PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Skender Baruti (ranked 4914 p4p, 473 weight class) and Teppo Mansikka (ranked 7375 p4p, 601 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Baruti
vs
Mansikka

202 cm
18
255 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

198 cm
20
261 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Likes musicals

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Skender Baruti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teppo Mansikka!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Vladimir Khabensky and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baruti is looking to clinch but Mansikka is avoiding it.
Mansikka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Baruti sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Baruti swings for the body but Mansikka moves out of range.
Baruti tries to clinch but Mansikka is having none of it.
Mansikka slips a jab and a cross from Baruti.
Baruti misses with a hook. Mansikka ducked under it nicely.
Nice shot by Mansikka.
Baruti scores with a nice strike.
Mansikka scores with a sloppy right hand. Baruti should have avoided that one.

Mansikka drives through and clinches with Baruti against the cage.
Mansikka blocks an uppercut.
Mansikka missing with knees to the body.
A short uppercut from Baruti.
Mansikka blocking some punches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Mansikka.
Baruti throws a punch but it's blocked by Mansikka.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baruti can't find room to land a body shot as Mansikka controls the action.
Baruti struggles to land a body shot inside as Mansikka controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mansikka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Baruti lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mansikka backwards.
Mansikka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mansikka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Baruti fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Still in the clinch, Mansikka scores with a nice short uppercut.

It looks like Skender Baruti has been cut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Baruti creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Baruti tries to throw a body punch but Mansikka avoids it by throwing Baruti back against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mansikka.
Baruti lands a left hand.
Baruti lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Mansikka.
Baruti misses with a hook from the clinch.
Baruti lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Mansikka backwards.
Mansikka taking a breather.
Baruti tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baruti can't find room to land a body shot as Mansikka controls the action.
Baruti struggles to land a body shot inside as Mansikka controls his hands.
Baruti tries a body shot but Mansikka blocks it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mansikka blocks a body shot from Baruti.
Nice body punch from Baruti.
Baruti misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mansikka has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Baruti seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Mansikka can turn it around.
Mansikka digs a right hand underneath Baruti's ribcage. Baruti let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Mansikka misses with a body punch.
Baruti tries to work over Mansikka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Mansikka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baruti's elbow.
Baruti misses with a punch to the body.
Mansikka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Baruti lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mansikka backwards.
Mansikka looking to throw knees to the head but Baruti is blocking nicely.
A left hand lands to the body for Mansikka.
Mansikka misses with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baruti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mansikka is pushing Baruti up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Mansikka can't find room to land a body shot as Baruti controls the action.
Baruti lands a nice uppercut.
Mansikka tries to throw a body punch but Baruti avoids it by throwing Mansikka back against the cage.
Mansikka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Baruti.
Baruti keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Mansikka's efforts to push away.
Baruti lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Baruti has a couple of punches blocked by Mansikka.
Baruti misses with some punches.
Mansikka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Baruti backwards.
Mansikka stops a takedown attempt from Baruti.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mansikka drops down looking for an ankle pick but Baruti pulls his leg out and moves away.

Mansikka moves into the clinch successfully.
Mansikka tries to throw a body punch but Baruti avoids it by throwing Mansikka back against the cage.
Baruti swings wildly with an uppercut but Mansikka uses good head movement to avoid it.
Baruti working aggressively here.
Mansikka lands with a right to the head.
Mansikka lands with a light punch inside.
A right handed body shot lands from Mansikka.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Mansikka lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Mansikka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baruti's elbow.
Mansikka stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Baruti can't find room to land a body shot as Mansikka controls the action.
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 Skender Baruti will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Skender Baruti's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Baruti is looking to clinch.
Mansikka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Baruti. Baruti obviously looking to wear him down.
Mansikka throws a solid leg kick but Baruti takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mansikka.
Jab, jab by Baruti - just one landing.
Mansikka takes a swing at Baruti's ribcage but misses.
Baruti cracks the inside of Mansikka's front leg.
Mansikka tries to close the distance and clinch but Baruti swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A combination from Mansikka does no damage.
Mansikka ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Baruti just misses with a punch to the body.
Mansikka lands with an overhand left.
Mansikka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baruti scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Mansikka takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Mansikka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Baruti.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baruti moves in looking to clinch but Mansikka pushes him off.
Skender Baruti is winning the standup battle so far.
Baruti scores with a nice strike.
Mansikka tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Baruti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mansikka throws a right hand that Baruti ducks under and follows up with a left that Baruti also avoids with ease.
Baruti seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Baruti slips under a jab.
Baruti looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Baruti blocks the body kick.
Mansikka cracks a nice hook into Baruti's ribs.
Mansikka checks a leg kick.
Baruti keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Mansikka.
Mansikka tries to bum rush Baruti with a series of wild strikes but Baruti uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Mansikka just misses with a punch to the body.
Baruti keeps Mansikka at a distance using the push kick.

