PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Justin Hunter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Puukko Bulevardi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hunter comes to the cage accompanied by I'm Shipping Up To Boston-Dropkick Murphys. Bulevardi has chosen Northern Kings - They Don't Really Care About Us as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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.

Hunter
vs
Bulevardi

177 cm
29
167 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

177 cm
30
166 lbs
12 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Granite chin

Milwaukee's Best 160 (80% laundry)
MayheM sportswear

Namunamu Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Justin Hunter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Puukko Bulevardi!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Frank Antenori and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunter moves out of range of the strikes.
As Bulevardi tries to get set, Hunter tries to push him back and clinch up but Bulevardi manages to avoid the attempt.
Bulevardi throws a big shot that misses.
Bulevardi cracks Hunter with a good jab.
Hunter takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Bulevardi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hunter on the side of the head.
We've been hearing reports that Hunter has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Hunter throws a lazy right hand but Bulevardi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Despite the aggression on Bulevardi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Bulevardi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hunter lands with a right hand.
Bulevardi misses with a left hand
enabling Hunter to counter with a crisp jab.
Bulevardi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bulevardi tries to clinch up
letting Hunter counter with a right hand.
Hunter loads up on a big right hand but Bulevardi slips the punch.
Justin Hunter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Bulevardi shoots in and bounces Hunter off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bulevardi wants to control from the top but Hunter keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bulevardi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hunter lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hunter got a little sloppy there for a moment and Bulevardi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hunter has managed to get both his arms back between Bulevardi's legs - danger averted.

Bulevardi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hunter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Bulevardi looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Bulevardi looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Hunter has picked Bulevardi up and slammed him! Bulevardi can't keep hold of the triangle and Hunter manages to pass to side control!

Hunter tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Hunter has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bulevardi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hunter's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Bulevardi wants to get back to full guard.
Hunter drops an elbow to the side of Bulevardi's head.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hunter in particular looking to stall.
Bulevardi is looking for a sweep. Hunter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bulevardi trying to control from the bottom.

Hunter looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Bulevardi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter with a nice head shot there.

Bulevardi is looking for a triangle but Hunter pushes his legs off easily.

Bulevardi is looking for a triangle but Hunter pushes his legs off easily.
Hunter passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Hunter swings around for an armbar but Bulevardi sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Hunter's guard.
Hunter not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hunter keeping moving, preventing Bulevardi from controlling successfully.
Hunter pulls Bulevardi in close to prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hunter looking for a guillotine here but Bulevardi defends easily.
Bulevardi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Bulevardi throwing strikes from guard but Hunter blocks nicely.

Hunter working for submissions but it's allowed Bulevardi to get to half guard.
Hunter trying to control from the bottom.
Bulevardi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Bulevardi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hunter keeps working.
Hunter wants to improve his position but Bulevardi is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Puukko Bulevardi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hunter lands with a right hand.
Hunter moves into range and connects with a jab.
Bulevardi lunges at Hunter with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hunter's hand.
Hunter swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hunter throws out a loose jab but Bulevardi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Bulevardi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hunter uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bulevardi.
Hunter avoids the body shot from Bulevardi.
Hunter rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Bulevardi counters with a right hand to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Hunter 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Hunter lands a slapping body shot.
A swing and a miss from Bulevardi.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bulevardi works Hunter's body with a nice hook.
Hunter tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bulevardi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bulevardi paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Bulevardi loads up on a big right hand but Hunter slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bulevardi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hunter.
A shot to the liver by Hunter. Beautiful body shot.
Bulevardi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hunter misses with an uppercut.
Hunter moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Hunter connects with a jab.
Hunter rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Bulevardi counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Hunter had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Bulevardi defends it easily.
Bulevardi looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Bulevardi trying to control but Hunter is working from the bottom.
Bulevardi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bulevardi won't allow Hunter to sweep him here.
Bulevardi is pushing down on Hunter's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hunter is fighting to maintain full guard but Bulevardi has managed to sneak the leg through.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Bulevardi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hunter is just riding it out for now. Bulevardi eventually gives up the hold.
Bulevardi trying to mount his opponent but Hunter defends it.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Bulevardi connects with a nice short shot to Hunter's temple.

Hunter is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bulevardi pulls his head out easily.

Bulevardi is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bulevardi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hunter keeps working.

Bulevardi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hunter defends it well.
Hunter on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bulevardi looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Hunter with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Bulevardi lands strikes from half guard.

Hunter looking for submissions off his back.
Bulevardi prevents Hunter from improving his position.

Bulevardi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hunter is just riding it out for now. Bulevardi eventually gives up the hold.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hunter is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Bulevardi pulls his head out easily.
Bulevardi is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Hunter wants to control but Bulevardi is keeping busy.
Bulevardi wants to control but Hunter is keeping him busy.
Bulevardi trying to pass the guard but Hunter defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bulevardi is looking for a kimura but Hunter is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bulevardi to get the leverage.
Bulevardi not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Puukko Bulevardi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Bulevardi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hunter on the side of the head.
Hunter scores with a jab to the body.

Bulevardi moves into the clinch.
Come on Bulevardi - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Bulevardi goes for a takedown attempt but Hunter pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hunter throws a hook but Bulevardi blocks it.
Bulevardi throws a sloppy body shot
and Hunter counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hunter is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nice defenses there by Bulevardi.
Bulevardi with the counter takedown but Hunter avoids it easily.
Bulevardi misses with a hook
letting Hunter counter with a right hand.
Bulevardi takes a swing at Hunter's ribcage but misses.
Hunter misses with an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hunter fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bulevardi, pushing him back against the cage.
Hunter lands a hook that snaps the head of Bulevardi backwards.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hunter tries to land knees in the clinch but Bulevardi avoids the damage to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hunter swings wildly with an uppercut but Bulevardi uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bulevardi jumps guard and drags Hunter to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Bulevardi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hunter slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Bulevardi stops Hunter from passing to mount.
Bulevardi is looking for a sweep.
Bulevardi is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hunter off and has taken his back!

Bulevardi tightening his grip on Hunter, looking for the choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hunter prevents Bulevardi from getting a body triangle.
Justin Hunter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Our spies down at at gym closing inform us that Bulevardi has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bulevardi doesn't have the hooks in and Hunter manages to turn into his guard.

Bulevardi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hunter is aware though and is defending well.

Bulevardi working for submissions but it's allowed Hunter to get to half guard.
Ground and pound from Hunter.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Bulevardi actively working from the bottom here.
Bulevardi is trying to get back to full guard.
Bulevardi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bulevardi is looking to control Hunter's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Bulevardi avoid being mounted?
Hunter takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bulevardi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Hunter wants to work for an arm triangle but Bulevardi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hunter is trying to control the action in half guard but Bulevardi is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Hunter is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Bulevardi is just riding it out for now. Hunter eventually gives up the hold.
Bulevardi makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Bulevardi.
Hunter scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Bulevardi trying to control the position here.
Hunter pushes down on Bulevardi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Puukko Bulevardi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Bulevardi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bulevardi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Hunter seems to be looking for submissions.
Hunter missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Hunter prevents Bulevardi from improving his position.

Bulevardi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Hunter showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Bulevardi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Puukko Bulevardi!
Our winner, Puukko Bulevardi, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.