PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pohjolan Isanta (ranked 4447 p4p, 554 weight class) and Izuagbe Ugoh (ranked 2336 p4p, 327 weight class). Ugoh has chosen Inner Circle - Bad Boys as his entrance music. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Isanta
vs
Ugoh

183 cm
22
210 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

191 cm
22
207 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Fast

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Pohjolan Isanta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Izuagbe Ugoh!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Joseph Jones and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Isanta throws a jab but it's blocked by Ugoh.
Ugoh throws a leg kick
letting Isanta counter with a right hand.
Isanta has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Seppo's Massage Temple in the buildup to the fight.
Ugoh lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Ugoh connects with an inside leg kick.
Isanta fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ugoh on the side of the head.
Isanta jabs Ugoh to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Isanta bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ugoh's head backwards.
The fighters circling - Ugoh throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Isanta throws a hook but Ugoh avoids it easily.
Jab from Isanta.
Ugoh throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A lazy left from Ugoh finds it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ugoh thuds his right hand into Isanta's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Isanta tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ugoh was well out of range. Poor timing from Isanta.
Isanta misses with a shot to the body
and Ugoh counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Isanta moves out of range of the leg kick from Ugoh.
A jab from Ugoh misses.
Ugoh has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isanta lands the left hand.
Ugoh walks into a stiff left hand from Isanta.
Ugoh has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Isanta 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.
A jab from Ugoh finds it's way through Isanta's defenses.
Isanta jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Isanta throws a looping overhand right but Ugoh ducks down to avoid it.
Ugoh throws a leg kick

and Isanta counters with a shoot takedown. Ugoh fights it but they end up in guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Isanta wants to control from the top but Ugoh keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Isanta has gone for a leg lock! Ugoh slips out almost immediately though and dives into Isanta's guard.

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Isanta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ugoh tries to free his leg and advance position but Isanta is retaining full guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Isanta had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Ugoh defends it easily.
Ugoh is stalling in the full guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Isanta looking for subs off his back but Ugoh has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Isanta has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ugoh is working away from the top position though.

Isanta actively working from the bottom here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ugoh turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Ugoh lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Isanta at a distance.
Ugoh throws a big shot that misses.
The fighters circling - Isanta throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
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 Pohjolan Isanta will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ugoh connects with a solid leg kick.
Ugoh scoring well with a low kick there.
Ugoh looks for the body kick but Isanta saw that one coming.
Isanta was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Isanta takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Isanta will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Ugoh defending well as Isanta loads up on a big left hand.
Izuagbe Ugoh seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Isanta throws a body shot but no joy.
Isanta takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Jab from Ugoh.
Isanta lands a jab.
Ugoh fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Isanta is out of range.
Isanta appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Ugoh throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Isanta lands with an uppercut that bounces Ugoh off the cage and back into range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ugoh lands a jab.
Ugoh feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Isanta's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ugoh throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ugoh thows a leg kick but Isanta checks it

and Isanta counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ugoh won't be happy with that.
Ugoh managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Isanta.
Ugoh sneaks back into half guard.
Isanta trying to control the action but Ugoh is working from the bottom.

Isanta is looking for a kimura but Ugoh is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Isanta to get the leverage.
Isanta wants to take a breather but Ugoh is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Isanta not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Isanta is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Isanta sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ugoh defending well though.
Ugoh is looking to improve his position.
Isanta is looking to take a break and control but Ugoh is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ugoh is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Isanta.
Isanta was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Isanta shoots in for a takedown but Ugoh shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Isanta tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ugoh misses with a low kick as Isanta jumps back.
Isanta throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Isanta throws a looping overhand right but Ugoh ducks down to avoid it.
Isanta misses with a looping right.
A swing and a miss from Isanta.
Isanta throws a lazy right hand but Ugoh sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Isanta ducks under a wild hook from Ugoh.
That kick from Ugoh tenderised Isanta's leg. Isanta is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ugoh does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ugoh fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Ugoh defending well as Isanta loads up on a big left hand.
Ugoh cracks the inside of Isanta's front leg.
Isanta works the jab nicely.
Isanta swings widly with a right hand
and Ugoh cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Isanta throws a hook but Ugoh avoids it easily.
Isanta scores with a nice head shot.
Isanta is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ugoh stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pohjolan Isanta. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Isanta fails to land the takedown.
Isanta looks to land a right hand but Ugoh moved out of range.
Izuagbe Ugoh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Isanta dives in and scores a takedown into Ugoh's guard.
Isanta throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ugoh works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Isanta throwing strikes but missing.
Ugoh is controlling Isanta's posture.
Isanta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pohjolan Isanta will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ugoh throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Isanta counters with a straight right hand.
Ugoh cracks Isanta with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Isanta is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ugoh's half guard.
Pohjolan Isanta overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Isanta not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Isanta not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Isanta prevents Ugoh from improving his position.
Isanta thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ugoh avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Isanta.
Ugoh keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Isanta not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Isanta there.
Isanta controlling the pace.

Isanta is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ugoh defends it well.
Ugoh wants to control but Isanta is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Isanta trying to control from half guard but Ugoh is working away.
Ugoh makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Ugoh.
Izuagbe Ugoh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Ugoh keeping moving, preventing Isanta from controlling successfully.
Isanta stopping the sweep attempt from Ugoh.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Isanta misses with a right hand
and Isanta takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Isanta closes this distance looking for a takedown but Ugoh circles away.
A jab from Ugoh does it's job there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Isanta checks a leg kick.
Ugoh connects with the punch.
Ugoh sizes up Isanta with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ugoh throws a hook but Isanta avoids it easily.
Isanta staying out of range there.
Isanta swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isanta misses the shot to the body.
Ugoh throws a solid leg kick but Isanta takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ugoh.
Isanta misses with an uppercut
and Ugoh makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ugoh moves away from the strike by Isanta.

Isanta darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Isanta is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ugoh defends it well.
Ugoh taking some punishment here, with Isanta in his half guard.
Ugoh keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Pohjolan Isanta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Isanta is working for a kimura but Ugoh is defending it quite comfortably.
Ugoh is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Isanta is looking for a kimura here.

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 Pohjolan Isanta.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Isanta, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 John Roberts scores the fight 30:27
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pohjolan Isanta!