PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kalervo Kaunismieli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Richard Hickock (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Hickock's choice of entrance music: Why can't we be friends. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kaunismieli
vs
Hickock

183 cm
27
192 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

182 cm
36
193 lbs
33 - 19 - 2

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

KAISER Nutrition (160!/220$)

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Kalervo Kaunismieli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 19 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Richard Hickock!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hickock tries to clinch
enabling Kaunismieli to counter with a crisp jab.
Kaunismieli checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kaunismieli walks into a straight right hand from Hickock.
Kaunismieli looks to land a body kick but Hickock moved away.

Hickock closes the distance and pushes Kaunismieli back into the cage.
Kaunismieli tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hickock's elbow.
Kaunismieli is looking to control Hickock's arms but Hickock gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kaunismieli has his back to the cage.
Still in the clinch, Kaunismieli scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hickock throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hickock prevents a body shot from Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kaunismieli avoids the elbow strike from Hickock, against the cage.
Hickock swings wildly with an uppercut but Kaunismieli uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaunismieli lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hickock scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kaunismieli lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hickock backwards.
Kaunismieli has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Kaunismieli stalling in the clinch but Hickock improves position.
Kaunismieli lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaunismieli throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kaunismieli.
Hickock tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kaunismieli's elbow.
Kaunismieli lands with a short shot to the head.
Hickock misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kaunismieli tries to work over Hickock's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hickock tries to work over Kaunismieli's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice left hand lands by Kaunismieli.
We've been informed that Hickock has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Kaunismieli misses with the head strike.
Kaunismieli lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hickock tries to stall but Kaunismieli uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kaunismieli misses with a punch on the inside.
Hickock creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kaunismieli's defenses.
Kaunismieli blocking some punches.
Hickock throws a punch but it's blocked by Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli blocks an elbow strike.
Kaunismieli is pushing Hickock up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A short right from Hickock.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hickock lands a right hand.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kaunismieli taking a breather.
Hickock throws an elbow but it misses.
Hickock throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kaunismielis head.
Kaunismieli misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kaunismieli lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Kaunismieli tries to work over Hickock's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kaunismieli misses with a body punch.
Hickock lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hickock lands an elbow inside that Kaunismieli shrugs off.
Kaunismieli working aggressively here.
A right hand to the body from Kaunismieli.
Hickock lands an uppercut.
Hickock fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kaunismieli can't find room to land a body shot as Hickock controls the action.
Kaunismieli swings wildly with an uppercut but Hickock uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kaunismieli has a couple of punches blocked by Hickock.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickock softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kaunismieli stalling in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hickock.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Hickock takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kaunismieli tries a body shot but Hickock blocks it.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kaunismieli creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hickock throws an elbow but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kaunismieli.
Hickock lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hickock - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kaunismieli has a couple of punches blocked by Hickock.
Hickock misses with an elbow strike.

Kaunismieli escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hickock misses with the body kick
and Hickock takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hickock moves out of range of the leg kick from Kaunismieli.
Hickock ducks under a wild hook from Kaunismieli.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaunismieli throws a body shot but no joy.
Kaunismieli keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab, jab by Kaunismieli - just one landing.

Kaunismieli moves into the clinch successfully.
Hickock throws a punch but it's blocked by Kaunismieli.
Hickock working aggressively here.
Hickock lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Come on Hickock - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hickock taking a breather.
Kaunismieli makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A right hook to the body lands for Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Kaunismieli - that landed with a thud.
Hickock is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kaunismieli is keeping busy.
A short left from Kaunismieli.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kalervo Kaunismieli will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hickock buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hickock throws a head kick that misses.
Hickock throws a shot to the body.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Hickock connects with a jab.
Kaunismieli misses the jab.
Hickock throws a big counter head kick but Kaunismieli avoids it with no problem.
Hickock throws a hook but Kaunismieli blocks it.
Hickock misses with a head kick.
Hickock tries to clinch but Kaunismieli is having none of it.
Hickock tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kaunismieli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kaunismieli lands a jab to the nose.
Hickock throws a body kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaunismieli loads up on a big right hand but Hickock slips the punch.
A low kick from Hickock is predictable there
and Kaunismieli counters with a slapping leg kick.
Hickock scores with a sloppy right hand. Kaunismieli should have avoided that one.
Kaunismieli works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kaunismieli delivers a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaunismieli tries to move into range but Hickock moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kaunismieli dips to his left and cracks Hickock with an uppercut!
Kaunismieli doesn't manage to clinch there - Hickock circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hickock. Kaunismieli does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hickock lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kaunismieli will feel that in the morning.
Kaunismieli throws a body punch but Hickock moves out of range.
Hickock throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kaunismieli stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kaunismieli blocks a low kick nicely.

