PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight kickboxing rules bout between Pekka Toivonen (ranked 2086 p4p, 282 weight class) and Mario Zambrana (ranked 5453 p4p, 615 weight class). Zambrana is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Impact is Imminent. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Toivonen
vs
Zambrana

193 cm
22
210 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
195 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

World class MT
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

IniTech Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Pekka Toivonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mario Zambrana!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Alan Glass and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Toivonen swings for the body but Zambrana moves out of range.
Zambrana appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Toivonen 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.
Zambrana looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Zambrana fails to land with a series of punches.
Zambrana looks to land a body kick but Toivonen moved away.
Zambrana lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Zambrana throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
The fighters circling - Zambrana throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zambrana misses with an uppercut. Toivonen saw that one coming.
As Zambrana backs away, Toivonen returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Zambrana throws a hook to the side of Toivonen's head but Toivonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Toivonen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toivonen scores with a nice body kick.
Zambrana scores with a crisp jab that stopped Toivonen in his tracks.
Toivonen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zambrana throws out the jab.
Toivonen throws a low kick but Zambrana moves out of range easily.
Toivonen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Zambrana.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toivonen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

It looks like Mario Zambrana has been cut.
Toivonen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Toivonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zambrana.
Zambrana connects with a nice looking jab.

It looks like Pekka Toivonen has been cut.
Toivonen wants to slow Zambrana down by chopping away at his legs.
Zambrana misses with a hook
and Toivonen counters with a left to the body.
Toivonen checks a leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Toivonen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Toivonen moves into the clinch.
Zambrana pushes off an throws an elbow but Toivonen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.

Zambrana breaks from the clinch.
Nice defenses there by Toivonen.
Zambrana gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Toivonen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Toivonen is looking to land body kicks.
It seemed like Zambrana was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toivonen lands a nice looking kick to the body. Zambrana takes a step back to recover.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zambrana with a nice cross.
Toivonen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zambrana checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Toivonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zambrana.
Toivonen's corner calls for a 1-2. Toivonen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Zambrana ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Zambrana will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A quick step to the side and Toivonen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Zambrana is trying to break the clinch but Toivonen has him pressed against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Mario Zambrana will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Toivonen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zambrana.
Toivonen moves forwards but Zambrana connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Zambrana rushes Toivonen and presses him up against the ropes.
Zambrana has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Zambrana blocks an uppercut.

Zambrana's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Zambrana misses the jab.
Toivonen feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Zambrana tries to close the distance and clinch but Toivonen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Decent striking displayed by Zambrana there.
Zambrana misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toivonen slips under a jab from Zambrana.
Zambrana lands with a thumping leg kick.
Zambrana takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Toivonen just misses with a punch to the body.
Zambrana unleashes a big counter combination but Toivonen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Zambrana misses
and Toivonen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Zambrana. Toivonen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Toivonen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Zambrana checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
A big right from Zambrana misses.
A punch combination from Zambrana misses.
Toivonen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Zambrana counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Zambrana comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Toivonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zambrana.
Zambrana fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Toivonen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nice shot by Zambrana.
A big left from Zambrana misses.
Toivonen connects with a leg kick. Zambrana looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zambrana throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mario Zambrana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zambrana throws an off balance right hand
and Zambrana takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Toivonen jabs at Zambrana's body.
Toivonen throws a body kick that misses.
Zambrana will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Toivonen throws a body kick that misses.
Zambrana darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Toivonen jabs Zambrana to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Zambrana scores with a hook.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A battle for position here, against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Zambrana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Toivonen throws a leg kick which misses Zambrana's front leg but catches the back leg as Zambrana tries to avoid it.
Zambrana scores with a decent looking hook.
Zambrana punishes Toivonen's body with a nice straight punch.
Toivonen throws out a leg kick but Zambrana moves out of range and Toivonen only half commits.
Zambrana misses the jab.
Toivonen appears to be looking for a big counter.
Zambrana takes a kick to the side of the head.
Toivonen misses with a low kick.
Zambrana pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Zambrana throws a right hand that misses
and Toivonen counters with a body kick.
Zambrana connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Toivonen is looking to wear down Zambrana with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Zambrana throws the left hand but Toivonen avoids the punch easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Toivonen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Zambrana ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A low kick from Toivonen is predictable there
and Toivonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zambrana moves out of range as Toivonen throws a body kick.
Toivonen tries to land a leg kick but Zambrana saw it coming and moves away.
Toivonen staying out of range there.
As Zambrana backs away, Toivonen returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Zambrana cracks Toivonen with a right hand to the side of the head.

