PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pentti Hilkuri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cowboy Henry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Cowboy Henry has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Hilkuri
vs
Henry

184 cm
23
193 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

185 cm
27
185 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pentti Hilkuri!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Cowboy Henry!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Igor Prikhodko and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch lands to the side of Hilkuri 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The fighters circling - Hilkuri throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hilkuri works over Henry's head and body with a nice combination.
Hilkuri throws a half hearted mid kick.

Henry closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hilkuri did well to prevent Henry getting side control.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Henry thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Henry slips a nice elbow through Hilkuri's hands, connecting with Hilkuri's forehead.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Henry misses with a head shot. Hilkuri uses the momentum to regain guard.
Henry throwing strikes but missing.
Henry is looking to work some ground and pound but Hilkuri has wrist control.
Henry working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Henry postures up and lands a big shot to Hilkuri's brow.
Henry missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry throws a big right hand that misses.
Henry with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Henry lands a couple of elbows.
Henry postures up in Hilkuri's guard and throws a big left but Hilkuri blocks it.
Henry throwing strikes but missing.
Hilkuri has his hands on Henry's head, controlling the position.
Henry has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Henry working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Henry throwing strikes but missing.
Henry throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry throwing strikes from guard but Hilkuri blocks nicely.
Henry throws a strike but Hilkuri rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hilkuri wanted to stand there but Henry had control of the position.
Hilkuri prevents Henry from getting back to his feet.
Henry is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hilkuri wants to stand but Henry has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A combination from Hilkuri does no damage.
Jab from Henry.
Henry fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Henry shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Henry throws a big elbow that misses.
Henry throws a strike but Hilkuri rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hilkuri would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
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.

Cowboy Henry dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

A looping hook to the body misses from Henry. Hilkuri does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hilkuri throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hilkuri connects with a jab.
Hilkuri rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Henry counters with a nice uppercut.
Henry ducks right into an uppercut from Hilkuri.
Hilkuri throws a leg kick but Henry moved away.
Henry takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

Henry shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
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!
Hilkuri wants to control but Henry is keeping busy.
Hilkuri is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Henry is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Hilkuri avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Henry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Henry missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Henry drops an elbow to the side of Hilkuri's head.
Henry not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Henry throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Hilkuri to regain full guard.
Henry with a flurry of punches that miss.
Henry missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Henry advances to half guard.
Hilkuri on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Henry thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Henry thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hilkuri's head.
Henry thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
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!
Henry throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Hilkuri to regain full guard.
Henry is looking to work some ground and pound but Hilkuri has wrist control.
Henry is looking to work some ground and pound but Hilkuri has wrist control.
Henry throwing strikes from guard but Hilkuri blocks nicely.
Henry missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Henry throwing strikes but missing.
Cowboy Henry has got the better of the ground game so far.
Henry working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hilkuri working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Henry.
Henry postures up and lands a big shot to Hilkuri's brow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Henry works over Hilkuri with some ground and pound from guard.
Henry trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Henry lands a couple of digs.
Henry with a flurry of punches that miss.
Henry looking to pass the guard.
Hilkuri bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Henry's guard.
Hilkuri tries to stand but Henry is controlling from the bottom.
Hilkuri's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hilkuri won't allow Henry to sweep him here.
Henry is trying to keep Hilkuri in close.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Pentti Hilkuri.
Hilkuri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cowboy Henry showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hilkuri tries to bum rush Henry with a series of wild strikes but Henry uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Henry connects with the punch.
Hilkuri misses with a low kick.
Henry throws a poor cross that misses
and Hilkuri counters with a nice body kick.
Henry avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hilkuri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Pentti Hilkuri is winning the standup battle so far.

Henry feints and as Hilkuri raises his hands in defense, Henry changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Henry postures up in Hilkuri's guard and throws a big left but Hilkuri blocks it.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hilkuri holds on and takes a little breather.
Hilkuri avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Henry trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hilkuri pulls Henry in close to prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Pentti Hilkuri just wasn't active enough.
Hilkuri throws a right hand that Henry ducks under and follows up with a left that Henry also avoids with ease.
Hilkuri lands with an uppercut that bounces Henry off the cage and back into range.
Henry with a nice cross.
Hilkuri staying out of range there.
Hilkuri throws a big shot that misses.
Henry throws a body punch but Hilkuri moves out of range.
Hilkuri misses with a two punch combination.
Pentti Hilkuri is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hilkuri tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A combination from Hilkuri does no damage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hilkuri steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Henry.
Hilkuri on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Hilkuri throws a right and a left that Henry avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry throws out a powerful jab.
Hilkuri throws a front kick that sends Henry stumbling back into the cage.
Hilkuri rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Henry counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Henry stopping the sweep attempt from Hilkuri.
Henry throws a big elbow that misses.
Hilkuri is trying to keep Henry in close.
Henry throwing strikes but missing.
Henry throws an elbow that misses. Hilkuri uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Henry's guard. Nice move by Hilkuri!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hilkuri wants to control from the top but Henry keeps moving.
Henry has his hands on Hilkuri's head, controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Pentti Hilkuri wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Hilkuri throws a looping overhand right but Henry ducks down to avoid it.
Hilkuri throws a combination that misses
and Henry connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Henry misses with a double jab.
Pentti Hilkuri is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hilkuri pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Henry back to the cage. Hilkuri follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry throws a body punch but Hilkuri moves out of range.
Hilkuri thuds a left hand into Henry's body.
Hilkuri misses with the combination.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Henry!
Hilkuri misses with a left hand
and Henry counters with a stiff right hand.
Henry lands a slapping body shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henry with a nice cross.

