PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Larusso (ranked 276 p4p, 14 weight class) and Eliitti Paavo (ranked 67 p4p, 3 weight class). Larusso comes to the cage accompanied by Glory of love. Paavo is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Brother Firetribe - Winner Takes It All. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Larusso
vs
Paavo

170 cm
35
144 lbs
37 - 20 - 0

155 cm
31
137 lbs
23 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

Aspire Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Daniel Larusso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Eliitti Paavo!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Steven Brown and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Larusso gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Paavo.
Paavo avoids the head kick by Larusso.
A good leg kick by Larusso.
Paavo misses with a low kick.
Paavo thuds his right hand into Larusso's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Larusso slips a jab from Paavo.
Larusso throws a wild body kick that Paavo sees coming a mile off.
Paavo displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Larusso throws out the jab.
Paavo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Larusso on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Larusso dips to his left and cracks Paavo with an uppercut!
Paavo scores with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paavo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Larusso stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Larusso uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Paavo fails in his attempt to clinch.
Larusso cracks Paavo with a good jab.
Paavo tests Larusso's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paavo throws the left hand but Larusso avoids the punch easily.
Paavo lands with an uppercut that bounces Larusso off the cage and back into range.
Larusso misses with an uppercut.
Larusso has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Paavo finds it's way round the side to connect with Larusso's head.
Nice cross by Larusso.

Paavo clinches up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larusso presses Paavo against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Larusso misses with some punches.
Larusso misses with some punches.
Paavo has a couple of punches blocked by Larusso.
Paavo blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Larusso lands a shoulder strike.
Paavo misses with a body punch.
Good body shot from Paavo.
A left hand lands to the body for Paavo.

Larusso manages to break the clinch.
Larusso throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Paavo wants to land a leg kick but Larusso is out of range.
Larusso ducks right into an uppercut from Paavo.

Larusso closes the distance and pushes Paavo back into the cage.
Larusso makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Paavo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paavo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Paavo gets through Larusso's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Larusso lands a good knee to the midsection. Paavo won't want to take too many of those.
Larusso looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paavo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Paavo throws a punch but it's blocked by Larusso.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Paavo throws a head punch that misses.
Paavo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Larusso's elbow.

Larusso breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Larusso.
A leg kick checked by Larusso.
Larusso lands a head kick. Paavo smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Paavo misses with an uppercut.
Larusso missing with a left hand there. Paavo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Paavo takes one on the button.
A telegraphed right hand from Paavo misses the target.
It looks like Larusso has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Paavo wants to clinch up but Larusso keeps it at a distance.
Paavo throws a lazy right hand but Larusso sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Paavo.
Paavo slips under a jab.
Paavo slips a straight right by Larusso.
Paavo throws a leg kick which misses Larusso's front leg but catches the back leg as Larusso tries to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larusso walks into a straight right hand from Paavo.
Paavo misses the jab.
Larusso tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paavo was well out of range. Poor timing from Larusso.
Larusso bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The fighters circle momentarily. Larusso darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A jab from Larusso finds it's way through Paavo's defenses.
Paavo tries to clinch there but Larusso circles away.
Larusso scores with a jab to the body.
Larusso tries to close the distance and clinch but Paavo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Paavo misses with a wild combination.
Paavo misses with a low kick.
A quick step to the side and Larusso tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice cross by Paavo.
Paavo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Larusso throws a leg kick but Paavo moved away.
Larusso takes a swing at Paavo's ribcage but misses.
Larusso throws a big shot that misses.
Larusso looks to score with a jab to the body but Paavo is just out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Larusso avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Paavo throws an overhand right that lands on Larusso's shoulder, as Larusso tries to avoid the shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Larusso moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Larusso misses with a body kick.
Paavo lands a right hook to the body.
Larusso doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Larusso ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paavo moves away.
Larusso misses with a head kick.
Paavo misses with a double jab.
Larusso uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Paavo has time to react.
Paavo misses with an uppercut.
Paavo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Larusso has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Larusso is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A nice leg kick lands there from Larusso.
Larusso throws a body punch but Paavo moves out of range.
Larusso lands a nice looking body shot.
Paavo lands with a good body shot.
Larusso throws an overhand right that lands on Paavo's shoulder, as Paavo tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Larusso throws a jab when Paavo was well out of range.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Larusso - that will leave a mark!
A slapping body kick lands there for Larusso.
Larusso pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Paavo takes a shot to the body in his stride.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Daniel Larusso will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Paavo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Paavo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paavo misses with a hook.
Paavo misses with a looping right.
Paavo misses with a straight right.
Larusso lands with a right hand.
Larusso connects with a jab.
Eliitti Paavo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Larusso misses with a wild body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Larusso.
Paavo takes a swing at Larusso's ribcage but misses.
Paavo lands a nice shot that snaps Larusso's head back.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Larusso slips under a jab from Paavo.
Paavo misses with an uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Larusso misses the shot to the body.
Larusso goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Larusso pulls out of a head kick attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paavo takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Larusso keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Larusso looks to land a left hand but Paavo moved out of range nicely.
Larusso bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Larusso needs to keep his hands up - Paavo had a free shot at his head there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Larusso works Paavo's body with a nice hook.
Nice defenses there by Larusso.
A punch lands to the side of Larusso 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Larusso misses with a kick to the body.
A combination from Paavo does no damage.
Paavo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Paavo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A little feinted left hand from Larusso on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Paavo checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Larusso misses with a leg kick.
Daniel Larusso is winning the standup battle so far.
Paavo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Larusso.
Paavo misses with a hook. Larusso ducked under it nicely.
Larusso moves out of range of the leg kick from Paavo.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Larusso.
Larusso misses with a hook.
Paavo avoids the body shot from Larusso.
Paavo lands a jab to Larusso's midsection.
Larusso moves out of range of the leg kick from Paavo.
Paavo thuds a left hand into Larusso's body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Larusso clinches.
Paavo working aggressively here.

