PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jouni Joukahainen (ranked 750 p4p, 2659 weight class) and Dennis Cunningham (ranked 87 p4p, 288 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Joukahainen
vs
Cunningham

181 cm
23
288
6 - 2 - 0

193 cm
23
277
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Honest Apparel ($30 SPECIAL ALL Shorts!)

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 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jouni Joukahainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Dennis Cunningham!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Ian Loll and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Cunningham throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Dennis Cunningham seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Joukahainen with the inside leg kick.
Joukahainen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Some bone on bone action there as Cunningham checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

Cunningham drives through with a takedown into guard.
Joukahainen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Cunningham preventing the sweep.
Cunningham with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cunningham trying to control the position from guard on top but Joukahainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Joukahainen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joukahainen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Joukahainen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Cunningham is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Cunningham throwing strikes but missing.
Joukahainen wants to stand up but Cunningham is controlling him.
Cunningham won't allow Joukahainen to sweep him here.
Cunningham wants to control from the top but Joukahainen keeps moving.
Joukahainen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Joukahainen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Cunningham postures up in Joukahainen's guard and throws a big left but Joukahainen blocks it.
Joukahainen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Joukahainen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cunningham is one step ahead there.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jouni Joukahainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Joukahainen misses with a wild body shot.
Joukahainen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Cunningham feints a jab promting Joukahainen to slip. Cunningham then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Joukahainen slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
A jab from Joukahainen misses.
Cunningham uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Joukahainen.
Cunningham doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Cunningham scores with a punch to the head.
Cunningham throws the left hand but Joukahainen avoids the punch easily.
Cunningham fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Joukahainen slips a straight right by Cunningham.
Joukahainen appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen looks to land a left hand but Cunningham moved out of range nicely.
Cunningham changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.

Cunningham looking to score a takedown here. Joukahainen is defending well but Cunningham drives through and ends up in Joukahainen's guard.
Joukahainen is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Cunningham dives into side control.

Joukahainen is not content to let Cunningham control the position.
Cunningham sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Joukahainen is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Joukahainen tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Cunningham wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Joukahainen stops Cunningham from passing to mount.
Joukahainen stuck in half guard on the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Joukahainen is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Cunningham scores with punches from side control.
Joukahainen wants to control but Cunningham postures up.
Joukahainen tries to bench press Cunningham off him but Cunningham keeps the position.
Cunningham scoring with punches from side control.
Joukahainen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Joukahainen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
What's Joukahainen going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen tries to buck Cunningham off but Cunningham is having none of it.
Joukahainen on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Joukahainen is trying to improve his position.
Joukahainen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Cunningham wants to control but Joukahainen is keeping busy.
Joukahainen wants to stand but Cunningham has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham tries to roll over but Joukahainen keeps him under control.
Joukahainen content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Joukahainen wants to control but Cunningham is keeping him busy.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Joukahainen seems content to control.
Cunningham wants to improve his position but Joukahainen is controlling well.
Joukahainen trying to control the pace.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
No luck for Cunningham with that takedown attempt.
A shot to the liver by Joukahainen. Beautiful body shot.
Cunningham is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Cunningham misses with a body shot
and Joukahainen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Cunningham swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Joukahainen counters with a good, hard body kick but Cunningham shrugs it off.
Cunningham looks winded!
Cunningham defending well as Joukahainen loads up on a big left hand.
Joukahainen swings widly with a right hand

