PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Mike Hunter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JD Lakay Ii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lakay Ii has chosen Remember The Name - Fort Minor as his entrance music. We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hunter
vs
Lakay Ii

182 cm
18
191 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Hunter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, JD Lakay Ii!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lakay Ii thows a body shot but no joy.
Lakay Ii shoots in for a takedown but Hunter shows good takedown defense.
Mike Hunter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hunter tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hunter pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hunter throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lakay Ii tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hunter manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Lakay Ii avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Lakay Ii rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hunter moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Lakay Ii darts in looking for a takedown but Hunter gets double underhooks and turns Lakay Ii into the cage.

Lakay Ii decides to pull guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hunter postures up.
Lakay Ii preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Lakay Ii trying to keep a closed guard but Hunter is proving a slippery customer.
Hunter is pushing down on Lakay Ii's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lakay Ii is fighting to maintain full guard but Hunter has managed to sneak the leg through.
Lakay Ii keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hunter with the ground and pound but Lakay Ii uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hunter avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hunter slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hunter in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hunter wants to control from the top but Lakay Ii keeps moving.
Lakay Ii is looking to stand up but Hunter isn't so interested in that idea.
Hunter cracks Lakay Ii with a solid left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lakay Ii trying to control the position.
Hunter lands a couple of digs.
Hunter postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hunter trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Lakay Ii manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Hunter is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hunter keeping moving, preventing Lakay Ii from controlling successfully.

Hunter is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter pulls Lakay Ii in close to his closed guard and prevents Lakay Ii from doing any damage or advancing position.

Hunter escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lakay Ii gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Lakay Ii trying to control but Hunter is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter pulls Lakay Ii in to control the position.
Hunter has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Lakay Ii won't allow Hunter to sweep him here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hunter misses with a head kick.
Hunter throws a sloppy head kick and Lakay Ii moves out of range easily.
Hunter looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hunter pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Hunter dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hunter tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lakay Ii misses with a takedown attempt - Hunter sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Hunter does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Lakay Ii wants to clinch up but Hunter keeps it at a distance.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hunter.
Hunter is looking to land body kicks.
Lakay Ii closes the distance and clinches up with Hunter, looking for a takedown. Lakay Ii pushes Hunter against the cage but Hunter circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hunter lands a nice leg kick that just misses Lakay Ii's sensitive parts.
Lakay Ii checks a low kick from Hunter.
Lakay Ii lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Lakay Ii moves into the clinch.
Lakay Ii is trying to break free.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hunter as Lakay Ii tries to tie him up.
Lakay Ii has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hunter is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mike Hunter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JD Lakay Ii.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter tries to throw a body punch but Lakay Ii avoids it by throwing Hunter back against the cage.
Hunter looking to stall.
Lakay Ii looking to slow down the pace here.
Lakay Ii jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hunter walks away with a smile on his face. Lakay Ii gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Good work by Lakay Ii as he checks the leg kick.
Lakay Ii on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hunter. Hunter obviously looking to wear him down.
Mike Hunter is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lakay Ii.
Lakay Ii tries to clinch but Hunter moves out of range.
Hunter connects with a leg kick. Lakay Ii looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Lakay Ii lands with a kick to the ribs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter misses with a body kick.
Lakay Ii is looking to clinch.
Lakay Ii has his takedown stuffed
and Hunter counters with a slapping leg kick.
Lakay Ii tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hunter defends well and Lakay Ii ends up having to push Hunter into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hunter wants to break free but Lakay Ii has control.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Hunter just misses with a elbow thrown towards Lakay Ii's brow.
Lakay Ii has Hunter pressed against the cage, preventing Hunter from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hunter goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hunter is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hunter wants to get back to striking at distance but Lakay Ii won't allow it.
Lakay Ii tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Hunter smiles and moves away.
Lakay Ii tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter throws a lazy body kick
and Lakay Ii counters with a nice body kick.
Lakay Ii takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Lakay Ii with a lazy takedown attempt
and Hunter counters with a nice low kick that buckles Lakay Ii's knee momentarily.
Hunter misses with the body kick
and Lakay Ii counters with a nice body kick.
Hunter throws a nice inside leg kick.
Hunter buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hunter staying out of range there.
Lakay Ii on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hunter. Hunter obviously looking to wear him down.
Hunter throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hunter is looking to chop away at Lakay Ii's legs.
Lakay Ii shoots in for a takedown but Hunter shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Lakay Ii misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Lakay Ii is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body kick from Hunter.
Hunter throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lakay Ii tries for a takedown but Hunter sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hunter misses with a kick to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hunter throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hunter connects with a leg kick. Lakay Ii looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hunter lands with a kick to the ribs.
Hunter buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Lakay Ii fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunter throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Lakay Ii shoots for a takedown but Hunter saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Hunter dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Hunter throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
JD Lakay Ii is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lakay Ii misses with an uppercut. Hunter saw that one coming.
Hunter misses with a head kick.
Lakay Ii fails in his attempt to clinch.
Lakay Ii's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hunter swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hunter takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Lakay Ii missing with a left hand there. Hunter was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Lakay Ii moves in looking to clinch but Hunter pushes him off.
Lakay Ii throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hunter.
Hunter throws a body kick that misses
and Lakay Ii counters with a low kick, right behind Hunter 's knee.
Hunter connects with an inside leg kick.
Hunter lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A head kick misses from Hunter.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hunter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hunter.
Hunter throws a wild body kick that Lakay Ii sees coming a mile off.
Hunter throws a leg kick but Lakay Ii sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Mike Hunter is winning the standup battle so far.
Hunter throws a head kick but Lakay Ii moves out of range.
Lakay Ii fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hunter looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lakay Ii tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hunter attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Lakay Ii moves out of range of the body kick from Hunter.
Lakay Ii tries to close the distance and clinch but Hunter swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hunter looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hunter misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter throws the kick towards the body but Lakay Ii avoids it.
Lakay Ii tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Lakay Ii takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Lakay Ii shoots in for a takedown but Hunter shows good takedown defense.
Lakay Ii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hunter misses with a body kick.
Good work by Lakay Ii as he checks the leg kick.
Hunter stuffs the takedown.
Mike Hunter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JD Lakay Ii.
Hunter walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Lakay Ii checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Lakay Ii blocks a head kick by Hunter.
Lakay Ii shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hunter but Hunter pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Hunter turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hunter keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter throws a low kick but Lakay Ii moves out of range easily.
Hunter throws a sloppy head kick and Lakay Ii moves out of range easily.
No joy there for Lakay Ii, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hunter motions for Lakay Ii to come forward. Hunter throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Hunter is looking to score with low kicks.
A head kick misses from Hunter.
Hunter throws a head kick that misses
and Lakay Ii counters with a slapping leg kick.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Hunter - that will leave a mark!
Lakay Ii misses with a takedown attempt
and Hunter counters with a leg kick.
Hunter tries a low kick but Lakay Ii avoids it.
Hunter tries a head kick but it misses.
Lakay Ii checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Mike Hunter is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter misses with a low kick.
Hunter tries a head kick but it misses.
Lakay Ii fails to land the takedown.
Hunter swats away the attempt to clinch by Lakay Ii.
Hunter goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Lakay Ii scores with a head kick. Hunter tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Hunter will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hunter avoids a punch combination nicely.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lakay Ii.
JD Lakay Ii has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lakay Ii avoids the head kick by Hunter.

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 Mike Hunter.
Well Hunter 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Hunter!