PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Scott Minerva (ranked 1905 p4p, 236 weight class) and Albert Pulkkinen (ranked 2371 p4p, 284 weight class). Minerva comes to the cage accompanied by My Pal. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Minerva
vs
Pulkkinen

183 cm
29
280 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

209 cm
26
235 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Scott Minerva!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Albert Pulkkinen!
The judges for this bout are Columbo Gatti, Jonathan Paton and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pulkkinen connects with a leg kick. Minerva looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Minerva seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Minerva tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Pulkkinen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Minerva scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Minerva thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Minerva taking a break here but Pulkkinen is having none of it and regains half guard.
Pulkkinen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Pulkkinen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minerva looking to pass the guard.
Pulkkinen keeping moving, preventing Minerva from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minerva wants to pass the guard but Pulkkinen is keeping the position.
Minerva postures up in Pulkkinen's guard and throws a big left but Pulkkinen blocks it.
Pulkkinen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pulkkinen keeping moving, preventing Minerva from controlling successfully.
Minerva is looking to work some ground and pound but Pulkkinen has wrist control.
Minerva throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Pulkkinen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Minerva is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Minerva loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pulkkinen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Minerva stands up over Pulkkinen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Minerva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Minerva passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Pulkkinen dodges the ground and pound from Minerva.
Pulkkinen takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.

Minerva looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Pulkkinen has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Pulkkinen is trying to control Minerva's posture but Minerva avoids it.
Pulkkinen parries the strikes from Minerva easily there. Minerva is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Pulkkinen to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Minerva trying to control the action but Pulkkinen is working from the bottom.

Minerva tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Pulkkinen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Minerva manages to get to full guard.

Minerva throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Minerva lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pulkkinen keeping moving, preventing Minerva from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Minerva keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Pulkkinen's head.
Minerva seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Minerva throwing strikes from guard but Pulkkinen blocks nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Minerva controlling from the top position.
Minerva wants to control from the top but Pulkkinen keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Scott Minerva dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Pulkkinen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Pulkkinen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Minerva misses with a takedown attempt
and Pulkkinen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pulkkinen throws a head kick that misses.
Minerva misses with a body shot
and Pulkkinen counters with a nice body kick.
Pulkkinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Minerva shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
enabling Pulkkinen to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Scott Minerva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pulkkinen. That's going to slow Minerva down.
Scott Minerva seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Minerva checks a leg kick nicely.
Pulkkinen takes a swing at Minerva's ribcage but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Minerva fails with a takedown attempt.
Minerva tries for a takedown but Pulkkinen circles away easily
and Pulkkinen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Minerva dives in for a single leg takedown but Pulkkinen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Minerva tries to close the distance and clinch but Pulkkinen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pulkkinen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Minerva takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Pulkkinen is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Minerva throws a body punch but Pulkkinen moves out of range.
Pulkkinen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Minerva's calf.
Pulkkinen tries to land a front kick but Minerva steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Pulkkinen defending well as Minerva loads up on a big left hand.
Minerva lands a nice shot to the body.
No joy there for Minerva, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Minerva with a poor takedown

and Pulkkinen counters with a head kick that drops Minerva to the mat! Minerva scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Minerva is rocked!
Minerva fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Pulkkinen appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Oh Minerva is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pulkkinen throws a right hand that Minerva ducks under and follows up with a left that Minerva also avoids with ease.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Pulkkinen thumps Minerva with a low kick.
Pulkkinen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Pulkkinen is looking for an opening here. He's unloaded a big left hand that catches Minerva flush on the jaw and sends him tumbling to the canvas! Minerva is out cold! Pulkkinen holds back from landing any unnecessary shots to his unconscious opponent, as the referee reacts slowly to the situation. A brutal knockout and then some excellent sportsmanship - this guy is my new favorite fighter!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:54 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Albert Pulkkinen!
During a confident post fight interview, Albert Pulkkinen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.