PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Vladimir Kharitonov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Potkukelkka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kharitonov comes to the cage accompanied by BLUNT - Raggae All Day. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kharitonov
vs
Potkukelkka

170 cm
29
156 lbs
20 - 8 - 0

170 cm
28
154 lbs
17 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Hellbent
Heisenberg

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Vladimir Kharitonov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Potkukelkka!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Chad Campbell and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kharitonov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Potkukelkka defending well as Kharitonov loads up on a big left hand.
A low kick from Kharitonov misses
and Potkukelkka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Good work by Kharitonov as he checks the leg kick.
Potkukelkka misses with an uppercut.
Kharitonov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Potkukelkka lands an overhand right.
Kharitonov connects with a right hand. Potkukelkka shakes it off.
Kharitonov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kharitonov keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kharitonov lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Potkukelkka circles away quickly and effectively.
We've been told by Kharitonov's head coaches at Hits Like A Girl that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Potkukelkka fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kharitonov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Potkukelkka. Potkukelkka obviously looking to wear him down.
Potkukelkka misses with an uppercut
and Kharitonov counters with a straight right hand.
Potkukelkka swings for the body but Kharitonov moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potkukelkka misses with a takedown attempt
and Kharitonov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Potkukelkka connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Vladimir Kharitonov is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kharitonov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Potkukelkka has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Potkukelkka throws the left hand but Kharitonov avoids the punch easily.
Kharitonov throws a leg kick but Potkukelkka checks it.
Kharitonov stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kharitonov wants it to stay on the feet.
Potkukelkka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kharitonov circles away.
Vladimir Kharitonov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of James Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kharitonov connects with a single shot there.
Potkukelkka misses with a low kick.
Potkukelkka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kharitonov sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Potkukelkka somewhat.
Potkukelkka misses with a kick to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov is looking to slow Potkukelkka down with leg kicks.
Potkukelkka lands a nice shot that snaps Kharitonov's head back.
Kharitonov throws a leg kick that misses.
The crowd cheers as Potkukelkka lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kharitonov doesn't seem phased though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kharitonov throws a leg kick which misses Potkukelkka's front leg but catches the back leg as Potkukelkka tries to avoid it.
Potkukelkka checks a low kick from Kharitonov.

Potkukelkka closes the distance and clinches.
Potkukelkka swings wildly with an uppercut but Kharitonov uses good head movement to avoid it.
Potkukelkka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Kharitonov breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Potkukelkka with that takedown attempt.
Potkukelkka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kharitonov is out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Potkukelkka checks a leg kick nicely.
Potkukelkka looks to land a right hand but Kharitonov moved out of range.
Kharitonov scores with a leg kick.
Kharitonov throws a looping overhand right but Potkukelkka ducks down to avoid it.
Potkukelkka throws a sloppy head kick and Kharitonov moves out of range easily.
A good leg kick by Kharitonov.
Kharitonov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Potkukelkka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Potkukelkka tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kharitonov counters with a nice body shot.
Potkukelkka shoots in looking for a takedown but Kharitonov manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Potkukelkka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nice jab there from Potkukelkka.
A clash of legs there as Potkukelkka blocks the low kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Kharitonov.
Kharitonov lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kharitonov works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Kharitonov moves away from the strike by Potkukelkka.
Kharitonov throws a low kick but it's checked well by Potkukelkka.
A lazy left from Kharitonov finds it's target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Potkukelkka scores with the left hand. Kharitonov knows he should have avoided that one.
Kharitonov looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kharitonov lands a glancing blow to the side of Potkukelkka's head.
Kharitonov lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kharitonov throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Potkukelkka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kharitonov.
Potkukelkka avoids the body shot from Kharitonov.
Potkukelkka jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but James Potkukelkka will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kharitonov connects with a single shot there.
Potkukelkka looks to throw the jab but Kharitonov is out of range.
Kharitonov cracks a nice hook into Potkukelkka's ribs.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kharitonov.
Kharitonov lunges at Potkukelkka with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Potkukelkka's hand.
Kharitonov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

