PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Sepi Pulkkinen (ranked 331 p4p, 1706 weight class) and Rodney Alcala (ranked 13 p4p, 26 weight class). Alcala has chosen Leonard Cohen - Everybody Knows as his entrance music. Sepi Pulkkinen has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Pulkkinen
vs
Alcala

225 cm
29
333
18 - 7 - 0

200 cm
31
195
27 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

EFC Threads
Brooklyn Apothecary

SynCity Fightwear
EFC Threads

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Sepi Pulkkinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rodney Alcala!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Richard Clark and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Alcala lands with a nice body punch.
Pulkkinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Alcala lands a glancing blow to the side of Pulkkinen's head.
Pulkkinen avoids the head kick by Alcala.
Alcala tries a head kick but it misses.
Alcala scores with a nice head shot.

Pulkkinen gets a clinch.
Pulkkinen working aggressively here.
Alcala prevents a body shot from Pulkkinen.
Alcala is trying to pull guard but Pulkkinen has him pressed against the cage.
Alcala blocks an uppercut.

Pulkkinen breaks from the clinch.
Alcala blocks a head kick by Pulkkinen.
Alcala is looking for the big counter here.
Alcala tries to clinch but Pulkkinen is having none of it.

Pulkkinen clinches.

Alcala has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Pulkkinen regains guard immediately.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Alcala trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
We've been hearing good reports from Pulkkinen's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alcala advances to half guard.

Alcala is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pulkkinen sees it coming and defends easily.

Alcala seems to be looking for submissions.
Alcala seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Pulkkinen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Alcala trying to work for an americana but Pulkkinen has managed to regain full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Alcala drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Pulkkinen manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Alcala has Pulkkinen in his guard.

Alcala working a defensive guard here.
Alcala has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at EFC Gym. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alcala working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pulkkinen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pulkkinen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Alcala working for submissions but it's allowed Pulkkinen to get to half guard.
Pulkkinen seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Pulkkinen is thwarting Alcala's attempts to control the position.
Alcala gets back to full guard.
Alcala is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alcala looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Pulkkinen passes into side control.
Alcala is trying to control Pulkkinen's posture but Pulkkinen avoids it.
Alcala manages to work his way to half guard, despite Pulkkinen's best efforts.
Alcala trying to control but Pulkkinen postures up.
Pulkkinen prevents Alcala from improving his position.
Pulkkinen seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Alcala actively working from the bottom here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Alcala is looking for a sweep. Pulkkinen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Pulkkinen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Pulkkinen is thwarting Alcala's attempts to control the position.
Alcala is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Pulkkinen is staying active.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Pulkkinen throws a shot from downtown. Alcala moves away and avoids it.
Alcala throws a head kick but Pulkkinen moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Alcala.

Pulkkinen closes the distance and clinches.

Pulkkinen breaks the clinch.
Pulkkinen looks to land a left hand but Alcala moved out of range nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sepi Pulkkinen will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pulkkinen throws a head kick that misses.

Pulkkinen has managed to clinch.
Pulkkinen misses with a short punch on the inside.

Pulkkinen breaks from the clinch.

Pulkkinen gets a clinch.

Alcala pulls guard effortlessly.

Alcala working for submissions but it's allowed Pulkkinen to get to half guard.
Alcala tries to roll over but Pulkkinen keeps him under control.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alcala is trying to control but can't.

Pulkkinen decides to stand and escape the position.
Pulkkinen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Alcala feints the counter takedown.
Alcala throws a head kick but Pulkkinen moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alcala pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pulkkinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Alcala was well out of range. Poor timing from Pulkkinen.
Pulkkinen walks into a jab.

Pulkkinen darts in and clinches Alcala up against the cage.
Alcala is trying to push Pulkkinen away but Pulkkinen has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Alcala working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Pulkkinen can't find room to land a body shot as Alcala controls the action.

