PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vova Klimov (ranked 695 p4p, 95 weight class) and Iikka Runnisto (ranked 777 p4p, 113 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Runnisto's choice of entrance music: Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös!. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Klimov
vs
Runnisto

181 cm
28
203 lbs
19 - 11 - 0

182 cm
27
192 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter
Red Light Coffeeshop

Red Light Coffeeshop

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 19 - 11 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Vova Klimov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Runnisto stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Runnisto uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Klimov has time to react.
Klimov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Klimov swings widly with a right hand
and Runnisto counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Runnisto sizes up Klimov with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Klimov ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Klimov cracks Runnisto with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Klimov pushes Runnisto up against the cage in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Runnisto.

Runnisto breaks the clinch.
Runnisto throws a body punch but Klimov moves out of range.
Klimov takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Klimov misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Runnisto counters with a stiff right hand.
Klimov tries to clinch but Runnisto moves out of range.
Klimov throws a body punch but Runnisto moves out of range.
Klimov lands the left hand.
Runnisto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Klimov was well out of range. Poor timing from Runnisto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Klimov with a hook.
Klimov lands the left hand.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Klimov is just out of range.
Runnisto smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Runnisto has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Runnisto misses with a body shot.
Runnisto throws a jab but it's blocked by Klimov.
Runnisto throws a hook but Klimov avoids it easily.
Klimov tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Runnisto is able to avoid easily.
Klimov jabs at Runnisto's body.
Klimov lands with an overhand left.
Klimov slips a straight right by Runnisto.
Runnisto swings for the body but Klimov moves out of range.
Klimov stuns Runnisto with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Klimov takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Klimov 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Runnisto punishes Klimov's body with a nice straight punch.
Runnisto fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Runnisto just misses with a punch to the body.
Klimov has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Runnisto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Runnisto jabs Klimov right on the nose. Klimov blinks but takes it well.
Klimov dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Runnisto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Klimov.
Runnisto scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Runnisto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Klimov.
Runnisto just misses with a punch to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Klimov on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Klimov misses with an uppercut. Runnisto saw that one coming.
Klimov throws a big shot that misses.
Runnisto looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Runnisto. Klimov does a little dance to reset his feet.
Runnisto misses the shot to the body.
Good shot there by Klimov.
Some bone on bone action there as Klimov checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Runnisto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Klimov was well out of range. Poor timing from Runnisto.
Runnisto swings for the body but Klimov moves out of range.
Klimov displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Runnisto throws out the jab.
Klimov fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Runnisto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Runnisto scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nice jab there from Runnisto.
Runnisto looks to land a left hand but Klimov moved out of range nicely.
Runnisto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Klimov.
Runnisto now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Runnisto cracks Klimov with a right hand to the side of the head.
Klimov looks to throw the jab but Runnisto is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Runnisto 's head but he takes it in his stride.
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!
Klimov missing with a left hand there. Runnisto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Klimov closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Klimov lands a hook that snaps the head of Runnisto backwards.
Klimov prevents a body shot from Runnisto.
A shot in the inside from Klimov.
Runnisto throws a punch but it's blocked by Klimov.
Runnisto blocking some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Runnisto.
Runnisto gets through Klimov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Klimov.
A head punch on the inside from Klimov fails to land.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Runnisto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Klimov lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Runnisto blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch on the inside from Klimov fails to land.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Iikka Runnisto will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Klimov misses with a hook
enabling Runnisto to counter with a crisp jab.
Klimov tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Runnisto counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Klimov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Runnisto.
Klimov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Runnisto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Klimov misses with an uppercut. Runnisto saw that one coming.
Runnisto takes one to the chin there.
Runnisto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Runnisto avoids a punch combination nicely.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Runnisto! But no joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klimov looks to land a right hand but Runnisto moved out of range.
Runnisto lands with a right hand.
Runnisto misses with a jab to the body
and Klimov counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Runnisto thinking.
Klimov throws a lazy uppercut
and Runnisto counters with a straight right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Runnisto, as that shot connected.
Klimov is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Klimov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jab by Runnisto.
Klimov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Runnisto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Klimov swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Runnisto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Klimov throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Runnisto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Klimov works Runnisto's body with a nice hook.
Runnisto misses with a looping right.
Runnisto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Klimov missing with a left hand there. Runnisto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Klimov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Klimov misses with a straight left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Klimov throws a lazy right hand but Runnisto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Klimov misses the shot to the body.
Klimov uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Runnisto.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Runnisto cracks Klimov with an open hand slap.
Runnisto thows a left - swing and a miss!
Runnisto throws a hook to the side of Klimov's head but Klimov sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Runnisto stuns Klimov with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Klimov closes the distance and clinches.
Klimov lands an elbow inside that Runnisto shrugs off.
Klimov misses with a punch on the inside.
Klimov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Klimov prevents a body shot from Runnisto.
A body shot lands from Runnisto.
Klimov blocking some punches.
Runnisto is working Klimov over against the cage.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Runnisto in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Runnisto lands a right hand that snaps the head of Klimov backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Klimov.
Klimov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Klimov lands a body punch.
Runnisto gets through Klimov's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Klimov.
Runnisto working aggressively here.
Klimov can't find room to land a body shot as Runnisto controls the action.
Klimov blocks a body shot from Runnisto.
Vova Klimov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Runnisto blocking some punches.
Klimov lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Klimov gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Klimov working aggressively here.
The referee calls for Runnisto to work.
Klimov prevents a body shot from Runnisto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Runnisto fails to land.
Runnisto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Klimov throws a punch but it's blocked by Runnisto.
A short body shot lands from Runnisto as the two fighters clinch.
Klimov swings wildly with an uppercut but Runnisto uses good head movement to avoid it.

