PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Khal Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunnar Tuft (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Stark might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Gardenia by Kyuss. Tuft is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike - The Hum . 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.

Stark
vs
Tuft

174 cm
31
158 lbs
14 - 8 - 2

170 cm
25
141 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Red Light Coffeeshop
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 2, fighting out of New York, Khal Stark!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Gunnar Tuft!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stark tries to clinch but Tuft moves away
letting Tuft counter with a right hand.
Tuft throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stark swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

Stark rushes Tuft and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Tuft is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Stark manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Tuft has a couple of punches blocked by Stark.
Tuft has had enough of the clinch but Stark keeps him there for the moment.
Stark throws a punch but it's blocked by Tuft.
Stark definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.

Tuft breaks the clinch.
Tuft just misses with a punch to the body.
Tuft throws a looping overhand right but Stark ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A combination from Tuft does no damage.
Stark throwing a counter right hand but Tuft manages to avoid it.
Stark throws a hook to the side of Tuft's head but Tuft sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Stark listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

Tuft tries to keep at a distance but Stark has taken the fight into the clinch.
Tuft working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Tuft escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuft swats away the attempt to clinch by Stark.
Tuft lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tuft misses with an uppercut. Stark saw that one coming.
Stark is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Tuft connects with a single shot there.
Stark throws a leg kick
and Tuft counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tuft lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Khal Stark seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stark misses with a takedown attempt
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Tuft blocks a jab.
Stark tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Stark misses the shot to the body.
Tuft let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Tuft lands with a straight right. Stark didn't see that one coming.
Stark wants to clinch.
Stark lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tuft checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuft scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stark in his tracks.
Tuft throws a head kick that Stark semi-blocks.
Stark looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Tuft pushes Stark away with a front kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Tuft lands a nice looking kick to the body. Stark takes a step back to recover.
Stark takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Tuft with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Stark fails to land with a series of punches.
Tuft scores with a jab to the body.
Tuft swats away the attempt to clinch by Stark.
Tuft swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Stark on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tuft. Tuft obviously looking to wear him down.
Stark swinging wildly here.
Tuft throws a counter combo.
Stark on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.

Stark moves into range and clinches up with Tuft.
Stark has Tuft pressed against the cage, preventing Tuft from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuft throws a head punch that misses.

Tuft breaks from the clinch.
Good standup being displayed there by Tuft as he connects with a hook.
Tuft cracks Stark with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Stark misses with a wild combination.
Stark throws out a loose jab but Tuft uses good head movement to avoid it.
Gunnar Tuft is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tuft connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stark tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Tuft has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Tuft.
Stark tries to clinch up but Tuft circles away and keeps his distance.
Stark doesn't manage to clinch there - Tuft circles away.
Sloppy strikes from Stark. Those never looked like landing.
Tuft avoids a punch combination nicely.
That kick from Tuft tenderised Stark's leg. Stark is trying to keep his angry face on.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stark throws a sloppy head kick and Tuft moves out of range easily.
A little jabbing left from Tuft on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Tuft misses with an uppercut. Stark saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stark drives through and clinches with Tuft against the cage.
Tuft goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Tuft working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Tuft.
Tuft has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Tuft tries to work over Stark's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Tuft misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stark missing with knees to the body.
Tuft fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Tuft.

Tuft pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Stark throws a head kick but Tuft moves out of range.
Tuft counters with a body kick.
Stark misses with a low kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tuft turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tuft is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Stark had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Tuft connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stark is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tuft paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A jab from Tuft misses.
Tuft dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Stark. That did some damage!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Tuft dominated that round.
That's time! Stark's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tuft throws out a loose jab but Stark uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tuft works Stark's body with a nice hook.
Tuft throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Tuft cracks a nice hook into Stark's ribs.
Tuft lands a front kick.
Stark throws a low kick, looking for Tuft's leg but Tuft calmly moves out of range.
Tuft now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Tuft finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Stark takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Stark throws a half hearted mid kick.
A solid body kick from Tuft.
Tuft lands with a thumping leg kick.
Tuft avoids the head kick by Stark.
Stark throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Tuft counter with a right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tuft swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Stark walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Tuft takes one on the button.
Stark throws a head kick that misses.
Stark missing with a left hand there. Tuft was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Tuft feints a counter leg kick.
Tuft thows a body kick. Stark tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A jab lands there for Tuft.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuft scores with a sloppy right hand. Stark should have avoided that one.
Khal Stark is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Some wild striking there from Tuft.
A punch combination from Stark misses.
Stark misses with the combination.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Stark throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tuft lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Tuft lands with a hook. Stark tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stark lands a two punch combo.
Tuft digs a good hook to Stark's body.
Tuft swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Stark.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stark uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tuft.
Tuft thumps Stark with a low kick.
Stark missing with a left hand there. Tuft was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Stark closes the distance and clinches.
Tuft has a couple of punches blocked by Stark.
Tuft tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Tuft breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuft lands a leg kick that knocks Stark off balance momentarily.
Tuft slips under a jab from Stark.
Tuft lands with a thumping leg kick.
Stark will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Tuft lands a jab to the head.
Tuft throws a head kick that misses.
Stark tries to clinch there but Tuft circles away.
Stark pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Tuft back to the cage. Stark follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Tuft has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Tuft scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nice body kick from Tuft.
Stark throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stark fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tuft scores with a jab to the body.

