PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sammy Gravano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jorma Joukahainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jorma Joukahainen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Gravano
vs
Joukahainen

190 cm
27
218 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

205 cm
28
220 lbs
12 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Aspire Clothing
HGH Nutrients Q160 Tycoons Best Quality supps

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Sammy Gravano!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Jorma Joukahainen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joukahainen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

Gravano scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gravano working the ground and pound.
Joukahainen is not content to let Gravano control the position.
Gravano creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Joukahainen sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Gravano working the strikes but Joukahainen uses the opportunity to regain half guard.

Joukahainen is defending against the submission attempts here by Gravano.
Gravano is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joukahainen is trying to get back to full guard.
Joukahainen gets full guard.
Gravano postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Joukahainen wants to sweep but no luck.
Gravano has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Gravano landing with the ground and pound.
Gravano is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Gravano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gravano is in close to Joukahainen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
We've been hearing that Gravano has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Gravano slips nicely into half guard.
Joukahainen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Gravano is working away from the top position though.
Gravano trying to control the action but Joukahainen is working from the bottom.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Joukahainen tries to get to full guard but Gravano has control of the leg.
Joukahainen lands a couple of sideways elbows.

Gravano seems to be working for a kimura but Joukahainen defends the submission attempt.
Gravano prevents Joukahainen from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen trying to control from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Gravano working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Joukahainen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Gravano.
Gravano missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Gravano seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Gravano seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Joukahainen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gravano lands strikes from half guard.
Gravano is stalling here. Joukahainen is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Gravano seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Joukahainen has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Joukahainen trying to control the action but Gravano is working from the bottom.
Gravano regains half guard, as Joukahainen was trying to land strikes.
Joukahainen prevents Gravano from standing back up.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Joukahainen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gravano defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sammy Gravano dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Jab, jab by Joukahainen - just one landing.
Gravano's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Joukahainen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Gravano scrambles back to his feet.
Gravano thows a leg kick but Joukahainen checks it
and Joukahainen counters with a stiff right hand.
Gravano takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Gravano tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Joukahainen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Gravano takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Joukahainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Joukahainen misses the jab.
Gravano rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Joukahainen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gravano staying out of range there.
Joukahainen is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
A clash of legs there as Joukahainen blocks the low kick.
Gravano throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Joukahainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
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!
Gravano misses with a right hand
and Joukahainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Gravano throws a hook but Joukahainen avoids it easily.
Jorma Joukahainen seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joukahainen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Gravano on the side of the head.
Joukahainen throws a hook but Gravano blocks it.
A low kick from Gravano is predictable there
and Joukahainen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gravano misses with a hook from the clinch.
Gravano misses with a body punch.
Joukahainen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Gravano just stands there and leans against the cage.
Gravano drops down looking for an ankle pick but Joukahainen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Joukahainen lands with a hook. Gravano tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Gravano moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gravano circles away quickly and effectively.
Joukahainen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gravano under the eye.
Nice jab there from Joukahainen.
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!
Joukahainen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Gravano.
Joukahainen slips under a jab.
Joukahainen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Gravano takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A slow jab from Joukahainen misses its intended target.
Gravano lands an overhand right.

It looks like Jorma Joukahainen has been cut.
Gravano fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Gravano fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Joukahainen manages to avoid it.
Joukahainen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gravano doesn't seem bothered though.
Gravano swings for the body but Joukahainen moves out of range.
Gravano is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Joukahainen's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Gravano tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Joukahainen defends well and Gravano ends up having to push Joukahainen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Gravano counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Joukahainen!
Joukahainen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

Gravano swings around for an armbar but Joukahainen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Gravano's guard.
Joukahainen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Joukahainen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Gravano keeping full guard, as Joukahainen tries to pass.

Gravano working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Joukahainen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Joukahainen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gravano looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Joukahainen looking to pass the guard.
Joukahainen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Gravano keeping moving, preventing Joukahainen from controlling successfully.
Gravano looking to hit a scissor sweep but Joukahainen is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jorma Joukahainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jorma Joukahainen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Joukahainen scores with a nice head shot.
Gravano cracks Joukahainen with an open hand slap.
Gravano throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Gravano on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nice uppercut there from Joukahainen.

Joukahainen lands a big shot that drops Gravano! Can he finish him?

Gravano is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gravano wants to sweep here but Joukahainen controlling him for the moment.
Oh Gravano is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Joukahainen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Gravano seems to have got his legs back now.
Joukahainen tries to free his leg and advance position but Gravano is retaining full guard.
Joukahainen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gravano has control of Joukahainen's left arm, preventing Joukahainen from doing any damage.
Joukahainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Gravano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gravano trying to control the position here.
Gravano looking to hit a scissor sweep but Joukahainen is one step ahead there.
Joukahainen throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Joukahainen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Gravano utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Gravano might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Joukahainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Gravano is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Joukahainen misses with an uppercut. Gravano saw that one coming.
Joukahainen connects with a jab.
Joukahainen looks to land a right hand but Gravano moved out of range.
Gravano tries to score a power double leg takedown but Joukahainen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gravano somewhat.
Gravano takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Joukahainen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen throws a sloppy body shot
and Gravano counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Joukahainen thinking.

Gravano drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Joukahainen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Joukahainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Joukahainen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gravano chips away with some ground and pound.
Joukahainen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Joukahainen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Gravano lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gravano stands up over Joukahainen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Joukahainen looking for subs off his back but Gravano has passed one foot through into half guard.
Joukahainen wants to control but Gravano is keeping busy.
Gravano with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Gravano stands up from half guard.
Gravano misses with a takedown attempt
and Joukahainen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Gravano thinking.
Gravano throws a right hand that misses
and Joukahainen counters with a stiff right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jorma Joukahainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Joukahainen 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jorma Joukahainen!
Sammy Gravano spoke after the fight, saying 'It is what it is. Well done to my opponent. I'll go home, make some adjustments and come back better.'.