PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Josip Ruzic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jesse Jalkalukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruzic comes into the arena with Kid N Play - Gettin' Funky blaring out of the sound system. Jalkalukko has chosen Jordan Sparks ft. Chris Brown - No Air as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ruzic
vs
Jalkalukko

185 cm
42
192 lbs
40 - 18 - 2

190 cm
39
200 lbs
24 - 27 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 40 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Josip Ruzic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 27 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Jalkalukko!
The judges for this bout are Alan Glass, Daniel Franklin and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruzic throws a poor cross that misses
and Jalkalukko counters with a good low kick that Ruzic was not able to check.
Ruzic 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.
Ruzic throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Jalkalukko counters with a thumping low kick.
Ruzic misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ruzic. Jalkalukko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ruzic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Jalkalukko checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Jalkalukko now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Jalkalukko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jalkalukko takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Ruzic throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jalkalukko tries a head kick but it misses.
Ruzic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Jalkalukko tries to land a leg kick but Ruzic saw it coming and moves away.
Ruzic connects with a single shot there.
Ruzic's corner calls for a 1-2. Ruzic obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick but Ruzic moves out of range.
Ruzic feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Jalkalukko throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ruzic quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Josip Ruzic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ruzic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Jalkalukko is out of range and Ruzic settles back down.
Jalkalukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ruzic thumps Jalkalukko with a low kick.
Ruzic ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jalkalukko checks a low kick from Ruzic.
Jalkalukko lands with a slapping head kick.
Jalkalukko avoids the body shot from Ruzic.
Jalkalukko shapes to counter with a head kick.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Josip Ruzic has been cut.
Ruzic throws a body kick that misses
and Jalkalukko counters with a leg kick.
Jalkalukko connects with a high kick.
Ruzic misses with an uppercut.
Jalkalukko throws a fast counter high kick but Ruzic manages to duck under it in time.
Ruzic misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ruzic misses with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic throws a leg kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Ruzic checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Jalkalukko, right into the meat.
Ruzic misses with a hook.
Jalkalukko is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Jalkalukko checks the leg kick.
Jalkalukko shapes to counter with a head kick.
Ruzic throws a one two combo.
Ruzic blocks a head kick by Jalkalukko.
Josip Ruzic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ruzic lands a glancing blow to the side of Jalkalukko's head.
A head kick misses from Jalkalukko.
Ruzic throwing a counter right hand but Jalkalukko manages to avoid it.
Jalkalukko is looking to land body kicks.
A nice leg kick lands there from Ruzic.
Ruzic tries a low kick but Jalkalukko avoids it.
Ruzic works over Jalkalukko's head and body with a nice combination.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick but Ruzic moves out of range.
Ruzic went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jalkalukko uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ruzic.
Jalkalukko tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Jalkalukko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Ruzic throws a leg kick but Jalkalukko moved away.
Ruzic takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Jalkalukko looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Jalkalukko checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ruzic just misses with a punch to the body.
Ruzic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jalkalukko moves away.
A head kick misses from Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ruzic sprawls well. Ruzic wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jalkalukko gets slowly back to his feet.
Ruzic finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ruzic with a hook.
Jalkalukko blocks a head kick by Ruzic.
Ruzic throws a body punch but Jalkalukko moves out of range.
Jalkalukko motions for Ruzic to come forward. Jalkalukko throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ruzic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A shot to the liver by Ruzic. Beautiful body shot.
Ruzic thows a left - swing and a miss!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A slow jab from Ruzic misses its intended target.
Ruzic throws a hook but Jalkalukko avoids it easily.
Ruzic throws a jab when Jalkalukko was well out of range.
Jalkalukko avoids the body shot from Ruzic.
Jalkalukko buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Jalkalukko tries to move into range but Ruzic moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Ruzic, as that shot connected.
A big right from Ruzic misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josip Ruzic dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Josip Ruzic's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Jalkalukko goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Ruzic stuns Jalkalukko with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Jalkalukko has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Ruzic.
Jalkalukko with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ruzic counters with a nice body kick.
Ruzic misses with a double jab
and Jalkalukko counters with a good low kick that Ruzic was not able to check.
Ruzic is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Jalkalukko can do to turn this around?
Ruzic throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ruzic pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ruzic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Jalkalukko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ruzic connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Ruzic is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ruzic connects with an inside leg kick.
Ruzic throws out a loose jab but Jalkalukko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jalkalukko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jalkalukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Jalkalukko.
Ruzic is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Ruzic scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Ruzic misses the shot to the body.
Ruzic ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jalkalukko moves away.
Jalkalukko feints the counter takedown.
Jalkalukko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Ruzic blocks a head kick by Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko misses with a head kick.
Ruzic goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Jalkalukko moves out of range as Ruzic throws a body kick.
Ruzic fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Jalkalukko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ruzic misses with a body punch
and Jalkalukko counters with a big head kick but Ruzic shrugs it off.
Ruzic misses with a wild combination.
Ruzic misses with a leg kick.
Jalkalukko flicks out a counter leg kick but Ruzic steps away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic throws a lazy uppercut
and Jalkalukko counters with a nice leg kick.
Jalkalukko walks into a jab.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that misses.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ruzic throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Jalkalukko holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ruzic is pressed up against the cage. Jalkalukko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ruzic down to the mat. Ruzic avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Jalkalukko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ruzic cracks Jalkalukko with an open hand slap.
Jalkalukko slips a straight right by Ruzic.
A big right from Ruzic misses.
Jalkalukko misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ruzic. Jalkalukko does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic throws a nice looking combination but Jalkalukko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Jalkalukko throws a sloppy head kick and Ruzic moves out of range easily.
Decent striking displayed by Ruzic there.
Ruzic scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Some bone on bone action there as Jalkalukko checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Jalkalukko appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
A head kick misses from Jalkalukko.
Jalkalukko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ruzic.
Ruzic scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Jalkalukko checks a leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Ruzic. Beautiful body shot.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ruzic throws a head kick that misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Jalkalukko blocks the leg kick.
Jalkalukko tries a quick counter leg kick but Ruzic is wise to it.
Ruzic misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruzic throws a leg kick but Jalkalukko sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Jalkalukko keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A cross from Ruzic lands.
Jalkalukko bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jalkalukko lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Jalkalukko tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ruzic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A low kick from Ruzic misses

