PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jake Houghton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Karhu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jake Houghton has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Houghton
vs
Karhu

177 cm
25
175 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

183 cm
25
183 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
KO power

Good wrestler
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Jake Houghton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Kari Karhu!
The judges for this bout are Michael Johnstone, Peter Branson and Bart Greer.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houghton wants to clinch.
Houghton moves forwards but Karhu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Houghton tries to clinch up.
Karhu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Houghton takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Karhu misses with a looping right.
Karhu looks to score with a jab to the body but Houghton is just out of range.
Karhu looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Karhu with a hook.

Houghton has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karhu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Houghton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Houghton tries to throw a body punch but Karhu avoids it by throwing Houghton back against the cage.
Karhu scores with a shot to the side of Houghton's head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karhu.
Houghton throws a punch but it's blocked by Karhu.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Karhu.
Houghton 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's one minute gone in the round.
Houghton can't find room to land a body shot as Karhu controls the action.
Houghton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Houghton tries to work over Karhu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hook to the body lands for Karhu.
Karhu prevents a body shot from Houghton.
Karhu lands with a light punch inside.
Houghton has a couple of punches blocked by Karhu.
Karhu tries to work over Houghton's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A body shot lands from Karhu.
Karhu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Houghtons head.
Karhu stalling against the cage.
Karhu takes a shot to the head.
Houghton throws a head punch that misses.
Karhu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Karhu misses with the head strike.
A hook to the body from Houghton.
Houghton has a couple of punches blocked by Karhu.
Houghton tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Karhu's elbow.
Karhu has a couple of punches blocked by Houghton.
Karhu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Houghton's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houghton blocks a body shot from Karhu.
Houghton lands a hook to the side of the head.
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!
Karhu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Houghton misses with a punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Karhu.
Karhu digs a right hand underneath Houghton's ribcage. Houghton let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karhu lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Karhu is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Karhu blocks an uppercut.
Karhu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Karhu fails to land.
Houghton throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Karhu.
Houghton scores with a nice hook to the head.
Karhu blocking some punches.
Houghton misses with a body punch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Karhu.
Karhu scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right from Houghton.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houghton misses with some punches.
Houghton has a couple of punches blocked by Karhu.
Karhu avoiding damage.
Houghton being controlled against the cage.
Karhu blocks a body shot from Houghton.
Houghton struggles to land a body shot inside as Karhu controls his hands.
A hook to the body from Karhu.
Houghton has a couple of punches blocked by Karhu.
Karhu stalling in the clinch but Houghton improves position.
Houghton misses with the head strike.
Houghton tries to work over Karhu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Karhu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short left from Houghton.
Houghton throws a head punch that misses.
Houghton tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Houghton scores with a shot to the side of Karhu's head.
A short right from Karhu on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houghton misses with a hook to the ribs.
Karhu scores with a shot to the side of Houghton's head.
Nice body punch from Houghton.
Houghton lands with a left to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Houghton prevents a body shot from Karhu.
Karhu scores with a nice hook to the head.
Houghton prevents a body shot from Karhu.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Houghton.
Houghton lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Karhu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Houghton lands a left hand.
Houghton throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Karhus head.

