PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Maximus Ukkeli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Stricker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stricker is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Slim Jesus - Drill Time. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Ukkeli
vs
Stricker

212 cm
26
288 lbs
17 - 3 - 0

199 cm
27
239 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

World class boxer
Insanely flexible

World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Maximus Ukkeli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Steve Stricker!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ukkeli feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Strickers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

It looks like Steve Stricker has been cut.
Ukkeli misses with a hook
and Stricker counters with a nice low kick that buckles Ukkeli's knee momentarily.
Stricker avoids a kick to the body.
Ukkeli thows a leg kick but Stricker checks it
and Stricker connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stricker throws a leg kick which misses Ukkeli's front leg but catches the back leg as Ukkeli tries to avoid it.
Stricker pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ukkeli thows a leg kick but Stricker checks it
and Stricker counters with a low kick, right behind Ukkeli 's knee.
Stricker bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Good work by Ukkeli as he checks the leg kick.
Stricker thows a left - swing and a miss!
Ukkeli takes a jab right on the kisser.
Stricker misses with a leg kick
and Ukkeli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A slow jab from Stricker misses its intended target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ukkeli throws a series of punches but Stricker avoids them all with ease.
Ukkeli throws a low kick but Stricker avoids it.
Maximus Ukkeli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stricker jabs Ukkeli to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Stricker takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A leg kick checked by Stricker.
Stricker looks to throw the jab but Ukkeli is out of range.
Stricker scores with a decent looking hook.
Ukkeli pulls out of a head kick attempt.
That kick from Stricker tenderised Ukkeli's leg. Ukkeli is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ukkeli digs a good hook to Stricker's body.
Stricker misses with a low kick.
Stricker throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stricker takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Stricker moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ukkeli bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A low kick from Ukkeli misses
and Stricker counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Stricker scoring well with a low kick there.
Stricker misses with a looping right.
Ukkeli throws a low kick, looking for Stricker's leg but Stricker calmly moves out of range.
Stricker feints a counter leg kick.
Stricker misses with a right hand
and Ukkeli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ukkeli misses with a leg kick
and Stricker counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ukkeli just misses with a punch to the body.
Ukkeli motions for Stricker to come forward. Ukkeli throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A swing and a miss from Stricker.
Ukkeli checks the leg kick.
Ukkeli misses with an uppercut.
Stricker lands a jab to Ukkeli's midsection.
Stricker connects with a nice looking jab.
Ukkeli throws a leg kick

and Stricker counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stricker connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ukkeli momentarily.
Stricker swings for the body but Ukkeli moves out of range.
Ukkeli throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stricker counters with a head kick.
Ukkeli missing with a left hand there. Stricker was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ukkeli keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Stricker.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ukkeli, right into the meat.
Ukkeli throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ukkeli tests Stricker's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ukkeli throws a hook but Stricker avoids it easily.
Stricker moves out of range of the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stricker.
Ukkeli throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Stricker avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Steve Stricker seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Stricker uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stricker tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Stricker misses with a head kick.
Ukkeli is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Ukkeli misses with a looping right.
Nice jab there from Stricker.
Ukkeli throws a low kick but Stricker moves out of range easily.
A low kick from Ukkeli misses
and Stricker counters with a one-two to the body.
Stricker misses with an uppercut.
As Stricker backs away, Ukkeli returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Ukkeli throws a jab but it's blocked by Stricker.
Stricker lands a leg kick that knocks Ukkeli off balance momentarily.
Stricker throws the left hand but Ukkeli avoids the punch easily.
Stricker catches Ukkeli with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Ukkeli, right into the meat.
Ukkeli throws a leg kick
and Stricker makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ukkeli throws an off balance right hand
and Stricker makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stricker smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ukkeli with a jab.
Ukkeli tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stricker is able to avoid easily.
Stricker moves out of range of the strikes.
Stricker throws out a counter right but Ukkeli avoids it with no problem.
Ukkeli attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Stricker throws a jab but it's blocked by Ukkeli.
Stricker throws an overhand right that lands on Ukkeli's shoulder, as Ukkeli tries to avoid the shot.
The fighters circling - Stricker throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Stricker scoring well with a low kick there.
Good work by Ukkeli as he checks the leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Stricker. Beautiful body shot.
Ukkeli throws a lazy uppercut
and Stricker counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ukkeli throws a front kick aimed at Stricker's knee but Stricker avoids it well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Stricker showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Steve Stricker's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ukkeli throws out a loose jab but Stricker uses good head movement to avoid it.
Stricker throws a head kick that misses.
Stricker moves out of range of the leg kick from Ukkeli.
Ukkeli throws a nice outside leg kick.
Stricker tries to clinch up against the ropes, rushing in to close the distance. Ukkeli manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ukkeli scores with a nice right hand.
A big right from Ukkeli misses.
Ukkeli closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A decent looking cross lands there for Stricker.
Stricker has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ukkeli ducks right into an uppercut from Stricker.
Stricker fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ukkeli on the side of the head.
Stricker scores with a hook.
Stricker misses with a hook.
Ukkeli lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Stricker circles away quickly and effectively.
Stricker raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ukkeli tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Stricker is able to avoid easily.
Stricker works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Stricker misses with an uppercut. Ukkeli saw that one coming.
Ukkeli blocks a leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ukkeli. Stricker does a little dance to reset his feet.
The crowd cheers as Stricker lands an impressive looking overhand right. Ukkeli doesn't seem phased though.
Ukkeli misses with an uppercut
and Stricker counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
That kick from Stricker tenderised Ukkeli's leg. Ukkeli is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stricker misses with a looping right.
Ukkeli throws a leg kick
and Stricker finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Ukkeli rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Stricker counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ukkeli connects with a leg kick. Stricker looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Stricker is looking to slow Ukkeli down with leg kicks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stricker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Stricker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice defenses there by Ukkeli.
Ukkeli swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ukkeli misses with a straight left.
Stricker blocks a head kick by Ukkeli.
Ukkeli jabs at Stricker's body.
Stricker looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ukkeli takes a swing at Stricker's ribcage but misses.
Ukkeli throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Stricker sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ukkeli throws a leg kick that is checked
and Stricker counters with a low kick, right behind Ukkeli 's knee.
Stricker uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ukkeli.
Ukkeli wants to clinch up but Stricker keeps it at a distance.
Ukkeli looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A lazy left from Ukkeli finds it's target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Stricker really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Steve Stricker's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nice defenses there by Stricker.
Stricker looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Stricker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Stricker throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ukkeli sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A leg kick checked by Stricker.
Ukkeli swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Stricker connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Stricker ducks under a wild hook from Ukkeli.
Stricker cracks Ukkeli with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Ukkeli tries to land a leg kick but Stricker saw it coming and moves away.
Nice shot by Ukkeli.