Henry shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Henry throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Henry not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Henry misses with a head shot. Hilkuri uses the momentum to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cowboy Henry really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Hilkuri stuffs the takedown.
Hilkuri tries to land a body kick
enabling Henry to counter with a crisp jab.
Hilkuri lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Hilkuri throws a low kick but Henry moves out of range easily.
Hilkuri swings for the body but Henry moves out of range.
Hilkuri stuffs the takedown.
Hilkuri throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Henry.
Hilkuri throws a leg kick but Henry sees it coming and moves out of range.
Henry missing with a left hand there. Hilkuri was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hilkuri throws a poor cross that misses
and Henry counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Hilkuri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Henry.
Nice straight punches there by Henry. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Henry.
Hilkuri misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hilkuri was well out of range. Poor timing from Henry.

Hilkuri gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Henry to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Henry throws a strike but Hilkuri rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hilkuri decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Henry, up you get!
Henry ducks under a wild hook from Hilkuri.
Hilkuri connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Hilkuri throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hilkuri circles away.
Pentti Hilkuri has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cowboy Henry.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Henry.
Hilkuri thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hilkuri slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hilkuri throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hilkuri throws a sloppy head kick and Henry moves out of range easily.
Hilkuri misses with a kick to the body.
Hilkuri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Henry avoids the body shot from Hilkuri.
Henry avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Henry lands an overhand right.
Hilkuri displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Henry.
Henry takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry avoids a kick to the body.
Hilkuri is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Henry.
Hilkuri fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Henry checks it well.
Henry displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hilkuri throws out the jab.

Henry changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hilkuri looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Henry in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Henry throws an elbow but Hilkuri slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hilkuri avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Henry.
The ground and pound from Henry seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Henry in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Henry cracks Hilkuri with an elbow. That is naaassty.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry lands an elbow.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Henry connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Hilkuri some visible discomfort.
Henry lands an elbow.
Henry creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Hilkuri sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Hilkuri is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Hilkuri dodges the ground and pound from Henry.
Check out the look on Henry's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Henry postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Henry working the ground and pound but Hilkuri is defending the strikes.
Henry creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Hilkuri sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Hilkuri is trying to control Henry's posture but Henry avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cowboy Henry dominated that fourth round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Henry fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hilkuri lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Henry circles away quickly and effectively.
Hilkuri misses with a series of wild punches.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Hilkuri.
Hilkuri is looking to land body kicks.
Hilkuri misses with a lunging right hand

and Henry counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hilkuri seems keen to control Henry's posture.
Henry postures up in Hilkuri's guard and throws a big left but Hilkuri blocks it.
Henry missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hilkuri trying to control the position.
Henry throws an elbow that misses. Hilkuri uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Henry's guard. Nice move by Hilkuri!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Henry is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Henry trying to keep a closed guard but Hilkuri is proving a slippery customer.
Hilkuri tries to stand but Henry is controlling from the bottom.

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

Henry fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Hilkuri to the ground. Henry is now in Hilkuri's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Henry working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hilkuri has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Henry throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hilkuri works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Henry scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Henry accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hilkuri pulls Henry in close to prevent any damage.
Henry throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pentti Hilkuri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Henry works over Hilkuri with some ground and pound from guard.
Cowboy Henry is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Hilkuri looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Hilkuri holds on and takes a little breather.
Hilkuri wants to sweep here but Henry controlling him for the moment.
Henry looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Hilkuri pulls Henry in to control the position.

Pentti Hilkuri has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Henry throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Henry throws a hook to the side of Hilkuri's head but Hilkuri sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hilkuri loads up on a big right hand but Henry slips the punch.
Henry misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hilkuri tries to work over Henry's front leg with a kick but Henry checks it.
Henry fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hilkuri manages to avoid it.
Hilkuri scoring well with a low kick there.
Pentti Hilkuri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hilkuri lands with a good body shot.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hilkuri scores with a body shot.
Hilkuri pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hilkuri throws a right hand that Henry ducks under and follows up with a left that Henry also avoids with ease.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Henry lands with an overhand left.
Hilkuri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hilkuri tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Cowboy Henry.
I've got Henry 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 46:49
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 46:50
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cowboy Henry!
Cowboy Henry is the new middleweight champion!