PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Austin Williams (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Potkukelkka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Austin Williams could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to James Potkukelkka's chin.

Williams
vs
Potkukelkka

170 cm
30
147 lbs
25 - 9 - 0

170 cm
32
154 lbs
25 - 16 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Austin Williams!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Potkukelkka!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Williams dodges the punch combination from Potkukelkka.
Williams misses with the combination.
Potkukelkka looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Williams thuds a left hand into Potkukelkka's body.
Potkukelkka blocks a low kick nicely.
Williams uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Potkukelkka.
Williams has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Potkukelkka connects with a crisp jab.
Williams throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Williams scores with a leg kick.
Potkukelkka fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Williams has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Potkukelkka ducks under a wild hook from Williams.
Williams rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Potkukelkka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Potkukelkka scores with a head kick.
Potkukelkka looking to land some kicks to the body here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Williams tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Potkukelkka was well out of range. Poor timing from Williams.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Williams feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Williams working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Williams trying to control the position from guard on top but Potkukelkka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Williams loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Potkukelkka keeping moving, preventing Williams from controlling successfully.
Williams has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Potkukelkka is looking for a triangle but Williams pushes his legs off easily.
Potkukelkka bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Williams's guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Potkukelkka not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Potkukelkka trying to control but Williams is working from the bottom.
Potkukelkka won't allow Williams to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka controlling from the top position.
Potkukelkka trying to control the position from guard on top but Williams is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Potkukelkka wants to pass the guard but Williams is keeping the position.
Potkukelkka preventing the sweep.
Potkukelkka is looking to work some ground and pound but Williams has wrist control.
Potkukelkka throws a big right hand that misses.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Williams is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Williams misses with a straight left.
Williams's jab looks to have found its range, popping Potkukelkka under the eye.
Williams ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Williams misses the shot to the body.
Potkukelkka is looking to chop away at Williams's legs.
Williams ducks under a wild hook from Potkukelkka.

Potkukelkka clinches.
Williams blocking some punches.
Potkukelkka tries a body shot but Williams blocks it.
Potkukelkka throws a head punch that misses.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Williams.
Potkukelkka trying to stall but Williams improves his position.
Williams lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Potkukelkka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Williams is defending well.
Williams makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Potkukelkka avoids the elbow strike from Williams, against the cage.
Potkukelkka stalling in the clinch but Williams improves position.
Potkukelkka tries to work over Williams's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Potkukelkka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Potkukelkka takes a shot to the head.

Williams is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Potkukelkka can't fight it off and eventually Williams manages to take the fight to the floor. Potkukelkka looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Potkukelkka preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Williams trying to control but Potkukelkka is working from the bottom.
Potkukelkka seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Williams missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Austin Williams 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.

Williams shoots in and gets a takedown into Potkukelkka's guard.
Williams stopping the sweep attempt from Potkukelkka.
Williams wants to control from the top but Potkukelkka keeps moving.

Potkukelkka has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Williams can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Williams cracks Potkukelkka with a solid left hand.

Potkukelkka had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Williams defends it easily.
Williams is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Potkukelkka can do to turn this around?
Williams won't allow Potkukelkka to sweep him here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Williams is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Williams trying to control but Potkukelkka is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Potkukelkka has his foot on Williams's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Williams works his way back into a safe position though.
Williams slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Potkukelkka keeping moving, preventing Williams from controlling successfully.
Austin Williams overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Williams not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Williams won't allow Potkukelkka to sweep him here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Potkukelkka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Potkukelkka on the wrong end of a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Williams misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Williams scores with a shot to the body.
Williams tries to land a front kick but Potkukelkka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Williams avoids the head kick by Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka delivers a nice body kick.
Potkukelkka has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Williams lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Williams misses with a straight right.
Williams bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Potkukelkka's head backwards.

Williams looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Potkukelkka working a defensive guard here.
Williams postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka 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.
Williams with a nice head shot there.
Potkukelkka is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Potkukelkka has his foot on Williams's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Williams works his way back into a safe position though.
Williams landing some decent shots from guard.
Williams trying to control the position from guard on top but Potkukelkka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Potkukelkka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Williams content to stall in guard here.
Potkukelkka is trying to control the position from the bottom.

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.
Williams stopping the sweep attempt from Potkukelkka.
Williams keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Potkukelkka's head.
Williams trying to control but Potkukelkka is working from the bottom.
Potkukelkka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Potkukelkka keeping moving, preventing Williams from controlling successfully.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Potkukelkka. Williams does a little dance to reset his feet.
Williams misses with a two punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Austin Williams dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Potkukelkka feints and then cracks Williams's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Williams down.
Williams throws a leg kick but Potkukelkka sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Williams walks into a left hand.
Williams moves out of range of the strikes.
Potkukelkka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Williams.
Potkukelkka looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Williams gets caught napping as Potkukelkka dives in and scores a takedown. Williams manages to retain guard.

Williams is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Potkukelkka defends well.

Potkukelkka drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Williams manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Potkukelkka has Williams in his guard.

Williams avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Williams tries to free his leg and advance position but Potkukelkka is retaining full guard.
Williams trying to control the position from guard on top but Potkukelkka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Williams with a nice head shot there.
Potkukelkka is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Williams is looking to work some ground and pound but Potkukelkka has wrist control.
James Potkukelkka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Potkukelkka wants to sweep but no luck.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Williams's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Williams is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Potkukelkka working a defensive guard here.

Potkukelkka escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Williams gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Williams looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Potkukelkka trying to keep a closed guard but Williams is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Potkukelkka is looking for a triangle but Williams pushes his legs off easily.
Williams scoring with punches to the head and body.
Williams preventing the sweep.
Williams is working Potkukelkka over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Williams trying to control but Potkukelkka is working from the bottom.
Potkukelkka wants to sweep here but Williams controlling him for the moment.
Williams with a nice head shot there.
Williams trying to control but Potkukelkka is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Williams 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.
Williams makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Williams won't allow Potkukelkka to sweep him here.
Williams pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Potkukelkka is keeping the position for now.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Potkukelkka on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Potkukelkka fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Williams looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Potkukelkka's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Williams connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Potkukelkka scrambles back to his feet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Williams has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Williams lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

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 Austin Williams.
Well Williams 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Austin Williams!
A very excited looking Austin Williams made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.