PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joonas Uova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ukko Ilmarinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ilmarinen has chosen Konevitsan kirkonkellot as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Uova
vs
Ilmarinen

180 cm
22
270 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

195 cm
18
240 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joonas Uova!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ukko Ilmarinen!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ilmarinen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

Ilmarinen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Uova sprawls well initially but Ilmarinen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Ilmarinen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Uova trying to hold on to Ilmarinen's head to control him but Ilmarinen postures up.
Uova wants to get back to full guard.
Ilmarinen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ilmarinen is trying to control the action in half guard but Uova is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Uova missing with punches from the bottom.
Uova wants to improve his position but Ilmarinen is controlling well.
Ilmarinen throwing shots but Uova is blocking nicely.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Uova drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Uova preventing the sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Uova pushing down on Ilmarinen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Uova tries to pass to full mount but Ilmarinen defends it.
Uova slips a nice elbow through Ilmarinen's hands, connecting with Ilmarinen's forehead.
Uova has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Uova is tying to control. Ilmarinen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ilmarinen taking some punishment here, with Uova in his half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen wants to improve his position but Uova is controlling well.
Ilmarinen is refusing to be controlled, as Uova sits in half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Uova misses with a two punch combination.

Uova closes the distance and clinches.
Ilmarinen tries a body shot but Uova blocks it.
Uova prevents a takedown attempt there.
A right hook to the body lands for Ilmarinen.
Uova blocks an uppercut.
Ilmarinen tries a body shot but Uova blocks it.
Ilmarinen takes a shot to the head.

Uova is trying to trip Ilmarinen. He has hold of a leg but Ilmarinen is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Uova persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Uova won't allow Ilmarinen to sweep him here.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Uova accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Uova trying to control the position from guard on top but Ilmarinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uova slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ilmarinen keeping moving, preventing Uova from controlling successfully.
Uova sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Ilmarinen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Ilmarinen throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Uova clinches.
Ilmarinen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Ilmarinen looking to slow down the pace here.
Uova scores with a hook to the body.
Ilmarinen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Uova pushes Ilmarinen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ilmarinen lands with a left to the head.
Uova lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Ilmarinen misses with a punch on the inside.
Uova lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen looks gassed!
Uova working some nice short punches in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Uova.
Ilmarinen looking to slow down the pace here.
A right handed body shot lands from Uova.
Ilmarinen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Uova gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Joonas Uova has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ukko Ilmarinen.

Uova breaks from the clinch.
Ilmarinen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Uova scores with a sloppy right hand. Ilmarinen should have avoided that one.

Uova shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ilmarinen's guard.
Uova with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Uova postures up and lands a big shot to Ilmarinen's brow.
Uova landing some decent shots from guard.
Ilmarinen can't keep his opponent in guard - Uova advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Ground and pound from Uova.
Uova looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ilmarinen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ilmarinen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uova controlling the action here.
Ilmarinen landing rabbit punches to the side of Uova's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Uova controlling the pace.
Uova winds up and cracks Ilmarinen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Uova is keen to just control but Ilmarinen is a slippery customer.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Uova performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Ilmarinen is looking to improve his position.
Uova is pressing down on Ilmarinen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ilmarinen is holding on for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ilmarinen is not content to let Uova control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ilmarinen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Uova cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Uova lands with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonas Uova dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ilmarinen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Uova makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Ilmarinen darts in trying to clinch

and Uova counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Ilmarinen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Uova is trying is best to control the position here.

Uova is defending against the submission attempts here by Ilmarinen.