and Cunningham counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Joukahainen wants to improve his position but instead Cunningham has moved into half guard.
Cunningham wants to take a breather but Joukahainen is having none of it.
Joukahainen is holding on to half guard well.
Joukahainen is looking to control Cunningham's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Joukahainen avoid being mounted?
Cunningham throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Joukahainen to regain full guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Joukahainen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cunningham content to stall in guard here.
Joukahainen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Cunningham has passed into side control.
Joukahainen tries to improve position but can't.
Cunningham misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Joukahainen tries to improve position but can't.
Joukahainen wants to control but Cunningham postures up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Cunningham dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Cunningham doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Cunningham slips under a jab from Joukahainen.
Cunningham throws a counter combo.
Cunningham blocks a jab.
Cunningham looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Joukahainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Cunningham shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Joukahainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab from Cunningham does it's job there.
Cunningham swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A quick step to the side and Joukahainen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cunningham keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Joukahainen.
Cunningham ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Joukahainen moves away.
Joukahainen throws a big counter combination but Cunningham scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Joukahainen misses with a body punch
and Cunningham counters with a right hand to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Joukahainen misses with a few strikes there.
Cunningham has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Cunningham scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Joukahainen doesn't seem bothered though.
Joukahainen jabs at Cunningham's body.
Cunningham moves out of range as Joukahainen strikes.
Cunningham lands with a shot to the body.
Cunningham swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Cunningham throws a jab but it's blocked by Joukahainen.
Joukahainen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Joukahainen staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen swings widly with a right hand
and Cunningham counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nice takedown defense from Joukahainen. No joy for Cunningham on that attempt.
Cunningham misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Joukahainen.
Joukahainen misses with a looping right.
Joukahainen thows a left - swing and a miss!
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!
A jab from Cunningham finds it's way through Joukahainen's defenses.
Cunningham connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Cunningham keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Cunningham displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Joukahainen throws out the jab.
Dennis Cunningham seems to be getting the better of the standup.

Cunningham drives through with a takedown into guard.
Joukahainen has his hands on Cunningham's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen trying to control the position.
Cunningham trying to control but Joukahainen is working from the bottom.
Cunningham has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Cunningham in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cunningham trying to control but Joukahainen is working from the bottom.
Joukahainen looking to control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Joukahainen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Joukahainen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cunningham fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
An attempted straight right counter from Joukahainen misses the target.
Jouni Joukahainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dennis Cunningham.
Cunningham avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
A little jabbing left from Cunningham on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Cunningham misses with a body shot.
Cunningham blocks a head kick by Joukahainen.
A shot to the body from Joukahainen misses
and Cunningham counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham moves away from the strike by Joukahainen.
Joukahainen misses with a series of wild punches.
Cunningham lands with an overhand left.
Joukahainen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Cunningham.
Joukahainen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Cunningham.
Cunningham shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cunningham lands with a straight right. Joukahainen didn't see that one coming.
Joukahainen is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Cunningham's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Cunningham slips a jab from Joukahainen.
Cunningham throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A little feinted left hand from Joukahainen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen feints and then cracks Cunningham's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cunningham down.
Cunningham uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Joukahainen has time to react.
Joukahainen avoids the body shot from Cunningham.
A left and a right from Joukahainen both land. Nice combination.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Cunningham stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Cunningham avoids the head kick by Joukahainen.
Cunningham changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Joukahainen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Cunningham.
Cunningham listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Joukahainen avoids the body shot from Cunningham.
Joukahainen walks into a jab.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham misses with a wild body shot.
Joukahainen was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Joukahainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Joukahainen misses with a left hand
and Cunningham counters with a stiff right hand.
Joukahainen swings for the body but Cunningham moves out of range.
Cunningham with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Joukahainen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cunningham throws a body shot but no joy.
Nice shot lands for Joukahainen.
Joukahainen throws a big shot that misses.
Cunningham lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Joukahainen.
Joukahainen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cunningham's sensitive parts.
Cunningham scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Cunningham lands a jab to the head.
Cunningham misses with a takedown
and Joukahainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joukahainen moves away from the strike by Cunningham.
Cunningham changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Cunningham fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Cunningham scores with a takedown into Joukahainen's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joukahainen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Cunningham has passed into side control.
Joukahainen is trying to improve his position.
Joukahainen is working hard here to advance position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Cunningham showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A looping hook to the body misses from Joukahainen. Cunningham does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cunningham tries for a takedown but Joukahainen circles away easily
and Joukahainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Cunningham stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Joukahainen staying out of range there.
Joukahainen misses with a left hand
and Cunningham counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cunningham checks a low kick from Joukahainen.
And Cunningham tries to counter it with a takedown but Joukahainen pushes his down on his head and steps out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joukahainen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Joukahainen misses with a looping right.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cunningham, as that shot connected.
Cunningham swings for the body but Joukahainen moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cunningham bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Joukahainen's head backwards.
Joukahainen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Cunningham darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
A nice leg kick lands there from Joukahainen.
Cunningham connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cunningham lands with a good body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Joukahainen as Cunningham shoots in.
A little feinted left hand from Joukahainen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Cunningham steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Joukahainen.
Cunningham punishes Joukahainen's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Joukahainen. Cunningham does a little dance to reset his feet.
Cunningham swings away with a body shot that misses
and Joukahainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Joukahainen walks into a stiff left hand from Cunningham.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cunningham digs a good body shot into Joukahainen's ribs.
Joukahainen throws a looping overhand right but Cunningham ducks down to avoid it.
Joukahainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Cunningham slips a straight right by Joukahainen.
Cunningham throws a series of punches but Joukahainen moves out of range.
Left hook, right uppercut from Cunningham.
Cunningham works over Joukahainen's head and body with a nice combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham misses with a hook to the body
and Joukahainen counters with a straight right hand.
Joukahainen throws a head kick that misses.
Joukahainen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Cunningham to score with a decent uppercut.
A low kick lands for Joukahainen.
Cunningham lands with a good body shot.
Cunningham jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Joukahainen throws a sloppy head kick and Cunningham moves out of range easily.
Cunningham drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Joukahainen defends it well.
A jab lands there for Cunningham.
Joukahainen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Cunningham jabs Joukahainen to the body, keeping him at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Joukahainen throwing a counter right hand but Cunningham manages to avoid it.
Jouni Joukahainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dennis Cunningham.
Cunningham displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Joukahainen throws out the jab.
Cunningham throws a hook to the side of Joukahainen's head but Joukahainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Joukahainen slips under a jab.
Joukahainen throws a sloppy head kick

