PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Niko Puhkuri (ranked 4135 p4p, 494 weight class) and Brian Fontana (ranked 4874 p4p, 563 weight class). Niko Puhkuri could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Brian Fontana's chin.

Puhkuri
vs
Fontana

188 cm
18
194 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

170 cm
25
207 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Likes musicals

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Puhkuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Brian Fontana!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puhkuri swinging wildly here.
Fontana doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Niko Puhkuri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fontana takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Puhkuri shoots in but no luck this time.

Fontana moves into range and clinches up with Puhkuri.
Fontana tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Puhkuri just stands there and leans against the ropes.
Fontana fails to pull the fight into his guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fontana leaning his opponent against the ropes.
Fontana tries for a takedown. No joy.
Niko Puhkuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Brian Fontana.
Puhkuri is trying to break the clinch but Fontana has him pressed against the ropes.

Fontana has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Puhkuri uses from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fontana is adopting a defensive guard.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Fontana keeping moving, preventing Puhkuri from controlling successfully.
Puhkuri postures up in Fontana's guard and throws a big left but Fontana blocks it.
Puhkuri trying to control but Fontana is working from the bottom.
Puhkuri wants to stand and escape but instead Fontana has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Fontana content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Puhkuri working a defensive guard but Fontana passes into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Puhkuri is trying to get back to full guard.
Puhkuri is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fontana scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fontana looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Puhkuri is trying to stand.
Fontana not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fontana winds up and cracks Puhkuri with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Fontana prevents Puhkuri from standing back up.
Puhkuri knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Fontana on the ground.
Puhkuri is trying to get back to full guard.
Fontana is keen to just control but Puhkuri is a slippery customer.
Fontana has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Fontana seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fontana seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Puhkuri is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Fontana scores with a couple of nice shots.
Fontana landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Puhkuri moves into full guard.
Fontana makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fontana is standing up over Puhkuri. Puhkuri looks to escape but Fontana dives into side control.
Puhkuri tries to control but Fontana manages to take his back.
Fontana gets his hands free as Puhkuri looks to control.
Puhkuri is covering up but some of the strikes from Fontana are getting through and doing damage.

Puhkuri is rocked!
Fontana is riding his opponent, not letting Puhkuri buck him off.
Fontana lands a good shot there. Puhkuri covers up! Fontana smells blood and goes for the finish - the referee warns Puhkuri to improve his position but he's not intelligently defending himself and the referee has no choice but to step in and end the fight! Fontana jumps to his feet and celebrates the important win with his cornermen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Brian Fontana!