PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Naru Jarkko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bucky The Badger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). He arrived on a last minute flight shortly after looking tired and unhappy. Officials decided the fight should still take place, much to the delight of the fans in attendance.
Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Naru Jarkko and Bucky The Badger. Jarkko comes to the cage accompanied by Hawaii 78 & E ala E. The Badger comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Jump Around kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! 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.

Jarkko
vs
The Badger

180 cm
35
155 lbs
35 - 14 - 0

160 cm
34
160 lbs
29 - 13 - 3

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

HERITAGE Threads
Hellbent

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 14 - 0, fighting out of London, Naru Jarkko!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 13 - 3, fighting out of New York, Bucky The Badger!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Donk. Jarkko catches The Badger right on the button with a cross.
The Badger throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jarkko.
We've been told by Jarkko's head coaches at ~T~ Troid - Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
The Badger thuds a left hand into Jarkko's body.
The Badger moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The Badger pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jarkko shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. The Badger eats them both and turns towards Jarkko to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The Badger defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Jarkko.
The Badger tries to clinch there but Jarkko circles away.
The Badger throws a head kick but Jarkko moves out of range.
Jarkko with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jarkko cracks the inside of The Badger's front leg.
The Badger tests Jarkko's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The Badger jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice cross by The Badger.
Jarkko motions for The Badger to come forward. Jarkko throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A chopping leg kick lands by The Badger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko misses with a leg kick.
The Badger misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jarkko dodges the punch combination from The Badger.
Jarkko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The Badger blocks a leg kick.
Jarkko lands a nice leg kick that just misses The Badger's sensitive parts.
Jarkko fails with the takedown
and The Badger counters with a nice uppercut.
The Badger misses with a lunging right hand

and Jarkko counters with a nice double leg into side control. The Badger won't be happy with that.
The Badger tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jarkko wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Jarkko tries to score with some ground and pound. The Badger controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Jarkko cracks The Badger with a big elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The Badger tries to buck Jarkko off but Jarkko is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Jarkko.
The Badger prevents Jarkko from moving into mount.
Jarkko working away.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The Badger gets back to half guard.
The Badger avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Jarkko.
The Badger slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Jarkko throws a big elbow that misses.
The Badger is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Jarkko will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Jarkko wants to control from the top but The Badger keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko stopping the sweep attempt from The Badger.
Jarkko trying to control but The Badger is working from the bottom.
Jarkko throwing strikes from guard but The Badger blocks nicely.
Jarkko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. The Badger swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
A clash of legs there as The Badger blocks the low kick.
Jarkko avoids the head kick by The Badger.
The Badger tries to bum rush Jarkko with a series of wild strikes but Jarkko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jarkko 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.
Jarkko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Jarkko misses with a low kick.
Jarkko looks to score with a jab to the body but The Badger is just out of range.
The Badger fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Jarkko fails to land with a series of punches.

The Badger closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
The Badger trying to land knees to the body.
Jarkko tries a body shot but The Badger blocks it.
The Badger creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Jarkko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Jarkko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Badger throws a combination that misses

and Jarkko counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The Badger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jarkko trying to control the position from guard on top but The Badger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Naru Jarkko will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jarkko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but The Badger moves away.
The Badger is looking to clinch.
The Badger misses with a body kick.
Jarkko slips under a jab.
Jarkko sizes up The Badger with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The Badger on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Jarkko. Jarkko obviously looking to wear him down.
Jarkko ducks under a wild hook from The Badger.
Jab by Jarkko.
A big right from Jarkko misses.
The Badger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Jarkko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Badger takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The Badger looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Jarkko connects with a solid leg kick.
The Badger throws a lazy body kick

