body kick from Howlett

and Tunjic counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Howlett!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett can't do much from the bottom here.
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!
Tunjic scoring with punches from side control.
Howlett gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Tunjic tries to pass to full mount but Howlett defends it.
Tunjic thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic prevents Howlett from improving his position.
Howlett is pressing down on Tunjic's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Howlett looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tunjic is one step ahead there.
Tunjic wants to control from the top but Howlett keeps moving.
Howlett looking for a sweep. Not yet Howlett, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic throwing strikes but missing.
Tunjic is looking to work some ground and pound but Howlett has wrist control.

Howlett isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Tunjic stacks Howlett on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Tunjic!
Howlett takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Howlett tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Tunjic wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ivan Tunjic dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Howlett feints and then cracks Tunjic's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Tunjic down.
Howlett chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Tunjic can pounce on him.
Howlett shoots in looking for a takedown but Tunjic manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Howlett's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Howlett takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tunjic takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Howlett connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
James Howlett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tunjic scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Howlett doesn't seem bothered though.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tunjic. That's going to slow Howlett down.
Howlett misses with a hook. Tunjic ducked under it nicely.
Tunjic lands with a cross.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tunjic lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Howlett at a distance.
A decent looking cross lands there for Tunjic.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tunjic shoots in and gets a takedown into Howlett's guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Tunjic in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Howlett is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Tunjic defends well.
Tunjic connects with a couple of short punches.
Tunjic passes into half guard.
Tunjic prevents Howlett from improving his position.
James Howlett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Tunjic.
Tunjic is pushing down on Howlett's leg trying to pass to half guard. Howlett is fighting to maintain full guard but Tunjic has managed to sneak the leg through.
Tunjic works his foot free and advances to mount.
Tunjic looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tunjic lands a couple of good shots and Howlett has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Tunjic trying to control momentarily.
Tunjic throws a series of strikes and Howlett wriggles onto his back, so he's now mounted. He's in real trouble here.
Howlett is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Tunjic cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Tunjic is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Howlett is wriggling around trying to escape.
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!
Tunjic is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Howlett can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

Howlett is rocked!
Tunjic looking to finish here with some ground and pound. He lands one big shot that has Howlett covering up... and two more big strikes land, forcing the referee to step in and put and end to proceedings! This fight is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 5, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ivan Tunjic!
Ivan Tunjic decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.