PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arthur Pendragon (ranked 614 p4p, 77 weight class) and Iikka Runnisto (ranked 222 p4p, 31 weight class). Runnisto is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös!. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Pendragon
vs
Runnisto

189 cm
29
195 lbs
19 - 13 - 1

182 cm
35
192 lbs
34 - 17 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 19 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Arthur Pendragon!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 34 - 17 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Sosuke Kotani and Hirohito Nitta.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Runnisto throws a hook to the side of Pendragon's head but Pendragon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Runnisto throws a shot from downtown. Pendragon moves away and avoids it.
Arthur Pendragon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Runnisto lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Runnisto darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Runnisto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Pendragon misses with a body shot
and Runnisto counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Runnisto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pendragon misses with a body shot.
Pendragon looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Pendragon is just out of range.
Pendragon misses with a body shot
and Runnisto counters with a thumping low kick.
Runnisto misses with a body shot.
Pendragon lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Pendragon throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Runnisto on the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters circling - Pendragon throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Runnisto follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pendragon. Runnisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pendragon darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A slow jab from Runnisto misses its intended target.
As Runnisto looks to move away, Pendragon throws a big counter combo but Runnisto just gets out of the way.
Runnisto keeps Pendragon at a distance using the push kick.
Pendragon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pendragon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Runnisto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Pendragon at a distance.
Runnisto does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Pendragon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pendragon slips under a jab from Runnisto.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Pendragon checks a leg kick.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Runnisto finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Pendragon lands a nice shot that snaps Runnisto's head back.
Runnisto takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Runnisto wants to land a leg kick but Pendragon is out of range.
Pendragon fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Runnisto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Pendragon connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Runnisto's hands.
Pendragon has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Runnisto finds it's way round the side to connect with Pendragon's head.
Runnisto tries to work over Pendragon's front leg with a kick but Pendragon checks it.
Runnisto misses the shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Runnisto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Runnisto shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Pendragon is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Runnisto.
Runnisto doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pendragon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Runnisto.
Pendragon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pendragon throws a lazy uppercut
and Runnisto counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Pendragon throws out a powerful jab.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut. Pendragon saw that one coming.
A bone on bone clash there as Pendragon blocks the leg kick.
Pendragon lands a nice shot that snaps Runnisto's head back.
Pendragon is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Pendragon avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Pendragon shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Runnisto eats them both and turns towards Pendragon to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Pendragon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Runnisto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pendragon swings for the body but Runnisto moves out of range.
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.
Pendragon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pendragon is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Pendragon lands a jab to Runnisto's midsection.
Runnisto tests Pendragon's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Runnisto misses with a two punch combination.
A little feinted left hand from Pendragon on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Runnisto looks to land a right hand but Pendragon moved out of range.
Pendragon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Runnisto counters with a stiff right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pendragon throws a jab but it's blocked by Runnisto.
Pendragon takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pendragon. Runnisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Runnisto lands a nice shot to the body.
Runnisto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pendragon misses with a wild body shot.
Runnisto staying out of range there.
A punch combination from Pendragon misses.
Runnisto fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Runnisto tests Pendragon's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Runnisto lands a nice looking body shot.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Pendragon.
Runnisto with a body punch. A glancing blow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Runnisto needs to keep his hands up - Pendragon had a free shot at his head there.
Pendragon circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pendragon digs a good hook to Runnisto's body.
Runnisto scores with a spinning back kick!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto misses with a wild body shot.
Pendragon waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Runnisto.
Pendragon misses with an uppercut.
Pendragon misses with a leg kick
and Runnisto counters with a nice uppercut.
Runnisto punishes Pendragon's body with a nice straight punch.
Pendragon lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Runnisto backs up against the cage.
Runnisto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Pendragon swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Runnisto's corner calls for a 1-2. Runnisto obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
A slow jab from Pendragon misses its intended target.
A shot to the body from Pendragon misses
letting Runnisto counter with a right hand.
Pendragon throws a series of punches but Runnisto avoids them all with ease.
Runnisto takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Runnisto scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Runnisto throws a head kick but Pendragon moves out of range.
Runnisto lands with a cross.
A jab from Runnisto does it's job there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Iikka Runnisto will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Runnisto takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Runnisto throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pendragon sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Pendragon is looking to counter punch.
Runnisto throws the left hand but Pendragon avoids the punch easily.
Runnisto lands with an overhand left.
The fighters circling - Runnisto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Pendragon scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Runnisto doesn't seem bothered though.
Runnisto lands a right hook to the body.
Pendragon doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Pendragon, right into the meat.
Pendragon takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Pendragon lands a nice shot that snaps Runnisto's head back.
Pendragon jabs Runnisto right on the nose. Runnisto blinks but takes it well.
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!
Runnisto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pendragon takes a swing at Runnisto's ribcage but misses.
Pendragon connects with a right hand. Runnisto shakes it off.
Pendragon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Runnisto was well out of range. Poor timing from Pendragon.
Runnisto slips under a jab from Pendragon.
It seemed like Runnisto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Runnisto stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pendragon moves out of range of the strikes.
Pendragon is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Pendragon misses with a lunging right hand
and Runnisto counters with a nice uppercut.
Pendragon throws a body shot but no joy.
Pendragon avoids the body shot from Runnisto.
Pendragon missing with a left hand there. Runnisto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nice uppercut there from Runnisto.
Runnisto lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Pendragon looks to score with a jab to the body but Runnisto is just out of range.
Runnisto swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A lazy left from Runnisto finds it's target.
Runnisto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Pendragon was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Pendragon misses the jab.
