PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ivan Samsonov (ranked 577 p4p, 78 weight class) and Jesse Karhu (ranked 1018 p4p, 126 weight class). 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.

Samsonov
vs
Karhu

202 cm
25
270 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

213 cm
24
265 lbs
9 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Altitude Clothing
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ivan Samsonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jesse Karhu!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Chris Edwards and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karhu swings for the body but Samsonov moves out of range.
Karhu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Samsonov.
Samsonov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Karhu moves away from the strike by Samsonov.
Karhu connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Samsonov momentarily.
Karhu looks to score with a jab to the body but Samsonov is just out of range.
A quick step to the side and Samsonov tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Samsonov misses with an uppercut. Karhu saw that one coming.
Karhu misses the shot to the body.
Samsonov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Karhu 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.
Samsonov drops his hands momentarily and Karhu takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Karhu lands a right hook to the body.
Karhu throws a right hand that misses
letting Samsonov counter with a right hand.

It looks like Jesse Karhu has been cut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Samsonov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice cross by Karhu.
Samsonov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A little feinted left hand from Samsonov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Karhu staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Samsonov scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Karhu doesn't seem bothered though.
Samsonov scores with a crisp jab that stopped Karhu in his tracks.
Karhu ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Jesse Karhu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Samsonov moves away from the strike by Karhu.
Samsonov seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Karhu scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Karhu misses with a left hand
and Karhu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A telegraphed right hand from Karhu misses the target.
Samsonov is looking to counter punch.
A punch combination from Karhu misses.
Samsonov is looking to counter with head kicks.
Samsonov ducks under a wild hook from Karhu.
Samsonov throwing a counter right hand but Karhu manages to avoid it.
Samsonov uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Karhu.
Samsonov throws a quick counter head kick but Karhu was just out of range.
Karhu blocks a head kick by Samsonov.
Karhu now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Karhu throws an off balance right hand
and Karhu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Karhu looks to land a left hand but Samsonov moved out of range nicely.
Samsonov throwing a counter right hand but Karhu manages to avoid it.

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!
Karhu misses with a lunging right hand
letting Samsonov counter with a right hand.
Karhu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Karhu throws a hook to the side of Samsonov's head but Samsonov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Samsonov moves away from the strike by Karhu.
Karhu is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Karhu throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Samsonov counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That has opened up Jesse Karhu's cut even more.
Karhu misses with an uppercut. Samsonov saw that one coming.
Karhu missing with a left hand there. Samsonov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A telegraphed right hand from Karhu misses the target.
Samsonov swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Karhu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Samsonov was well out of range. Poor timing from Karhu.
Karhu misses with a right hand
and Samsonov counters with a straight right hand.
Karhu throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Samsonov counters with a crisp right that sends Karhu to the canvas! Samsonov follows up with punches from the mount and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ivan Samsonov!
During a confident post fight interview, Ivan Samsonov thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.