PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Allan Coyoca (ranked 1025 p4p, 132 weight class) and Iikka Runnisto (ranked 1228 p4p, 153 weight class). Runnisto has chosen Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös! as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Coyoca
vs
Runnisto

180 cm
32
195 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

182 cm
30
192 lbs
24 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Blue Moon

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 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Allan Coyoca!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Coyoca fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd cheers as Runnisto lands an impressive looking overhand right. Coyoca doesn't seem phased though.
A solid leg kick lands there for Runnisto.
Coyoca drops his hands momentarily and Runnisto takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Runnisto throws the left hand but Coyoca avoids the punch easily.
Coyoca definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Runnisto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Runnisto connects with a body shot.
Runnisto lands a nice hook to Coyoca's body. Coyoca takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Coyoca is looking to clinch.
Runnisto stuns Coyoca with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Runnisto has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
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!
Coyoca connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Runnisto throws an overhand right that lands on Coyoca's shoulder, as Coyoca tries to avoid the shot.
Runnisto cracks Coyoca with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Runnisto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice jab there from Runnisto.
Runnisto avoids the head kick by Coyoca.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Coyoca, as that shot connected.
Coyoca moves out of range as Runnisto strikes.
Runnisto stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Runnisto wants it to stay on the feet.
Coyoca uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Runnisto.
Runnisto looks to land a left hand but Coyoca moved out of range nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Coyoca. Runnisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Runnisto throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
As Runnisto looks to move away, Coyoca throws a big counter combo but Runnisto just gets out of the way.
Coyoca moves forwards but Runnisto connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Iikka Runnisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Coyoca bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Coyoca lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
The crowd cheers as Runnisto lands an impressive looking overhand right. Coyoca doesn't seem phased though.
Coyoca throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A little jabbing left from Runnisto on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Runnisto listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Runnisto stalks Coyoca and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Coyoca's face. Coyoca staggers backwards, shaken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Coyoca tries to close the distance and clinch but Runnisto swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Coyoca takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nice body kick there by Coyoca.
Runnisto with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Iikka Runnisto is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Coyoca takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Runnisto fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Runnisto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Coyoca.
Runnisto lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Runnisto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Runnisto getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Coyoca walks into a left hand.
Runnisto staying out of range there.

Coyoca shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Coyoca was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Runnisto holding on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coyoca working the ground and pound.
Runnisto tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Coyoca tries to move to mount but Runnisto blocks the move with his legs.
Runnisto regains half guard.
Runnisto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Coyoca.
Runnisto is looking to control Coyoca's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Runnisto avoid being mounted?
Runnisto tries to roll over but Coyoca keeps him under control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Coyoca not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Coyoca missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Runnisto is positioning himself well to prevent Coyoca advancing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto trying to control from the bottom.
Coyoca working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Coyoca throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Runnisto blocking the ground and pound attempt from Coyoca.
Coyoca is nestled in close to Runnisto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Coyoca throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Coyoca lands a nice short elbow.
Runnisto avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Coyoca.
Coyoca throwing shots but Runnisto is blocking nicely.
Runnisto holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Coyoca wants to pass the guard but Runnisto is defending well.
Runnisto is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iikka Runnisto dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Runnisto lands a glancing blow to the side of Coyoca's head.
Runnisto with a jab.
Coyoca looks for a takedown but Runnisto sprawls well.
Runnisto missing with a left hand there. Coyoca was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Runnisto moves out of range as Coyoca strikes.
A countering left hand to the body from Runnisto misses.
Coyoca defending well as Runnisto loads up on a big left hand.
Coyoca is looking for a counter combo.
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.
Runnisto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Coyoca.
Coyoca appears to be looking for a big counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Coyoca throws a sloppy head kick
and Runnisto makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Coyoca avoids the body shot from Runnisto.
Runnisto throws a big shot that misses.
Coyoca is looking to counter the offense by Runnisto and move into the clinch.
Coyoca takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Runnisto misses the shot to the body.
Runnisto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Runnisto. That snapped Coyoca's head back.
A swing and a miss from Runnisto.
Coyoca swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Runnisto tests Coyoca's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Coyoca closes the distance and clinches up with Runnisto, looking for a takedown. Coyoca pushes Runnisto against the cage but Runnisto circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Iikka Runnisto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Runnisto!
Runnisto throws an overhand right that lands on Coyoca's shoulder, as Coyoca tries to avoid the shot.
Runnisto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Coyoca's sensitive parts.
Runnisto throws a jab when Coyoca was well out of range.
Runnisto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Runnisto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Coyoca.
Runnisto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