Karhu is rocked!
Houghton blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karhu is still on wobbly legs! Can Houghton finish him?
Houghton struggles to land a body shot inside as Karhu controls his hands.
Karhu seems to have recovered his senses.
Karhu lands a right hand that snaps the head of Houghton backwards.
Houghton misses with some punches.
Houghton tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Karhu's elbow.
Karhu swings wildly with an uppercut but Houghton uses good head movement to avoid it.
Houghton misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jake Houghton will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Karhu tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Houghton manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Houghton swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Karhu ducks right into an uppercut from Houghton.
Karhu lands a jab to the nose.
Karhu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Houghton moves away.
Karhu misses with a body shot.
Karhu looks to clinch
and Houghton counters with a right hand to the body.
Karhu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Houghton ducks under a wild hook from Karhu.
Houghton takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Karhu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Houghton.
Houghton lands the left hand.
Houghton tries to clinch up but Karhu circles away and keeps his distance.
A slow jab from Houghton misses its intended target.
Karhu works Houghton's body with a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Houghton on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Karhu takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Karhu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Houghton has Karhu up against the cage in a clinch.
Houghton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Houghton lands a left hand.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Houghton.
A head punch on the inside from Houghton fails to land.
Houghton lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Houghton swings wildly with an uppercut but Karhu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Karhu has Houghton pushed against the cage.
Karhu lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Karhu lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Houghton backwards.
Karhu slows down the pace here.
Houghton tries to throw a body punch but Karhu avoids it by throwing Houghton back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karhu is trying to stall.
A nice right hand lands inside from Houghton.
Houghton throws a punch but it's blocked by Karhu.
Houghton blocks a body shot from Karhu.
Houghton throws a head punch that misses.
Karhu misses with some punches.
Jake Houghton has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Karhu lands a right hand that snaps the head of Houghton backwards.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Karhu makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Houghton tries to work over Karhu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Houghton lands a body punch.
Houghton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Karhu.
Houghton has a couple of punches blocked by Karhu.
A short uppercut from Houghton.
Houghton tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Karhu lands with a light punch inside.
A hook to the body from Karhu.
Karhu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Karhu controlling the action here for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karhu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Karhu prevents a body shot from Houghton.
Houghton scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Houghton.
Houghton tries to work over Karhu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Karhu scores with a shot to the side of Houghton's head.
Houghton swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right hook to the body lands for Houghton.
A right hook to the body lands for Houghton.
Karhu is breathing heavily.
Houghton tries to throw a body punch but Karhu avoids it by throwing Houghton back against the cage.
Houghton lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Houghton lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Houghton swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Houghton misses with a hook from the clinch.
Karhu has a couple of punches blocked by Houghton.
Houghton throws a head punch that misses.
Houghton has a couple of punches blocked by Karhu.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houghton working aggressively here.
Karhu blocks an uppercut.
Karhu struggles to land a body shot inside as Houghton controls his hands.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Houghton working aggressively here.
Karhu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Houghton.
A nice right hand lands inside from Karhu.
Karhu prevents a body shot from Houghton.
Karhu stalling the fight.
Houghton struggles to land a body shot inside as Karhu controls his hands.
Houghton lands a shoulder strike.
Houghton misses with some punches.
Houghton fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Houghton blocking some punches.
Stalling in the clinch from Karhu.
Still in the clinch, Houghton scores with a nice short uppercut.
Houghton stalling in the clinch.
Houghton swings wildly with an uppercut but Karhu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Houghton misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Houghton dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Houghton bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Karhu connects with a body shot that sends Houghton's belly button to the back.
The crowd cheers as Houghton lands an impressive looking overhand right. Karhu doesn't seem phased though.
Karhu missing with a left hand there. Houghton was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Houghton throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Houghton paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Karhu lands a jab to the nose.
Houghton misses with a body shot.
Karhu shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Karhu uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Houghton has time to react.
Houghton throws a right hand that misses
and Karhu counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Houghton misses with a body shot.
Kari Karhu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A looping hook to the body misses from Karhu. Houghton does a little dance to reset his feet.
Karhu avoids the body shot from Houghton.
Houghton takes one to the side of the head.
Karhu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Houghton.
An attempted straight right counter from Houghton misses the target.
Houghton looks to land a right hand but Karhu moved out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Karhu! But no joy.
Karhu bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Karhu takes a swing at Houghton's ribcage but misses.
Houghton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Karhu changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Karhu looks to clinch
and Houghton counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Houghton jabs at Karhu's body.
Houghton throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Houghton misses with a wild body shot.
Karhu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Houghton was well out of range. Poor timing from Karhu.
Houghton swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Karhu counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Karhu.
Houghton misses with a punch on the inside.
Karhu stalls.
Houghton tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Houghton misses with some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karhu misses with a hook from the clinch.
Karhu lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Houghton swings wildly with an uppercut but Karhu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Houghton lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Karhu backwards.
Karhu throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Houghtons head.
Houghton takes a shot to the head.
Houghton scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Karhu lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Houghton misses with the head strike.
Karhu prevents a body shot from Houghton.
Houghton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Houghton tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Karhu looking to slow down the pace here.
Karhu is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Houghton is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houghton misses with the head strike.
Houghton working aggressively here.
Karhu lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A left hand lands to the body for Houghton.
Houghton is leaning against Karhu and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Karhu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Karhu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A bit of stalling here from Houghton.
Houghton misses with a short punch on the inside.
Houghton swings wildly with an uppercut but Karhu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Come on Karhu - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Houghton working aggressively here.
Karhu lands a shoulder strike.
Karhu blocks an uppercut.
Houghton blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Karhu blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karhu looking to slow down the pace here.
Houghton lands a hook to the side of the head.
Houghton scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Houghton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Karhu misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Karhu misses with a punch to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Karhu.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karhu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Houghton lands an uppercut.
Houghton tries to work over Karhu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch on the inside from Houghton fails to land.
Houghton tries to throw a body punch but Karhu avoids it by throwing Houghton back against the cage.
Houghton tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Karhu's elbow.
A short right from Karhu on the inside.
A hook to the body from Houghton.
Houghton lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Karhu backwards.
Houghton has a couple of punches blocked by Karhu.
Houghton struggles to land a body shot inside as Karhu controls his hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Jake Houghton did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Karhu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Karhu throws a hook to the side of Houghton's head but Houghton sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Houghton takes one to the chin there.
Houghton is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Houghton steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Karhu.
Houghton catches Karhu with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
The fight stays on the outside here - Karhu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A big left from Houghton misses.
Houghton wants to clinch up but Karhu keeps it at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karhu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Houghton manages to avoid it.
Houghton swats away the attempt to clinch by Karhu.
A shot to the liver by Karhu. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houghton throws a body shot but no joy.
Karhu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Houghton.
A little jabbing left from Karhu on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A shot to the body from Houghton misses
and Karhu counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Karhu throws a right and a left that Houghton avoids nicely.
Houghton throws a right and a left that Karhu avoids nicely.
Karhu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Houghton.
Houghton bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A jab from Karhu misses.
Karhu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Houghton misses the jab.

