PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Antti Kantola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Champ Bombada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Kantola
vs
Bombada

176 cm
32
182 lbs
13 - 13 - 0

183 cm
38
175 lbs
32 - 32 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Kantola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 32 - 32 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Champ Bombada!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bombada keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kantola throws the kick towards the body but Bombada avoids it.
Bombada misses with a straight right.
Antti Kantola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kantola misses with a body kick.
Bombada scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Bombada misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bombada lands a nice shot that snaps Kantola's head back.
Kantola is looking to land body kicks.
Bombada ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kantola lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kantola ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bombada moves away.
Bombada connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kantola momentarily.
Kantola blocks a head kick by Bombada.
Bombada ducks under a wild hook from Kantola.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bombada keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bombada jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kantola tries to clinch up.
Bombada takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kantola misses with a hook to the body
and Bombada counters with a one-two to the body.
Bombada throws a head kick that Kantola semi-blocks.
Kantola slips under a jab.
Kantola walks into a stiff left hand from Bombada.
Kantola connects with an inside leg kick.
Kantola throws a body punch but Bombada moves out of range.
Kantola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bombada lands a jab to the head.
Kantola swinging wildly here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantola cracks Bombada with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
We've been informed that Bombada has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Bombada misses with a few strikes there.
Kantola is looking to wear down Bombada with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Bombada looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kantola rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bombada connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kantola looks to score with a jab to the body but Bombada is just out of range.
Kantola lands a right hook to the body.
A jab lands there for Kantola.
Kantola throws a body shot but no joy.
Kantola stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kantola, as that shot connected.
Bombada has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kantola.
Champ Bombada is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bombada misses the jab.
Kantola takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kantola takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Bombada pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Bombada swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Bombada throws a series of strikes that have Kantola backpedaling.
Kantola pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bombada avoids the body shot from Kantola.
Kantola defending well as Bombada loads up on a big left hand.
Kantola throws a body punch but Bombada moves out of range.
Kantola ducks under a wild hook from Bombada.
Kantola bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bombada's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kantola misses with a jab to the body
and Bombada connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A left and a right from Bombada both land. Nice combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bombada fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kantola is out of range.
Bombada has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Bombada slips a straight right by Kantola.
Kantola connects with a solid leg kick.
Kantola slips a straight right by Bombada.
Kantola misses with a body kick.
Kantola pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kantola missing with a left hand there. Bombada was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kantola scores with a leg kick.
Jab, jab by Kantola - just one landing.
Kantola moves out of range of the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Champ Bombada will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bombada takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Champ Bombada seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A slapping leg kick lands for Bombada.
Kantola misses with a series of wild punches.
Bombada tests Kantola's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bombada fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kantola on the side of the head.
Bombada rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kantola moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kantola throws a jab when Bombada was well out of range.
Champ Bombada is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bombada ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bombada displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kantola throws out the jab.
Nice defenses there by Bombada.
Kantola throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bombada uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kantola.
Kantola swings for the body but Bombada moves out of range.
Kantola bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Bombada wants to slow Kantola down by chopping away at his legs.
Kantola tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kantola throws a wild body kick that Bombada sees coming a mile off.
Kantola tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bombada was well out of range. Poor timing from Kantola.
Some wild striking there from Bombada.
Kantola uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kantola steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Bombada.
Bombada moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantola moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Bombada dodges the punch combination from Kantola.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kantola has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Kantola moves into the clinch.
Kantola digs a right hand underneath Bombada's ribcage. Bombada let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kantola throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kantola.
Kantola doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kantola throws a punch but it's blocked by Bombada.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bombada blocks an elbow strike.
Kantola can't find room to land a body shot as Bombada controls the action.
Kantola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A shot in the inside from Kantola.
Kantola pushes Bombada back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kantola stalling the fight.
Bombada tries to break free but Kantola pushes him back against the cage.
Kantola makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kantola has Bombada pressed against the cage, preventing Bombada from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kantola effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kantola lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Bombada breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bombada bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kantola's head backwards.
Kantola misses with a low kick.
Kantola ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Bombada moves away.
Kantola fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kantola misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Bombada counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Bombada misses with a hook.
Kantola misses the shot to the body.
Bombada scores with a nice right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Kantola dominated that second 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. And we move into the final round!

A combination from Bombada does no damage.
Bombada catches Kantola with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kantola moves out of range of the leg kick from Bombada.
Kantola lands with an uppercut that bounces Bombada off the cage and back into range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kantola cracks Bombada with a nice body shot.
With the fighters up against the cage, Kantola throws an elbow but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bombada being controlled against the cage.
Kantola pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kantola scores with a hook to the body.
Kantola misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Bombada's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kantola fails in his attempt to clinch.
Bombada lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Bombada.
Kantola connects with a crisp jab.
Bombada ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Bombada throws out a leg kick but Kantola moves out of range and Bombada only half commits.
No joy there for Kantola, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Bombada doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bombada lands with an overhand left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantola chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kantola looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Bombada ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bombada is looking to land body kicks.
Bombada swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kantola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kantola scores with a hook.
Bombada throws a big shot that misses.
Kantola misses with the body kick
and Bombada counters with a leg kick.
Bombada thuds his right hand into Kantola's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Kantola moves into the clinch successfully.
Kantola looking to slow down the pace here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kantola keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bombada's efforts to push away.
Bombada wants to get back to striking at distance but Kantola won't allow it.
Kantola taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Antti Kantola has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Bombada blocks an uppercut.
Kantola trying to stall but Bombada improves his position.
Kantola content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Bombada breaks the clinch.

Kantola drives through and clinches with Bombada against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kantola's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Bombada has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kantola works on Bombada's body with a couple of short punches.
Bombada has had enough of the clinch but Kantola keeps him there for the moment.
Kantola stalling against the cage.
Bombada wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bombada managing to block the knees to the body from Kantola.

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 Antti Kantola.
I think Kantola 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Kantola!
An out of breath and clearly excited Antti Kantola thanked Perkele! for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).