Kaunismieli darts in and clinches Hickock up against the cage.
With the fighters up against the cage, Hickock throws an elbow but misses.
Hickock blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kaunismieli lands an uppercut.
Kaunismieli is trying to stall.
Hickock blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kaunismieli working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A short right from Hickock on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kaunismieli displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hickock up against the cage.
Hickock blocking some punches.
Hickock is stalling here.
A head punch on the inside from Kaunismieli fails to land.
Hickock takes a shot to the head.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kaunismieli has a couple of punches blocked by Hickock.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kaunismieli.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hickock - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hickock.
Kaunismieli blocking some punches.
Hickock trying to stall but Kaunismieli improves his position.
Kaunismieli tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickock misses with the head strike.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kaunismieli lands a hook that snaps the head of Hickock backwards.
Kaunismieli tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kaunismieli lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hickock working aggressively here.
Kaunismieli is pushing Hickock up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
A nice left hand lands by Hickock.
A short right from Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli lands a shoulder strike.
Kaunismieli lands an uppercut.
Kaunismieli misses with a body punch.
Kaunismieli throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hickock has a couple of punches blocked by Kaunismieli.
Kalervo Kaunismieli has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kaunismieli struggles to land a body shot inside as Hickock controls his hands.
Kaunismieli fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaunismieli tries to throw a body punch but Hickock avoids it by throwing Kaunismieli back against the cage.
Hickock looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Kaunismieli doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kaunismieli throws a head punch that misses.
Hickock misses with a punch on the inside.
Kaunismieli misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hickock swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hickock lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kaunismieli or not.
Kaunismieli working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kaunismieli lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hickock backwards.
Kaunismieli lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kaunismieli tries a body shot but Hickock blocks it.
Hickock lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hickock.
Hickock is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kaunismieli lands with a right to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalervo Kaunismieli dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kaunismieli misses with a right hand
and Hickock counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kaunismieli misses with a wild body shot.
Kaunismieli fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kaunismieli takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Hickock closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hickock swings wildly with an uppercut but Kaunismieli uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hickock stalling in the clinch.
Kaunismieli lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Hickock.
Kaunismieli lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kaunismieli scores with a shoulder strike.
Kaunismieli blocking some punches.

Kaunismieli breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Some wild striking there from Kaunismieli.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hickock tries to score with a low kick but Kaunismieli moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaunismieli wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kaunismieli is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hickock.
Kaunismieli misses with an uppercut. Hickock saw that one coming.
Hickock jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hickock throws a push kick but Kaunismieli slaps the foot to one side.
A slapping body kick lands there for Hickock.
Hickock moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Hickock attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kaunismieli is looking to counter the offense by Hickock and move into the clinch.
Hickock avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hickock fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kaunismieli manages to avoid it.
Hickock fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kaunismieli doesn't manage to clinch there - Hickock circles away.
Hickock throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hickock takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kaunismieli steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hickock.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hickock scores with a one two! Kaunismieli had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
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!
Kaunismieli throws a jab but it's blocked by Hickock.
A little jabbing left from Hickock on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A punch combination from Hickock misses.
Kaunismieli is looking to slow Hickock down with leg kicks.
Hickock is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kaunismieli.
The fighters circling - Kaunismieli throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hickock fails in his attempt to clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli cracks Hickock with a good jab.
Hickock takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kaunismieli misses with a wild body shot.
Kaunismieli misses with a looping left.
Kaunismieli tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hickock was well out of range. Poor timing from Kaunismieli.
Hickock throws an overhand right that lands on Kaunismieli's shoulder, as Kaunismieli tries to avoid the shot.
It looked like Kaunismieli wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
The fighters circling - Hickock throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hickock misses with a wild combination.
Hickock throws a body punch but Kaunismieli moves out of range.
Hickock throws a jab but it's blocked by Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli swings widly with a right hand
and Hickock counters with an outside leg kick.
Hickock uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli jabs at Hickock's body.
Hickock is looking to clinch.
Kaunismieli throws a body punch but Hickock moves out of range.
Hickock throws a series of punches but Kaunismieli avoids them all with ease.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kaunismieli.
Hickock avoids a kick to the body.
Hickock thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Kaunismieli if he has to take too many more of those.

Kaunismieli closes the distance and clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kaunismieli.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kaunismieli.
Kaunismieli blocks an uppercut.
Hickock lands a right hand.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kaunismieli misses with a punch on the inside.
Kalervo Kaunismieli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kaunismieli throws a punch but it's blocked by Hickock.
Hickock goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kaunismieli working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kaunismieli.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kaunismieli lands a right hand.
Hickock slows down the pace here.
Richard Hickock has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaunismieli throws a head punch that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kalervo Kaunismieli.
Well Kaunismieli 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kalervo Kaunismieli!
Our winner, Kalervo Kaunismieli, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.