PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Seth Sexton (ranked 5487 p4p, 653 weight class) and Iikka Runnisto (ranked 1331 p4p, 206 weight class). Sexton kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is I'm too sexy - Right Said Fred. Runnisto has chosen Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös! as his entrance music. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Sexton
vs
Runnisto

188 cm
28
202 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

182 cm
29
192 lbs
23 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of New York, Seth Sexton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Roger Salmon and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Runnisto looks to throw the jab but Sexton is out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Sexton.
Nice sprawl there from Runnisto as Sexton shoots in.

Sexton scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Sexton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Runnisto's head.
Runnisto is staying active underneath Sexton, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Sexton throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Runnisto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Runnisto told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Runnisto wants to control but Sexton is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sexton stalling.
Runnisto is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Sexton's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Sexton's back!
Sexton has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Let's hope that Runnisto has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Runnisto is continuing to stall.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Runnisto not allowing Sexton to control his hands.
I really don't envy Sexton right now.
Good control from Runnisto.
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.
Sexton looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Runnisto has the hooks in. Sexton is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Runnisto trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Sexton doesn't escape.
We're seeing a lot of stalling here from Runnisto.
Runnisto has the hooks in. Sexton is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Sexton is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Runnisto.
Runnisto doesn't have the hooks in and Sexton manages to turn into his guard.
Sexton throwing strikes from guard but Runnisto blocks nicely.
Runnisto working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Sexton.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Runnisto keeping moving, preventing Sexton from controlling successfully.
Runnisto pulls Sexton in close to his closed guard and prevents Sexton from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iikka Runnisto dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Sexton scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Runnisto keeps control of the position for the meantime.
We've been hearing that Sexton has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Sexton is looking to take a break and control but Runnisto is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runnisto gets full guard.
Sexton trying to control the position from guard on top but Runnisto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Runnisto wants to sweep here but Sexton controlling him for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sexton trying to control the position from guard on top but Runnisto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sexton throws a big elbow that misses.
Runnisto can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Sexton controls the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sexton trying to control but Runnisto is working from the bottom.
Sexton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Sexton being controlled here momentarily.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Seth Sexton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Runnisto throws a body punch but Sexton moves out of range.
Sexton looks to land a right hand but Runnisto moved out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Runnisto throws a shot from downtown. Sexton moves away and avoids it.
Runnisto lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sexton shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Runnisto but Runnisto pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sexton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Runnisto.
Sexton half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Runnisto works the jab nicely.
Runnisto misses with a lunging right hand
and Sexton connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Iikka Runnisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sexton goes for a double leg but Runnisto avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Runnisto continues to drive forward.
Runnisto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Sexton.
Sexton tries to close the distance and clinch but Runnisto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sexton shoots in looking for a takedown. Runnisto tries to sprawl out of it but Sexton keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Runnisto manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seth Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Runnisto misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sexton.
Sexton half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Sexton misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sexton's jab looks to have found its range, popping Runnisto under the eye.
Sexton doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sexton uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Runnisto.
Some wild striking there from Runnisto.
Runnisto throws a body punch but Sexton moves out of range.
Sexton feinted with a counter takedown.
Sexton tries to move into range but Runnisto moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Sexton misses with an uppercut. Runnisto saw that one coming.
Sexton shoots in and drives through. Runnisto sprawls well.
Runnisto lands with an uppercut that bounces Sexton off the cage and back into range.
Sexton goes for a double leg but Runnisto avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Runnisto continues to drive forward.
Sexton's jab looks to have found its range, popping Runnisto under the eye.
Sexton tries for a takedown but Runnisto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Sexton tries to close the distance and clinch but Runnisto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Runnisto jabs at Sexton's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sexton tries to close the distance and clinch but Runnisto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Sexton takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Runnisto connects with a nice looking jab.
Runnisto smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Runnisto cracks Sexton with a good jab.
Sexton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Runnisto sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Runnisto misses with a right hand
and Sexton counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Sexton fails with the takedown.
A combination from Runnisto does no damage.
Runnisto cracks Sexton with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A jab from Runnisto does it's job there.

Sexton is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Runnisto's half guard.
Sexton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Runnisto's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iikka Runnisto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Sexton moves in looking to clinch but Runnisto pushes him off.
Runnisto misses with a hook
and Sexton cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Runnisto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Sexton attempts a counter takedown but Runnisto avoids it well and moves away.
Runnisto lunges at Sexton with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Sexton's hand.
Runnisto connects with a jab.
Sexton throws the left hand but Runnisto avoids the punch easily.

Sexton scores with a takedown into Runnisto's guard.

Runnisto pushes Sexton off and scrambles back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Runnisto scores with a jab to the head.
Sexton fails with the takedown.
Sexton on the wrong end of a nice hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto misses with a double jab.
A jab from Runnisto does it's job there.
Sexton walks into a stiff left hand from Runnisto.
Runnisto connects with a single shot there.
Sexton takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Runnisto fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sexton looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Sexton throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Runnisto was covering up waiting for the punch and Sexton finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Sexton in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Sexton trying to control the position from guard on top but Runnisto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Runnisto managing to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sexton trying to control the position from guard on top but Runnisto is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Runnisto has his hands on Sexton's head, controlling the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sexton throwing strikes from guard but Runnisto blocks nicely.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Iikka Runnisto seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Runnisto. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Runnisto.
Iikka Runnisto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sexton avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Runnisto lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sexton is looking to clinch.
Seth Sexton has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Iikka Runnisto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sexton swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A jab from Sexton misses.
Runnisto lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Runnisto clobbers Sexton with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Runnisto slaps away a takedown attempt from Sexton, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Sexton takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto lands a head shot.
Runnisto moves away from the strike by Sexton.
Sexton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seth Sexton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sexton has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Sexton there as he acknowledges the shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Runnisto changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Sexton takes one on the button.
Sexton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Runnisto's waist but Runnisto gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Sexton off to one side.
Runnisto listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Sexton takes one to the side of the head.
Runnisto lands with a shot to the body.
Runnisto sizes up Sexton with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Runnisto lands a slapping body shot.
Jab by Runnisto.
Runnisto lands a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Iikka Runnisto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Runnisto has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iikka Runnisto!
In defeat, Seth Sexton stepped up to the mic, saying 'Naaah, didn't happen. This was just a bad mushroom trip and I'm still undefeated! '.