PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Bobby Maldonaldo (ranked 5894 p4p, 0 weight class) and Reima Poika (ranked 5260 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Maldonaldo
vs
Poika

179 cm
25
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

168 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 1

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bobby Maldonaldo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Reima Poika!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maldonaldo avoids the head kick by Poika.
Maldonaldo attempts a counter takedown but Poika avoids it well and moves away.
Poika shoots in for a takedown but Maldonaldo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Maldonaldo lands a jab to Poika's midsection.
Maldonaldo throws out a powerful jab.
A cross from Maldonaldo lands.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Poika has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Poika avoids the body shot from Maldonaldo.
Poika connects with a solid leg kick.
Maldonaldo fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Reima Poika seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Poika ducks under a wild hook from Maldonaldo.
Poika with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Maldonaldo definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Poika keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Maldonaldo rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Poika counters with a solid body kick.
Maldonaldo throws a body punch but Poika moves out of range.
Poika takes one to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Poika throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Poika fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Maldonaldo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A solid leg kick lands there for Poika.
Poika uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Maldonaldo has time to react.
Poika is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A head kick from Poika lands but Maldonaldo takes it in his stride.
Maldonaldo has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Poika.
Maldonaldo misses with a double jab
and Poika counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Poika scores with a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Maldonaldo throws a shot to the body.

Poika lands a big head kick that sends Maldonaldo tumbling to the mat! Poika takes a step backwards and waves Maldonaldo back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Maldonaldo is rocked!
Both fighters circling slowly here as the pace drops. Hopefully one of them does someth.. OOOHHHH!!!! Poika throws an absolute beast of a head kick! Maldonaldo is done! He's out cold, twisted and contorted up against the cage! Wow!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Reima Poika!