PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Niko Puhkuri (ranked 4321 p4p, 441 weight class) and Phillip Baroni (ranked 4756 p4p, 480 weight class). Niko Puhkuri has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Puhkuri
vs
Baroni

188 cm
21
194 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

175 cm
20
199 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Freebok (85% Laundry)

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 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Puhkuri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Phillip Baroni!
The judges for this bout are Ron Honeybunn, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jab by Baroni.
We've been informed that Baroni has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Puhkuri shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Baroni sprawls well. Baroni wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Puhkuri gets slowly back to his feet.
Puhkuri is looking to land body kicks.
Puhkuri shoots in looking for a takedown but Baroni manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Puhkuri's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Baroni loads up on a big right hand but Puhkuri slips the punch.
Baroni throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've been told by Puhkuri's head coaches at Hardpunch (13 Elite / 1000$ that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Puhkuri fails with the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niko Puhkuri. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Puhkuri pushes Baroni up against the cage in a clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baroni lands a nice uppercut.

Baroni pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Baroni throws an overhand right that lands on Puhkuri's shoulder, as Puhkuri tries to avoid the shot.
Baroni lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baroni throws a hook but Puhkuri avoids it easily.
Puhkuri fails to land the takedown.
Nice shot by Baroni.
Puhkuri changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Baroni ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Puhkuri moves away.
Puhkuri moves out of range as Baroni strikes.
Baroni throws a lazy right hand but Puhkuri sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Puhkuri is looking to counter with a body kick.
Puhkuri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Baroni.
Puhkuri fails to land with a series of punches.
A telegraphed right hand from Baroni misses the target.
Puhkuri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Baroni.
Baroni's corner calls for a 1-2. Baroni obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baroni fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Puhkuri manages to avoid it.
Puhkuri shoots in for a takedown but Baroni shows good takedown defense.
Baroni lunges at Puhkuri with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Puhkuri's hand.
Baroni keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Puhkuri is rocked!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Baroni connects with a stiff jab that staggers Puhkuri - oh and he follows up with a huge uppercut that knocks him out cold! Man, that was brutal!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:26 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Phillip Baroni!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Phillip Baroni made sure he mentioned Freebok (85% Laundry), along with how happy he was to win his fight.