PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Banana Republic (ranked 3153 p4p, 911 weight class) and Ultima Kekkonen (ranked 368 p4p, 121 weight class). Banana Republic has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Republic
vs
Kekkonen

191 cm
24
270
6 - 6 - 0

195 cm
23
257
4 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

FF Gear

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 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Banana Republic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ultima Kekkonen!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Damien Edna and Eliza Hachem.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kekkonen with a nice cross.

It looks like Banana Republic has been cut.
Kekkonen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Republic manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Republic was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A low kick lands for Kekkonen.
Republic takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Republic misses the shot to the body.
Republic has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Cope's in the buildup to the fight.
Nice defenses there by Republic.
Ultima Kekkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kekkonen gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Republic breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kekkonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Republic swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kekkonen has Republic up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Republic's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kekkonen tries to work over Republic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kekkonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kekkonen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Republic backwards.

Republic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kekkonen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Republic counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kekkonen thumps Republic with a low kick.
Kekkonen tries a head kick but it misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kekkonen punishes Republic's body with a nice straight punch.
Kekkonen misses with a kick to the body.
A decent looking cross lands there for Republic.
Kekkonen misses with a left hand
and Republic counters with a stiff right hand.
Kekkonen is looking to clinch.
Kekkonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Republic moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Republic slips under a jab.
An attempted straight right counter from Republic misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Republic lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kekkonen throws a push kick but Republic slaps the foot to one side.
Kekkonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
It looked like Republic was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kekkonen.

Kekkonen rushes Republic and presses him up against the cage.
Kekkonen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kekkonen misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Kekkonen fails to land.
Republic prevents a body shot from Kekkonen.
Kekkonen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kekkonen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kekkonen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Republic's elbow.
Kekkonen tries to work over Republic's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kekkonen misses with a body punch.

Republic pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Kekkonen.
Republic is looking to counter punch.
Kekkonen wants to clinch up but Republic keeps it at a distance.
A little feinted left hand from Republic on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A low kick from Kekkonen misses
and Republic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Republic takes a shot right to the bread basket.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ultima Kekkonen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Banana Republic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Republic avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A quick step to the side and Republic tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kekkonen throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Republic counters with a stiff right hand.
A jab from Kekkonen finds it's way through Republic's defenses.
Kekkonen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Republic paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kekkonen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Republic counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kekkonen looks to land a left hand but Republic moved out of range nicely.
Republic on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Kekkonen dips to his left and cracks Republic with an uppercut!
Kekkonen has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kekkonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Republic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Republic throwing a counter right hand but Kekkonen manages to avoid it.
Kekkonen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Kekkonen in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Kekkonen tries to clinch but Republic moves out of range.
Kekkonen lands with an overhand left.
Kekkonen throws a big shot that misses.
Kekkonen throws a head kick but Republic moves out of range.
A quick step to the side and Republic tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kekkonen throws a leg kick but Republic moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kekkonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A counter left hand to the body from Republic misses its target.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Kekkonen cracks a nice hook into Republic's ribs.
Kekkonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Republic swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Republic was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kekkonen swings widly with a right hand
and Republic counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kekkonen stuns Republic with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kekkonen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
It looked like Republic wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kekkonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A swing and a miss from Kekkonen.
Kekkonen looks to clinch
and Kekkonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kekkonen misses with a low kick.
It looked like Republic wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Kekkonen. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Kekkonen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Republic has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kekkonen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kekkonen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Republic counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kekkonen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kekkonen throws a looping overhand right but Republic ducks down to avoid it.
Republic is looking to counter punch.
Republic blocks a head kick by Kekkonen.
Kekkonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Republic is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kekkonen throws the left hand but Republic avoids the punch easily.
Kekkonen looks to throw a body kick
and Republic counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ultima Kekkonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Banana Republic's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kekkonen moves into the clinch.
Kekkonen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kekkonen misses with a punch on the inside.
Kekkonen struggles to land a body shot inside as Republic controls his hands.
Kekkonen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kekkonen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Republic wants to get back to striking at distance but Kekkonen won't allow it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kekkonen scores with a hook to the body.
Kekkonen pushes Republic back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Republic manages to break the clinch.
Kekkonen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Republic misses the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kekkonen misses with a looping left.
Kekkonen lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kekkonen bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A low kick from Kekkonen misses
and Republic counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Republic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kekkonen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Republic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kekkonen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Republic counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Banana Republic has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kekkonen throws a lazy head kick
and Kekkonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Republic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kekkonen throws out the jab.
Kekkonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kekkonen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Republic is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Kekkonen swings widly with a right hand
enabling Republic to counter with a crisp jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kekkonen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Republic to counter with a crisp jab.
Republic swings for the body but Kekkonen moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Kekkonen misses the target.
Republic uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kekkonen.
Republic appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Republic looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Kekkonen lands an impressive looking overhand right. Republic doesn't seem phased though.

Banana Republic's cut is getting worse.
Kekkonen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Republic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kekkonen 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.
Kekkonen looks to throw the jab but Republic is out of range.
Kekkonen throws a series of punches but Republic moves out of range.
It looked like Republic was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Kekkonen.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kekkonen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Republic tries to counter by clinching up but Kekkonen breaks away and moves out of range.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ultima Kekkonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Kekkonen 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 Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 27:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 27:30
Judge Eliza Hachem scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ultima Kekkonen!
Ultima Kekkonen thanked the fans post fight for their support.