Pekka Toivonen's cut is getting worse.
Zambrana throws a lazy right hand but Toivonen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Toivonen lands a glancing blow to the side of Zambrana's head.
Toivonen throws a jab when Zambrana was well out of range.
Zambrana tries to counter with a clinch but Toivonen shakes him off and moves away.
Nice defenses there by Toivonen.
Toivonen appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Zambrana throws a low kick but Toivonen moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zambrana throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Toivonen is looking to counter the offense by Zambrana and move into the clinch.
Zambrana loads up on a big right hand but Toivonen slips the punch.
Zambrana loads up on a big right hand but Toivonen slips the punch.
Zambrana misses the jab.
Toivonen lands a leg kick that knocks Zambrana off balance momentarily.
Toivonen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Zambrana counters with a nice uppercut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Toivonen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Zambrana counters by moving into the clinch.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Zambrana. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Toivonen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zambrana pushes off an throws an elbow but Toivonen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the ropes.
Zambrana looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Toivonen as Zambrana tries to tie him up.
Toivonen has a couple of punches blocked by Zambrana.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Zambrana really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Toivonen instigates a clinch.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Toivonen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Zambrana misses with a knee to the head.

Toivonen breaks from the clinch.
Zambrana misses with an uppercut
and Toivonen counters with an inside leg kick.
Zambrana thuds a left hand into Toivonen's body.
Zambrana checks a low kick from Toivonen.
Toivonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Zambrana is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Zambrana clinches up against the ropes.

Zambrana breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Zambrana lands a lovely overhand right.
Toivonen avoids the body shot from Zambrana.
Toivonen is looking to counter with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zambrana moves out of range of the body kick from Toivonen.
Zambrana throws a low kick but it's checked well by Toivonen.
Toivonen throws a body punch but Zambrana moves out of range.
Zambrana stuns Toivonen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zambrana throws a jab but it's blocked by Toivonen.
Zambrana ducks under a wild hook from Toivonen.
Toivonen digs a good body shot into Zambrana's ribs.
Zambrana dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Zambrana moves into range and connects with a jab.
Toivonen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zambrana.
Zambrana misses with a straight left.
Toivonen is looking for a counter combo.
Toivonen misses with a low kick.
Zambrana tries a quick counter leg kick but Toivonen is wise to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Toivonen connects with a crisp jab.
Mario Zambrana seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Toivonen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Zambrana has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Toivonen tries to land a leg kick but Zambrana saw it coming and moves away.
Zambrana lands with an uppercut that bounces Toivonen off the ropes and back into range.
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!
Zambrana tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zambrana scores with a jab.
Toivonen blocks a jab.
Zambrana connects with a nice looking jab.
Toivonen tries to score with a low kick but Zambrana moves his leg out of the way.
Toivonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Zambrana.
Zambrana takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mario Zambrana dominated that fourth round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the ring so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Zambrana swings widly with a right hand
and Toivonen counters with a leg kick.
Pekka Toivonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Toivonen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Toivonen throws a front kick aimed at Zambrana's knee but Zambrana avoids it well.
Toivonen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Toivonen is looking to score with low kicks.
Toivonen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Zambrana to score with a decent uppercut.
Zambrana lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Toivonen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Zambrana checks it well.
Zambrana throws out a counter right but Toivonen avoids it with no problem.
Toivonen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Toivonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Zambrana.
A big left from Zambrana misses.
Zambrana paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Toivonen looks to clinch
letting Zambrana counter with a right hand.

Pekka Toivonen's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zambrana tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Toivonen counters with an outside leg kick.
Zambrana misses with a two punch combination.
Toivonen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Toivonen scores with a spinning back kick!
Zambrana moves out of range of the leg kick from Toivonen.
Toivonen scores with a jab.
Toivonen throws a body shot but no joy.
Mario Zambrana is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Toivonen misses with a wild body shot.
Toivonen tries to move into range but Zambrana moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Toivonen misses with a body kick.
Zambrana on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A swing and a miss from Toivonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zambrana throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nice body kick there by Toivonen.
Zambrana is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Zambrana tries to clinch but Toivonen moves out of range.
A low kick from Toivonen misses
and Zambrana counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zambrana blocks a head kick by Toivonen.
A slow jab from Zambrana misses its intended target.
Zambrana misses with an uppercut.
Zambrana throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Toivonen counters with a nice uppercut.
Zambrana checks a low kick from Toivonen.
Zambrana takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Zambrana tries to clinch but Toivonen is having none of it.

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 Pekka Toivonen.
Well Zambrana has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.

Judge George Francis scores the fight for Mario Zambrana!
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight for Mario Zambrana!
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight for Mario Zambrana!

Mario Zambrana wins by unanimous decision!
Mario Zambrana made sure to mention his sponsor, IniTech Nutrition in his post fight interview.