PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Brenden Abbott (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Hovi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Seppo Hovi was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Abbott
vs
Hovi

179 cm
31
186 lbs
32 - 10 - 0

185 cm
31
190 lbs
14 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Pearson Specter Litt
Underworld Clothing

Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Brenden Abbott!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Seppo Hovi!
The judges for this bout are Robert Douchet, William Peck and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abbott looks to land a right hand but Hovi moved out of range.
Hovi takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hovi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Abbott avoids the body shot from Hovi.
Abbott tries for a takedown but Hovi circles away easily
and Hovi counters with a good low kick that Abbott was not able to check.
Hovi lands with a hook. Abbott tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Abbott slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Abbott on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Abbott 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.
That kick from Hovi tenderised Abbott's leg. Abbott is trying to keep his angry face on.
Abbott throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Abbott lands a two punch combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Abbott misses with a body punch
and Hovi counters with a right hand to the body.
Hovi just misses with a punch to the body.
Hovi just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromAbbott.
Abbott missing with a left hand there. Hovi was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Abbott shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Hovi is trying to defend but Abbott finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hovi is refusing to be controlled, as Abbott sits in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abbott not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hovi is not content to let Abbott control the position.
Abbott not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Abbott wants to take a breather but Hovi is having none of it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hovi is trying to control but can't.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Abbott misses with a low kick.
Abbott connects with a body shot.
Hovi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hovi throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Abbott counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Abbott loads up on a big right hand but Hovi slips the punch.
Brenden Abbott seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abbott fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hovi.
Hovi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Abbott to score with a decent uppercut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Abbott.
Hovi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Good leg kick by Abbott there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
A bone on bone clash there as Abbott blocks the leg kick.
Abbott displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hovi throws out the jab.
Hovi throws out a powerful jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abbott misses with a wild body shot.
Hovi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Abbott misses with an uppercut
and Hovi counters with a thumping low kick.
Hovi just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice cross by Hovi.
Abbott wants to slow Hovi down by chopping away at his legs.

