PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Houston (ranked 711 p4p, 96 weight class) and Iikka Runnisto (ranked 798 p4p, 105 weight class). Runnisto has chosen Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Iikka Runnisto has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Houston
vs
Runnisto

179 cm
30
199 lbs
15 - 11 - 0

182 cm
30
192 lbs
25 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best Nutrition

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 15 - 11 - 0, fighting out of New York, Max Houston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Houston throws a head kick that misses
enabling Runnisto to counter with a crisp jab.
Houston takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Runnisto misses with a series of wild punches.
It looked like Houston wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Runnisto blocks the body kick.
Houston takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Runnisto takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Houston moves out of range of the strikes.
Runnisto misses with the combination.
Houston was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A lazy left from Runnisto finds it's target.
Houston takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Max Houston seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Houston misses with an uppercut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Runnisto has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Houston finds it's way round the side to connect with Runnisto's head.
Runnisto misses with a series of wild punches.
Runnisto lands with a right hand.
A jab lands there for Houston.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houston throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Runnisto stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Runnisto throws a body shot but no joy.
Runnisto connects with a looping right hand.
Runnisto connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Runnisto.
A jab from Houston misses.
Runnisto changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Runnisto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Houston.
Nice uppercut there from Houston.
Runnisto looks to land a left hand but Houston moved out of range nicely.
Runnisto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Houston throws out the jab.
Some bone on bone action there as Runnisto checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
An inside leg kick from Houston misses.
Houston throws a shot from downtown. Runnisto moves away and avoids it.
Runnisto doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Runnisto ducks under a wild hook from Houston.
Houston tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Runnisto misses with a body shot.
Runnisto misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto throws a lazy right hand but Houston sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Houston was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Runnisto cracks Houston with an open hand slap.
Runnisto rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Houston to counter with a crisp jab.
Runnisto throws a hook but Houston avoids it easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Runnisto. That snapped Houston's head back.
Nice cross by Runnisto.
Houston throws a hook but Runnisto blocks it.
Runnisto looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Runnisto is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Houston had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Houston looks to land a right hand but Runnisto moved out of range.
It seemed like Runnisto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A slow jab from Runnisto misses its intended target.
Houston just misses with a punch to the body.
Houston fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Runnisto manages to avoid it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Runnisto, as that shot connected.
Houston just misses with a punch to the body.
Runnisto keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Houston keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Runnisto slips under a jab from Houston.
Runnisto misses with a left hand
and Houston counters with a series of strikes. Runnisto will be more careful next time no doubt.
Runnisto lands with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Houston tests Runnisto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Houston gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Runnisto.
Runnisto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Runnisto misses with a looping left.
Danga de danga de dang - Houston scores with a four punch combination!
Runnisto 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.
Runnisto lands with a right hand.
Runnisto uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Houston has time to react.
Houston misses with a looping left.
Runnisto lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Houston circles away quickly and effectively.
It looked like Houston was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Runnisto.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Houston throws a right hand that misses
and Runnisto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Runnisto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Runnisto with a nice cross.
Houston is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Runnisto lands the left hand.
Houston catches Runnisto with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Houston slips under a jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Houston. That one must have hurt.
Houston misses with a hook.
Runnisto moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Runnisto throws an overhand right that lands on Houston's shoulder, as Houston tries to avoid the shot.
Good standup being displayed there by Runnisto as he connects with a hook.
A big left from Houston misses.
Runnisto throws an overhand right that lands on Houston's shoulder, as Houston tries to avoid the shot.
Houston takes a shot right to the bread basket.
A jab from Houston finds it's way through Runnisto's defenses.
Runnisto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Houston.
Houston misses with a looping left.
Houston lands a really nice looking cross but Runnisto seems unphased.
Runnisto connects with a jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Houston ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Runnisto moves away.
Houston throws a nice inside leg kick.
Houston tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Runnisto was well out of range. Poor timing from Houston.
Runnisto throws a shot from downtown. Houston moves away and avoids it.
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.