Larusso breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Larusso attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Paavo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Paavo moves out of range of the body kick.
Larusso looks for the body kick but Paavo saw that one coming.
Larusso fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paavo manages to avoid it.
Paavo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Larusso.
Paavo throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Larusso on the side of the head.
Good work by Larusso as he checks the leg kick.
Larusso connects with a crisp jab.
Larusso misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Paavo throws a leg kick but Larusso checks it.
The fighters circling - Paavo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Paavo with a hook.
Paavo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Paavo throws a hook to the side of Larusso's head but Larusso sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Larusso looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Larusso throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paavo blocks the body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Larusso throws a low kick, looking for Paavo's leg but Paavo calmly moves out of range.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Paavo! But no joy.
Larusso takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Larusso takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Paavo just misses with a punch to the body.
Larusso misses the jab.
Paavo misses with a low kick.
Larusso keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Paavo moves out of range of the body kick from Larusso.
Paavo misses with the combination.
Larusso takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Paavo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Larusso scores with a crisp jab that stopped Paavo in his tracks.
Paavo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Paavo misses with a straight right.
Larusso throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Larusso shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Paavo connects with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Larusso takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Paavo closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Paavo throws a jab when Larusso was well out of range.
A solid body kick from Larusso.
Paavo connects with a single shot there.
Larusso takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Larusso checks a leg kick.
Larusso tests Paavo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paavo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Larusso was well out of range. Poor timing from Paavo.
Paavo throws a right hand that misses
and Larusso counters with a straight right hand.
Larusso misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Paavo on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Paavo misses with a jab, cross combination.
Larusso steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Paavo.
A little feinted left hand from Larusso on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Paavo walks forward, straight into a front kick from Larusso.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A slapping body kick lands there for Larusso.
Larusso keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Paavo.
Paavo scores with a decent looking hook.
Paavo cracks Larusso with a right hand to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Eliitti Paavo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Larusso moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Larusso throws a quick inside leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Paavo.
Larusso throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Paavo stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Paavo moves out of range of the body kick.
Larusso throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Paavo.
Paavo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Larusso looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Larusso moves away from the strike by Paavo.
Larusso checks the leg kick.
Larusso loads up on a big right hand but Paavo slips the punch.
Paavo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Paavo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Larusso has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Larusso chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Paavo can pounce on him.
Good shot there by Paavo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paavo misses with a leg kick
and Larusso connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Paavo takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Paavo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Paavo checks the leg kick.
A jab from Paavo finds it's way through Larusso's defenses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Larusso keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A jab from Paavo misses.
Larusso looks to land a body kick but Paavo moved away.
A chopping leg kick lands by Larusso.
Paavo 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.
Paavo misses with a low kick.
Paavo misses with a hook.
Paavo throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Larusso looks for the body kick but Paavo saw that one coming.
Paavo tests Larusso's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paavo walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Larusso smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Paavo avoids the body shot from Larusso.
Paavo bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Paavo with a jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Larusso slips a jab from Paavo.
Paavo misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Larusso fails with an attempt to clinch.
Larusso cracks Paavo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Paavo throws an off balance right hand
and Larusso counters with a nice body kick.
Larusso looks for the body kick but Paavo saw that one coming.
Larusso throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Paavo checks a leg kick.
Larusso throws a hook but Paavo avoids it easily.
Paavo is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Larusso fakes the leg kick and cracks Paavo in the body.
A solid leg kick lands there for Larusso.
Paavo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Larusso throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Paavo steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Larusso.
Larusso looks to land a left hand but Paavo moved out of range nicely.
Paavo throws a low kick but Larusso avoids it.
Larusso lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Larusso misses with a low kick as Paavo jumps back.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Larusso.
Paavo scores with a hook to the body. Larusso takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Good shot there by Paavo.
Larusso ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paavo moves away.
Paavo lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paavo connects with a body shot.
Paavo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Paavo blocks a leg kick.
Paavo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Larusso bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A slow jab from Paavo misses its intended target.
Paavo swings widly with a right hand
and Larusso counters with a slapping leg kick.
Paavo's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Larusso looks to throw the jab but Paavo is out of range.
Paavo swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Larusso.
Paavo slips under a jab from Larusso.
Larusso uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Paavo has time to react.
Paavo throws a jab when Larusso was well out of range.
Paavo tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Larusso staying out of range there.
Paavo missing with a left hand there. Larusso was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Larusso avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Larusso ducks under a wild hook from Paavo.
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!
Paavo throws a leg kick which misses Larusso's front leg but catches the back leg as Larusso tries to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paavo keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Larusso.
Some wild striking there from Larusso.
Larusso throws a head kick that misses.
Larusso uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Paavo.
Paavo has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Larusso.
Larusso throws a front kick aimed at Paavo's knee but Paavo avoids it well.
A jab from Larusso finds it's way through Paavo's defenses.
Paavo throws a jab but it's blocked by Larusso.
Paavo scores with a sloppy right hand. Larusso should have avoided that one.
Larusso pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Larusso sets himself, and Paavo steps forward looking for the clinch! Larusso avoids it this time.
Larusso misses with a straight left.
Paavo appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Larusso 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.
Paavo throws a lazy right hand but Larusso sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Larusso on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Paavo fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Larusso checks it well.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paavo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Larusso throws a wild body kick that Paavo sees coming a mile off.
A punch combination from Paavo misses.
Paavo cracks Larusso with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Larusso explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Daniel Larusso.
I think Larusso has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Daniel Larusso!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Daniel Larusso waved his t-shirt featuring Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)'s logo in front of the cameras.