Mansikka drives through and clinches with Baruti against the cage.
Baruti tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mansikka's elbow.
Mansikka tries for a takedown but Baruti manages to get underhooks.
Mansikka prevents a body shot from Baruti.
Baruti working aggressively here.
A short left from Baruti.
Skender Baruti has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Baruti works on Mansikka's body with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Mansikka.
Baruti scores with a shoulder strike.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mansikka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Mansikka manages to break the clinch.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Baruti misses with a punch on the inside.
Baruti is looking to control Mansikka's arms but Mansikka gets an underhook and turns him. Now Baruti has his back to the cage.
Baruti fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mansikka goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mansikka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Mansikka works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Baruti has a couple of punches blocked by Mansikka.

Mansikka breaks the clinch.
Baruti throws a body punch but Mansikka moves out of range.
Teppo Mansikka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baruti moves out of range of the body kick from Mansikka.
Baruti is looking to counter the offense by Mansikka and move into the clinch.
Mansikka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Mansikka throws a head kick but Baruti moves out of range.

Mansikka clinches up with Baruti and pushes him back against the cage.
Baruti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Mansikka is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Baruti pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Baruti tries a body shot but Mansikka blocks it.
Mansikka tries a knee to the head but Baruti blocks it.

Mansikka escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Baruti tries to close the distance and clinch up but Mansikka swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Mansikka darts in and clinches Baruti up against the cage.
Baruti swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Baruti tries a body shot but Mansikka blocks it.
Baruti has Mansikka pressed against the cage, preventing Mansikka from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baruti struggles to land a body shot inside as Mansikka controls his hands.
Baruti prevents a takedown attempt there.
Skender Baruti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Mansikka.
Baruti swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Mansikka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Baruti's elbow.
Mansikka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Barutis head.
A short uppercut from Mansikka.
A left hand lands to the body for Baruti.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baruti.
Mansikka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mansikka struggles to land a body shot inside as Baruti controls his hands.
Baruti throws a punch but it's blocked by Mansikka.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mansikka blocking some punches.
Baruti misses with some punches.
Mansikka gets through Baruti's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Teppo Mansikka will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Skender Baruti's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Mansikka comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheers as Mansikka lands an impressive looking overhand right. Baruti doesn't seem phased though.
Baruti's jab looks to have found its range, popping Mansikka under the eye.
Mansikka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mansikka tries to clinch up but Baruti circles away and keeps his distance.
Mansikka pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Mansikka feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Baruti's calf.
Baruti with a jab.
Mansikka blocks a jab.
Baruti uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Mansikka.
Baruti throws a nice outside leg kick.
Baruti tries to close the distance and clinch but Mansikka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mansikka thows a left - swing and a miss!
Baruti tries to work over Mansikka's front leg with a kick but Mansikka checks it.
Mansikka swats away the attempt to clinch by Baruti.
Baruti tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mansikka missing with a left hand there. Baruti was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mansikka throws a big shot that misses.
Baruti wants to clinch up but Mansikka keeps it at a distance.
Mansikka walks into a left hand.
Mansikka lands a right hook to the body.
Mansikka misses with a head kick.
Mansikka digs a good body shot into Baruti's ribs.

Baruti gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mansikka will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Baruti up against the cage.
Baruti misses with a short punch on the inside.
Baruti lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mansikka tries a knee to the head but Baruti blocks it.
Mansikka pushes Baruti back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mansikka gets through Baruti's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Baruti goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Baruti lands with a right to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body punch from Baruti - that landed with a thud.
Mansikka stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Mansikka blocks a body shot from Baruti.
Baruti has a couple of punches blocked by Mansikka.
Mansikka misses with an elbow over the top.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Baruti.

Mansikka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Baruti throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mansikka sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Mansikka chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Baruti can pounce on him.
Mansikka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baruti manages to avoid it.
Baruti avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baruti on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Baruti takes a jab right on the kisser.
Baruti throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Baruti wants to clinch.
Mansikka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Baruti throws out the jab.
Baruti chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Baruti is looking to score with low kicks.

Mansikka gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A short uppercut from Mansikka.
Mansikka doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Mansikka stalling against the cage.
Mansikka looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Baruti.
Baruti has Mansikka pressed against the cage, preventing Mansikka from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Baruti fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mansikka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Mansikka prevents a body shot from Baruti.
Mansikka effectively controlling the action here.
Mansikka pushes Baruti back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Baruti 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!
Baruti misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mansikka tries to land a knee to the head but Baruti blocks with his arms.
Baruti being controlled against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Teppo Mansikka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Mansikka 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:29
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 28:29
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Teppo Mansikka!
After winning the bout, Teppo Mansikka thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.