Coyoca shoots in and gets a takedown into Runnisto's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Runnisto is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Coyoca throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Runnisto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Coyoca works over Runnisto with some ground and pound from guard.
Coyoca is in close to Runnisto's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Coyoca with a flurry of punches that miss.
Coyoca throwing strikes from guard but Runnisto blocks nicely.
Coyoca tries to free his leg and advance position but Runnisto is retaining full guard.
Runnisto is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Coyoca throwing strikes from guard but Runnisto blocks nicely.
Coyoca 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.
Coyoca in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Runnisto pulls Coyoca in to control the position.
Coyoca with a flurry of punches that miss.
Coyoca throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Runnisto seems keen to control Coyoca's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Coyoca is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Runnisto working a defensive guard here.
Coyoca postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Coyoca tries to free his leg and advance position but Runnisto is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Coyoca accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Runnisto is on top in guard.

Coyoca looking to hit a scissor sweep but Runnisto is one step ahead there.

Coyoca throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Runnisto escapes and throws Coyoca's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Coyoca tries to bench press Runnisto off him but Runnisto keeps the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Coyoca manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Coyoca lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Runnisto tries to get to full guard but Coyoca has control of the leg.
Runnisto keeping control of the position.
Runnisto moves into full guard.
Coyoca is looking to work some ground and pound but Runnisto has wrist control.
Runnisto is trying to control the position but Coyoca postures up.
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.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Coyoca cracks Runnisto with a good jab.
Coyoca throws a leg kick which misses Runnisto's front leg but catches the back leg as Runnisto tries to avoid it.
Runnisto misses with a body shot
and Coyoca makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Runnisto slips under a jab.
Runnisto throws a big shot that misses.
Runnisto connects with a body shot.
Coyoca moves out of range of the strikes.
Coyoca throws a looping overhand right but Runnisto ducks down to avoid it.
Runnisto throws a hook to the side of Coyoca's head but Coyoca sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Runnisto works the jab nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good shot there by Runnisto.

Coyoca throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Runnisto was covering up waiting for the punch and Coyoca finishes the takedown easily into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Coyoca postures up in Runnisto's guard and throws a big left but Runnisto blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Coyoca with a flurry of punches that miss.
Coyoca trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Coyoca being controlled here momentarily.
Allan Coyoca overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Coyoca with a flurry of punches that miss.
Coyoca throws a big right hand that misses.
Coyoca is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Runnisto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Coyoca trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Runnisto manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

Coyoca looking for a sweep. Not yet Coyoca, not yet.

Coyoca looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Runnisto stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Coyoca swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Runnisto avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Coyoca is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Coyoca is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Runnisto is aware though and is defending well.
Runnisto engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iikka Runnisto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Coyoca tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Runnisto trying to control but Coyoca is working from the bottom.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Runnisto forces his way into half guard.
Runnisto trying to control from half guard but Coyoca is working away.

Coyoca looking for submissions off his back.

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.
Runnisto slows the pace down in half guard.
Runnisto prevents Coyoca from improving his position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A slow jab from Runnisto misses its intended target.
Coyoca is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Runnisto.
Coyoca with a poor takedown
and Runnisto counters with a nice body shot.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Coyoca feints and as Runnisto raises his hands in defense, Coyoca changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Runnisto has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Coyoca throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Runnisto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

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 Allan Coyoca.
I think Runnisto has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iikka Runnisto!