PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Karri Koira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juan Morales (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Koira
vs
Morales

180 cm
27
180 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

178 cm
27
183 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

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 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Karri Koira!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juan Morales!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morales misses with a wild body shot.
Morales has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Koira is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Koira punishes Morales's body with a nice straight punch.
Koira misses with a straight left.
Morales swings for the body but Koira moves out of range.
Juan Morales seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koira lands a nice looking body shot.
Koira throws a hook but Morales blocks it.
Koira keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Morales.

Morales moves into range and clinches up with Koira.
Morales tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Koira's elbow.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koira lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Koira wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Koira has had enough of the clinch but Morales keeps him there for the moment.
Koira working hard to break the clinch.
Morales blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Morales.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morales struggles to land a body shot inside as Koira controls his hands.

Koira breaks the clinch.
Koira cracks Morales with a good jab.
We've been told by Koira's head coaches at The Shark Tank that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Koira fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Morales manages to avoid it.
A slow jab from Koira misses its intended target.
Morales swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Morales bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Koira's head.
Koira uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Morales.

Koira gets tackled into the cage by Morales. Morales maintains the clinch.
Morales lands a shot to the body.
Koira wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Morales has him pressed against the cage.
Morales doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Morales struggles to land a body shot inside as Koira controls his hands.
Morales can't find room to land a body shot as Koira controls the action.
Koira misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koira lands a left hand.

Koira breaks the clinch.
Koira takes one to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Morales.
Koira throws a big shot that misses.
Morales swings widly with a right hand
and Koira counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Morales thinking.
Morales throws an overhand right that lands on Koira's shoulder, as Koira tries to avoid the shot.
Morales shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Koira cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Koira ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Morales chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Morales throws a body shot but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koira throws a shot to the body.
Koira on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Koira stuns Morales with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Koira misses with a body shot.
Morales looks to land a left hand but Koira moved out of range nicely.
Donk. Koira catches Morales right on the button with a cross.
Koira connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Morales lands with a good body shot.
A cross from Koira lands.
Koira avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Koira swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Morales thows a left - swing and a miss!
Good work by Koira as he checks the leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koira misses with a low kick.
Morales tries to clinch
and Koira counters with a straight right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Koira throws an overhand right that lands on Morales's shoulder, as Morales tries to avoid the shot.
Koira dodges the punch combination from Morales.
Morales missing with a left hand there. Koira was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Koira uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Morales.
A little feinted left hand from Koira on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Koira throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Morales missing with a left hand there. Koira was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Morales throws a body shot but no joy.
Morales swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Koira appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Morales throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karri Koira dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Morales ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A nice side step and Morales releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Morales tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Koira defends well and Morales ends up having to push Koira into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Morales gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Koira counters with a nice uppercut.
Morales's jab looks to have found its range, popping Koira under the eye.
Morales looks for the body kick but Koira saw that one coming.
Morales throws a shot from downtown. Koira moves away and avoids it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Morales. Koira does a little dance to reset his feet.
Koira throwing a counter right hand but Morales manages to avoid it.
Morales closes the distance and clinches up with Koira, looking for a takedown. Morales pushes Koira against the cage but Koira circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Morales scores with a hook to the body. Koira takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koira bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Morales fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Koira is out of range.
Koira has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Morales finds it's way round the side to connect with Koira's head.
Morales just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Morales misses its intended target.
Koira throws a big shot that misses.
Morales on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Morales fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Koira.
Morales tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Koira counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Morales closes this distance looking for a takedown but Koira circles away.
Karri Koira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juan Morales.
Morales misses with a hook.
Koira avoids a punch combination nicely.
Morales scores with a shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Koira there.
Koira lands with a good body shot.
Morales throws an ugly left hook that misses
letting Koira counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koira throws the left hand but Morales avoids the punch easily.
Koira walks into a jab.
Morales on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Koira lands a lovely overhand right.
Koira walks into a straight right hand from Morales.
Morales misses with a lunging right hand
and Koira counters with a slapping leg kick.
Koira throws a jab but it's blocked by Morales.
Morales waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Koira.
Morales steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Koira.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morales throws an overhand right that lands on Koira's shoulder, as Koira tries to avoid the shot.
Morales throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Morales moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Koira blocks a jab.
Morales scores with a jab to the body.
Koira slips under a jab.
Koira tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Morales was well out of range. Poor timing from Koira.
Morales is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Morales pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Koira swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Morales looks to score with a jab to the body but Koira is just out of range.
Morales lands a jab to Koira's midsection.

Morales drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Koira wants to control but Morales postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morales cracks Koira with a big elbow.
Koira is looking for a sweep.
Morales has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Morales throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Koira wants to control but Morales postures up.
Morales in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Koira parries the strikes from Morales easily there. Morales is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Koira to escape.
Koira is trying to control Morales's posture but Morales avoids it.
Koira tries to improve position but can't.
Koira is working to avoid the ground and pound but Morales connects with a decent elbow.
Koira tries to improve position but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juan Morales showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Morales keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Koira.
Morales swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Koira.
Morales misses with a few strikes there.
Koira throwing a counter right hand but Morales manages to avoid it.
Morales works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Koira takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nice takedown defense from Koira. No joy for Morales on that attempt.
Koira digs a good hook to Morales's body.
Morales misses the jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koira misses with a looping right.

Morales has Koira up against the cage in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Morales.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morales is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Koira gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Koira pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Morales connects with the punch.
The fighters circling - Morales throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A jab from Koira misses.
Morales tries to score a power double leg takedown but Koira sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Morales somewhat.
Karri Koira has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Juan Morales.
Koira uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Morales.
Morales feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Koiras jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Morales will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Koira blocks a head kick by Morales.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koira throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Morales feints the counter takedown.
Karri Koira is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Morales throws a hook to the side of Koira's head but Koira sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Koira avoids the body shot from Morales.
Morales throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Morales misses with a straight left.
Morales throws an overhand right that lands on Koira's shoulder, as Koira tries to avoid the shot.
Koira scores with a decent looking hook.
Koira connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Koira crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Morales - the referee stops the clock and Koira gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Morales. Koira manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Morales shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Koira as he avoids it easily.
Koira connects with an inside leg kick.
Koira has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Morales.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morales fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koira manages to avoid it.
Koira is looking for a counter combo.
Morales rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Koira makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Koira uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Morales.
Morales misses with a hook. Koira ducked under it nicely.
Morales slips a straight right by Koira.
Koira missing with a left hand there. Morales was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Juan Morales seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Morales throws a looping overhand right but Koira ducks down to avoid it.
A left lands for Koira.
Koira looks to land a right hand but Morales moved out of range.
Koira lands a nice looking body shot.
Nice uppercut there from Koira.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Morales with a lazy takedown attempt
and Koira counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Koira throws the left hand but Morales avoids the punch easily.
Morales avoids the body shot from Koira.
Morales takes a swing at Koira's ribcage but misses.
Koira is looking to counter punch.
Koira throws a shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Morales throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Koira sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Koira fires out a quick counter leg kick but Morales just manages to avoid it.
Koira blocks a leg kick.
Koira was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Morales throws out a loose jab but Koira uses good head movement to avoid it.
Koira lands a really nice looking cross but Morales seems unphased.
Morales misses with a takedown attempt
letting Koira counter with a right hand.
Morales takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Morales slips under a jab from Koira.

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 Karri Koira.
I think Koira 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 29:28
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 29:28
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karri Koira!
After winning the bout, Karri Koira thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
In defeat, Juan Morales stepped up to the mic, saying 'EI JUMALAUTA MITÄ PASKAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!'.