PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Santeri Laukkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tamati Ngata (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laukkanen comes to the cage accompanied by Nessun Dorma:Manowar. Ngata has chosen Maori Haka as his entrance music. Tamati Ngata has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Laukkanen
vs
Ngata

190 cm
21
249 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

198 cm
26
285 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

SP Ultimate Nutrition

Four Aces Nutrition

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Santeri Laukkanen !
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tamati Ngata!
The judges for this bout are Wagner Zegers, Daniel Blasius and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laukkanen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Laukkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Ngata moves out of range easily.
Laukkanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ngata.
Ngata misses with a few strikes there.
A little feinted left hand from Laukkanen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Laukkanen .
The fighters circling - Laukkanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Laukkanen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Laukkanen misses with an uppercut.
Laukkanen misses with a looping right.
Laukkanen throws a head kick that misses.
Ngata shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Laukkanen as he jumps to the side.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Laukkanen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Ngata.
Laukkanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Santeri Laukkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laukkanen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Ngata at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ngata scores with a body shot.
Laukkanen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Laukkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Ngata moves out of range easily.
A big right from Ngata misses.
Laukkanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Laukkanen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Laukkanen slips under a jab.
Laukkanen loads up on a big right hand but Ngata slips the punch.
Ngata ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Laukkanen moves away.
Santeri Laukkanen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Laukkanen throws a leg kick that misses.
Laukkanen walks into a stiff left hand from Ngata.
Laukkanen connects with an inside leg kick.
Laukkanen punishes Ngata's body with a nice straight punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Laukkanen . That's going to slow Ngata down.
Ngata slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ngata lands a glancing blow to the side of Laukkanen 's head.
Ngata blocks a jab.
Good exchange - Laukkanen coming out on top.
Laukkanen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Ngata tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Laukkanen defends well and Ngata ends up having to push Laukkanen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
The crowd cheers as Ngata lands an impressive looking overhand right. Laukkanen doesn't seem phased though.
Ngata misses with a series of wild punches.
Ngata lands a nice shot to the body.
Ngata cracks Laukkanen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laukkanen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Ngata is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Ngata checks a low kick from Laukkanen .
Ngata takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ngata swinging wildly here.
An inside leg kick lands from Laukkanen .
Ngata's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Laukkanen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ngata scrambles back to his feet.
Laukkanen misses with a low kick.
Ngata slips a jab from Laukkanen .
Laukkanen misses with a looping left.
Laukkanen takes one to the chin there.

Laukkanen is rocked!
Laukkanen is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Ngata's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Laukkanen drops his hands momentarily. Ngata doesn't need a second invitation, landing a shot to the temple. Laukkanen staggers and falls to the mat and the ref dives in to save him from any more punishment. Laukkanen doesn't seem happy with the stoppage but he was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Tamati Ngata!
An out of breath Tamati Ngata thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Santeri Laukkanen stepped up to the mic, saying 'This is SO not over !!'.