PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Shlemenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Iikka Runnisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shlemenko comes to the cage accompanied by Omarion Ft. Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko - Post To Be. Runnisto has chosen Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös! as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shlemenko
vs
Runnisto

180 cm
28
201 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

182 cm
25
192 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Pit Bull Development
Dauntless

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Alexander Shlemenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shlemenko fails with the takedown
and Runnisto counters with a nice uppercut.

Shlemenko closes the distance and clinches.
Shlemenko throws a punch but it's blocked by Runnisto.
Shlemenko misses with a punch on the inside.
Runnisto blocking some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Shlemenko fails to land.
Runnisto fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shlemenko tries to pull guard but Runnisto won't allow it.
Shlemenko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Runnisto after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Alexander Shlemenko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Shlemenko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Shlemenko has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Shlemenko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Shlemenko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Runnisto's efforts to push away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runnisto misses with the head strike.
Runnisto lands an uppercut.
Runnisto is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Shlemenko is keeping busy.
Runnisto has a couple of punches blocked by Shlemenko.
Runnisto is looking to control Shlemenko's arms but Shlemenko gets an underhook and turns him. Now Runnisto has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shlemenko wants to break the clinch but can't.
Shlemenko works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short right from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko lands a hook that snaps the head of Runnisto backwards.

Shlemenko ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Shlemenko no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Shlemenko looking to control.
Runnisto content to stall in guard here.
Runnisto being controlled here momentarily.
Shlemenko wants to stand up but Runnisto is controlling him.
Runnisto must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto sitting in guard here, content to control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Runnisto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Shlemenko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Shlemenko clinches with his opponent.
Runnisto scores with a shot to the side of Shlemenko's head.
Runnisto has Shlemenko pushed against the cage.

Shlemenko breaks the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Shlemenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Alexander Shlemenko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Shlemenko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Runnisto.
Iikka Runnisto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Shlemenko tries to clinch up
and Runnisto counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Runnisto circles away from the clinch attempt
and Runnisto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Shlemenko wants to clinch but Runnisto slips to the side
enabling Runnisto to counter with a crisp jab.
Shlemenko drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Shlemenko tries to land a front kick but Runnisto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Runnisto lands with a right hand.
Shlemenko tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Runnisto counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Runnisto circles away from the clinch attempt
and Runnisto counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto tries to move into range but Shlemenko moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Shlemenko on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Shlemenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Runnisto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
We've been told by Shlemenko's head coaches at Academy for Advanced Ass-Whippery that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Shlemenko slips a jab and a cross from Runnisto.
Shlemenko moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Shlemenko tries for a takedown but Runnisto circles away easily
and Runnisto makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Shlemenko moves to clinch but Runnisto breaks away
enabling Runnisto to counter with a crisp jab.

Shlemenko clinches up with Runnisto and pushes him back against the cage.
Runnisto lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Shlemenko backwards.

Shlemenko is rocked!
A hook to the body from Runnisto.
Shlemenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shlemenko misses with some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iikka Runnisto dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Shlemenko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Runnisto counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Shlemenko gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Runnisto.
Oh Shlemenko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Shlemenko leaves his chin hanging out and Runnisto seizes the opportunity with an uppercut! Shlemenko crumbles to the floor in a heap! The referee steps in and tends to the downed fighter! What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:16 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Iikka Runnisto!
Iikka Runnisto really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Anarchy Clothing logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.