Runnisto manages to break the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Runnisto throws an off balance right hand
and Klimov counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Runnisto slips under a jab from Klimov.
Klimov keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Runnisto.
Runnisto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Runnisto lands a jab-cross combination.
Klimov ducks under a wild hook from Runnisto.
Klimov staying out of range there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Iikka Runnisto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Klimov takes a jab right on the kisser.
Klimov tests Runnisto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Klimov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Klimov avoids the head kick by Runnisto.
Runnisto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Klimov moves away.
Runnisto lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Klimov avoids the body shot from Runnisto.
Klimov swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Runnisto looks to land a left hand but Klimov moved out of range nicely.
Runnisto cracks a nice hook into Klimov's ribs.
Klimov scores with a jab to the head.
Klimov looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klimov uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Runnisto.
Klimov sizes up Runnisto with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Klimov misses with a looping left.
Runnisto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Klimov.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klimov connects with the punch.
Runnisto fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Klimov misses with a looping left.
Runnisto looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Klimov scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Klimov throws a jab when Runnisto was well out of range.
Runnisto throws a body shot but no joy.
Runnisto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Runnisto cracks a nice hook into Klimov's ribs.
Klimov tries to close the distance and clinch up but Runnisto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Klimov fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Runnisto on the side of the head.
Runnisto avoids the body shot from Klimov.
Nice body punch from Runnisto.
Klimov takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Klimov is just out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto lands a right hook to the body.
Klimov throws the left hand but Runnisto avoids the punch easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Runnisto. Klimov does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Klimov. That's going to slow Runnisto down.
The fighters circling - Klimov throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Runnisto misses with a straight left.
Klimov pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Runnisto lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Klimov misses with an uppercut. Runnisto saw that one coming.
Vova Klimov has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Runnisto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Klimov.
Runnisto misses with a body shot.

Klimov forces Runnisto back against the cage and clinches.
Klimov is leaning against Runnisto and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Klimov blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klimov scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Runnisto working aggressively here.
Runnisto misses with some punches.
Klimov misses with a short punch on the inside.
Klimov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Iikka Runnisto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Klimov blocks an uppercut.
Runnisto struggles to land a body shot inside as Klimov controls his hands.
Runnisto misses with a body punch.

Runnisto breaks from the clinch.
Runnisto slips a jab from Klimov.
Klimov takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Runnisto scores with a nice head shot.
Runnisto swings for the body but Klimov moves out of range.
Klimov ducks under a wild hook from Runnisto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Runnisto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
A big right from Klimov misses.
Runnisto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Runnisto connects with a good right hand that stumbles Klimov. Klimov circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Runnisto throws a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Klimov. Runnisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Klimov swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Iikka Runnisto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Runnisto lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Klimov backs up against the cage.
Klimov misses the jab.
Klimov doesn't manage to clinch there - Runnisto circles away.
Klimov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Runnisto misses with a body punch
and Klimov counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Runnisto lands with a thumping leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Iikka Runnisto.
I've got Runnisto winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iikka Runnisto!
Vova Klimov was interviewed post fight and said 'Fuck you!'.