PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jyrki Pekkala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Runk (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jyrki Pekkala has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Pekkala
vs
Runk

200 cm
22
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

183 cm
22
210 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jyrki Pekkala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Runk!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Runk looks for a takedown but Pekkala sprawls well.

Runk moves into the clinch.
Pekkala tries to land a knee to the head but Runk blocks with his arms.

Runk breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pekkala darts in trying to clinch

and Runk counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Pekkala!
Runk controlling from the full mount.
I looks like Runk might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Let's hope that Runk 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Runk trying to control but Pekkala is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Kari Runk just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Runk circles away from the clinch attempt

and Runk counters with a shoot takedown. Pekkala fights it but they end up in guard.
Runk thows a big elbow that misses.
Runk is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Pekkala wriggles free and stands up.
Pekkala wants to clinch

so Runk counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
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!
Runk prevents Pekkala from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Runk drops back, looking for a kneebar! Pekkala looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Pekkala looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Pekkala!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Runk is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Pekkala's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Runk looks gassed!
Runk is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Pekkala's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Pekkala's back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kari Runk dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Pekkala tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Runk counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Pekkala!
Runk looking to control and managing it successfully.
Pekkala trying desperately to get to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runk looking to finish with strikes here!
Pekkala is squirming around, avoiding Runk's attempts to control the action.
Runk controlling from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Runk with the ground and pound from mount.
Runk controlling the position easily from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runk can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Pekkala is looking to escape.
Runk fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Runk moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Pekkala has worked his arm free - good work by Pekkala!
Runk wants to lay and pray for a moment but Pekkala keeps working.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pekkala wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kari Runk showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Runk looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Pekkala is fending him off so far but Runk persists. Nope, Pekkala circles away and we're back to standing.
Pekkala darts in trying to clinch

and Runk decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Pekkala's guard.
Runk missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Runk pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pekkala is keeping the position for now.
Pekkala is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Runk is controlling him.
Runk stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pekkala swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runk is looking to advance position but Pekkala has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
Runk takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Runk regains half guard.
Runk trying to control but Pekkala postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Pekkala wants to stand up but Runk is controlling the position.
Runk is controlling Pekkala's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Runk wants to get back to full guard.
Pekkala will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runk trying to get back to full guard but Pekkala takes advantage of the position and moves to full mount!
Runk has given up his back here.
Runk is really stuck here.
Runk prevents Pekkala from getting a body triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pekkala slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kari Runk comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Runk winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kari Runk!