PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexander Shlemenko (ranked 1668 p4p, 225 weight class) and Iikka Runnisto (ranked 1409 p4p, 197 weight class). Shlemenko comes to the cage accompanied by Omarion Ft. Chris Brown & Jhene Aiko - Post To Be. Runnisto has chosen Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös! as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shlemenko
vs
Runnisto

180 cm
28
201 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

182 cm
26
192 lbs
17 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Pit Bull Development

KOMBAT KLOTHING

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 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Alexander Shlemenko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Shlemenko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Runnisto has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Shlemenko is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Runnisto uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Shlemenko misses with a right hand
and Runnisto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shlemenko throws a low kick but it's checked well by Runnisto.
Runnisto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Shlemenko.
Shlemenko tries to clinch up.
Runnisto appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Shlemenko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Runnisto checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Shlemenko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Runnisto tries to sprawl but Shlemenko drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Runnisto is looking for a sweep. Shlemenko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Runnisto manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto is pulling down on Shlemenko's head. It's preventing any offense from Shlemenko, at least for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Shlemenko trying to control but Runnisto is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Shlemenko has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Spar Bros in the buildup to the fight.
Runnisto misses with a few strikes there.
Shlemenko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Shlemenko fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Runnisto punishes Shlemenko's body with a nice straight punch.
Jab from Shlemenko.
Runnisto misses with a combination
and Shlemenko counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Runnisto thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko moves out of range of the strikes.
Shlemenko throws a big shot that misses.
Shlemenko slips a jab and a cross from Runnisto.
Shlemenko throws a big counter combination but Runnisto scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Runnisto misses with a wild combination.
Shlemenko lands with a straight right. Runnisto didn't see that one coming.
Runnisto avoids the body shot from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Danga de danga de dang - Runnisto scores with a four punch combination!
Runnisto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Runnisto throws a right and a left that Shlemenko avoids nicely.
Shlemenko attempts a counter takedown but Runnisto avoids it well and moves away.
Shlemenko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Runnisto tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Shlemenko loads up on a big right hand but Runnisto slips the punch.
Shlemenko avoids a punch combination nicely.
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 Alexander Shlemenko will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Shlemenko scores with a jab.
Shlemenko slips a jab and a cross from Runnisto.
Shlemenko fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Runnisto has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Runnisto throws a body punch but Shlemenko moves out of range.
Runnisto misses with a body shot
and Shlemenko counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Shlemenko misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Shlemenko tries a head kick but it misses.
Shlemenko throws a right hand that Runnisto ducks under and follows up with a left that Runnisto also avoids with ease.
Runnisto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Shlemenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shlemenko moves to clinch but Runnisto breaks away
and Runnisto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Runnisto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Runnisto misses with a jab, cross combination.
Shlemenko is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Shlemenko thuds a left hand into Runnisto's body.
Shlemenko scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Runnisto throws a series of punches but Shlemenko avoids them all with ease.
Runnisto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Shlemenko avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto connects with a body shot.
Nice straight punches there by Shlemenko. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Shlemenko.
Shlemenko lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Runnisto looks to throw the jab but Shlemenko is out of range.
Shlemenko misses with a straight right.
Runnisto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Shlemenko throws out the jab.
Runnisto comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Shlemenko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto feints a jab promting Shlemenko to slip. Runnisto then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Shlemenko slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

Oooooh!!! Runnisto has knocked Shlemenko down with a huge combo! Runnisto steps away and waves a wobbly Shlemenko back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Shlemenko is rocked!
Runnisto dances in with a quick combination. Shlemenko is being worked over with jabs and crosses. Oooh, a right straight from Runnisto snaps Shlemenko's head back. Shlemenko stumbles backwards against the cage. Runnisto steps forward and delivers a right cross that connects with Shlemenko's jaw, simultaneously knocking him out and sending his mouthpiece into the crowd! There's a worthy souvenir for the fans. This one is over folks. Shlemenko just didn't come prepared.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:39 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Iikka Runnisto!