Abbott drives through with a takedown into Hovi's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Abbott is fighting to break Hovi's control of his arms but Hovi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Hovi wants to sweep here but Abbott controlling him for the moment.
Abbott throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hovi has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Abbott postures up in Hovi's guard and throws a big left but Hovi blocks it.
Hovi has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at The Barracks - LOD. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Hovi managing to control the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hovi looks to land a right hand but Abbott moved out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Abbott on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Abbott scores with a nice head shot.
Hovi throws a lazy right hand but Abbott sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brenden Abbott dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hovi with a jab.
Hovi scores with the left hand. Abbott knows he should have avoided that one.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Abbott, as that shot connected.
Seppo Hovi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A low kick from Abbott misses
and Hovi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Abbott throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hovi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hovi throws a jab but it's blocked by Abbott.
Abbott feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Abbott uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hovi.
Abbott appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Abbott!
Abbott throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hovi moves out of range of the body kick from Abbott.
Hovi throws a shot from downtown. Abbott moves away and avoids it.
Abbott connects with a crisp jab.
Hovi scoring well with a low kick there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Abbott lands a nice shot to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hovi, right into the meat.
Hovi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Abbott's sensitive parts.
A shot to the liver by Hovi. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abbott keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Abbott is looking to slow Hovi down with leg kicks.
Abbott pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A nice side step and Hovi releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Hovi scores with a jab. Abbott acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Abbott throws the kick towards the body but Hovi avoids it.
Hovi tests Abbott's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Hovi misses with a body shot.
Abbott connects with an inside leg kick.
A solid leg kick lands there for Abbott.
Abbott displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hovi throws out the jab.
Hovi moves out of range of the leg kick from Abbott.
Hovi with a nice cross.
Hovi takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Abbott fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Abbott ducks under a wild hook from Hovi.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
The fighters circle momentarily. Abbott darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Abbott thumps Hovi with a low kick.
Hovi misses with a wild body shot.
Abbott moves out of range of the body kick.
Abbott throws a hook to the side of Hovi's head but Hovi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Abbott throws a leg kick but Hovi moved away.
Abbott connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hovi misses with a wild body shot.
Abbott throws a front kick that sends Hovi stumbling back into the cage.
Abbott connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hovi. Hovi circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Hovi avoids the body shot from Abbott.
Hovi doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Abbott throws a jab but it's blocked by Hovi.
Abbott just misses with a punch to the body.
Abbott looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Abbott lands with a kick to the ribs.
A big right from Hovi misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abbott uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hovi.
Hovi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Abbott sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Abbott lands a nice looking body shot.
Abbott checks a low kick from Hovi.
Hovi blocks a jab.
Hovi now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Hovi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Abbott ducks under a wild hook from Hovi.
Hovi throws a right hand that Abbott ducks under and follows up with a left that Abbott also avoids with ease.
Abbott feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Hovi misses with a wild body shot.
Hovi chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Abbott can pounce on him.
Hovi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Abbott throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Abbott throws a head kick but Hovi moves out of range.
A jab from Abbott misses.
Abbott is looking to score with low kicks.
Hovi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hovi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Abbott's head.
Hovi throws a body shot but no joy.
Abbott walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hovi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abbott lands a nice looking body shot.
Hovi throws a low kick but Abbott moves out of range easily.
Hovi walks into a left hand.
Hovi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A quick step to the side and Abbott tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Abbott throws a leg kick
and Hovi counters with a straight right hand.
Hovi checks a leg kick.
Hovi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jab, jab by Hovi - just one landing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Abbott shoots in but Hovi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Hovi lands a lovely overhand right.
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 Brenden Abbott will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Abbott is looking to land body kicks.
Abbott throws out a leg kick but Hovi moves out of range and Abbott only half commits.
Abbott tries for a takedown but Hovi circles away easily
and Abbott takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hovi misses with a hook.
Abbott motions for Hovi to come forward. Abbott throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Abbott on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Abbott swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Abbott digs a good body shot into Hovi's ribs.
Abbott fails with the takedown
and Hovi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hovi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Abbott.
Abbott avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Abbott drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Abbott uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hovi.
Good leg kick by Hovi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hovi tests Abbott's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jab from Abbott.
Hovi lands a jab to Abbott's midsection.
Hovi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Abbott at a distance.
Abbott wants to land a leg kick but Hovi is out of range.
Abbott throws a looping overhand right but Hovi ducks down to avoid it.
Hovi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Abbott throws a big shot that misses.
Hovi ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Abbott checks the leg kick nicely there.
Abbott throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Abbott looks to score with a jab to the body but Hovi is just out of range.
A big left from Hovi misses.
Hovi's corner calls for a 1-2. Hovi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abbott keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hovi dodges the punch combination from Abbott.
Abbott misses with a looping right.
Abbott cracks Hovi with a good jab.
Hovi moves out of range of the body kick.
Abbott connects with a nice looking jab.
Hovi lands a body shot.
Hovi misses with a looping left.
Abbott cracks the inside of Hovi's front leg.
A head kick from Hovi lands but Abbott takes it in his stride.

