PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Luke Ioannou (ranked 3331 p4p, 23271 weight class) and Mariusz Pudzianowski (ranked 352 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ioannou
vs
Pudzianowski

195 cm
25
265
5 - 1 - 0

200 cm
30
230
13 - 68 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Solid chin

30th Century Beer Store

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Luke Ioannou!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 68 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mariusz Pudzianowski!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Viktor Lagutenko and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pudzianowski does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Pudzianowski tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pudzianowski tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ioannou is able to avoid easily.
Ioannou misses with a low kick.
Ioannou checks a low kick from Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick but Ioannou checks it.
Some bone on bone action there as Ioannou checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Pudzianowski is looking to score with low kicks.
Pudzianowski tries a low kick but Ioannou avoids it.
Pudzianowski tried to score with a low kick but Ioannou checks it.
Ioannou checks a leg kick nicely.
Ioannou went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ioannou bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ioannou in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Ioannou throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Pudzianowski sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzianowski wants to get back to his feet.
Pudzianowski blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ioannou.
Ioannou stops Pudzianowski from getting back to his feet.
Pudzianowski slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Pudzianowski manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ioannou manages to get himself to full guard.

Pudzianowski wants to control from the top but Ioannou keeps moving.
Pudzianowski keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Ioannou's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ioannou is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pudzianowski is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pudzianowski wants to control from the top but Ioannou keeps moving.

Pudzianowski stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Pudzianowski misses with a low kick.
Pudzianowski attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Ioannou shoots in for a takedown but Pudzianowski shows good takedown defense.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick
and Ioannou counters with a three punch combo that has Pudzianowski backing up. Pudzianowski nods at Ioannou to acknowledge the strikes.
Ioannou checks the leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pudzianowski lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ioannou has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ioannou and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski misses with a low kick.
Ioannou takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A slapping leg kick lands for Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski misses with a low kick.
A clash of legs there as Ioannou blocks the low kick.
Pudzianowski throws a front kick aimed at Ioannou's knee but Ioannou avoids it well.
Pudzianowski walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ioannou checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

Pudzianowski tries to keep at a distance but Ioannou has taken the fight into the clinch.
Ioannou looking to throw knees to the head but Pudzianowski is blocking nicely.
Ioannou wants to take the fight to the mat but Pudzianowski manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Ioannou is breathing heavily.
Pudzianowski is looking to break free of the clinch but Ioannou has double underhooks.
Ioannou looking to throw knees to the head but Pudzianowski is blocking nicely.
Pudzianowski tries to pull guard but Ioannou forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Ioannou lands with a short shot to the head.

Pudzianowski has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ioannou uses from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski working a defensive guard but Ioannou manages to pass into side control anyway.
Pudzianowski is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Ioannou asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Ioannou misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Pudzianowski sneaks back into half guard.
Pudzianowski throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mariusz Pudzianowski will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Pudzianowski tries to land a leg kick but Ioannou saw it coming and moves away.
Pudzianowski fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ioannou is out of range.
Ioannou seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick but Ioannou sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Ioannou appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Pudzianowski fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick that is checked
and Ioannou counters with a left and a right that stings Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick
and Ioannou counters with a series of strikes. Pudzianowski will be more careful next time no doubt.
A bone on bone clash there as Ioannou blocks the leg kick.
Pudzianowski finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick that is checked

and Ioannou counters with a crisp one two that drops Pudzianowski! Ioannou thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Pudzianowski to his feet! Pudzianowski is in big trouble!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ioannou shoots in for a double leg but Pudzianowski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Pudzianowski tries to counter with a clinch but Ioannou shakes him off and moves away.
Pudzianowski walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ioannou checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Pudzianowski walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ioannou checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pudzianowski throws a low kick, looking for Ioannou's leg but Ioannou calmly moves out of range.
Pudzianowski throws a low kick but Ioannou avoids it.
A leg kick checked by Ioannou.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzianowski shoots for a double leg takedown but Ioannou sprawls well. He's pushed Pudzianowski's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick that misses.

Ioannou has managed to clinch.