Runnisto looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Pendragon throws a right hand that Runnisto ducks under and follows up with a left that Runnisto also avoids with ease.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Pendragon might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Pendragon throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Runnisto to counter with a crisp jab.
A head kick from Runnisto lands but Pendragon takes it in his stride.
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!
Runnisto slips a straight right by Pendragon.
Pendragon moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto throws a chopping leg kick but Pendragon manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Runnisto checks the leg kick.
Runnisto throws an overhand right that lands on Pendragon's shoulder, as Pendragon tries to avoid the shot.
Pendragon looks to land a left hand but Runnisto moved out of range nicely.
Runnisto lands a nice looking kick to the body. Pendragon takes a step back to recover.
A chopping leg kick lands by Pendragon.
Runnisto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Pendragon misses with an uppercut.
Runnisto is trying to counter with his kicks.
Pendragon dodges the punch combination from Runnisto.
Pendragon uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Runnisto.
A looping hook to the body misses from Pendragon. Runnisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Pendragon throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Pendragon avoids the body shot from Runnisto.
A telegraphed right hand from Runnisto misses the target.
A low kick from Pendragon is predictable there
and Runnisto counters with a stiff right hand.
Pendragon uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Runnisto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Iikka Runnisto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Runnisto misses with a body kick.
Runnisto chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Runnisto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pendragon.
A jab from Runnisto misses.
Pendragon tests Runnisto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pendragon bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Runnisto's head backwards.
Pendragon throws a shot from downtown. Runnisto moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Pendragon misses the target.
Runnisto throws out a counter right but Pendragon avoids it with no problem.
Runnisto lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Runnisto throws a poor cross that misses
and Pendragon counters with a straight right hand.
Runnisto works Pendragon's body with a nice hook.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pendragon lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Runnisto fails to land with a series of punches.
Pendragon throws a half hearted mid kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pendragon throws a series of punches but Runnisto avoids them all with ease.
Runnisto misses the shot to the body.
Pendragon gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Pendragon throws a jab but it's blocked by Runnisto.
Runnisto looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Pendragon throws a body shot but no joy.
Runnisto cracks Pendragon with an open hand slap.
Pendragon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Runnisto misses with a hook.
Runnisto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Runnisto throws a body punch but Pendragon moves out of range.
Pendragon swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Pendragon stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Runnisto.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Runnisto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Pendragon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Runnisto was well out of range. Poor timing from Pendragon.
Pendragon slips under a jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Pendragon misses the target.
Runnisto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pendragon.
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.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Runnisto closes the distance but Pendragon moves to the side
and Pendragon counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Runnisto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pendragon.
Pendragon throws a push kick but Runnisto slaps the foot to one side.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Runnisto! But no joy.
Runnisto throws a leg kick but Pendragon sees it coming and moves out of range.
Pendragon moves out of range of the strikes.
Pendragon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Runnisto throws a shot to the body.
Runnisto swings widly with a right hand
and Pendragon connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Runnisto avoids the body shot from Pendragon.
A jab from Pendragon misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runnisto throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Pendragon bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Runnisto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pendragon manages to avoid it.
Runnisto has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Pendragon slips a straight right by Runnisto.
Runnisto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pendragon throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto lands with a nice body punch.
Pendragon comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Pendragon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Runnisto doesn't manage to clinch there - Pendragon circles away.
Pendragon misses with an uppercut.
Pendragon throws a big shot that misses.
Runnisto lands a slapping body shot.
Runnisto lands a slapping body shot.
Runnisto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pendragon misses with a straight right.
Runnisto fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Pendragon looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Runnisto slips a jab from Pendragon.
Runnisto misses with a body shot.
Pendragon tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Runnisto. Pendragon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Runnisto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pendragon.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pendragon uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Runnisto.
As Runnisto backs away, Pendragon returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Runnisto.
A lazy left from Pendragon finds it's target.
Nice body kick there by Pendragon.
Pendragon has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Pendragon keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Danga de danga de dang - Runnisto scores with a four punch combination!
Runnisto lands with a shot to the body.
Pendragon smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Pendragon misses with an uppercut. Runnisto saw that one coming.
Runnisto misses with a hook.
A nice leg kick lands there from Runnisto.
Runnisto takes a swing at Pendragon's ribcage but misses.
Pendragon's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Runnisto connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Pendragon scrambles back to his feet.
Runnisto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Pendragon misses the shot to the body.
Runnisto throws a hook but Pendragon avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pendragon throws a looping overhand right but Runnisto ducks down to avoid it.
Runnisto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pendragon.
Pendragon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Iikka Runnisto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Runnisto digs a good body shot into Pendragon's ribs.
A big left from Pendragon misses.
Runnisto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pendragon moves away.
Pendragon chopping away at his opponent's legs.
A swing and a miss from Pendragon.
Runnisto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Pendragon.
Runnisto throws a series of strikes that have Pendragon backpedaling.
A left and a right from Runnisto both land. Nice combination.
Runnisto throws a body punch but Pendragon moves out of range.
Pendragon throwing a counter right hand but Runnisto manages to avoid it.
Arthur Pendragon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pendragon throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pendragon swinging wildly here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pendragon takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto connects with a body shot.
Some wild striking there from Pendragon.
Runnisto throws a hook but Pendragon blocks it.
Pendragon lands with a cross.
Pendragon looks to land a right hand but Runnisto moved out of range.
Pendragon fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Runnisto manages to avoid it.
Runnisto throws a hook but Pendragon avoids it easily.
A counter left hand to the body from Pendragon misses its target.
Pendragon with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Runnisto to score with a decent uppercut.
Pendragon moves out of range of the body kick.
Pendragon takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Runnisto connects with a body shot that sends Pendragon's belly button to the back.
Pendragon tries a low kick but Runnisto avoids it.
Runnisto goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Pendragon looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 27:30
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 27:30
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 27:30

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