PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Justin Paul (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mykka Hoivunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hoivunen has a pretty significant injury - he really shouldn't be fighting right now but he's a warrior and he's here none the less! Mykka Hoivunen will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Paul
vs
Hoivunen

185 cm
25
280 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

210 cm
25
265 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Justin Paul!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mykka Hoivunen!
The judges for this bout are Taro Takaoka, Sosuke Kotani and Yuuki Gou.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paul shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hoivunen pinned against the cage. Hoivunen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hoivunen looks gassed!
Hoivunen avoids the head kick by Paul.
Paul fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Paul throws a head kick that misses.
Hoivunen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Paul forces Hoivunen back against the cage and clinches.
Hoivunen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Paul.
Paul is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hoivunen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paul tries to break free but Hoivunen pushes him back against the cage.
Hoivunen wants to break free but Paul has control.
Paul is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Paul wants to break free but Hoivunen has control.
Paul is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Paul manages to pull guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Paul looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hoivunen is one step ahead there.
Hoivunen throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Paul is adopting a defensive guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hoivunen wants to get up but he can't break Paul's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Paul on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Paul tries to get out of the position.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Paul holds on and takes a little breather.
Paul throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Hoivunen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Paul is keeping the position for now.
Paul is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Justin Paul.

Paul gets a clinch.
Paul trying to land knees to the body.
Paul'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.
Hoivunen blocks an elbow strike.
Hoivunen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Paul has him pressed against the cage.
Good body shot from Paul.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Paul decides to pull guard.
Paul is controlling Hoivunen's posture.

Paul looking for a guillotine here but Hoivunen defends easily.

Paul is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hoivunen defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Paul decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Hoivunen stuffs the takedown.

Hoivunen gets tackled into the cage by Paul. Paul maintains the clinch.
Paul is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hoivunen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Paul slowing the pace effectively.

Paul decides to pull guard.
Paul seems keen to control Hoivunen's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoivunen takes a decent strike to the side of the head.

Paul looking for a guillotine here but Hoivunen defends easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paul pulls Hoivunen in close to his closed guard and prevents Hoivunen from doing any damage or advancing position.

Hoivunen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Paul is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hoivunen, into his guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Paul stands and throws Hoivunen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Paul dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mykka Hoivunen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Paul tries to close the distance and clinch but Hoivunen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Paul throws a series of strikes that have Hoivunen backpedaling.
Paul tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Paul fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hoivunen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hoivunen wants it to stay on the feet.
Paul shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hoivunen but Hoivunen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Hoivunen. No joy for Paul on that attempt.

Paul clinches up against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hoivunen is trying to break free.
Hoivunen is breathing heavily.
Hoivunen wants to break free but Paul has control.
Hoivunen has Paul pressed against the cage, preventing Paul from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Paul stalling the fight.
Paul goes for a takedown attempt but Hoivunen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Paul has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Paul escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Paul shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hoivunen defends it nicely.
Paul moves out of range of the body kick.
Mykka Hoivunen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paul tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Paul shoots in for a takedown but Hoivunen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Paul lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That has opened up Mykka Hoivunen's cut even more.
Hoivunen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Paul.
Paul displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

The cut above Mykka Hoivunen's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Justin Paul is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Some wild striking there from Paul.
Hoivunen tries to clinch but Paul is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Hoivunen gets tackled into the cage by Paul. Paul maintains the clinch.
Paul prevents Hoivunen from breaking the clinch.

Paul manages to break the clinch.
Paul closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hoivunen circles away.
Horrible takedown by Paul or perhaps it was just good defense by Hoivunen which made him look bad.
Hoivunen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Paul counters with a stiff right hand.
Paul ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Hoivunen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hoivunen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Paul shoots in but no luck this time.
Hoivunen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Paul fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Justin Paul is winning the standup battle so far.

Paul fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hoivunen, pushing him back against the cage.
Hoivunen trying to stall but Paul improves his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Paul can't break the clinch.

Paul jumps guard.
Paul utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hoivunen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Hoivunen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Paul manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hoivunen has Paul in his guard.
Paul is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoivunen tries to strike from the bottom.
Paul sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Paul working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Paul might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Paul is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

We're going to have a standup here because Justin Paul wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Paul changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Paul shoots in and drives through. Hoivunen sprawls well.
Hoivunen misses with a head kick.
Paul looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hoivunen is fending him off so far but Paul persists. Nope, Hoivunen circles away and we're back to standing.
Paul shoots in for a takedown but Hoivunen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Justin Paul dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mykka Hoivunen'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. This is the final round!

Paul clinches up against the cage.
Paul wants a takedown but no success here.
A frustrated look appears on Hoivunen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Paul is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hoivunen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hoivunen tries to break free but Paul pushes him back against the cage.
Hoivunen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Paul has him pressed against the cage.
Hoivunen is trying to break the clinch but Paul is controlling him.
Hoivunen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hoivunen working aggressively here.
Hoivunen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hoivunen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Paul.
Hoivunen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Paul holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Paul drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Justin Paul. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paul wants to get back to striking at distance but Hoivunen won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hoivunen prevents the takedown attempt.
Paul is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hoivunen can do to turn this around?
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Paul tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hoivunen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Paul has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Paul turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Paul looks up at the clock and then as Hoivunen takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Paul smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Justin Paul overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Paul stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Paul fails to land the takedown.
Mykka Hoivunen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hoivunen throws a sloppy head kick and Paul moves out of range easily.
Paul scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Hoivunen stuffs the takedown.
Mykka Hoivunen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hoivunen clinches up against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Paul throws an elbow but misses.
Hoivunen is trying to break the clinch but Paul has him pressed against the cage.
Justin Paul has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Paul has Hoivunen pressed against the cage, preventing Hoivunen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Paul displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hoivunen up against the cage.
Paul is looking for a takedown.
Paul stalling.
Paul can't get the takedown.
Hoivunen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paul lands with a right to the head.
Paul is trying to break the clinch but Hoivunen is controlling him.
Hoivunen wants to break the clinch but can't.

Paul jumps into guard, dragging Hoivunen to the mat.

Paul manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Hoivunen misses with a double jab
enabling Paul to counter with a crisp jab.
Hoivunen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Paul tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Paul shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hoivunen as he jumps to the side.
Paul scores with a punch to the head.
Hoivunen is looking to clinch but Paul is avoiding it.
Paul lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hoivunen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hoivunen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Paul is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hoivunen's half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hoivunen tries to get to full guard but Paul has control of the leg.

Hoivunen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Paul is figuring out what he wants to do next.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hoivunen is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Justin Paul showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Paul 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 Taro Takaoka scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Justin Paul!