PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ravi Shankoli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Silvennoinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shankoli comes to the cage accompanied by Ravi Shankar - Om Shiva. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Shankoli
vs
Silvennoinen

187 cm
30
212 lbs
30 - 8 - 0

188 cm
31
212 lbs
16 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 30 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ravi Shankoli!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Seppo Silvennoinen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Silvennoinen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Silvennoinen lands in his opponent's guard.

Shankoli is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Silvennoinen presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Silvennoinen wants a takedown.

Shankoli pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Shankoli uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Silvennoinen.
Silvennoinen throws a right hand that Shankoli ducks under and follows up with a left that Shankoli also avoids with ease.
Silvennoinen lands with a nice combination. Shankoli backs away looking to recover.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nice defenses there by Silvennoinen.
Silvennoinen fails to land the takedown.
Silvennoinen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Silvennoinen moves out of range of the body kick.
A head kick misses from Shankoli.
Silvennoinen feints the counter takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankoli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shankoli looks to land a combination but Silvennoinen avoids it well.
Silvennoinen scores with a hook to the body. Shankoli takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Shankoli throws a head kick but Silvennoinen moves out of range.
And Silvennoinen tries to counter it with a takedown but Shankoli pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Shankoli throws a jab when Silvennoinen was well out of range.
Shankoli throws a jab when Silvennoinen was well out of range.
Silvennoinen looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ravi Shankoli is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Silvennoinen misses with a low kick.
Shankoli has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Broken Halo's -Temple of Illumination in the buildup to the fight.
Silvennoinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Shankoli avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Silvennoinen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shankoli tries to avoid it but Silvennoinen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shankoli to the ground. Shankoli escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Ravi Shankoli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seppo Silvennoinen.
Shankoli plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Seppo Silvennoinen has been cut.
Silvennoinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shankoli moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli lands a nice hook to Silvennoinen's body. Silvennoinen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Shankoli throws a lazy body kick

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

Shankoli pushes Silvennoinen off and scrambles back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Shankoli throws a sloppy head kick and Silvennoinen moves out of range easily.
Shankoli is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Silvennoinen.
No joy there for Shankoli, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Shankoli thuds his shin into the meat of Silvennoinen's side.
Shankoli blocks a jab.
Silvennoinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Shankoli is just out of range.
Silvennoinen misses with a right hand
and Shankoli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A low kick from Silvennoinen misses
and Silvennoinen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen lands with a hook. Shankoli tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Silvennoinen misses with a low kick.
A jab from Silvennoinen does it's job there.
Silvennoinen throws a hook to the side of Shankoli's head but Shankoli sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Shankoli tries a head kick but it misses.
Shankoli jabs at Silvennoinen's body.
Ravi Shankoli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Silvennoinen is defended easily by Shankoli.
Shankoli lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Silvennoinen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Shankoli pinned against the cage. Shankoli gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Silvennoinen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Shankoli defends it well.
Shankoli throws a combination. Silvennoinen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Shankoli fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Silvennoinen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Silvennoinen checks the leg kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Silvennoinen throws a leg kick but Shankoli moved away.
Shankoli getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Shankoli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Silvennoinen fails with the takedown.
Shankoli keeps Silvennoinen at a distance using the push kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ravi Shankoli dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Seppo Silvennoinen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Shankoli misses with a low kick.
Shankoli dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Silvennoinen takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Silvennoinen misses with a hook to the body
and Shankoli counters with a good low kick that Silvennoinen was not able to check.
Shankoli connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Shankoli keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Silvennoinen digs a good hook to Shankoli's body.
Shankoli misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shankoli fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Silvennoinen.
Shankoli displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Silvennoinen throws out the jab.
A lazy body kick from Shankoli

