PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iivana Jalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocco Stupka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jalo's entrance music is Aino Venna - Waltz to Paris. A fine choice. The crowd seem to be enjoying Stupka's choice of entrance music: Red Army March. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Jalo
vs
Stupka

203 cm
26
266 lbs
18 - 11 - 0

184 cm
32
250 lbs
23 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Hellbent

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 18 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iivana Jalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 19 - 0, fighting out of New York, Rocco Stupka!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Joseph Jones and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stupka keeps the fight on the outside.
Stupka swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Jalo.
Stupka drops his hands momentarily and Jalo takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A swing and a miss from Stupka.
Jalo misses with an uppercut. Stupka saw that one coming.
A slow jab from Stupka misses its intended target.
Jalo throws a shot from downtown. Stupka moves away and avoids it.
Jalo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The fighters circling - Stupka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stupka throws a big shot that misses.
Stupka dodges the punch combination from Jalo.
Stupka looks to throw the jab but Jalo is out of range.
Jalo slips a jab from Stupka.
Stupka punishes Jalo's body with a nice straight punch.
Nice straight punches there by Jalo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Jalo.

It looks like Rocco Stupka has been cut.
Stupka is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Jalo fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Jalo avoids the body shot from Stupka.
Jalo misses with the combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jalo has Stupka up against the cage in a clinch.
Jalo pressing his opponent against the cage.
Stupka scores with a shoulder strike.

It looks like Iivana Jalo has been cut.
Stupka lands with a left to the head.
Jalo lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Stupka.
Stupka blocks a body shot from Jalo.
Jalo prevents a body shot from Stupka.
Jalo working aggressively here.
Stupka lands with a left to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stupka stalling the fight.
Jalo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Our sources have told us that Jalo has been working on his elbows in the gym.
Stupka throws a head punch that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jalo can't find room to land a body shot as Stupka controls the action.
Jalo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Jalo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Stupka prevents a body shot from Jalo.
Stupka misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stupka just leaning against Jalo, taking a breather.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jalo.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stupka.
Jalo scores with a nice hook to the head.
Jalo misses with the head strike.
Stupka swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A nice left hand lands by Stupka.
Stupka lands a nice uppercut.
Stupka has Jalo pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stupka blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Jalo.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Jalo throws a head punch that misses.
Stupka throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Stupka has a couple of punches blocked by Jalo.

Stupka's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Stupka lands a body shot.
Jalo moves forwards but Stupka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jalo throws a jab but it's blocked by Stupka.
Stupka misses with an uppercut.
Stupka just misses with a punch to the body.
Jalo throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stupka connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Jalo momentarily.

Stupka sends Jalo crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Stupka is motioning to the referee to let Jalo up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!

Jalo is rocked!
Stupka is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Jalo flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Jalo is out cold! Stupka holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:15 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Rocco Stupka!
Rocco Stupka was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.