PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aapo Kukkanen (ranked 23091 p4p, 831 weight class) and Antonio Medina (ranked 23451 p4p, 857 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Kukkanen
vs
Medina

210 cm
22
215 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

193 cm
24
198 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Aapo Kukkanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antonio Medina!
The judges for this bout are Eliza Hachem, Darius Henderson and Winston Howard.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukkanen scores with a jab to the head.
Kukkanen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
A cross from Kukkanen lands.
Medina tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kukkanen swivels and escapes.
Medina shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kukkanen but Kukkanen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Medina shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kukkanen defends it nicely.
It looked like Kukkanen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Aapo Kukkanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Medina.
Medina rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kukkanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Kukkanen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cozad MMA Hilo in the buildup to the fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kukkanen lands a right hook to the body.
Medina shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kukkanen defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkanen thuds his right hand into Medina's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Kukkanen dodges the punch combination from Medina.
A counter left hand to the body from Kukkanen misses its target.
Medina tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kukkanen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kukkanen scores with a nice strike.
Kukkanen digs a good body shot into Medina's ribs.
Kukkanen scores with a jab to the body.
Medina tries to clinch up.
Medina misses with a hook.
Kukkanen swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Medina with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kukkanen counters with a right hand to the body.
A left and a right from Kukkanen both land. Nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Medina walks into a jab.
Kukkanen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Kukkanen bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Medina's head backwards.
Nice straight punches there by Kukkanen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kukkanen.
Medina with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kukkanen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kukkanen scores with a three punch combo!

Medina is rocked!
Kukkanen keeps the fight on the outside.
Medina throws a lazy head kick
and Kukkanen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Aapo Kukkanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kukkanen works Medina's body with a nice hook.
Medina tries to clinch there but Kukkanen circles away.
Kukkanen went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Medina is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kukkanen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Medina looks winded!
Medina closes the distance and clinches up with Kukkanen, looking for a takedown. Medina pushes Kukkanen against the cage but Kukkanen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Medina throws a right and a left that Kukkanen avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkanen slips a straight right by Medina.
Medina wants to clinch up but Kukkanen keeps it at a distance.
Kukkanen scores with the left hand. Medina knows he should have avoided that one.
Medina takes a jab right on the kisser.
Medina is still on wobbly legs! Can Kukkanen finish him?
A cross from Kukkanen lands.
Medina walks straight into a right hand from Kukkanen - that's dropped him! Kukkanen jumps into mount and starts pounding away - can he finish?! More strikes go undefended and the referee has to dive in to save Medina from any more punishment! Medina complains about the stoppage but falls over as he tries to stand back up, so it was clearly a good stoppage.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Aapo Kukkanen!