and Jarkko counters with a nice double leg into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The Badger utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Jarkko trying to control but The Badger is working from the bottom.
Jarkko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as The Badger works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Jarkko with a flurry of punches that miss.
The Badger is looking to sweep but instead, Jarkko has passed into half guard.
Jarkko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The Badger is controlling Jarkko's trapped leg to prevent Jarkko from advancing to side control.
The Badger is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jarkko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that The Badger can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Badger moves into full guard.
Jarkko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Badger is keeping the position for now.
Jarkko trying to control the position from guard on top but The Badger is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jarkko working some strikes from top position.
Jarkko looking to pass the guard.
The Badger avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Badger has Jarkko pulled in close to control his posture.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Jarkko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bucky The Badger seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The Badger throws a quick inside leg kick.
Bucky The Badger is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jarkko throws a leg kick
and The Badger counters with a low kick, right behind Jarkko 's knee.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from The Badger, right into the meat.
Jarkko throws a low kick, looking for The Badger's leg but The Badger calmly moves out of range.
The Badger lands a nice shot to the body.
Jarkko misses with a wild body shot.
Jarkko slips under a jab.
A combination from The Badger does no damage.
The Badger jabs Jarkko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Jarkko jabs at The Badger's body.
Jarkko moves out of range of the leg kick from The Badger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from The Badger.
Jarkko is looking to wear down The Badger with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Jarkko looks to throw the jab but The Badger is out of range.
Jarkko throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jarkko misses with a low kick.
Jarkko takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
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!
Jarkko feints and then cracks The Badger's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow The Badger down.
The Badger throws a right and a left that both miss.
Sloppy strikes from The Badger. Those never looked like landing.
Jarkko moves out of range of the body kick from The Badger.
Jarkko on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by The Badger. The Badger obviously looking to wear him down.
Jarkko scores with a jab to the head.
Jarkko scores with a leg kick.
Jarkko lands a nice shot to the body.
Jarkko swings for the body but The Badger moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naru Jarkko dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jarkko tried to score with a low kick but The Badger checks it.
Jarkko throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The Badger takes a body punch but keeps moving.
The Badger tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jarkko manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Jarkko is trying hard to land a takedown here. The Badger sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
The Badger looks to throw the jab but Jarkko is out of range.
Jarkko lands a right hook to the body.
The Badger scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Jarkko throws a low kick but The Badger moves out of range easily.
The Badger lands with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Badger moves out of range of the body kick from Jarkko.
Bucky The Badger is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The Badger catches Jarkko with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Jarkko blocks the body kick.
Jarkko throws a low kick but The Badger avoids it.
The Badger throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarkko misses with a low kick.
Jarkko throws a body kick that misses.
The Badger throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Jarkko.
The Badger thows a left - swing and a miss!
The Badger checks the leg kick.
The Badger motions for Jarkko to come forward. The Badger throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Jarkko lunges at The Badger with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by The Badger's hand.
The Badger tries to clinch

and Jarkko counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The Badger is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Jarkko scores with a couple of nice shots.
Jarkko is keen to just control but The Badger is a slippery customer.
Jarkko tries to pass to full mount but The Badger defends it.
The Badger is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naru Jarkko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Jarkko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. The Badger defending well though.
Jarkko trying to pass the guard but The Badger defending well.
The Badger is looking to improve his position.
Jarkko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. The Badger defending well though.
Jarkko tries to pass the half guard into mount. The Badger knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Jarkko prevents The Badger from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Jarkko keeps the fight on the outside.
Jarkko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but The Badger moves away.

The Badger instigates a clinch.
The Badger's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Jarkko is trying to break the clinch but The Badger is controlling him.
Jarkko's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
The Badger lands a nice shot to the body.
The Badger lands a damaging elbow.
A head punch blocked on the inside by The Badger.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko is trying to force a seperation but The Badger has the dominant position.
Jarkko tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Jarkko breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
The Badger slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Jarkko throws a body punch but The Badger moves out of range.
The Badger throws a body shot but no joy.
Jarkko with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Jarkko with a nice cross.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The Badger 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.
Jarkko moves out of range of the body kick from The Badger.
The Badger fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Jarkko has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Jarkko misses with a straight right.
The Badger takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

The Badger instigates a clinch.
Jarkko is trying to push The Badger away but The Badger has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naru Jarkko clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The Badger misses with a wild body shot.
The Badger swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Jarkko counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Jarkko.
Jarkko preventing the sweep.
Jarkko throws a big elbow that misses.
Jarkko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The Badger has his hands on Jarkko's head, controlling the position.
Jarkko won't allow The Badger to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jarkko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jarkko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Badger is keeping the position for now.
Jarkko throwing strikes from guard but The Badger blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Badger manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Jarkko manages to get himself to full guard.

