PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mikko Hovimaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonis Skayias (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mikko Hovimaki has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hovimaki
vs
Skayias

178 cm
25
163 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

182 cm
24
177 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Experienced

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

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 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Hovimaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Antonis Skayias!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Robert Twigg and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Skayias misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hovimaki works the jab nicely.
Skayias looks to score with a jab to the body but Hovimaki is just out of range.
Hovimaki swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Skayias displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Skayias tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hovimaki defends well and Skayias ends up having to push Hovimaki into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hovimaki avoids the head kick by Skayias.
An attempted straight right counter from Hovimaki misses the target.
Hovimaki digs a good body shot into Skayias's ribs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skayias scores with a nice strike.
A combination from Skayias does no damage.
Hovimaki slaps away a takedown attempt from Skayias, before circling back to the center of the mat.
An attempted straight right counter from Hovimaki misses the target.
Mikko Hovimaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonis Skayias.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skayias shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Hovimaki counters with a nice uppercut.
Mikko Hovimaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hovimaki avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Skayias throws a sloppy head kick and Hovimaki moves out of range easily.
Hovimaki was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Skayias swings widly with a right hand
and Hovimaki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Skayias thinking.
Skayias shoots in for a double leg but Hovimaki sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Skayias drives through and clinches with Hovimaki against the cage.
Skayias gets through Hovimaki's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Skayias is looking for a takedown.
Come on Skayias - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A frustrated look appears on Hovimaki's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hovimaki is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hovimaki.
Hovimaki has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Skayias lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hovimaki backwards.
Skayias lands with a left to the head.
Skayias lands a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Skayias has Hovimaki pressed against the cage, preventing Hovimaki from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Skayias just leaning against Hovimaki, taking a breather.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Skayias.
Hovimaki tries to circle away but Skayias has him pinned against the cage.
Hovimaki prevents a body shot from Skayias.
Hovimaki is trying to force a seperation but Skayias has the dominant position.
Skayias lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hovimaki backwards.

Hovimaki is fighting off a takedown attempt but Skayias is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Hovimaki to the mat. Hovimaki regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Skayias showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Hovimaki on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Hovimaki tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skayias stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hovimaki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hovimaki being controlled here, momentarily.
Skayias trying to control the position from guard on top but Hovimaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Skayias is looking to work some ground and pound but Hovimaki has wrist control.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Skayias accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Skayias scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Skayias pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Skayias displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hovimaki throws out the jab.
Skayias scores with a jab. Hovimaki acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A punch lands to the side of Hovimaki 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Hovimaki is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonis Skayias dominated that round.
That's time! Hovimaki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Skayias fails to land with a series of punches.
A counter left hand to the body from Hovimaki misses its target.

Skayias bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Hovimaki! He dives into his guard looking to finish!
Oh Hovimaki is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Skayias is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Hovimaki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hovimaki seems to have got his legs back now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Skayias looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Skayias throwing strikes from guard but Hovimaki blocks nicely.
Skayias throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Skayias wants to pass the guard but Hovimaki is keeping the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nice sprawl there from Hovimaki as Skayias shoots in.
Skayias misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Skayias misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A big right from Hovimaki misses.
Skayias looks to land a combination but Hovimaki avoids it well.
Skayias misses the jab.
Skayias dives in for a single leg takedown but Hovimaki sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Mikko Hovimaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonis Skayias.
Hovimaki tries to move into range but Skayias moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Skayias getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Skayias tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hovimaki defends well and Skayias ends up having to push Hovimaki into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Skayias has his takedown stuffed
and Hovimaki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hovimaki misses with a body punch
and Skayias counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Skayias.
Skayias fails with the takedown
and Hovimaki counters with a nice uppercut.
Skayias throws a series of punches but Hovimaki moves out of range.
Skayias might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Skayias throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Hovimaki counters with a stiff right hand.
Skayias closes the distance and clinches up with Hovimaki, looking for a takedown. Skayias pushes Hovimaki against the cage but Hovimaki circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
It looked like Hovimaki was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Skayias.
Hovimaki keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Skayias.
Skayias fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Skayias.
Skayias is looking to clinch.
Skayias missing with a left hand there. Hovimaki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A little feinted left hand from Hovimaki on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Hovimaki throws a lazy uppercut
and Skayias counters with a low kick, right behind Hovimaki 's knee.
Hovimaki looks to throw the jab but Skayias is out of range.
A combination from Skayias does no damage.
A counter left hand to the body from Hovimaki misses its target.
Hovimaki takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Skayias throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Hovimaki counter with a right hand.
Skayias shoots in looking for a takedown. Hovimaki tries to sprawl out of it but Skayias keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hovimaki manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonis Skayias showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hovimaki throws an overhand right that lands on Skayias's shoulder, as Skayias tries to avoid the shot.
Skayias closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hovimaki circles away.
Skayias 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.
Hovimaki slips under a jab from Skayias.
Hovimaki throwing a counter right hand but Skayias manages to avoid it.
Hovimaki ducks under a wild hook from Skayias.
Skayias tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hovimaki sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Skayias somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Skayias throws an off balance right hand
and Skayias takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Skayias fails with a takedown attempt.
Hovimaki swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Mikko Hovimaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonis Skayias.
Skayias misses with a right hand
and Hovimaki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Skayias misses.
Skayias misses the body punch
and Hovimaki counters with a nice uppercut.
Skayias throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Skayias cracks Hovimaki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Skayias bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hovimaki misses with a straight left.
Antonis Skayias seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Skayias misses with a hook
and Hovimaki counters with a nice uppercut.
Hovimaki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Skayias throws a jab but it's blocked by Hovimaki.
Skayias lands a jab.
Skayias misses with an uppercut
and Hovimaki counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Skayias lands with a nice combination. Hovimaki backs away looking to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Skayias uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hovimaki.
Hovimaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Skayias throws out the jab.
Skayias moves in looking to clinch but Hovimaki pushes him off.
Hovimaki is looking to counter punch.
Skayias misses with a takedown attempt
and Hovimaki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Skayias is looking to clinch but Hovimaki is avoiding it.
It looked like Hovimaki wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Hovimaki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Skayias.
Skayias takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Skayias looks for a takedown but Hovimaki sprawls well.
Mikko Hovimaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hovimaki misses with a looping right.
Antonis Skayias seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Skayias misses the jab.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Skayias is defended easily by Hovimaki.
Hovimaki moves out of range of the strikes.
Antonis Skayias is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Skayias misses with a straight right.
Skayias lands with an overhand left.
Hovimaki throws an overhand right that lands on Skayias's shoulder, as Skayias tries to avoid the shot.
Skayias fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Good leg kick by Skayias there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Skayias misses with a takedown
and Hovimaki counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the liver by Skayias. Beautiful body shot.

Skayias looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Hovimaki!
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!
Skayias is moving around in side control but his primary objective seems to be to maintain the position.
Skayias trying to control the position but Hovimaki is working away.
Hovimaki trying to remain calm as Skayias controls from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Antonis Skayias.
Well Skayias has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30
Judge George Francis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonis Skayias!
A victorious Antonis Skayias thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.