PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hank Johnstone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Turo Vatanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Johnstone kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Hardrock Hallelujah by Lordi. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Johnstone
vs
Vatanen

193 cm
22
272 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

198 cm
26
277 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Determined

Vandal fight Boutique -ACME- *$5 tee!*

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 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Hank Johnstone!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Turo Vatanen!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Johnstone throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vatanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnstone 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.

It looks like Turo Vatanen has been cut.
Johnstone connects with a good right hand that stumbles Vatanen. Vatanen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnstone throws a series of punches but Vatanen moves out of range.

Johnstone gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Vatanen to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Vatanen wants to control from the top but Johnstone keeps moving.

Johnstone had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Vatanen defends it easily.
Vatanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Johnstone manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vatanen manages to get himself to full guard.

Vatanen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Johnstone gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Johnstone stands up and waves to Vatanen to follow him.
Johnstone misses with an uppercut. Vatanen saw that one coming.
Vatanen misses with a takedown attempt - Johnstone sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Vatanen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Johnstone is trying is best to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone gets back to full guard.
Vatanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Vatanen drops back looking for a leg! Johnstone is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Johnstone manages to kick Vatanen off! Vatanen jumps back into Johnstone's guard.
Johnstone is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Johnstone is trying to control the position but Vatanen postures up.
Vatanen trying to control but Johnstone is working from the bottom.
Vatanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Johnstone working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vatanen.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Johnstone misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnstone scores with a hook.
Vatanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Vatanen shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Vatanen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Johnstone looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Johnstone moves into full guard.
Vatanen lands a couple of digs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen preventing the sweep.
Vatanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Johnstone is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Johnstone manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Johnstone trying to control but Vatanen is having none of it.
Johnstone putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vatanen is working to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Vatanen manages to regain half guard. Good work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Johnstone is pressing down on Vatanen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vatanen is holding on for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hank Johnstone dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Turo Vatanen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A swing and a miss from Johnstone.
Johnstone misses with a looping right.
A big left from Johnstone misses.
Johnstone looks to score with a jab to the body but Vatanen is just out of range.
Vatanen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Johnstone.
Johnstone misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vatanen scores with a takedown into Johnstone's guard.

Johnstone is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Vatanen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Johnstone avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Vatanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Vatanen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Johnstone has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Vatanen has managed to get both his arms back between Johnstone's legs - danger averted.
Vatanen trying to control but Johnstone is working from the bottom.
Vatanen throws a strike but Johnstone rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Vatanen has his foot on Johnstone's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Johnstone works his way back into a safe position though.
Vatanen is trying to keep Johnstone in close.
Johnstone has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Vatanen is proving hard to escape from.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone advances position into side control!
Vatanen tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Johnstone presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Vatanen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

Johnstone jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Vatanen manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Vatanen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Vatanen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Johnstone.
Vatanen tries to get to full guard but Johnstone has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Johnstone moves into full mount! Vatanen won't be happy about that!

Johnstone get's back to his feet.
Johnstone misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vatanen.
Johnstone looks to land a right hand but Vatanen moved out of range.
Vatanen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Johnstone.
Johnstone swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnstone throws the left hand but Vatanen avoids the punch easily.
Johnstone missing with a left hand there. Vatanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Johnstone swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Vatanen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

Vatanen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Johnstone rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Vatanen's guard! Nice work there by Johnstone!
Johnstone wants to control from the top but Vatanen keeps moving.
Vatanen has momentary wrist control but Johnstone slips an elbow through the middle.
Johnstone wants to get up but he can't break Vatanen's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vatanen is looking to sweep but instead, Johnstone has passed into half guard.

Johnstone is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Vatanen moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Turo Vatanen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Turo Vatanen's cut.
That's time! Johnstone's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Johnstone fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Vatanen manages to avoid it.
No joy there for Johnstone, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A swing and a miss from Johnstone.
Johnstone misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vatanen shoots in but Johnstone avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Johnstone changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Johnstone swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Johnstone connects with a crisp jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Johnstone throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Vatanen.
Vatanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Johnstone.
Johnstone scores with a jab to the body.
Vatanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A big left from Johnstone misses.
Vatanen tries to move into range but Johnstone moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Johnstone just misses with a punch to the body.
Vatanen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Johnstone.
Johnstone thuds his right hand into Vatanen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Johnstone throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

That has opened up Turo Vatanen's cut even more.
Johnstone throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vatanen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Johnstone swinging wilding here.
Johnstone lands a jab to Vatanen's midsection.
A lazy left from Johnstone finds it's target.
I'm just looking down at my notes here and I see that.... oh! Johnstone has cracked Vatanen with a big right, followed by a left! He's out on his feet! Johnstone lands another huge swinging hook and Vatanen tumbles to the canvas! The ref dives in to save Vatanen, before Johnstone can land any more shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Hank Johnstone!