PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mauricio Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikko Hantunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hantunen has chosen Bad Religion - American Jesus as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Gracie
vs
Hantunen

193 cm
21
221 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

190 cm
25
219 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Double R Nutrients

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 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mauricio Gracie!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Hantunen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hantunen throws a series of punches but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Hantunen.
Gracie fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hantunen misses with a two punch combination.
Hantunen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Hantunen misses with a few strikes there.
Hantunen fails to land with a series of punches.
Gracie is looking to chop away at Hantunen's legs.

Gracie closes the distance and clinches.

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

Hantunen is looking for a triangle but Gracie pushes his legs off easily.
Gracie thows a big elbow that misses.

Gracie avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hantunen is trying to keep Gracie in close.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie postures up in Hantunen's guard and throws a big left but Hantunen blocks it.
Hantunen keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Gracie is looking to stand up but Hantunen won't let him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Hantunen misses with a wild combination.
Nice jab there from Gracie.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Gracie - that will leave a mark!
Hantunen looks gassed!
Gracie lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Gracie thumps Hantunen with a low kick.

Gracie closes the distance and clinches.
Gracie drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hantunen gets the underhooks and prevents it.

Gracie breaks from the clinch.
Hantunen misses with a wild body shot.
Hantunen throws out a loose jab but Gracie uses good head movement to avoid it.

Gracie drops Hantunen with a beautiful combination! Hantunen stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Gracie is looking for the KO!
Hantunen slips a jab and a cross from Gracie.
Gracie fakes the leg kick and cracks Hantunen in the body.
Gracie just misses with a punch to the body.
Gracie lands a nice leg kick that just misses Hantunen's sensitive parts.
Gracie slips a straight right by Hantunen.
Gracie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hantunen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Gracie stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Gracie misses with a few strikes there.
Hantunen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Gracie throws a jab when Hantunen was well out of range.
Gracie misses with a head kick.
No joy there for Hantunen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hantunen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Hantunen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hantunen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Gracie.
Hantunen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gracie counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hantunen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hantunen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Donk. Hantunen catches Gracie right on the button with a cross.
Gracie scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A punch combination from Hantunen misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hantunen.
Gracie moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Good exchange - Gracie coming out on top.
Hantunen fails to land with a series of punches.
A telegraphed right hand from Hantunen misses the target.
Gracie scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hantunen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gracie counters with a series of strikes. Hantunen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mauricio Gracie is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hantunen throws out a leg kick but Gracie moves out of range and Hantunen only half commits.
Gracie swinging wildly here.
Hantunen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Gracie is out of range and Hantunen settles back down.
Gracie throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Hantunen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Gracie napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Gracie tries to bench press Hantunen off him but Hantunen keeps the position.
Gracie is not content to let Hantunen control the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hantunen tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hantunen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Gracie has escaped the position, nice work there.

Hantunen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Gracie rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Hantunen's guard! Nice work there by Gracie!
Hantunen trying to control the position.
Gracie keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Hantunen's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hantunen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Gracie defends well.
Gracie pushing down on Hantunen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Gracie dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A nice inside leg kick there by Gracie. That's going to slow Hantunen down.
Mauricio Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gracie throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hantunen.
A nice combination there by Hantunen.
Gracie checks a low kick from Hantunen.
Gracie doesn't manage to clinch there - Hantunen circles away.
Gracie tries to clinch but Hantunen moves out of range.
Hantunen throws a hook but Gracie avoids it easily.

Hantunen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gracie looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Hantunen wants to control but Gracie is keeping him busy.
Hantunen taking a break here but Gracie is having none of it and regains half guard.
Hantunen is keen to just control but Gracie is a slippery customer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hantunen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Gracie moves into full guard.
Hantunen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gracie is keeping the position for now.

Hantunen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Gracie is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hantunen, into his guard.

That's two 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.
Hantunen has momentary wrist control but Gracie slips an elbow through the middle.
Gracie is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gracie with a nice head shot there.

Hantunen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Gracie is aware though and is defending well.
Gracie throwing strikes but missing.
Gracie is looking to work some ground and pound but Hantunen has wrist control.

