PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jari Lehtola (ranked 2416 p4p, 4141 weight class) and Gene Wonder (ranked 351 p4p, 526 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Lehtola
vs
Wonder

198 cm
20
205
4 - 2 - 0

185 cm
20
211
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Stoner's Killer Apparel

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jari Lehtola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Gene Wonder!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lehtola bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Wonder's head backwards.
Lehtola swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wonder moves out of range as Lehtola strikes.
Wonder lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Lehtola looks to land a right hand but Wonder moved out of range.
Lehtola definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Jari Lehtola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wonder shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Wonder defending well as Lehtola loads up on a big left hand.
Wonder appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Wonder takes one on the button.
Lehtola misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lehtola jabs Wonder right on the nose. Wonder blinks but takes it well.
Wonder slips a straight right by Lehtola.
Lehtola digs a good hook to Wonder's body.
Lehtola looks to score with a jab to the body but Wonder is just out of range.
Wonder looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lehtola looks to score with a jab to the body but Wonder is just out of range.
Wonder thinks about the counter body kick.
Lehtola with a hook.
Wonder ducks under a wild hook from Lehtola.
A little jabbing left from Wonder on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lehtola swings for the body but Wonder moves out of range.
Jari Lehtola is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Lehtola misses with a straight left.
Lehtola throws out a loose jab but Wonder uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wonder takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Lehtola misses the jab.
Wonder now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Lehtola takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Lehtola throws a lazy right hand but Wonder sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lehtola misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lehtola connects with a good right hand that stumbles Wonder. Wonder circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Lehtola throws a jab but it's blocked by Wonder.
Wonder let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Lehtola throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Wonder counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Lehtola 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.
Lehtola throws a hook to the side of Wonder's head but Wonder sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Wonder appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A big right from Lehtola misses.
Wonder lands a nice shot to the body.
Wonder missing with a left hand there. Lehtola was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Lehtola has managed to clinch.
Wonder is trying to break free.
Lehtola lands with a right to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wonder looking to throw knees to the head but Lehtola is blocking nicely.
Lehtola lands with a short shot to the head.

Wonder has hold of one of Lehtola's legs. Lehtola is fighting the takedown attempt but Wonder gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Lehtola wants to sweep here but Wonder controlling him for the moment.
Lehtola keeping full guard, as Wonder tries to pass.
Wonder throws a strike but Lehtola rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Wonder is trying to keep Lehtola in close.
Lehtola sitting in guard here, content to control.
Wonder not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wonder managing to control the position.

Wonder working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lehtola doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lehtola manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Wonder controlling Lehtola's posture.
Wonder is trying to control the position but Lehtola postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Wonder might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Lehtola haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Lehtola showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Wonder had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lehtola defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jari Lehtola dominated that round.
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.

Wonder closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Lehtola throws an off balance right hand
and Wonder counters with a two punch combo.
Wonder loads up on a big right hand but Lehtola slips the punch.
Lehtola swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Lehtola darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Wonder moves out of range of the strikes.
Despite the aggression on Wonder's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lehtola connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Wonder's hands.
Lehtola throws a poor cross that misses
and Wonder counters with a nice uppercut.
Wonder bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lehtola misses the shot to the body.
Wonder shoots for a takedown but Lehtola saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Wonder avoids the body shot from Lehtola.
Wonder throws out a counter right but Lehtola avoids it with no problem.
Wonder uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Lehtola.
Wonder is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Wonder bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wonder looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Nice body punch from Lehtola.
Jari Lehtola is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Lehtola misses.
Lehtola looks to land a left hand but Wonder moved out of range nicely.

Lehtola clinches up with Wonder and pushes him back against the cage.
Wonder tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lehtola smiles and moves away.
Wonder misses with a kick to the body.
Lehtola wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wonder uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Lehtola.
Lehtola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Wonder.
Lehtola throws a lazy uppercut
and Wonder counters with a series of strikes. Lehtola will be more careful next time no doubt.
Lehtola lands a head shot.
Lehtola connects with a single shot there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wonder keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Wonder looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Wonder staying out of range there.
A combination from Lehtola does no damage.
Wonder avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Lehtola is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Wonder 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Lehtola is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Wonder can do to turn this around?
Wonder takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Lehtola is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Lehtola throws a body shot but no joy.
It seemed like Wonder was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Lehtola throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Wonder takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nice defenses there by Wonder.
Wonder looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Lehtola misses with a body shot.
Wonder is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Wonder displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Lehtola throws out the jab.
A swing and a miss from Lehtola.
Wonder throws a counter combo.
Lehtola throws a hook to the side of Wonder's head but Wonder sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Wonder! But no joy.
Lehtola throws a lazy right hand but Wonder sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Wonder.
Lehtola misses with an uppercut.
And Wonder tries to counter it with a takedown but Lehtola pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Lehtola misses with a hook

and Wonder counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wonder wants to pass the guard but Lehtola is keeping the position.
Wonder trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Wonder content to stall in guard here.
Wonder trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jari Lehtola dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Wonder digs a good hook to Lehtola's body.
Wonder moves out of range of the strikes.
Lehtola scores with a body shot.
Lehtola swings widly with a right hand
and Wonder counters with a straight right hand.

Lehtola moves into the clinch successfully.
Lehtola lands a hook that snaps the head of Wonder backwards.
Wonder is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Lehtola to keep the fight standing.
Lehtola lands a hook that snaps the head of Wonder backwards.
Lehtola prevents a takedown attempt there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lehtola lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Lehtola gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Wonder.
Jari Lehtola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Gene Wonder.
Wonder changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Lehtola fights it off and pushes away nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lehtola throws a lazy right hand but Wonder sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Lehtola pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Despite the aggression on Wonder's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Lehtola throws out a loose jab but Wonder uses good head movement to avoid it.
Lehtola lands with a hook. Wonder tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Lehtola feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Wonders jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Wonder looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Nice shot lands for Lehtola.
A jab from Lehtola misses.
Lehtola lands a jab to Wonder's midsection.
Lehtola ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A looping hook to the body misses from Lehtola. Wonder does a little dance to reset his feet.
A little jabbing left from Wonder on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lehtola jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lehtola uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Lehtola checks the leg kick.
Lehtola misses with a hook
and Wonder counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Wonder blocks a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lehtola uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Wonder misses with a looping right.
A swing and a miss from Lehtola.
A telegraphed right hand from Lehtola misses the target.
A nice side step and Wonder releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Lehtola scores with a jab to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A big right from Lehtola misses.
Lehtola throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wonder doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Lehtola uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A big left from Lehtola misses.
Wonder has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Jab by Lehtola.
Wonder avoids the body shot from Lehtola.
Wonder missing with a left hand there. Lehtola was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Jari Lehtola is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wonder slips a straight right by Lehtola.
As Lehtola backs off Wonder throws a huge counter combo but Lehtola manages to avoid it all.
Lehtola scores with a nice strike.
Lehtola displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Wonder throws out the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lehtola throws an overhand right that lands on Wonder's shoulder, as Wonder tries to avoid the shot.
Wonder lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Lehtola lands a right hook to the body.
Lehtola with a jab.
Lehtola scores with a jab to the jaw.
Wonder shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lehtola waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Wonder.
Wonder swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A big right from Lehtola misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Lehtola looks to land a combination but Wonder avoids it well.
A little jabbing left from Wonder on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Lehtola connects with a jab.
Gene Wonder has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lehtola throws a jab but it's blocked by Wonder.
Wonder changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jari Lehtola showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lehtola, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jari Lehtola!