Potkukelkka fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kharitonov to the ground. Potkukelkka is now in Kharitonov's guard.
Potkukelkka trying to control but Kharitonov is working from the bottom.
Kharitonov being controlled here, momentarily.
Potkukelkka wants to control from the top but Kharitonov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potkukelkka looking to sit in guard and control but Kharitonov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kharitonov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Potkukelkka wants to sweep but no luck.
Kharitonov working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kharitonov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Potkukelkka looking for a guillotine here but Kharitonov defends easily.
Potkukelkka wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka keeping moving, preventing Kharitonov from controlling successfully.
Kharitonov has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Potkukelkka looking for a sweep. Not yet Potkukelkka, not yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kharitonov trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Potkukelkka keeping moving, preventing Kharitonov from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kharitonov accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kharitonov throwing strikes but missing.
Potkukelkka keeping moving, preventing Kharitonov from controlling successfully.
Kharitonov is working Potkukelkka over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kharitonov trying to control but Potkukelkka is working from the bottom.

Potkukelkka escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kharitonov gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kharitonov scoring with punches to the head and body.

Potkukelkka is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kharitonov is aware though and is defending well.
Potkukelkka is adopting a defensive guard.
Potkukelkka is looking to sweep but instead, Kharitonov has passed into half guard.
Kharitonov not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Potkukelkka wants to get back to full guard.
James Potkukelkka has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kharitonov throwing shots but Potkukelkka is blocking nicely.
Potkukelkka has hold of Kharitonov's hands but Kharitonov slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov wants to control but Potkukelkka is keeping him busy.
Potkukelkka trying to control from the bottom.
Potkukelkka wants to improve his position but Kharitonov is controlling well.
Kharitonov is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kharitonov working Potkukelkka over with strikes.
Kharitonov missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Potkukelkka wants to get back to full guard.
Potkukelkka has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kharitonov is working away from the top position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kharitonov is keen to just control but Potkukelkka is a slippery customer.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kharitonov lands a nice short elbow.
Kharitonov throwing shots but Potkukelkka is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vladimir Kharitonov dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Potkukelkka pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kharitonov is out of range and Potkukelkka settles back down.

Potkukelkka feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kharitonov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Potkukelkka preventing the sweep.
Potkukelkka landing with the ground and pound.
Potkukelkka wants to pass the guard but Kharitonov is keeping the position.
Potkukelkka wants to control from the top but Kharitonov keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kharitonov keeping full guard, as Potkukelkka tries to pass.
Kharitonov is trying to control the position but Potkukelkka postures up.
Potkukelkka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kharitonov works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Potkukelkka looking to sit in guard and control but Kharitonov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Potkukelkka working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kharitonov.
Potkukelkka 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.
Potkukelkka pulls Kharitonov in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov throwing strikes but missing.
Kharitonov throwing strikes but missing.
Kharitonov postures up in Potkukelkka's guard and throws a big left but Potkukelkka blocks it.

Kharitonov avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kharitonov throws a big right hand that misses.
Potkukelkka keeping moving, preventing Kharitonov from controlling successfully.
Kharitonov missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kharitonov throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kharitonov trying to control the position from guard on top but Potkukelkka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kharitonov lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Potkukelkka is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Potkukelkka looking for a guillotine here but Kharitonov defends easily.
Kharitonov with a nice head shot there.
Potkukelkka avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kharitonov trying to control the position from guard on top but Potkukelkka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kharitonov throws a strike but Potkukelkka rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka postures up in Kharitonov's guard and throws a big left but Kharitonov blocks it.
Potkukelkka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Potkukelkka trying to control the position from guard on top but Kharitonov is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Potkukelkka is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Potkukelkka tries to free his leg and advance position but Kharitonov is retaining full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Potkukelkka is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Potkukelkka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Potkukelkka 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Potkukelkka!
A relieved looking James Potkukelkka thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.