That has opened up Steve Stricker's cut even more.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ukkeli throws a poor cross that misses
and Stricker counters with a low kick, right behind Ukkeli 's knee.
Stricker has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Stricker misses with a looping right.
Stricker lands a nice leg kick that just misses Ukkeli's sensitive parts.
Stricker lands a head kick!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stricker scores with a hook.
Stricker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Stricker throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Ukkeli stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ukkeli misses with a looping left.
Stricker throws a solid leg kick but Ukkeli takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Stricker.
Ukkeli thinks about countering with a body kick.
Ukkeli on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A low kick from Stricker misses
and Ukkeli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Stricker throws a sloppy head kick and Ukkeli moves out of range easily.
Ukkeli avoids the body shot from Stricker.
Ukkeli takes a swing at Stricker's ribcage but misses.
Ukkeli throws a head kick that misses.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Stricker! But no joy.
Ukkeli throws a leg kick but Stricker sees it coming and moves out of range.
Stricker looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ukkeli lands with a cross.
A head kick from Stricker lands but Ukkeli takes it in his stride.
Stricker lands with a straight right. Ukkeli didn't see that one coming.
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!
Ukkeli throws a jab when Stricker was well out of range.
Ukkeli thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Stricker if he has to take too many more of those.
Stricker blocks a leg kick.
Stricker works over Ukkeli's head and body with a nice combination.
Ukkeli takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
A big right from Stricker misses.
Stricker moves out of range of the strikes.
It seemed like Stricker was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ukkeli looks to land a combination but Stricker avoids it well.
Stricker buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Stricker dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Steve Stricker's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Ukkeli tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Stricker swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Maximus Ukkeli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ukkeli moves in looking to clinch but Stricker pushes him off.
Stricker only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Ukkeli tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ukkeli misses with a combination
and Stricker counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Stricker connects with a body shot that sends Ukkeli's belly button to the back.
Nice uppercut lands for Stricker. That snapped Ukkeli's head back.
Stricker misses with an uppercut.
Ukkeli fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Stricker.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Stricker.
Good exchange - Ukkeli coming out on top.
Ukkeli ducks right into an uppercut from Stricker.
Ukkeli throws an overhand right that lands on Stricker's shoulder, as Stricker tries to avoid the shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good work by Ukkeli as he checks the leg kick.
Ukkeli misses with an uppercut.
Stricker feints a counter leg kick.
Ukkeli takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Stricker connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stricker lands a high kick!
Stricker misses with a head kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Ukkeli misses the target.
Stricker pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ukkeli misses with an uppercut. Stricker saw that one coming.
Stricker takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stricker swinging wildly here.
Ukkeli swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stricker.

The cut above Steve Stricker's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stricker ducks into a a hook from Ukkeli and goes down! He looks in a bit of a mess; will he beat the count?! 4,5,6,7,8 - he's up and looking to carry on! The referee looks into his eyes and sees that he's OK to continue!

Stricker is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Stricker walks into a picture perfect straight right hand from Ukkeli! He's gone down face first to the canvas, unconscious before he even hit the floor! Ohhhh. My. Goodness! That boys and girls was a beautiful knockout! Give that man a biscuit!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:16 of round 5, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Maximus Ukkeli!