and Silvennoinen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Shankoli is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Silvennoinen can do to turn this around?
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!
Shankoli is adopting a defensive guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvennoinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shankoli swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Silvennoinen won't allow Shankoli to get back to his feet.
Shankoli looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Silvennoinen postures up.
Silvennoinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Shankoli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Silvennoinen cracks Shankoli with a solid left hand.
Shankoli preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Silvennoinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Shankoli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Shankoli controlling Silvennoinen's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Silvennoinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Silvennoinen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Silvennoinen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Silvennoinen wants to control from the top but Shankoli keeps moving.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Shankoli has his hands on Silvennoinen's head, controlling the position.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Silvennoinen shoots in but Shankoli avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Shankoli misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Shankoli misses with an attempted mid kick.
Ravi Shankoli is winning the standup battle so far.
Silvennoinen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Shankoli is out of range and Silvennoinen settles back down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Shankoli defends well and Silvennoinen ends up having to push Shankoli into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Shankoli fires out a quick counter leg kick but Silvennoinen just manages to avoid it.
Silvennoinen cracks Shankoli with a right hand to the side of the head.
Shankoli checks a low kick from Silvennoinen.
Shankoli throws an overhand right that lands on Silvennoinen's shoulder, as Silvennoinen tries to avoid the shot.
Shankoli lands a really nice looking cross but Silvennoinen seems unphased.

Silvennoinen drives through with a takedown into Shankoli's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Shankoli is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Shankoli's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Shankoli working a defensive guard here.
Shankoli is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli looking to control.
Shankoli controlling Silvennoinen's posture.
Silvennoinen connects with a couple of short punches.
Shankoli wants to stand up but Silvennoinen is controlling him.
Shankoli pulls Silvennoinen in close to prevent any damage.
Shankoli looking to control.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Silvennoinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Silvennoinen trying to control but Shankoli is working from the bottom.
Shankoli avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
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 Ravi Shankoli will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Seppo Silvennoinen'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.

No joy there for Silvennoinen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Silvennoinen swings for the body but Shankoli moves out of range.
Silvennoinen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The fighters circle momentarily. Silvennoinen darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Shankoli misses with a hook.
Silvennoinen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A punch lands to the side of Silvennoinen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Silvennoinen moves out of range of the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shankoli swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Shankoli swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shankoli throws a push kick but Silvennoinen slaps the foot to one side.
Silvennoinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Shankoli keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Good leg kick by Shankoli there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Shankoli stuffs the takedown.
Shankoli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Shankoli avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Shankoli throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Silvennoinen throws a body shot but no joy.
Shankoli misses with a looping left.
Silvennoinen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Good leg kick by Shankoli there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Shankoli is fending him off so far but Silvennoinen persists. Nope, Shankoli circles away and we're back to standing.
Shankoli seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Shankoli moves away from the strike by Silvennoinen.
Silvennoinen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Shankoli looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Shankoli tries to bum rush Silvennoinen with a series of wild strikes but Silvennoinen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Shankoli slips under a jab from Silvennoinen.
Shankoli throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Good leg kick by Silvennoinen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Shankoli misses with a head kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shankoli throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Silvennoinen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Shankoli's guard.
Shankoli looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Shankoli is trying to control the position but Silvennoinen postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Shankoli is keeping the position for now.
Shankoli has Silvennoinen pulled in close to control his posture.
Seppo Silvennoinen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Silvennoinen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Silvennoinen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Silvennoinen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Silvennoinen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Silvennoinen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Silvennoinen looking to pass the guard.
Silvennoinen being controlled here momentarily.
Shankoli is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen being controlled here momentarily.
Silvennoinen with a nice head shot there.
Shankoli controlling Silvennoinen's posture.
Shankoli not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shankoli controlling Silvennoinen's posture.
Silvennoinen scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Silvennoinen really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Seppo Silvennoinen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Shankoli tries to land a body kick

and Silvennoinen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Silvennoinen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Silvennoinen postures up.
Shankoli has his hands on Silvennoinen's head, controlling the position.
Silvennoinen throws a big right hand that misses.
Silvennoinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Silvennoinen trying to control but Shankoli is working from the bottom.
Silvennoinen wants to pass the guard but Shankoli is keeping the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Silvennoinen trying to control but Shankoli is working from the bottom.
Shankoli is controlling Silvennoinen's posture.
Silvennoinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Shankoli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvennoinen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Shankoli works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Shankoli looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Silvennoinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Shankoli moves away.
Shankoli swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Silvennoinen throws an overhand right that lands on Shankoli's shoulder, as Shankoli tries to avoid the shot.

