PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joulu Pukki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Major Hardwood (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 light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joulu Pukki and Major Hardwood. Hardwood has chosen Ali Bomaye by The Game as his entrance music. Major Hardwood will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Pukki
vs
Hardwood

179 cm
38
215 lbs
32 - 20 - 0

190 cm
29
214 lbs
11 - 4 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joulu Pukki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Major Hardwood!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pukki shoots for a takedown but Hardwood saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hardwood enables Pukki to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hardwood manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Pukki might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Pukki is looking to pass into half guard but Hardwood pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hardwood is in guard.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pukki wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Hardwood wants to control from the top but Pukki keeps moving.
Hardwood preventing the sweep.
Pukki is working hard here to advance position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hardwood wants to control from the top but Pukki keeps moving.
Pukki controls Hardwood momentarily but Hardwood frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hardwood loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hardwood stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pukki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pukki trying to control the position here.
Hardwood seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Pukki is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hardwood cracks Pukki with a right hand to the side of the head.
Hardwood throws a body shot but no joy.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hardwood.
Hardwood throws out a loose jab but Pukki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hardwood ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Hardwood lands a slapping body shot.
Hardwood scores with a hook to the body. Pukki takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Pukki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hardwood swivels and escapes.
Hardwood throws a nice outside leg kick.
Pukki shoots in looking for a takedown. Hardwood tries to sprawl out of it but Pukki keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hardwood manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hardwood looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joulu Pukki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hardwood defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pukki.
Hardwood looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Hardwood throws the left hand but Pukki avoids the punch easily.
Hardwood keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood lands a jab to the nose.
Hardwood changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Pukki will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pukki walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hardwood throws a sloppy head kick and Pukki moves out of range easily.
Pukki appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Pukki.
Pukki is breathing heavily.
Pukki tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hardwood swivels and escapes.
Pukki takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Pukki misses with a takedown attempt

and Hardwood counters with a beautiful punch that sends Pukki to the canvas!

Pukki is rocked!

It looks like Joulu Pukki has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hardwood is looking to work some ground and pound but Pukki has wrist control.
Oh Pukki is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pukki keeping moving, preventing Hardwood from controlling successfully.
Pukki seems to have got his legs back now.
Hardwood pushing down on Pukki's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Pukki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hardwood.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pukki is refusing to be controlled, as Hardwood sits in half guard.
Hardwood with the ground and pound but Pukki uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Hardwood throwing strikes from guard but Pukki blocks nicely.
Pukki keeping moving, preventing Hardwood from controlling successfully.
Hardwood throwing strikes but missing.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hardwood working some strikes from top position.
Hardwood with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Major Hardwood dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joulu Pukki's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Pukki shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Hardwood napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Pukki tries to advance to mount but Hardwood denies him.
Hardwood tries to buck Pukki off but Pukki is having none of it.
Pukki is looking to take a break and control but Hardwood is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hardwood stops Pukki from passing to mount.
Hardwood regains half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pukki prevents Hardwood from improving his position.
Pukki is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Hardwood wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pukki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Hardwood wants to control but Pukki is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hardwood tries to roll over but Pukki keeps him under control.
Hardwood is still trying to improve position.
Hardwood is looking to control Pukki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hardwood avoid being mounted?
Pukki controlling the action here.
Pukki's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hardwood fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Pukki checks it well.
Pukki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Hardwood jabs Pukki right on the nose. Pukki blinks but takes it well.
Pukki slips a straight right by Hardwood.
Pukki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hardwood sprawls well. Hardwood wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pukki gets slowly back to his feet.
It seemed like Hardwood was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Hardwood connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Hardwood throws a head kick but Pukki moves out of range.
Pukki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hardwood as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joulu Pukki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hardwood gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Pukki to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Hardwood is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hardwood seems to be working for a kimura but Pukki defends the submission attempt.
Hardwood scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hardwood wants to advance to full mount but Pukki doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

Hardwood postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Pukki is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hardwood, into his guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hardwood keeping moving, preventing Pukki from controlling successfully.

Hardwood throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Hardwood is trying to keep Pukki in close.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pukki stopping the sweep attempt from Hardwood.
Hardwood keeping full guard, as Pukki tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Joulu Pukki will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Joulu Pukki's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Pukki fails with the takedown
and Hardwood counters with a nice uppercut.
Pukki misses with a takedown attempt
and Hardwood counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Pukki fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joulu Pukki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pukki shoots in and drives through. Hardwood sprawls well.
Hardwood scores with a hook to the body. Pukki takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Hardwood getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
An inside leg kick lands from Hardwood.
A swing and a miss from Hardwood.
Pukki goes for a double leg but Hardwood avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hardwood continues to drive forward.
Hardwood digs a good hook to Pukki's body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hardwood closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Pukki quickly recovers to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hardwood is pressing down on Pukki's thigh, looking to free his foot. Pukki is holding on for now.
Hardwood winds up and cracks Pukki with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hardwood is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Hardwood is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pukki defends it well.
Pukki on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Hardwood working over Pukki with some ground and pound. Pukki looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Hardwood seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pukki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Pukki wants to control but Hardwood is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Hardwood wants to work for an arm triangle but Pukki is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Hardwood is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pukki doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hardwood.
Hardwood trying to control from half guard but Pukki is working away.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukki trying to hold on to Hardwood's head to control him but Hardwood postures up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Hardwood scores with a leg kick.
Hardwood just misses with a punch to the body.
Hardwood lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

Hardwood is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Pukki's half guard.
Hardwood wants to pass to mount but Pukki is defending the position.
Hardwood is trying to control the action in half guard but Pukki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Pukki trying to hold on to Hardwood's head to control him but Hardwood postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pukki is not content to let Hardwood control the position.
Pukki trying to control from the bottom.
Hardwood has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pukki manages to get to full guard.
Pukki is trying to keep Hardwood in close.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hardwood looking to pass the guard.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Major Hardwood comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hardwood 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Major Hardwood!
Major Hardwood decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.