PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Karl Kunnas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy Dessler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karl Kunnas is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Kunnas
vs
Dessler

157 cm
33
150 lbs
21 - 15 - 1

168 cm
32
160 lbs
23 - 8 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

The Empire - 15% Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Karl Kunnas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 8 - 2, fighting out of New York, Billy Dessler!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Jonathan Paton and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kunnas lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

It looks like Billy Dessler has been cut.
Dessler works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kunnas moves out of range as Dessler throws a body kick.
Kunnas swings for the body but Dessler moves out of range.
Kunnas misses with a looping right.
Kunnas throws a body kick that misses.
Kunnas slips a jab and a cross from Dessler.
Dessler tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kunnas manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Dessler staying out of range there.
Dessler tries to close the distance and clinch but Kunnas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kunnas lands a slapping body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Dessler lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kunnas has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kunnas and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kunnas throws a body punch but Dessler moves out of range.
Dessler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dessler tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kunnas misses with a looping right.
Kunnas misses with a looping left.
Dessler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kunnas manages to avoid it.
Dessler throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dessler cracks the inside of Kunnas's front leg.

Kunnas has managed to clinch.
Dessler swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Kunnas blocking some punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Dessler just misses with a elbow thrown towards Kunnas's brow.
A body shot lands from Kunnas.
Kunnas lands a shot to the body.
Kunnas swings wildly with an uppercut but Dessler uses good head movement to avoid it.
I was talking to Kunnas's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Dessler tries to throw a body punch but Kunnas avoids it by throwing Dessler back against the cage.
Kunnas goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Dessler lands a body punch.
Kunnas misses with a punch to the body.
Dessler avoiding damage as Kunnas throws knees to the body.

