PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tony McCowan (ranked 1723 p4p, 3170 weight class) and Oskari Sankari (ranked 214 p4p, 381 weight class). Tony McCowan has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

McCowan
vs
Sankari

183 cm
27
165
4 - 2 - 0

178 cm
20
163
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tony McCowan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Oskari Sankari!
The judges for this bout are Trevor Gratis, Dillan Fox and Ian Loll.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sankari scores with a jab to the body.
Sankari scores with the left hand. McCowan knows he should have avoided that one.
The crowd cheers as Sankari lands an impressive looking overhand right. McCowan doesn't seem phased though.
McCowan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sankari.
Oskari Sankari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCowan defending well as Sankari loads up on a big left hand.
Sankari misses with a hook. McCowan ducked under it nicely.
A swing and a miss from McCowan.
McCowan throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sankari sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sankari tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
McCowan misses with a looping right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCowan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Sankari lands with an overhand left.
McCowan throws a jab but it's blocked by Sankari.
McCowan jabbing away but nothing is landing.
It seemed like Sankari was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab from Sankari misses.
Sankari waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McCowan.
McCowan takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sankari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A counter left hand to the body from McCowan misses its target.
Sankari misses with a straight right.
McCowan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sankari.
Sankari slips under a jab from McCowan.
A combination from Sankari does no damage.
Sankari 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.
McCowan takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Sankari uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCowan.
Sankari throws a lazy uppercut
and McCowan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
McCowan misses the jab.
Sankari misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Sankari misses its intended target.
We've been told by McCowan's head coaches at Clinch Pride that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
McCowan looks to land a right hand but Sankari moved out of range.
Sankari takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A telegraphed right hand from Sankari misses the target.
McCowan defending well as Sankari loads up on a big left hand.
McCowan throws a shot from downtown. Sankari moves away and avoids it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A decent looking cross lands there for Sankari.
McCowan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sankari.
McCowan misses the jab.
Sankari misses with a looping left.
Sankari throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
McCowan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
McCowan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sankari.
McCowan was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sankari connects with a good right hand that stumbles McCowan. McCowan circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Sankari defending well as McCowan loads up on a big left hand.
A big right from McCowan misses.
Sankari darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
McCowan misses with a looping left.
A big left from McCowan misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Sankari. That's going to slow McCowan down.
Sankari keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McCowan.
Sankari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCowan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sankari tries a head kick but it misses.
McCowan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sankari misses with a left hand
enabling McCowan to counter with a crisp jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCowan takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
McCowan throws a jab but it's blocked by Sankari.
Sankari looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A big left from McCowan misses.
Sankari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The crowd cheers as Sankari lands an impressive looking overhand right. McCowan doesn't seem phased though.
Sankari lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
McCowan connects with a right hand. Sankari shakes it off.
McCowan gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
McCowan throws a jab but it's blocked by Sankari.
Sankari pulls out of a head kick attempt.
McCowan slips under a jab from Sankari.
Sankari uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McCowan.
Sankari waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McCowan.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oskari Sankari dominated that round.
That's time! McCowan's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McCowan moves away from the strike by Sankari.
Sankari misses with a hook.
McCowan throwing a counter right hand but Sankari manages to avoid it.
A slow jab from Sankari misses its intended target.
McCowan blocks a head kick by Sankari.
A big right from Sankari misses.
Sankari throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McCowan on the side of the head.
McCowan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sankari takes a swing at McCowan's ribcage but misses.
A little feinted left hand from McCowan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sankari bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sankari scores with the left hand. McCowan knows he should have avoided that one.
McCowan uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sankari.
A telegraphed right hand from McCowan misses the target.
McCowan throws a right hand that Sankari ducks under and follows up with a left that Sankari also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Sankari lands.
Sankari throws a hook but McCowan avoids it easily.
McCowan on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
McCowan uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sankari.
A little feinted left hand from McCowan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sankari scores with a shot to the body.
Sankari misses with an uppercut.
A little feinted left hand from McCowan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sankari throws an ugly left hook that misses
and McCowan counters with a straight right hand.
Sankari uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McCowan.
Sankari jabs McCowan right on the nose. McCowan blinks but takes it well.
McCowan dodges the punch combination from Sankari.
Sankari throws a jab but it's blocked by McCowan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sankari misses with a right hand
and McCowan counters with a nice uppercut.
McCowan misses with a hook.
Nice defenses there by Sankari.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sankari swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sankari misses with a hook. McCowan ducked under it nicely.
A little feinted left hand from McCowan on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Sankari throws a lazy head kick
and McCowan counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sankari takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
McCowan blocks the body kick.
McCowan throws a hook but Sankari blocks it.
Sankari misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling McCowan to counter with a crisp jab.
Sankari throws a head kick that misses.
Sankari throws a right hand that misses
and McCowan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCowan checks the leg kick nicely there.
Sankari tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McCowan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Sankari slips a straight right by McCowan.
Sankari throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and McCowan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sankari pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Sankari misses with a straight right.
McCowan blocks a head kick by Sankari.
McCowan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sankari throws a head kick but McCowan moves out of range.
Sankari swings widly with a right hand
letting McCowan counter with a right hand.
McCowan is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sankari.
McCowan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Sankari.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sankari throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McCowan throws a big counter combination but Sankari scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Sankari slips a jab from McCowan.
McCowan bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sankari's head.
Sankari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McCowan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A telegraphed right hand from McCowan misses the target.
McCowan is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
A swing and a miss from Sankari.
An attempted straight right counter from McCowan misses the target.
McCowan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sankari throws out the jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCowan throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sankari connects with a nice looking jab.
McCowan throws a hook to the side of Sankari's head but Sankari sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Sankari throws a combination that misses
and McCowan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Sankari looks to throw the jab but McCowan is out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Oskari Sankari will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