and Cunningham counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cunningham's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Cunningham working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Joukahainen's head.
Joukahainen keeping moving, preventing Cunningham from controlling successfully.
Joukahainen controlling Cunningham's posture.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Cunningham with a flurry of punches that miss.
Cunningham working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Joukahainen pulls Cunningham in close to his closed guard and prevents Cunningham from doing any damage or advancing position.
Joukahainen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Joukahainen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cunningham lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Joukahainen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Joukahainen went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Joukahainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Cunningham looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Joukahainen walks into a left hand.
Cunningham scores with a jab.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Joukahainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Cunningham.
Cunningham misses with a lunging right hand
and Joukahainen counters with a two punch combo.
Cunningham throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Joukahainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Joukahainen looks to throw the jab but Cunningham is out of range.
Joukahainen avoids the body shot from Cunningham.
Joukahainen tried to counter with a leg kick but Cunningham avoided it.
Cunningham throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Joukahainen to counter with a crisp jab.
Cunningham misses the shot to the body.
Cunningham throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Cunningham goes for a double leg but Joukahainen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Joukahainen continues to drive forward.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Cunningham walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Joukahainen throws a body shot but no joy.
Cunningham with the counter takedown but Joukahainen avoids it easily.
Cunningham misses with a two punch combination.
Joukahainen throws a big counter combination but Cunningham scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Joukahainen tries to work over Cunningham's front leg with a kick but Cunningham checks it.
Cunningham blocks a head kick by Joukahainen.
Joukahainen throws the left hand but Cunningham avoids the punch easily.
Cunningham lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Joukahainen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Cunningham cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Cunningham goes for a double leg but Joukahainen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Joukahainen continues to drive forward.

Cunningham shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Joukahainen wants to get back to his feet but Cunningham passes into half guard.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.

Cunningham working Joukahainen over with strikes.
Cunningham tries to pass to full mount but Joukahainen defends it.
Joukahainen is positioning himself well to prevent Cunningham advancing to mount.
Cunningham throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Cunningham looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Joukahainen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Jouni Joukahainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dennis Cunningham is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Cunningham drops an elbow to the side of Joukahainen's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dennis Cunningham comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Cunningham 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ian Loll scores the fight 27:30
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Dennis Cunningham!
An out of breath Dennis Cunningham thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.