Ioannou pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pudzianowski throws a solid leg kick but Ioannou takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ioannou will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
An inside leg kick from Pudzianowski misses.
Ioannou moves out of range of the leg kick from Pudzianowski.
Mariusz Pudzianowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pudzianowski lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ioannou has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ioannou and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
As Pudzianowski backs away, Ioannou returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Pudzianowski.
Ioannou checks a leg kick nicely.
Pudzianowski thows a leg kick but Ioannou checks it
and Ioannou counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski throws a front kick aimed at Ioannou's knee but Ioannou avoids it well.
Pudzianowski attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Ioannou dives in and grabs Pudzianowski's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pudzianowski pushes down on Ioannou's head and hops out.
Ioannou checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Ioannou went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pudzianowski lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Ioannou has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Ioannou and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Pudzianowski misses with a low kick.
Ioannou throws a counter high kick but Pudzianowski was just alert enough to avoid it.
Pudzianowski thumps Ioannou with a low kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski misses with a leg kick.
Pudzianowski throws a front kick aimed at Ioannou's knee but Ioannou avoids it well.
Ioannou checks a leg kick.
No luck for Ioannou with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Luke Ioannou. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski wants to slow Ioannou down by chopping away at his legs.
Pudzianowski throws a front kick aimed at Ioannou's knee but Ioannou avoids it well.
Ioannou checks the leg kick.
Pudzianowski is looking to slow Ioannou down with leg kicks.
Pudzianowski pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ioannou is out of range and Pudzianowski settles back down.
Ioannou checks the leg kick nicely there.
Good work by Ioannou as he checks the leg kick.
Pudzianowski wants to slow Ioannou down by chopping away at his legs.
Pudzianowski throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Some bone on bone action there as Ioannou checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick but Ioannou sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Pudzianowski pivots, looking for a leg kick but Ioannou is out of range and Pudzianowski settles back down.
It looked like Ioannou was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Pudzianowski does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Good work by Ioannou as he checks the leg kick.
Ioannou seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ioannou checks it well.
Pudzianowski connects with an inside leg kick.
Pudzianowski motions for Ioannou to come forward. Pudzianowski throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Ioannou throws a big counter combination but Pudzianowski scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Mariusz Pudzianowski seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick
and Ioannou counters with a series of strikes. Pudzianowski will be more careful next time no doubt.
Pudzianowski looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ioannou is fending him off so far but Pudzianowski persists. Nope, Ioannou circles away and we're back to standing.
Pudzianowski misses with a leg kick.
Pudzianowski throws a front kick aimed at Ioannou's knee but Ioannou avoids it well.
As Pudzianowski looks to move away, Ioannou throws a big counter combo but Pudzianowski just gets out of the way.
Ioannou darts in looking for a takedown but Pudzianowski gets double underhooks and turns Ioannou into the cage.
Pudzianowski wants to break the clinch but can't.
Pudzianowski is trying to pull guard but Ioannou turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Ioannou creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Pudzianowski is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ioannou to keep the fight standing.

Pudzianowski pulls guard.
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!
Pudzianowski trying to control the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mariusz Pudzianowski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Ioannou keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick but Ioannou moved away.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick but Ioannou sees it coming and moves out of range.
Pudzianowski throws out a leg kick but Ioannou moves out of range and Pudzianowski only half commits.
Ioannou is looking to clinch but Pudzianowski is avoiding it.
Pudzianowski throws a counter combo.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick
and Ioannou counters with a left and a right that stings Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick
and Ioannou counters with a two punch combo.
Ioannou keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Ioannou went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pudzianowski throws a solid leg kick but Ioannou takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ioannou checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ioannou appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Pudzianowski will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ioannou is looking for a counter combo.
Ioannou checks a leg kick.
Ioannou is looking for a counter combo.
Ioannou shoots in for a takedown but Pudzianowski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pudzianowski with a nice calf kick.
Pudzianowski tries to score with a low kick but Ioannou moves his leg out of the way.
Ioannou checks a leg kick.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick
and Ioannou counters with a two punch combo.
Pudzianowski misses with a low kick.
Pudzianowski throws a low kick but it's checked well by Ioannou.
Pudzianowski will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Ioannou checks a leg kick.
Ioannou throws a big counter combination but Pudzianowski scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Pudzianowski shoots in for a takedown but Ioannou shows good takedown defense.
Ioannou moves out of range of the leg kick from Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski throws a low kick but Ioannou moves out of range easily.
Ioannou checks a leg kick.
Ioannou fires out a quick counter leg kick but Pudzianowski just manages to avoid it.
Pudzianowski tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Luke Ioannou has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pudzianowski tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Ioannou is able to avoid easily.
Pudzianowski throws a solid leg kick but Ioannou takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pudzianowski.
Ioannou fires out a quick counter leg kick but Pudzianowski just manages to avoid it.
Pudzianowski is trying hard to land a takedown here. Ioannou sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Luke Ioannou has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mariusz Pudzianowski.
Ioannou checks a leg kick nicely.
Ioannou appears to be looking for a big counter.
Pudzianowski throws a low kick but Ioannou avoids it.
Pudzianowski misses with a low kick.
Ioannou moves out of range of the leg kick from Pudzianowski.
Luke Ioannou is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ioannou on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Pudzianowski. Pudzianowski obviously looking to wear him down.
A bone on bone clash there as Ioannou blocks the leg kick.
Pudzianowski tries a low kick but Ioannou avoids it.
Pudzianowski throws a leg kick
and Ioannou counters with a one-two to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ioannou checks the leg kick nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ioannou moves out of range of the leg kick from Pudzianowski.
Ioannou went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
A clash of legs there as Ioannou blocks the low kick.
Ioannou throws a solid leg kick but Pudzianowski takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ioannou.
Pudzianowski tries to work over Ioannou's front leg with a kick but Ioannou checks it.
Ioannou is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
A leg kick checked by Ioannou.
Pudzianowski tries a low kick but Ioannou avoids it.
Ioannou tried to counter with a leg kick but Pudzianowski avoided it.
Ioannou blocks a leg kick.
Ioannou feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Pudzianowski wants to slow Ioannou down by chopping away at his legs.
Ioannou tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pudzianowski finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Pudzianowski throws a solid leg kick but Ioannou takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Pudzianowski.
Pudzianowski throws a chopping leg kick but Ioannou manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Pudzianowski tries to work over Ioannou's front leg with a kick but Ioannou checks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ioannou checks a leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ioannou checks a leg kick.

Pudzianowski changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ioannou looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Ioannou wants to get back to his feet but Pudzianowski is dominant here and he's now got Ioannou's back!
Ioannou is really stuck here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Pudzianowski looking for the choke but no joy.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ioannou is taking damage to the body and head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mariusz Pudzianowski.
I've got Pudzianowski winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mariusz Pudzianowski!