PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Iikka Runnisto (ranked 999 p4p, 144 weight class) and Thatcher Halverson (ranked 443 p4p, 64 weight class). Runnisto's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös!. Halverson has chosen Enter Sandman as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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?

Runnisto
vs
Halverson

182 cm
26
192 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

196 cm
26
200 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

KOMBAT KLOTHING

Mockstar Energy Drinks 160Q
Fanatic Inc.

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 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Thatcher Halverson!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Runnisto gets a clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Runnisto.

Runnisto breaks from the clinch.
Halverson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Halverson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Halverson throws a hook to the side of Runnisto's head but Runnisto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Halverson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Runnisto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Halverson somewhat.
Runnisto throws a hook but Halverson blocks it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Halverson! But no joy.
Halverson misses with a lunging right hand
and Runnisto counters with a one-two to the body.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Halverson is just out of range.
Halverson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Halverson throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Halverson is just out of range.
Halverson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halverson connects with a body shot.
Halverson shoots in looking for a takedown but Runnisto manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Halverson's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Runnisto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Halverson.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Halverson! But no joy.
Halverson lands a jab.
Runnisto looks to land a right hand but Halverson moved out of range.
Runnisto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Halverson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Runnisto rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Halverson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut.
Runnisto throws a lazy uppercut
and Halverson counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Runnisto misses with a wild body shot.
Halverson throws a lazy right hand but Runnisto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Runnisto is looking for a counter combo.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Halverson is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto scores with a jab to the body.
Iikka Runnisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Halverson moves away from the strike by Runnisto.
Halverson takes a jab right on the kisser.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Halverson misses with a jab to the body
and Runnisto counters with a series of strikes. Halverson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Runnisto throws the left hand but Halverson avoids the punch easily.
Runnisto's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Halverson connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Runnisto scrambles back to his feet.
Runnisto misses with a low kick as Halverson jumps back.
Halverson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A telegraphed right hand from Halverson misses the target.
Runnisto misses with a hook to the body
and Halverson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Runnisto just misses with a punch to the body.
Runnisto is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Halverson's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Halverson misses with a straight left.
Runnisto lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Halverson might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
The crowd cheers as Halverson lands an impressive looking overhand right. Runnisto doesn't seem phased though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Runnisto ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Halverson has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Runnisto finds it's way round the side to connect with Halverson's head.
Halverson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Runnisto.
Halverson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Halverson moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Halverson avoids a punch combination nicely.
A punch combination from Runnisto misses.
Runnisto misses with a looping right.
Runnisto looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut
and Halverson counters with a nice body shot.
Runnisto connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Halverson looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Halverson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Runnisto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Halverson circles away quickly and effectively.
Runnisto scores with a leg kick.
Runnisto uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Halverson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Iikka Runnisto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thatcher Halverson.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Halverson is just out of range.
Halverson swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A looping hook to the body misses from Halverson. Runnisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
As Halverson looks to move away, Runnisto throws a big counter combo but Halverson just gets out of the way.
Halverson fails with a takedown attempt.
Halverson takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Halverson takes a swing at Runnisto's ribcage but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iikka Runnisto dominated that 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.

Halverson avoids the body shot from Runnisto.
Runnisto misses the shot to the body.
Halverson on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Halverson fails with a takedown attempt.
Runnisto connects with a body shot that sends Halverson's belly button to the back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Halverson fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Runnisto to the ground. Halverson is now in Runnisto's guard.
Runnisto has control of Halverson's left arm, preventing Halverson from doing any damage.
Halverson trying to control the position from guard on top but Runnisto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Halverson advances position into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Halverson throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Halverson trying to control the action but Runnisto is working from the bottom.
Runnisto parries the strikes from Halverson easily there. Halverson is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Runnisto to escape.
Runnisto is not content to let Halverson control the position.
Halverson wants to control for a moment but Runnisto uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Runnisto wants to control but Halverson is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Runnisto is trying to control but Halverson passes into side control!
Halverson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Runnisto keeps working.
Runnisto wants to get back to his feet.
Runnisto tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Halverson is looking to take a break and control but Runnisto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Halverson is working for what looks like an arm triangle here. Runnisto is trying to escape and Halverson transitions quickly into an armbar! He's slapped it on tight and Runnisto is forced to tap! Nice work there by Halverson! Very nice indeed!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thatcher Halverson!
Post fight, an emotional Thatcher Halverson said 'I'm back in saddle and heading for the top. Yo' promoter man, if you're listening... I want another title shot. And I want it right now!'.