PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Juha Kankkunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Rabbit (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rabbit has chosen Hero by Skillet as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kankkunen
vs
Rabbit

177 cm
22
154 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
155 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Juha Kankkunen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Johnny Rabbit!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch combination from Kankkunen misses.

Rabbit scores with a takedown into Kankkunen's guard.

Kankkunen has his foot on Rabbit's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rabbit works his way back into a safe position though.
Kankkunen wants to stand but Rabbit is controlling the position.
Kankkunen keeping moving, preventing Rabbit from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rabbit drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rabbit jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rabbit trying to control but Kankkunen is working from the bottom.
Rabbit missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rabbit accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kankkunen controls Rabbit momentarily but Rabbit frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kankkunen loads up on a big right hand but Rabbit slips the punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kankkunen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rabbit circles away quickly and effectively.
Rabbit takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nice jab there from Rabbit.
Kankkunen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Rabbit throws a jab when Kankkunen was well out of range.
Rabbit shoots in and drives through. Kankkunen sprawls well.
Rabbit fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rabbit uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kankkunen ducks under a wild hook from Rabbit.
Kankkunen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kankkunen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kankkunen throws a one two combo.
Kankkunen throws a right hand that Rabbit ducks under and follows up with a left that Rabbit also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kankkunen throws a one two combo.
Juha Kankkunen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kankkunen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kankkunen.
Kankkunen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kankkunen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kankkunen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rabbit.
Kankkunen throws a right hand that Rabbit ducks under and follows up with a left that Rabbit also avoids with ease.
Kankkunen misses with a few strikes there.
Kankkunen jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kankkunen avoids the body shot from Rabbit.
Rabbit dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kankkunen. That did some damage!
Kankkunen misses with a series of wild punches.
Juha Kankkunen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kankkunen tests Rabbit's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rabbit ducks under a wild hook from Kankkunen.
Kankkunen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kankkunen throws a right and a left that Rabbit avoids nicely.
Some wild striking there from Kankkunen.
Kankkunen misses with a few strikes there.
Kankkunen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kankkunen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rabbit moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Rabbit shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Rabbit is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Rabbit wants to pass to mount but Kankkunen is defending the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kankkunen trying to hold on to Rabbit's head to control him but Rabbit postures up.

Rabbit is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rabbit looks gassed!

Rabbit seems to be looking for submissions.
Rabbit is pressing down on Kankkunen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kankkunen is holding on for now.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kankkunen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rabbit pulls his head out easily.
Rabbit wants to pass to mount but Kankkunen is defending the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Rabbit dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kankkunen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kankkunen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kankkunen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kankkunen misses with a double jab.
Kankkunen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kankkunen throws a series of punches but Rabbit moves out of range.
Rabbit shoots in but Kankkunen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Juha Kankkunen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kankkunen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kankkunen misses with a straight right.
Rabbit ducks under a wild hook from Kankkunen.
Kankkunen swinging wilding here.
Rabbit rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kankkunen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rabbit shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rabbit showed some decent athleticism there.
Rabbit is breathing heavily.

Kankkunen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rabbit is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Kankkunen wants to control but Rabbit is having none of it.

Rabbit is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kankkunen is surviving well by controlling Rabbit's body position as best he can.
Kankkunen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rabbit on the ground.

Rabbit wants to finish this one by submission but Kankkunen is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Rabbit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rabbit moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Kankkunen has worked his arm free - good work by Kankkunen!
Kankkunen can't do much from the bottom here.
Kankkunen gets back to half guard.

Kankkunen looking for submissions off his back.
Kankkunen tries to roll over but Rabbit keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rabbit seems to be working for a kimura but Kankkunen defends the submission attempt.
Kankkunen is trying to stand back up but Rabbit is controlling him
Kankkunen is looking for a sweep. Rabbit is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kankkunen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rabbit trying to control but Kankkunen is working from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rabbit accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kankkunen misses with a double jab

and Rabbit counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kankkunen trying to hold on to Rabbit's head to control him but Rabbit postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kankkunen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kankkunen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Rabbit passes to full mount!

Rabbit is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Kankkunen has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Kankkunen regains half guard.
Kankkunen looks like he's trying to stand up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Rabbit showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kankkunen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rabbit cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kankkunen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kankkunen with a jab.
Kankkunen misses with a double jab

and Rabbit counters with a shoot takedown. Kankkunen fights it but they end up in guard.

Rabbit drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rabbit jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rabbit in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rabbit is looking to stand up but Kankkunen won't let him.
Kankkunen is trying to keep Rabbit in close.
Rabbit trying to move into half guard but instead Kankkunen has managed to sweep!
Rabbit keeping moving, preventing Kankkunen from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabbit takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kankkunen misses with a double jab
and Rabbit counters with a good low kick that Kankkunen was not able to check.
No luck for Rabbit with that takedown attempt.
Nice uppercut there from Kankkunen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kankkunen misses with a few strikes there.
Rabbit tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kankkunen swivels and escapes.
Kankkunen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kankkunen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rabbit has time to react.
Kankkunen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Kankkunen's corner calls for a 1-2. Kankkunen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kankkunen scores with the left hand. Rabbit knows he should have avoided that one.
Rabbit takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Rabbit misses with a looping right.
Kankkunen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Kankkunen falls off balance throwing a combination

and Rabbit counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kankkunen is trying to get back to full guard.

Rabbit is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kankkunen tries to roll over but Rabbit keeps him under control.

Rabbit is trying to work for a kimura but Kankkunen is defending well.
Rabbit is trying to control the action in half guard but Kankkunen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kankkunen is looking to control Rabbit's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kankkunen avoid being mounted?
Kankkunen tries to kick Rabbit off but Rabbit keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's four 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.
Kankkunen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rabbit's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rabbit's back!
Kankkunen tries to keep control of the position but Rabbit is staying busy.

Kankkunen is persistently looking for the submission but Rabbit is defending it well.

Kankkunen is looking for a choke. Rabbit gets to his feet with his opponent on his back and slams him to the mat. Rabbit manages to squirm out of the attempted choke and turns into his opponent's guard.
Juha Kankkunen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Johnny Rabbit is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rabbit trying to control the position from guard on top but Kankkunen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Johnny Rabbit comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rabbit 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 27:30
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Johnny Rabbit!