PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between John Bunting (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Iiro Tolonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Tolonen's choice of entrance music: Johnny Cash : The Man Comes Around. John Bunting could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Iiro Tolonen's chin.

Bunting
vs
Tolonen

208 cm
26
297 lbs
18 - 3 - 0

213 cm
39
285 lbs
47 - 20 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Heisenberg

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, John Bunting!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 47 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iiro Tolonen!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Paul Tew and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bunting steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Tolonen.
Tolonen with a nice cross.
Tolonen misses with a hook.
Tolonen tries to work over Bunting's front leg with a kick but Bunting checks it.
Tolonen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bunting was well out of range. Poor timing from Tolonen.
Bunting tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tolonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Bunting.
Bunting closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Bunting lands an overhand right.
Bunting moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bunting lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bunting is defended easily by Tolonen.
Tolonen is looking to score with low kicks.
Bunting ducks right into an uppercut from Tolonen.
Tolonen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A jab lands there for Tolonen.

It looks like John Bunting has been cut.
Bunting swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bunting is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Tolonen.
Bunting goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Bunting on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Bunting throws a push kick but Tolonen slaps the foot to one side.
Bunting with a hook.
Tolonen misses with a series of wild punches.
Bunting looks to land a left hand but Tolonen moved out of range nicely.
Bunting fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Bunting throws a head kick that misses

and Tolonen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bunting is looking to improve his position.
Bunting trying to control from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bunting manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bunting controls Tolonen momentarily but Tolonen frees himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Bunting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tolonen preventing the sweep.
Bunting is controlling Tolonen's posture.
Bunting keeping moving, preventing Tolonen from controlling successfully.
Tolonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Bunting is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A jab lands there for Bunting.
Bunting fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Tolonen manages to avoid it.

Bunting gets the takedown into side control.
Tolonen tries to improve position but can't.
Sloppy strikes there by Bunting.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Bunting trying to control the action but Tolonen is working from the bottom.
Bunting scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The fighters are battling for position here. Tolonen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Bunting controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Tolonen trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bunting keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tolonen's head.
Bunting controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Tolonen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tolonen putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Tolonen trying to control but Bunting is having none of it.
Bunting is desperately trying to improve his position but Tolonen has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Iiro Tolonen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on John Bunting's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Bunting slips a jab from Tolonen.
Bunting throws a head kick that half lands.
Bunting uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tolonen.
Tolonen checks a low kick from Bunting.
A big left from Bunting misses.
Tolonen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Bunting.
John Bunting is winning the standup battle so far.
Bunting uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tolonen.
Bunting walks into a left hand.
Bunting throws the left hand but Tolonen avoids the punch easily.
A low kick from Bunting is predictable there

and Tolonen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Tolonen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bunting keeping moving, preventing Tolonen from controlling successfully.
Bunting looking for a sweep. Not yet Bunting, not yet.
Bunting is working hard here to advance position.
Iiro Tolonen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tolonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Bunting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Tolonen postures up and lands a big shot to Bunting's brow.
Tolonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Bunting preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tolonen chips away with some ground and pound.
Tolonen passes Bunting's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Bunting regains full guard. Nicely done.
Bunting trying to keep a closed guard but Tolonen is proving a slippery customer.
Tolonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Bunting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tolonen postures up in Bunting's guard and throws a big left but Bunting blocks it.
Bunting wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bunting throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Bunting keeping moving, preventing Tolonen from controlling successfully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tolonen chips away with some ground and pound.
Bunting bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Tolonen's guard.
Bunting connects with a couple of short punches.
Bunting throws an elbow that misses. Tolonen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bunting's guard. Nice move by Tolonen!
Bunting wants to sweep here but Tolonen controlling him for the moment.
Bunting managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunting tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Tolonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Bunting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bunting looking to control.
Tolonen is looking to work some ground and pound but Bunting has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bunting is trying to keep Tolonen in close.
Bunting looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tolonen is one step ahead there.
Tolonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Bunting is retaining full guard.
Tolonen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

John Bunting has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Tolonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bunting manages to avoid it.
Bunting checks a leg kick.
Bunting tried to score with a low kick but Tolonen checks it.
Tolonen looks to land a combination but Bunting avoids it well.
A big left from Tolonen misses.
Tolonen checks the leg kick.
Bunting uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tolonen.
Tolonen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Bunting at a distance.
Bunting avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
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 Tolonen.
Bunting attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Bunting turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
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!
Bunting throws an ugly left hook that misses

so Tolonen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iiro Tolonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on John Bunting's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Tolonen loads up on a big right hand but Bunting slips the punch.
Tolonen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Tolonen tests Bunting's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Tolonen.
Tolonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bunting.
Bunting looks to score with a jab to the body but Tolonen is just out of range.
Bunting throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
A good leg kick by Bunting.
Bunting throws a low kick, looking for Tolonen's leg but Tolonen calmly moves out of range.
Bunting shoots in for a takedown but Tolonen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Tolonen scores with a jab. Bunting acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tolonen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bunting takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bunting throws a hook to the side of Tolonen's head but Tolonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tolonen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Bunting to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tolonen throwing short punches from the bottom.
Bunting not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Bunting throws a big right hand that misses.
Bunting is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bunting with a flurry of punches that miss.
John Bunting has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Iiro Tolonen 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.
Bunting missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tolonen keeping moving, preventing Bunting from controlling successfully.
Tolonen wants to sweep but no luck.
Bunting has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Bunting throwing strikes but missing.
Bunting postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bunting stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tolonen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bunting in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunting stands up over Tolonen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Tolonen trying to control the position here.
Tolonen is trying to keep Bunting in close.
Bunting with a nice head shot there.
Bunting postures up in Tolonen's guard and throws a big left but Tolonen blocks it.
Bunting distracts Tolonen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tolonen seems keen to control Bunting's posture.
Bunting working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Bunting with a flurry of punches that miss.
Tolonen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Bunting accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bunting throws an elbow that misses. Tolonen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Bunting's guard. Nice move by Tolonen!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tolonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Bunting is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Bunting showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Tolonen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Iiro Tolonen!
Iiro Tolonen thanked the fans post fight for their support.