Kunnas breaks from the clinch.
Kunnas misses with a wild body shot.
Dessler throws a leg kick but Kunnas sees it coming and checks it nicely.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dessler fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kunnas checks it well.
Kunnas is looking to wear down Dessler with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kunnas thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kunnas throws a body punch but Dessler moves out of range.
Kunnas lands a jab to Dessler's midsection.
Kunnas avoids the head kick by Dessler.
Kunnas keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Billy Dessler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kunnas swings for the body but Dessler moves out of range.
Dessler misses with a body shot.
Kunnas checks a leg kick.
Dessler tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kunnas misses with a hook. Dessler ducked under it nicely.
Dessler tries to land a leg kick but Kunnas saw it coming and moves away.
Kunnas misses the shot to the body.
Dessler buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kunnas blocks a low kick nicely.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dessler lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kunnas lands with a nice body punch.
Nice body punch from Kunnas.
Dessler uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kunnas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karl Kunnas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Billy Dessler's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Dessler works the jab nicely.
Kunnas lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Dessler lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Dessler misses with a looping left.
That kick from Dessler tenderised Kunnas's leg. Kunnas is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kunnas scores with a nice strike.
Kunnas rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dessler moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dessler scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kunnas moves out of range as Dessler throws a body kick.
Billy Dessler seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kunnas throws out a powerful jab.
Kunnas will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kunnas on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kunnas misses with a body shot.
Dessler connects with a nice looking jab.
Nice jab there from Kunnas.
A big left from Kunnas misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dessler moves into the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Dessler.
Dessler looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kunnas blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Dessler throws a head punch that misses.
Dessler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kunnas blocks an elbow strike from Dessler.
Dessler swings wildly with an uppercut but Kunnas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kunnas tries to work over Dessler's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Dessler creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Kunnas softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Dessler throws a punch but it's blocked by Kunnas.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Dessler as Kunnas tries to tie him up.
Dessler pushes off an throws an elbow but Kunnas leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Dessler scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Dessler lands with a left to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Kunnas.
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!
A short right from Kunnas on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dessler misses with a body punch.
A short right from Dessler.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Dessler in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Dessler misses with some punches.
Dessler lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A hook to the body from Dessler.
A shot in the inside from Kunnas.
Dessler doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dessler misses with a punch to the body.
Dessler is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Dessler.
Kunnas lands a hook that snaps the head of Dessler backwards.
Dessler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kunnas can't find room to land a body shot as Dessler controls the action.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kunnas struggles to land a body shot inside as Dessler controls his hands.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Dessler.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kunnas throws an elbow but misses.
Kunnas is trying to break the clinch but Dessler has him pressed against the cage.
A short left from Kunnas.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Dessler showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Billy Dessler's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A clash of legs there as Kunnas blocks the low kick.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kunnas stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Dessler.
Kunnas dips to his left and cracks Dessler with an uppercut!
Dessler scores with a kick to the body.
Dessler throws a front kick that sends Kunnas stumbling back into the cage.
Dessler motions for Kunnas to come forward. Dessler throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kunnas misses with a straight left.
Dessler swats away the attempt to clinch by Kunnas.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Dessler, right into the meat.
A jab from Dessler finds it's way through Kunnas's defenses.
Dessler tries to clinch there but Kunnas circles away.
Kunnas scores with a nice strike.
Dessler sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dessler fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kunnas throws a big shot that misses.
Kunnas avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kunnas forces Dessler back against the cage and clinches.
Kunnas fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Dessler tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kunnas.
Kunnas is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A head punch on the inside from Kunnas fails to land.
Kunnas tries a body shot but Dessler blocks it.
Kunnas has a couple of punches blocked by Dessler.
Kunnas blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kunnas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kunnas looking to throw knees to the head but Dessler is blocking nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kunnas.
Kunnas's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Dessler tries a body shot but Kunnas blocks it.
Kunnas is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Dessler is keeping busy.
Dessler lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dessler softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dessler is stalling here.
Kunnas lands with a short shot to the head.
Dessler has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dessler scores with a shoulder strike.
Kunnas misses with the head strike.
Kunnas misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Billy Dessler seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Kunnas misses with the head strike.
Dessler lands a nice shot to the body.
Nice elbow from Dessler.
Dessler swings wildly with an uppercut but Kunnas uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kunnas misses with a punch on the inside.
Kunnas has had enough of the clinch but Dessler keeps him there for the moment.
Kunnas doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Dessler creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kunnas's defenses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dessler misses with a hook from the clinch.
Dessler lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kunnas backwards.
Dessler tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Kunnas breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Billy Dessler really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Billy Dessler's cut.
That's time! Kunnas's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kunnas cracks Dessler with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Dessler lands a high kick!
Kunnas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kunnas ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Dessler moves away.
Kunnas tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Dessler is able to avoid easily.
A head kick by Dessler misses
and Kunnas makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Jab, jab by Dessler - just one landing.
Kunnas throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kunnas throws a shot to the body.
Dessler fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kunnas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dessler manages to avoid it.
Kunnas throws a hook but Dessler avoids it easily.
Dessler pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Dessler throws a head kick but Kunnas moves out of range.
Kunnas looks to throw the jab but Dessler is out of range.
Dessler lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kunnas's sensitive parts.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kunnas. Dessler does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dessler misses with an attempted mid kick.
Dessler slips a jab from Kunnas.
Kunnas displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Dessler throws out the jab.
A head kick misses from Dessler.
Dessler tries to clinch up.
Kunnas throws a hook but Dessler blocks it.
Kunnas's jab looks to have found its range, popping Dessler under the eye.
Dessler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dessler throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kunnas looks to throw the jab but Dessler is out of range.
Dessler throws a big shot that misses.
Kunnas moves out of range of the body kick.
Kunnas fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dessler steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kunnas.
Dessler tries to close the distance and clinch but Kunnas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kunnas scores with the left hand. Dessler knows he should have avoided that one.
Kunnas slips under a jab from Dessler.
Dessler tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dessler misses with a head kick.
Kunnas connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kunnas throws out a loose jab but Dessler uses good head movement to avoid it.
Dessler misses with a body kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Dessler.
Kunnas circles away from the clinch attempt.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice defenses there by Dessler.
Dessler misses with the combination.
Dessler avoids the body shot from Kunnas.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kunnas on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Dessler. Dessler obviously looking to wear him down.
Dessler throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kunnas scores with a three punch combo!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Karl Kunnas will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Billy Dessler's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Dessler takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kunnas digs a good hook to Dessler's body.
Kunnas throws the kick towards the body but Dessler avoids it.
Dessler misses with a low kick.
Nice cross by Kunnas.
Kunnas stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Dessler.
Kunnas throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Dessler.
Dessler is looking to slow Kunnas down with leg kicks.
Dessler defending well as Kunnas loads up on a big left hand.
Dessler tries a low kick but Kunnas avoids it.
Kunnas swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Dessler ducks under a wild hook from Kunnas.
Kunnas swings for the body but Dessler moves out of range.
Kunnas 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.
Kunnas tries to bum rush Dessler with a series of wild strikes but Dessler uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Dessler will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunnas catches Dessler with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kunnas 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.
Kunnas tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kunnas thows a body shot but no joy.
Dessler moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kunnas throws a front kick that sends Dessler stumbling back into the cage.
Dessler throws a sloppy head kick and Kunnas moves out of range easily.
Dessler throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kunnas circles away from the clinch attempt
and Kunnas counters with a nice body shot.
Kunnas throws a good cross that connects.
Kunnas connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kunnas lands a nice shot that snaps Dessler's head back.
Dessler throws a leg kick which misses Kunnas's front leg but catches the back leg as Kunnas tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dessler lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kunnas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Dessler manages to avoid it.
Kunnas blocks a head kick by Dessler.
Dessler throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kunnas.
Dessler takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kunnas looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Dessler with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kunnas scores with a leg kick.
Dessler is looking to slow Kunnas down with leg kicks.
Dessler throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kunnas connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kunnas tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Dessler manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kunnas takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dessler closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Dessler lands with a kick to the ribs.
Dessler has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kunnas misses with a straight right.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Karl Kunnas.
I think Kunnas has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 48:48
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 48:47
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Karl Kunnas!
Karl Kunnas is the new featherweight champion!
Karl Kunnas gave a mention to The Empire - 15% Laundry in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).