Ilmarinen is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Uova has managed to free his arm - good work.
Uova wants to control but Ilmarinen is keeping busy.
Ilmarinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ilmarinen with shots to the head and body - Uova looks very uncomfortable down there.
Ilmarinen lands a nice shot to the head.
Ilmarinen is stalling here but it's allowed Uova to get half guard.
Uova is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Ilmarinen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Uova tries to roll over but Ilmarinen keeps him under control.
Uova is not content to let Ilmarinen control the position.
Uova is looking to control Ilmarinen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Uova avoid being mounted?
Ilmarinen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Uova trying to control here.
Ilmarinen prevents Uova from improving his position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ilmarinen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Uova counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uova scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Uova is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Ilmarinen is looking for a sweep. Uova is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Uova lands a nice short elbow.
Uova is tying to control. Ilmarinen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Ilmarinen is trying to stand.
Ilmarinen is refusing to be controlled, as Uova sits in half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Ilmarinen misses with a takedown attempt

and Uova moves into the clinch.
Uova's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Uova tries to pull guard but Ilmarinen holds him up against the cage and eventually Uova drops back down to his feet.
Ilmarinen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Uova.
Uova works on Ilmarinen's body with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen is trying to break the clinch but Uova has him pressed against the cage.
Ilmarinen takes a shot to the head.
Ilmarinen tries to work over Uova's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Ilmarinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Uova circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ilmarinen wants to clinch but Uova slips to the side
and Uova cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ilmarinen clinches but Uova breaks the clinch

and Uova counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Ilmarinen's guard now.
Uova wants to control from the top but Ilmarinen keeps moving.
Ilmarinen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Uova controls the pace.
Uova trying to control but Ilmarinen is working from the bottom.
Uova preventing the sweep.
Uova thows a big elbow that misses.
Ilmarinen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Uova misses with a body shot.

Ilmarinen instigates a clinch.
Ilmarinen struggles to land a body shot inside as Uova controls his hands.
Uova lands with a light punch inside.
Ilmarinen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Uova has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Uova lands a nice shot to the body.
Ilmarinen lands a body punch in the clinch.

Uova breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ilmarinen tries for a takedown but Uova circles away easily

and Uova counters with a shoot takedown. Ilmarinen fights it but they end up in guard.
Joonas Uova has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ukko Ilmarinen.
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!
Uova controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Uova is pushing down on Ilmarinen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Ilmarinen is fighting to maintain full guard but Uova has managed to sneak the leg through.
Uova content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ilmarinen tries to roll over but Uova keeps him under control.
Uova is taking a breather. Ilmarinen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonas Uova dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Uova scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Ilmarinen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Uova counters by clinching up.

Uova turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Uova manages to end up in side control.
Uova staying calm.
Uova trying to control the position but Ilmarinen is working away.
Uova working the ground and pound.
Uova trying to control the position but Ilmarinen is working away.
Ilmarinen tries to strike but it doesn't land.

Uova wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ilmarinen, who protects the arm well.
Ilmarinen can't do much from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Uova landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Ilmarinen darts in trying to clinch
and Uova counters with a straight right hand.
Ilmarinen stuffs the takedown attempt from Uova. Uova gets slowly back to his feet.
Uova shoots in and drives through. Ilmarinen sprawls well.
Ilmarinen shoots in for a double leg but Uova sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Uova looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Ilmarinen throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Uova seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Joonas Uova overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Uova trying to control but Ilmarinen is working from the bottom.
Uova controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uova pushes down on Ilmarinen's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Ilmarinen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Uova has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Uova working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Ilmarinen is working to get back to half guard.
Ilmarinen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Uova is landing with some decent strikes but Ilmarinen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Ilmarinen is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Ilmarinen taking shots to the head.
Uova landing strikes from the mount.
Ilmarinen gets back to half guard.
Ilmarinen is looking to improve his position.
Uova is looking to advance position but Ilmarinen won't allow it.
Uova landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Ilmarinen gets back to full guard.
Ilmarinen controls Uova momentarily but Uova frees himself.
Uova seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Uova postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ilmarinen is trying to keep Uova in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Uova postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Ilmarinen is trying to control the position but Uova postures up.
Uova cracks Ilmarinen with a solid left hand.
Uova trying to control but Ilmarinen is working from the bottom.
Ukko Ilmarinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Uova shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Uova wants to free his trapped foot but Ilmarinen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Ilmarinen has hold of Uova's hands but Uova slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Uova controlling the action here.
Uova drops an elbow to the side of Ilmarinen's head.
Uova content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Ilmarinen is in trouble now - Uova has advanced to mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Joonas Uova showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Uova has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joonas Uova!