and Jalkalukko decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ruzic's guard.

Ruzic had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Jalkalukko defends it easily.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Ruzic isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Jalkalukko stacks Ruzic on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Jalkalukko!
Ruzic looking for a sweep but Jalkalukko has passed into full mount! Oh no!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josip Ruzic dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Josip Ruzic's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ruzic takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
A big right from Ruzic misses.
Ruzic throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ruzic moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromJalkalukko.
Jalkalukko blocks a jab.
And Jalkalukko tries to counter it with a takedown but Ruzic pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Ruzic throws a hook to the side of Jalkalukko's head but Jalkalukko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
An inside leg kick from Jalkalukko misses.
Ruzic misses with a left hand
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Jalkalukko tries a head kick but it misses.
Jalkalukko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ruzic throws out the jab.
Jalkalukko is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jalkalukko avoids the body shot from Ruzic.
Ruzic throws a body punch but Jalkalukko moves out of range.
Jalkalukko throws a fast counter high kick but Ruzic manages to duck under it in time.
Ruzic lands with a shot to the body.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruzic lands a body shot.
Ruzic loads up on a big right hand but Jalkalukko slips the punch.
Ruzic lands with a thumping leg kick.
Jalkalukko staying out of range there.
Jalkalukko unleashes a big counter combination but Ruzic bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ruzic just misses with a punch to the body.
Ruzic waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Jalkalukko.
Ruzic throws out a powerful jab.
Decent striking displayed by Ruzic there.
Jalkalukko throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Ruzic throws a body kick that misses.
Ruzic misses with a low kick as Jalkalukko jumps back.
Jalkalukko takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jalkalukko throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ruzic throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jalkalukko looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
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!
Ruzic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Jalkalukko was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruzic.
Ruzic misses with a hook

and Jalkalukko counters with a single leg into guard. Ruzic didn't expect that.

Ruzic looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Ruzic throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ruzic is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jalkalukko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ruzic.
Jalkalukko is looking to improve his position.
Ruzic is trying to control the action in half guard but Jalkalukko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Jalkalukko has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.

Ruzic is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Jalkalukko is just riding it out for now. Ruzic eventually gives up the hold.
Ruzic stalling away here and it's allowed Jalkalukko to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

That's four 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.
Ruzic is looking to advance position but Jalkalukko has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Jalkalukko looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Jalkalukko with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Jalkalukko lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Ruzic hang on?

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 Josip Ruzic.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ruzic, 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 30:28
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josip Ruzic!
A very excited looking Josip Ruzic 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.