Hantunen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Gracie passes into half guard.
Hantunen wants to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Gracie trying to control the action but Hantunen is working from the bottom.
Gracie lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Hantunen wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hantunen wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy.
Hantunen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Gracie is thwarting Hantunen's attempts to control the position.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gracie passes into side control, despite Hantunen's attempt to control the position.

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.
Hantunen pushes Gracie away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Gracie gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie thumps Hantunen with a low kick.
Gracie looks to land a combination. Hantunen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Gracie rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hantunen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Gracie swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hantunen lands a glancing blow to the side of Gracie's head.
Gracie walks into a straight right hand from Hantunen.
Hantunen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Hantunen backing up. Hantunen nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Mauricio Gracie is winning the standup battle so far.

Hantunen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hantunen is just content to waste time from the top position. Gracie takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Hantunen trying to control but Gracie is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mauricio Gracie dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Gracie tries to close the distance and clinch but Hantunen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hantunen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Gracie checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

Gracie takes the fight into the clinch.
Hantunen goes for a takedown attempt but Gracie pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gracie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Gracie misses with a two punch combination.
Hantunen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gracie dodges the punch combination from Hantunen.
Hantunen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Gracie. Gracie obviously looking to wear him down.
Gracie lands an overhand right.
Gracie tries to bum rush Hantunen with a series of wild strikes but Hantunen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hantunen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gracie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A left and a right from Gracie both land. Nice combination.
Hantunen steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Gracie. That one must have hurt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hantunen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gracie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hantunen throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hantunen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Gracie uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hantunen.
Gracie misses with a wild combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Hantunen!
Hantunen slips a jab and a cross from Gracie.
Gracie checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hantunen thows a leg kick but Gracie checks it
and Gracie counters with a nice leg kick.
Gracie tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Hantunen is able to avoid easily.
Hantunen misses with a double jab.
Hantunen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hantunen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hantunen throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hantunen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hantunen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hantunen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Gracie can pounce on him.
A nice leg kick lands there from Gracie.
Mikko Hantunen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Hantunen avoids them all with ease.
Hantunen shoots in looking for a takedown. Gracie tries to sprawl out of it but Hantunen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Gracie manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice inside leg kick there by Gracie. That's going to slow Hantunen down.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Hantunen avoids them all with ease.
Mikko Hantunen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hantunen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gracie lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hantunen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gracie connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hantunen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gracie makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Hantunen really felt that one!
Hantunen misses with a two punch combination.
Gracie uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hantunen.
Gracie leaves Hantunen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Mauricio Gracie has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikko Hantunen.
Hantunen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gracie throws a shot to the body.
Gracie throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Gracie shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hantunen connects with a right hand. Gracie shakes it off.
Gracie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gracie misses with a leg kick.
Nice cross by Hantunen.
Hantunen throws a chopping leg kick but Gracie manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hantunen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hantunen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Gracie tries to clinch but Hantunen is having none of it.
Gracie misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hantunen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Gracie throws a chopping leg kick but Hantunen manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Hantunen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gracie stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hantunen misses with a double jab

and Gracie counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hantunen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hantunen blocks an elbow strike from Gracie.
Gracie blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Gracie breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Gracie walks into a left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie lands a jab-cross combination.
A big left from Hantunen misses.
Gracie tries to clinch but Hantunen moves out of range.
Hantunen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Gracie counters with a body kick that stops Hantunen in his tracks momentarily.
Hantunen lands a jab-cross combination.
Gracie throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hantunen throws a leg kick that is checked

and Gracie counters by clinching up.

Hantunen breaks the clinch.
Gracie lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Gracie.
Hantunen has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Gracie.
Gracie moves out of range as Hantunen strikes.
Gracie looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hantunen.
Gracie throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A jab from Hantunen misses.
Gracie plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hantunen scores with a body shot.
Gracie is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Gracie slips under a jab from Hantunen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mauricio Gracie showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Gracie, 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mauricio Gracie!