McCowan throws a combination that misses
and Sankari counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
McCowan steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sankari.
McCowan is looking to counter punch.
McCowan displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sankari throws out the jab.
Nice uppercut lands for Sankari. That snapped McCowan's head back.
McCowan takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
McCowan misses with an uppercut. Sankari saw that one coming.
A big left from Sankari misses.
McCowan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Sankari ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCowan is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sankari.
McCowan ducks under a wild hook from Sankari.
Sankari ducks under a wild hook from McCowan.
Sankari misses with a looping right.
It looked like McCowan wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sankari tries a head kick but it misses.
McCowan misses with an uppercut.
McCowan misses with a hook. Sankari ducked under it nicely.
McCowan ducks under a wild hook from Sankari.
Sankari scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Sankari jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sankari misses with a hook
enabling McCowan to counter with a crisp jab.
Sankari throws an uppercut from half a mile away. McCowan sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Sankari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Sankari throws a sloppy head kick and McCowan moves out of range easily.
McCowan is looking to counter punch.
McCowan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Sankari was well out of range. Poor timing from McCowan.
Good exchange - McCowan coming out on top.
McCowan ducks under a wild hook from Sankari.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sankari misses with a hook.
McCowan throws a lazy uppercut
and Sankari cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
McCowan misses with a hook. Sankari ducked under it nicely.
Sankari throws a looping overhand right but McCowan ducks down to avoid it.
Sankari scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Sankari keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from McCowan.
Sankari swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and McCowan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
McCowan lands a glancing blow to the side of Sankari's head.
Oskari Sankari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Sankari lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Sankari misses with a kick to the body
and McCowan counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A head kick misses from Sankari.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sankari lands an overhand right.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Sankari paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
McCowan throws out a loose jab but Sankari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sankari fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Oskari Sankari is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Sankari jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Sankari misses the shot to the body.
McCowan moves out of range of the leg kick from Sankari.
McCowan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Sankari lands a jab to the head.
Sankari lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
McCowan throws an overhand right that lands on Sankari's shoulder, as Sankari tries to avoid the shot.
Sankari misses with a right hand
and McCowan counters with a nice uppercut.
McCowan throws out a loose jab but Sankari uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sankari works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Sankari misses with a combination
and Sankari takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sankari throws a lazy right hand but McCowan sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
McCowan throwing a counter right hand but Sankari manages to avoid it.
Sankari tries to bum rush McCowan with a series of wild strikes but McCowan uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Sankari throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nice defenses there by McCowan.
Sankari scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
A jab from McCowan misses.
Sankari displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as McCowan throws out the jab.
Tony McCowan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A big right from Sankari misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Sankari as he connects with a hook.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oskari Sankari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Sankari 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 Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oskari Sankari!