PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Arto Muna (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mahdi Makungu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makungu has chosen Nelly - Heart of a Champion as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Muna
vs
Makungu

176 cm
25
162 lbs
16 - 9 - 0

174 cm
29
156 lbs
19 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Perkele!
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arto Muna!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mahdi Makungu!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Nard Betker and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Muna cracks the inside of Makungu's front leg.
Makungu 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.
Muna throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Muna!
Makungu has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Muna finds it's way round the side to connect with Makungu's head.
Muna just misses with a punch to the body.
Muna moves away from the strike by Makungu.
Muna misses with a wild body shot.
Muna uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Makungu.
Muna takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Makungu thows a body shot but no joy.
Makungu throws a big shot that misses.

Muna shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Makungu napping and manages to drive through into side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Muna staying calm.
Makungu is looking to regain half guard here but Muna keeps moving and retains side control.

Muna is trying to get an arm triangle but Makungu is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makungu is trying to escape the position but Muna is controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makungu sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

Makungu actively working from the bottom here.

Makungu is defending against the submission attempts here by Muna.
Muna is taking a breather. Makungu 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.
Muna's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Muna is trying to control. Makungu wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Makungu is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Muna pulls his head out easily.
Muna looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Arto Muna has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Muna tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Muna, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Muna slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Muna throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
enabling Makungu to counter with a crisp jab.
Makungu lands a jab.
Muna scores with a punch to the head.
Muna bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Muna connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

It looks like Mahdi Makungu has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Muna pulls out of a head kick attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Makungu throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Muna moves out of range as Makungu strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arto Muna dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mahdi Makungu's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Makungu looks to score with a jab to the body but Muna is just out of range.
A nice combination there by Muna.
Muna looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Muna scores with a hook to the body. Makungu takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Muna pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Good exchange - Muna coming out on top.
Muna keeps the fight on the outside.
Muna thows a body shot but no joy.
A punch combination from Makungu misses.
Makungu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Muna lands with a good body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Muna thumps Makungu with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makungu drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Muna manages to work his way to half guard, despite Makungu's best efforts.
Makungu is looking to advance position but Muna won't allow it.
Muna slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Makungu postures up in Muna's guard and throws a big left but Muna blocks it.
Makungu looking to pass the guard.
Makungu is looking to work some ground and pound but Muna has wrist control.
Muna is adopting a defensive guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Muna not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Muna has control of Makungu's left arm, preventing Makungu from doing any damage.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Arto Muna just wasn't active enough.
Makungu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Makungu misses with a lunging right hand
and Muna makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Muna throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Makungu tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Muna is in Makungu's guard.
Muna trying to control but Makungu is working from the bottom.

Makungu looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Muna passes into side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makungu is trying to get back to half guard.
Muna controls the position from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Muna tries for a kimura but Makungu is defending well.
Makungu is not content to let Muna control the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arto Muna dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mahdi Makungu's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Makungu throws an off balance right hand
and Muna counters with a body kick that stops Makungu in his tracks momentarily.
Makungu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Muna.
Makungu throws the left hand but Muna avoids the punch easily.
Makungu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Makungu scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Makungu working away.
Muna regains half guard.
Muna is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makungu is trying to control. Muna wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Makungu scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Muna is controlling Makungu's trapped leg to prevent Makungu from advancing to side control.
Makungu winds up and cracks Muna with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Makungu missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Muna avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Makungu.
Muna wants to control but Makungu is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Muna avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Makungu.
Makungu wants to take a breather but Muna is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makungu seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Makungu drops an elbow to the side of Muna's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Makungu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Muna defending well though.
Makungu looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Makungu sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Muna defending well though.
Arto Muna overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Makungu with the ground and pound but Muna uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Makungu connects with a couple of short punches.
Makungu throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Muna works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Muna wants to sweep but no luck.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Makungu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Makungu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Mahdi Makungu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makungu lands a couple of elbows.
Makungu preventing the sweep.
Muna is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Makungu trying to control but Muna is working from the bottom.

Muna has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Makungu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Makungu throws a strike but Muna rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Muna trying to control but Makungu is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Makungu is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Muna working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Makungu looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Makungu looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Muna passes into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Muna trying to control the action but Makungu is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mahdi Makungu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Muna 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Radbod Blank scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arto Muna!