It looks like Brenden Abbott has been cut.
Abbott takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Hovi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hovi connects with a crisp jab.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Abbott lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hovi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hovi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Hovi misses
and Abbott counters with a leg kick.
Hovi scores with a crisp jab that stopped Abbott in his tracks.
Abbott throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hovi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hovi missing with a left hand there. Abbott was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Abbott takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hovi lands with a nice body punch.
Hovi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Abbott misses with a body kick.
Abbott walks into a jab.
Hovi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Abbott waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hovi.
Abbott throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hovi misses with a wild body shot.
Hovi misses the body punch
and Abbott makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Hovi really felt that one!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hovi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Abbott moves away.
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!
Hovi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hovi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Abbott slips a jab from Hovi.
Hovi misses with a right hand
and Abbott counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Abbott pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hovi throws a jab but it's blocked by Abbott.
Hovi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Abbott manages to avoid it.
Abbott drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Abbott slips under a jab from Hovi.
Abbott buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hovi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Abbott throws a push kick but Hovi slaps the foot to one side.
Abbott scores with a nice strike.
Hovi throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Hovi really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Brenden Abbott's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Hovi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Abbott.
A jab from Abbott finds it's way through Hovi's defenses.
Hovi connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Abbott momentarily.
Abbott has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Hovi.
Hovi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hovi dodges the punch combination from Abbott.
Hovi tries a quick counter leg kick but Abbott is wise to it.
Hovi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Abbott scores with a jab to the head.
Hovi fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Abbott manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abbott misses the shot to the body.
Hovi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Abbott.
Abbott tries to counter with a takedown but Hovi is quick to defend against it.
Hovi scores with the left hand. Abbott knows he should have avoided that one.
Abbott dips to his left and cracks Hovi with an uppercut!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big left from Hovi misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab from Abbott.
Hovi lands a jab to the head.
Hovi with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Abbott defending well as Hovi loads up on a big left hand.
Hovi misses with a hook. Abbott ducked under it nicely.
Abbott throws a leg kick that misses.
Abbott takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Abbott blocks a jab.
Abbott looks to throw the jab but Hovi is out of range.
Hovi throws out a counter right but Abbott avoids it with no problem.
Hovi on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Abbott tries a head kick but it misses.
Abbott keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Abbott shoots in for a double leg but Hovi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hovi jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Seppo Hovi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hovi throws a hook to the side of Abbott's head but Abbott sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Abbott attempts a counter takedown but Hovi avoids it well and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hovi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Abbott on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Abbott throws the kick towards the body but Hovi avoids it.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hovi.
Abbott pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hovi is out of range and Abbott settles back down.
A little jabbing left from Hovi on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Abbott swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Abbott throws a big shot that misses.
Abbott tries a low kick but Hovi avoids it.
Abbott fails to land with a series of punches.
Abbott scores with a nice body kick.
Hovi misses the shot to the body.
Hovi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hovi looks to land a left hand but Abbott moved out of range nicely.
Abbott fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hovi manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hovi blocks a jab.
Hovi throws a shot to the body.
Hovi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hovi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abbott.
Abbott cracks Hovi with an open hand slap.
Abbott throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Hovi lands a jab.
Abbott throws out a leg kick but Hovi moves out of range and Abbott only half commits.
Jab by Abbott.
Abbott scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Abbott on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Abbott lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hovi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Hovi swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Abbott throws a sloppy head kick
and Hovi cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A slow jab from Hovi misses its intended target.
Hovi throws a jab but it's blocked by Abbott.
Hovi avoids a kick to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Hovi misses the target.
Hovi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Abbott.
Hovi misses the shot to the body.
Hovi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Nice body kick from Abbott.
Abbott thuds his shin into the meat of Hovi's side.
Abbott throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Abbott blocks a low kick nicely.
Abbott takes a body punch but keeps moving.
A good leg kick by Abbott.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Seppo Hovi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Brenden Abbott's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Abbott lands with a thumping leg kick.
Abbott fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hovi lands with an uppercut that bounces Abbott off the cage and back into range.
Abbott staying out of range there.
Hovi is looking to score with low kicks.
Hovi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Abbott.
Hovi avoids the head kick by Abbott.
Abbott just misses with a punch to the body.
Abbott throws a body punch but Hovi moves out of range.
Abbott lands with an overhand left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Abbott throws a body shot but no joy.
Abbott backing away here, and Hovi unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Abbott displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hovi throws out the jab.
Abbott steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hovi.
Hovi changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Abbott takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Hovi.
Abbott connects with a solid leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Abbott. Beautiful body shot.
Hovi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Abbott.
Hovi digs a good hook to Abbott's body.
Hovi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Abbott tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hovi was well out of range. Poor timing from Abbott.
An inside leg kick lands from Abbott.
Abbott cracks Hovi with an open hand slap.
Hovi defending well as Abbott loads up on a big left hand.
A left lands for Hovi.
Hovi lands a jab.
Abbott lunges at Hovi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hovi's hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A low kick from Abbott misses
and Hovi counters with a stiff right hand.
Abbott uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hovi.

Hovi gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hovi pulls Abbott in close to prevent any damage.
Abbott pushes down on Hovi's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hovi gets back to full guard.
Abbott wants to control from the top but Hovi keeps moving.
Hovi looking for a sweep. Not yet Hovi, not yet.
Hovi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Brenden Abbott overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Abbott stays in close to Hovi's body and controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Abbott attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Hovi has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Abbott.
Abbott shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Abbott tried to score with a low kick but Hovi checks it.
Abbott misses with an uppercut. Hovi saw that one coming.
Abbott ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hovi moves away.
Hovi swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Hovi just misses with a punch to the body.
It looked like Abbott wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Abbott misses the jab.
Abbott misses with a hook. Hovi ducked under it nicely.
Hovi moves out of range of the strikes.
A clash of legs there as Abbott blocks the low kick.
Hovi throws a lazy right hand but Abbott sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hovi ducks under a wild hook from Abbott.
A looping hook to the body misses from Abbott. Hovi does a little dance to reset his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Brenden Abbott showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Abbott 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Robert Douchet scores the fight 47:48
Judge William Peck scores the fight 47:48
Judge Elvis Blanc scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Seppo Hovi!
Seppo Hovi is the new middleweight champion!