Jarkko wants to sweep here but The Badger controlling him for the moment.
Jarkko keeping moving, preventing The Badger from controlling successfully.
Jarkko is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The Badger looking to sit in guard and control but Jarkko gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

There's a bit of a scramble here and now The Badger is on top in guard.

Jarkko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The Badger wants to control from the top but Jarkko keeps moving.
The Badger's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The Badger missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
The Badger landing with the ground and pound.
Jarkko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The Badger is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jarkko swings and misses with a shot to the body
and The Badger counters with a head kick.
The Badger misses with a head kick.
Jarkko blocks a jab.
Jarkko is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Badger checks the leg kick nicely there.
The Badger jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Jarkko fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but The Badger is out of range.
The Badger misses with a straight right.
A slapping leg kick lands for The Badger.
Jarkko checks a low kick from The Badger.
The Badger ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jarkko moves away.
The Badger connects with an inside leg kick.
The Badger swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Jarkko counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for The Badger!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The Badger is trying to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jarkko working the ground and pound from side control.
Both fighters take a look at the clock.
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 Naru Jarkko will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Jarkko throws out a leg kick but The Badger moves out of range and Jarkko only half commits.

The Badger closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Jarkko.
The Badger with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
The Badger throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Jarkko swings wildly with an uppercut but The Badger uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jarkko managing to block the knees to the body from The Badger.
The Badger's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
The Badger lands a nice elbow.
Bucky The Badger seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jarkko blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jarkko content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Jarkko tries to break the clinch but The Badger is controlling the position.
Jarkko dodges an elbow strike from The Badger.
The Badger misses with a short punch on the inside.
Jarkko has a couple of punches blocked by The Badger.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Badger prevents a body shot from Jarkko.

Jarkko breaks from the clinch.
Jarkko misses the shot to the body.
Jarkko scores with a nice head shot.
The Badger tries to clinch but Jarkko moves out of range.
Jarkko tries to score a power double leg takedown but The Badger sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jarkko somewhat.
The Badger misses with a left hand

and Jarkko counters with a shoot takedown. The Badger fights it but they end up in guard.
Jarkko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. The Badger is keeping the position for now.
The Badger pulls Jarkko in close to prevent any damage.
The Badger keeping full guard, as Jarkko tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko being controlled here momentarily.
The Badger wants to improve his position but instead Jarkko has moved into half guard.
The Badger wants to improve his position but Jarkko is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jarkko lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Jarkko throwing shots but The Badger is blocking nicely.
The Badger tries to roll over but Jarkko keeps him under control.
The Badger keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Naru Jarkko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jarkko is looking to stall here but The Badger recovers full guard.
Jarkko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The Badger looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jarkko is one step ahead there.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
The Badger misses with a two punch combination.
Jarkko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from The Badger.
Jarkko fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and The Badger has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Jarkko, right into the meat.
Jarkko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Jarkko throws a looping overhand right but The Badger ducks down to avoid it.
A big left from The Badger misses.
Bucky The Badger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The Badger lands a nice leg kick that just misses Jarkko's sensitive parts.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Jarkko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from The Badger.
The Badger wants to clinch

and Jarkko counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for The Badger!

And that's the end of the fight!
Naru Jarkko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Jarkko, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 50:45
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 49:46
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Naru Jarkko!
Naru Jarkko retains his lightweight title!
Naru Jarkko decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.