Stark moves into the clinch successfully.
Khal Stark has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Tuft breaks the clinch.
Tuft throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Stark on the side of the head.
Stark tries to clinch but Tuft moves away
and Tuft counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Tuft scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Stark misses the shot to the body.
Stark takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Tuft.
Stark tries to clinch but Tuft is having none of it.
Tuft darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Tuft blocks a jab.
Tuft buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Tuft throws a sloppy head kick and Stark moves out of range easily.
Tuft jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

Stark gets a clinch.

Tuft breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tuft fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Stark has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Tuft cracks the inside of Stark's front leg.
That kick from Tuft tenderised Stark's leg. Stark is trying to keep his angry face on.
Stark throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tuft sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Stark misses with a hook
letting Tuft counter with a right hand.
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!
Stark slips a jab from Tuft.
Stark throws a shot from downtown. Tuft moves away and avoids it.
Tuft looks to land a left hand but Stark moved out of range nicely.
Stark tries to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuft is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Stark throws a right and a left that both miss.
Tuft scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stark in his tracks.
Stark tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tuft was well out of range. Poor timing from Stark.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tuft paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Stark misses with an uppercut. Tuft saw that one coming.
Stark on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tuft. Tuft obviously looking to wear him down.
Stark pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Tuft scores with a hook to the body. Stark takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tuft jabs at Stark's body.
Tuft throws a head kick that misses.
Stark moves to clinch but Tuft breaks away
and Tuft counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nice shot by Tuft.
Stark looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tuft lands a nice looking body shot.
Tuft lands the left hand.
Stark connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tuft's hands.
Stark misses the jab.
Stark takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Tuft showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Tuft is looking to slow Stark down with leg kicks.
Stark throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
It seemed like Tuft was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Tuft walks into a straight right hand from Stark.
Tuft connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Stark throws a leg kick but Tuft sees it coming and moves out of range.
Stark throws a low kick, looking for Tuft's leg but Tuft calmly moves out of range.
Stark misses with a combination
and Tuft counters with a nice low kick that buckles Stark's knee momentarily.
Tuft throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stark looks to clinch
and Tuft cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stark tries to clinch up
and Tuft counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Gunnar Tuft seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Tuft. Stark shrugs it off though.
Stark takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tuft lands a nice shot to the body.
Stark throws a shot from downtown. Tuft moves away and avoids it.
Tuft feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Stark's calf.
Stark takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuft lands with a good body shot.
Stark has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Stark there as he acknowledges the shot.
Tuft fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Tuft lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Tuft looks to land a right hand but Stark moved out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Tuft as he connects with a hook.
Stark throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Stark has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Tuft.
Tuft lands a really nice looking cross but Stark seems unphased.
Stark throws a leg kick that is checked
and Tuft counters with a straight right hand.
Tuft turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tuft circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stark steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Tuft. That one must have hurt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tuft, right into the meat.
A nice inside leg kick there by Tuft. That's going to slow Stark down.
Stark goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Stark is looking to clinch but Tuft is avoiding it.
Stark shoots in for a takedown but Tuft shows good takedown defense.
Khal Stark has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuft throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Stark tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tuft paws at him with a jab and circles away.
As Stark backs off Tuft throws a huge counter combo but Stark manages to avoid it all.
Tuft lands a nice shot to the body.
Stark has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tuft chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Stark throws a low kick, looking for Tuft's leg but Tuft calmly moves out of range.
A countering left hand to the body from Tuft misses.
Tuft cracks Stark with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Tuft moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Tuft connects with a body shot that sends Stark's belly button to the back.
Stark misses the body punch
and Tuft counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stark needs to keep his hands up - Tuft had a free shot at his head there.
Stark blocks a head kick by Tuft.
Stark misses with a few strikes there.
Tuft lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Stark throws a hook but Tuft blocks it.
Stark fails with an attempt to clinch.
Tuft cracks the inside of Stark's front leg.
Tuft connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stark tries to bum rush Tuft with a series of wild strikes but Tuft uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stark moves out of range as Tuft strikes.
Tuft connects with a leg kick. Stark looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Stark moves in looking to clinch but Tuft pushes him off.
Tuft dips to his left and cracks Stark with an uppercut!
Stark wants to slow Tuft down by chopping away at his legs.
Tuft bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Stark misses with a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stark. Tuft does a little dance to reset his feet.
Stark on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Tuft checks a low kick from Stark.
Tuft dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Tuft.
Stark throws a poor cross that misses
and Tuft counters with a lovely shot to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Tuft stuffs the takedown attempt from Stark. Stark gets slowly back to his feet.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Tuft.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tuft throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A low kick from Stark is predictable there
and Tuft counters with a stiff right hand.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Tuft.
Stark is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Tuft lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Tuft connects with a body shot.
Tuft lands a slapping body shot.
Tuft lands a jab to the head.
Stark fails with an attempt to clinch.
Stark tries a head kick but it misses.
Tuft leaves Stark with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Gunnar Tuft is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Khal Stark. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A thudding body kick lands there by Tuft!
Stark waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tuft.
Nice body punch from Tuft.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gunnar Tuft comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Tuft winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gunnar Tuft!
A very excited looking Gunnar Tuft rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
In defeat, Khal Stark stepped up to the mic, saying 'Thanks to everyone!'.