A head kick by Houston misses
and Runnisto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Runnisto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Houston throws out the jab.
Runnisto slips a straight right by Houston.
Houston looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Runnisto misses the jab.
Runnisto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Houston misses with a double jab
and Runnisto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Runnisto cracks a nice hook into Houston's ribs.
Houston misses with a straight left.
Runnisto loads up on a big right hand but Houston slips the punch.
Houston displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Runnisto throws out the jab.
Runnisto connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Runnisto works the jab nicely.
Houston throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Runnisto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Houston.
Runnisto blocks a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice defenses there by Runnisto.
Houston moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Houston takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto scores with a shot to the body.
Houston is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Runnisto.
Houston throws a half hearted mid kick.
Houston just misses with a punch to the body.
It seemed like Runnisto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Houston uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Runnisto.
Runnisto staying out of range there.
Runnisto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Houston.
Houston throws a hook but Runnisto avoids it easily.
Houston gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice shot lands for Runnisto.
Runnisto checks a leg kick nicely.
Houston throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Runnisto counter with a right hand.
Houston takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
A slapping leg kick lands for Houston.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Runnisto connects with the punch.
Houston misses with a hook. Runnisto ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Houston misses with a wild body shot.
Houston feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Runnistos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Runnisto tries to bum rush Houston with a series of wild strikes but Houston uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Runnisto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Houston throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Runnisto to counter with a crisp jab.
Donk. Houston catches Runnisto right on the button with a cross.
Nice body punch from Runnisto.
Runnisto lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Runnisto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A big left from Houston misses.
Iikka Runnisto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Houston moves out of range as Runnisto strikes.
Houston just misses with a punch to the body.
Houston displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Runnisto throws out the jab.
It looked like Houston was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Runnisto.
Houston throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Houston misses with an uppercut. Runnisto saw that one coming.
Runnisto tests Houston's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Runnisto lands with a hook. Houston tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto throws an overhand right that lands on Houston's shoulder, as Houston tries to avoid the shot.
Houston throws a hook but Runnisto avoids it easily.
Runnisto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Runnisto moves out of range as Houston strikes.
Runnisto unleashes a big counter combination but Houston bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Houston throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Houston throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Houston rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Runnisto counter with a right hand.
Runnisto swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Houston.
Runnisto swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Houston counters with a nice uppercut.
A telegraphed right hand from Houston misses the target.
Houston misses with a hook. Runnisto ducked under it nicely.
Runnisto throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Runnisto with a jab.
Houston steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Runnisto.
Runnisto lands a really nice looking cross but Houston seems unphased.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Houston throws a lazy uppercut
and Runnisto connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Houston throws a looping overhand right but Runnisto ducks down to avoid it.
Houston lands with a good body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Runnisto moves out of range as Houston strikes.
No joy there for Runnisto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Houston is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Houston throws a right hand that Runnisto ducks under and follows up with a left that Runnisto also avoids with ease.
A bone on bone clash there as Runnisto blocks the leg kick.
Houston ducks under a wild hook from Runnisto.
Houston misses the shot to the body.
A little jabbing left from Runnisto on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
A punch lands to the side of Runnisto 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Runnisto with a nice cross.
Runnisto misses with the combination.
Runnisto lands a jab to the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Runnisto throws a looping overhand right but Houston ducks down to avoid it.
Houston tries to bum rush Runnisto with a series of wild strikes but Runnisto uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Runnisto scores with a three punch combo!
Runnisto's corner calls for a 1-2. Runnisto obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iikka Runnisto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. And we move into the final round!

Houston jabs Runnisto right on the nose. Runnisto blinks but takes it well.
Good standup being displayed there by Runnisto as he connects with a hook.
Runnisto blocks a jab.
It seemed like Runnisto was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Houston uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Runnisto.
An attempted straight right counter from Houston misses the target.
Runnisto misses with a hook.
Houston tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Runnisto was well out of range. Poor timing from Houston.
Runnisto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Houston moves away.
Houston cracks Runnisto with an open hand slap.
Houston throws a poor cross that misses
and Runnisto counters with a one-two to the body.
Houston on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Jab, jab by Runnisto - just one landing.
Runnisto lands with an uppercut that bounces Houston off the cage and back into range.

Houston is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Runnisto looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Runnisto cracks Houston with a good jab.
Oh Houston is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Houston dodges the punch combination from Runnisto.
Houston seems to have got his legs back now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Houston throws a jab but it's blocked by Runnisto.
A countering left hand to the body from Runnisto misses.
Runnisto lands with a hook. Houston tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Houston might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Houston throws a leg kick that misses.
Runnisto scores with a three punch combo!
Houston moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Houston fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Runnisto manages to avoid it.
Runnisto might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Houston slips under a jab from Runnisto.
Houston with a hook.
Houston takes a swing at Runnisto's ribcage but misses.
Runnisto scores with a nice head shot.
A slow jab from Houston misses its intended target.
Houston takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Houston lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Runnisto misses with a hook. Houston ducked under it nicely.
Houston with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Runnisto to score with a decent uppercut.
Houston throws a leg kick which misses Runnisto's front leg but catches the back leg as Runnisto tries to avoid it.
Houston misses with a looping right.
Max Houston has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto misses with a two punch combination.
Runnisto scores with a crisp jab that stopped Houston in his tracks.
Houston tries to land a front kick but Runnisto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Houston throws out a loose jab but Runnisto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Houston moves out of range as Runnisto strikes.
Runnisto moves out of range of the leg kick from Houston.
Runnisto uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Runnisto lands a body shot.
Runnisto scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Runnisto ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Runnisto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Some bone on bone action there as Runnisto checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Runnisto cracks Houston with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Runnisto scores with a nice right hand.
Runnisto scores with a sloppy right hand. Houston should have avoided that one.
Runnisto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Houston.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Runnisto feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Houstons jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Runnisto throws a shot to the body.
Iikka Runnisto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Runnisto throws a body punch but Houston moves out of range.
Houston defending well as Runnisto loads up on a big left hand.
Runnisto avoids a punch combination nicely.
A cross from Runnisto lands.
Houston gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Houston looks for the body kick but Runnisto saw that one coming.
Houston shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Runnisto slips a straight right by Houston.
Houston needs to keep his hands up - Runnisto had a free shot at his head there.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Runnisto!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Runnisto fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Houston misses with a left hand
and Houston takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Runnisto thows a left - swing and a miss!
A jab from Houston misses.
Runnisto throws an overhand right that lands on Houston's shoulder, as Houston tries to avoid the shot.
Houston attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Runnisto slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Houston throws a lazy uppercut
and Runnisto counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Houston tries to land a front kick but Runnisto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Runnisto throws a jab when Houston was well out of range.
Houston ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Runnisto moves away.
Runnisto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Houston was well out of range. Poor timing from Runnisto.
Houston throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Runnisto lands a jab to the nose.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Runnisto slips under a jab from Houston.
Runnisto misses with a few strikes there.
Houston misses with a head kick.
Runnisto scores with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Iikka Runnisto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Runnisto 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iikka Runnisto!