Houghton moves into the clinch.
Karhu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karhu blocks a body shot from Houghton.
Houghton trying to stall but Karhu improves his position.
Houghton swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Karhu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karhu blocking some punches.
Karhu misses with a punch to the body.
Houghton misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Karhu throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Karhu blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A nice left hand lands by Karhu.
Houghton goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Karhu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Houghton misses with a punch on the inside.
Nice body punch from Karhu - that landed with a thud.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Karhu.
Houghton wants to stall.
Karhu displaying some good clinch control by pressing Houghton up against the cage.
Karhu avoiding damage.
A right handed body shot lands from Karhu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houghton tries to work over Karhu's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Houghton misses with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Karhu.
Stalling in the clinch from Karhu.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Houghton.
Karhu is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Houghton digs a right hand into Karhu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Karhu's gas tank.
Houghton lands a right hand.
Karhu goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Houghton misses with a hook from the clinch.
Karhu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Houghton's elbow.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Houghton as Karhu tries to tie him up.
Houghton lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Karhu blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Karhu lands a nice shot to the body.
Houghton digs a right hand into Karhu's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Karhu's gas tank.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houghton lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Houghton misses with a body punch.
Houghton working aggressively here.
Houghton lands a hook to the side of the head.
Houghton throws a big uppercut that drops Karhu! More strikes from Houghton and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Karhu lies dazed against the cage as Houghton celebrates with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:24 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jake Houghton!
Jake Houghton retains his welterweight title!
A relieved looking Jake Houghton thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.