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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Elliot Saunders (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joulu Pukki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 182 cm
34
205 lbs
26 - 12 - 0 |
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179 cm
30
215 lbs
24 - 9 - 0 |
Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank |
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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
26 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Elliot Saunders!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
24 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joulu Pukki!
The judges for this bout are Chad Campbell, Dean Styles and Alyssa Summers.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Saunders throws a lazy uppercut
and Pukki counters with a slapping leg kick.
Saunders misses with a straight left.
Pukki tries to sprawl but Saunders drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Pukki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Saunders is thwarting Pukki's attempts to control the position.
Pukki wants to get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pukki is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Saunders's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Saunders's back!
Saunders is in bad spot here.
Saunders is keeping busy.
Saunders is in bad spot here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pukki punishes Saunders with strikes from the back mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
You know, I was talking to some of our celebrities at ringside tonight and they were split right down the middle on who was going to win this fight.
Pukki connects with a big shot to the side of Saunders's head.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders is taking damage to the body and head.
Saunders is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Pukki is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Saunders is covering up but some of the strikes from Pukki are getting through and doing damage.
Saunders is trying to break free.
Pukki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Pukki connects with a series of strikes and the referee is calling for Saunders to escape the position.
Pukki controlling well, preventing Saunders from escaping the position.
Pukki punishes Saunders with strikes from the back mount.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Saunders tries to escape the position.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Saunders turns into Pukki and is now in his guard.
Pukki is looking for a triangle but Saunders pushes his legs off easily.
Saunders lands a couple of digs.
Saunders in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Pukki is on top in guard.
Pukki controlling from the top position.
Saunders has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pukki can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Saunders keeping full guard, as Pukki tries to pass.
Saunders is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pukki wants to stand but Saunders is controlling his posture from full guard.
Saunders working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pukki doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pukki manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Saunders wants to sweep but no luck.
Pukki drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Saunders manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Pukki has Saunders in his guard.
Saunders drops back, looking for a kneebar! Pukki looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Pukki looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Pukki!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pukki lands a few punches from side control.
Pukki connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Saunders some visible discomfort.
Pukki remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Saunders is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Pukki off and has taken his back!
Pukki tries to break free.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Saunders gets his hooks in and is throwing strikes.
Pukki is trying to break free.
Pukki fending off the submission attempt from Saunders.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Pukki trying to control the action but Saunders just sinks the hooks in.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joulu Pukki dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Pukki connects with a looping right hand.
Saunders misses with a takedown attempt
and Pukki counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Pukki feints and as Saunders raises his hands in defense, Pukki changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Pukki landing with the ground and pound.
Pukki is in close to Saunders's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Pukki forces his way into half guard.
Pukki controlling the action here.
Pukki lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Saunders is not content to let Pukki control the position.
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!
Pukki wants to pass the guard but Saunders is defending well.
Joulu Pukki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Saunders is not content to let Pukki control the position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Pukki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Saunders defending well though.
Saunders wants to control but Pukki is keeping busy.
Saunders is trying to get back to full guard.
Saunders is refusing to be controlled, as Pukki sits in half guard.
Pukki landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Pukki is taking a breather. Saunders 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.
The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Joulu Pukki wasn't active enough on the ground.
Pukki tries to close the distance and clinch but Saunders swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pukki lands with a thumping leg kick.
Pukki tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Saunders is able to avoid easily.
Saunders shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Pukki napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Pukki is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Saunders off and has taken his back!
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!
Pukki is working the ground and pound. Can Saunders escape?
Pukki struggling to keep hold of the position.
Pukki doesn't have the hooks in and Saunders manages to turn into his guard.
Saunders throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pukki trying to keep a closed guard but Saunders is proving a slippery customer.
Saunders trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Saunders forces his way into half guard.
Pukki is trying to get back to full guard.
Pukki moves into full guard.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders throwing strikes but missing.
Saunders prevents Pukki from getting back to his feet.
Saunders throwing strikes but missing.
Pukki looking for a guillotine here but Saunders defends easily.
Pukki working for a triangle but Saunders defends it easily.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Saunders's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pukki tries to strike from the bottom.
Pukki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Saunders advances to half guard.
Saunders is looking for a kimura but Pukki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Saunders to get the leverage.
Pukki is trying to get back to full guard.
Saunders is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Pukki doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Saunders.
Pukki is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Saunders working the head and body with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joulu Pukki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!
Pukki wants to land a leg kick but Saunders is out of range.
That kick from Pukki tenderised Saunders's leg. Saunders is trying to keep his angry face on.
Saunders fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Horrible takedown by Pukki or perhaps it was just good defense by Saunders which made him look bad.
Pukki throws out a loose jab but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pukki shoots in but Saunders avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Saunders tries to score a power double leg takedown but Pukki sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Saunders somewhat.
Pukki uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Saunders has time to react.
Pukki tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pukki throws out a loose jab but Saunders uses good head movement to avoid it.
Saunders stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Saunders has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Elliot Saunders. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pukki scores with the left hand. Saunders knows he should have avoided that one.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Saunders looks to score with a jab to the body but Pukki is just out of range.
Saunders on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Pukki fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Saunders has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Pukki throws a head kick but Saunders moves out of range.
Saunders throws a hook to the side of Pukki's head but Pukki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pukki manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Saunders on his heels. He'll look to pass Saunders's guard now, I'm sure.
Saunders tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pukki is pushing down on Saunders's leg trying to pass to half guard. Saunders is fighting to maintain full guard but Pukki has managed to sneak the leg through.
Saunders tries to get to full guard but Pukki has control of the leg.
Pukki trying to control from half guard but Saunders is working away.
Saunders tries to roll over but Pukki keeps him under control.
Saunders is working hard here to advance position.
Elliot Saunders has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pukki trying to control the action but Saunders is working from the bottom.
Pukki scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Saunders wants to get back to full guard.
Pukki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Saunders is looking to improve his position.
Pukki lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Saunders is staying active underneath Pukki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Saunders trying to control from the bottom.
Saunders moves into full guard.
Saunders working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Pukki has passed into half guard!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Saunders wants to improve his position but Pukki is controlling well.
Pukki scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Pukki is looking to take a break and control but Saunders is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Saunders is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pukki scores with a couple of nice shots.
Still in half guard, Pukki seems content to control.
Saunders is staying active underneath Pukki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Pukki wants to pass the guard but Saunders is defending well.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pukki keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
OK we're going to have a standup here. Joulu Pukki hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Pukki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A solid leg kick lands there for Pukki.
Joulu Pukki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Saunders shoots in looking for a takedown but Pukki manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Saunders's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Pukki swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Pukki moves out of range of the strikes.
Pukki misses with a head kick.
Joulu Pukki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Saunders looks for a takedown but Pukki sprawls well.
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!
Pukki connects with a high kick.
Saunders shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Pukki defends it nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pukki cracks the inside of Saunders's front leg.
Saunders missing with a left hand there. Pukki was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that's the end of the fight!
Joulu Pukki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pukki has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joulu Pukki!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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