Silvennoinen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Silvennoinen lands in his opponent's guard.
Shankoli is pulling down on Silvennoinen's head. It's preventing any offense from Silvennoinen, at least for the moment.
Silvennoinen lands a couple of elbows.
Shankoli is adopting a defensive guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Shankoli's guard.
Shankoli tries to kick Silvennoinen off but Silvennoinen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Shankoli on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Shankoli is doing well to control the position and prevent Silvennoinen from advancing to side control.
Silvennoinen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Silvennoinen winds up and cracks Shankoli with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Shankoli is trying to get back to full guard.
Silvennoinen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Silvennoinen throwing shots but Shankoli is blocking nicely.
Shankoli has his hands clasped together around Silvennoinen's back. He's all about the action.
Shankoli blocking the ground and pound attempt from Silvennoinen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli moves into full guard.
Silvennoinen throwing strikes but missing.
Shankoli controlling Silvennoinen's posture.
Silvennoinen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Shankoli keeping moving, preventing Silvennoinen from controlling successfully.
Silvennoinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Shankoli is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Further stalling from Shankoli.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Silvennoinen cracks Shankoli with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Shankoli gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Shankoli has a couple of punches blocked by Silvennoinen.
Silvennoinen working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Silvennoinen prevents a body shot from Shankoli.

Shankoli breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Shankoli throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Silvennoinen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Shankoli misses with the combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Silvennoinen dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Seppo Silvennoinen's cut.
That's time! Shankoli's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Shankoli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Silvennoinen moves away.
Shankoli swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Silvennoinen feints the counter takedown.
Shankoli throws a push kick but Silvennoinen slaps the foot to one side.
Silvennoinen with the counter takedown but Shankoli avoids it easily.
Silvennoinen throws a combination. Shankoli tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
A leg kick checked by Shankoli.
Shankoli connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Silvennoinen moves out of range of the body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shankoli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Silvennoinen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Shankoli stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Silvennoinen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Shankoli misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Silvennoinen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Silvennoinen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Silvennoinen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Shankoli sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Silvennoinen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Shankoli at a distance.
Silvennoinen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Silvennoinen lands a nice hook to Shankoli's body. Shankoli takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Shankoli blocks a jab.
Shankoli ducks right into an uppercut from Silvennoinen.
Shankoli ducks under a wild hook from Silvennoinen.
Shankoli was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Silvennoinen looks to throw the jab but Shankoli is out of range.

Shankoli closes the distance and pushes Silvennoinen back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen blocks a body shot from Shankoli.
Shankoli has a couple of punches blocked by Silvennoinen.
Shankoli prevents a takedown attempt there.
Shankoli tries to work over Silvennoinen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Silvennoinen has picked Shankoli up - he's going for a ride! Silvennoinen dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shankoli keeping hold of Silvennoinen's head, controlling as best he can.
Shankoli tries to get to full guard but Silvennoinen has control of the leg.
Shankoli trying to control here.
Silvennoinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Shankoli keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Silvennoinen is nestled in close to Shankoli, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Silvennoinen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Silvennoinen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Shankoli tries to roll over but Silvennoinen keeps him under control.
Shankoli is looking to control Silvennoinen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Shankoli avoid being mounted?
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Silvennoinen lands a nice short elbow.
Silvennoinen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Silvennoinen thows a huge punch but Shankoli dodges it nicely.
Silvennoinen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Shankoli's head.
Silvennoinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Silvennoinen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Silvennoinen not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shankoli slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Silvennoinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shankoli swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Silvennoinen throwing strikes but missing.
Shankoli pulls Silvennoinen in close to prevent any damage.
Shankoli looking to control.
Shankoli is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Silvennoinen is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Silvennoinen works over Shankoli with some ground and pound from guard.
Silvennoinen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Shankoli utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Silvennoinen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Shankoli trying to control the position.
Shankoli working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Silvennoinen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Silvennoinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Silvennoinen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 47:48
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 47:49
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seppo Silvennoinen!
Seppo Silvennoinen is the new light heavyweight champion!
A very excited looking Seppo Silvennoinen 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.
Ravi Shankoli was interviewed post fight and said 'I believe he forgotten shower for a week or something, I gagged on my own vomit and never could get it back together again. Take a shower you filthy bastard!'.