Alcala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sepi Pulkkinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Alcala throws a sloppy head kick and Pulkkinen moves out of range easily.
Alcala tries to clinch but Pulkkinen moves out of range.
Pulkkinen looks to throw a body kick
and Alcala counters with a one-two to the body.
Alcala tries to clinch there but Pulkkinen circles away.
Pulkkinen tries to land a front kick but Alcala steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Alcala swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Alcala avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pulkkinen moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Pulkkinen blocks a body shot from Alcala.
Pulkkinen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pulkkinen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alcala looking to slow down the pace here.
Alcala throws a punch but it's blocked by Pulkkinen.
Alcala is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Pulkkinen to keep the fight standing.
Alcala blocks a body shot from Pulkkinen.

Pulkkinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Alcala ducks right into an uppercut from Pulkkinen.
Pulkkinen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pulkkinen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Pulkkinen dodges the punch combination from Alcala.
Pulkkinen is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Alcala.
Sepi Pulkkinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Alcala avoids the head kick by Pulkkinen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Alcala closes the distance and pushes Pulkkinen back into the cage.

Alcala gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Alcala drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Pulkkinen manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Alcala has Pulkkinen in his guard.

Alcala working a defensive guard but Pulkkinen passes into half guard.
Alcala is pressing down on Pulkkinen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Pulkkinen has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Alcala is proving hard to escape from.

Alcala throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Alcala is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Sepi Pulkkinen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Alcala is looking for a triangle here but Pulkkinen uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Alcala sneaks back into half guard.
Alcala wants to control but Pulkkinen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Alcala is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pulkkinen pulls his head out easily.

Alcala actively working from the bottom here.
Pulkkinen tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Sepi Pulkkinen dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pulkkinen throws a nice looking combination but Alcala bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Pulkkinen blocks a head kick by Alcala.
Pulkkinen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Alcala.
Alcala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pulkkinen.
Alcala is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Pulkkinen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Alcala tries to clinch but Pulkkinen moves out of range.
Alcala connects with a body shot.
Pulkkinen throws a predictable looking body shot

and Alcala counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Pulkkinen is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Pulkkinen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Pulkkinen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

Pulkkinen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Alcala wants to clinch up but Pulkkinen keeps it at a distance.
Pulkkinen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Pulkkinen takes the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alcala goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pulkkinen prevents it.
Pulkkinen tries to work over Alcala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Alcala tries to pull guard but Pulkkinen won't allow it.
Sepi Pulkkinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rodney Alcala.
Pulkkinen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Alcala goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Pulkkinen is looking to control Alcala's arms but Alcala gets an underhook and turns him. Now Pulkkinen has his back to the cage.
Pulkkinen struggles to land a body shot inside as Alcala controls his hands.
Alcala jumps guard but Pulkkinen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Alcala jumps guard but Pulkkinen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Pulkkinen manages to break the clinch.
Rodney Alcala seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pulkkinen throws the left hand but Alcala avoids the punch easily.
Alcala tries a head kick but it misses.
Pulkkinen throws a head kick that misses.
A jab from Pulkkinen misses.

Pulkkinen has managed to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Alcala is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Pulkkinen is defending well.
Still in the clinch, Pulkkinen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Pulkkinen is trying to stall.
Pulkkinen struggles to land a body shot inside as Alcala controls his hands.
Pulkkinen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Alcala successfully pulls guard.

Pulkkinen gets to his feet - Alcala follows without any prompting.
Pulkkinen misses with a body kick.
Pulkkinen sets himself, and Alcala steps forward looking for the clinch! Pulkkinen avoids it this time.
Alcala shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Pulkkinen eats them both and turns towards Alcala to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A head kick by Alcala misses
and Pulkkinen counters with a stiff right hand.

Alcala is rocked!

Pulkkinen drops Alcala with a beautiful combination! Alcala stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Pulkkinen is looking for the KO!
Alcala is still on wobbly legs! Can Pulkkinen finish him?
Alcala takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Pulkkinen throws a head kick but Alcala moves out of range.
Pulkkinen lands a monster head kick that reverborates around the arena! The crowd goes wild as Alcala crumples to the floor! Pulkkinen milks the crowd's applause and if that isn't knockout of the night, I will be very surprised!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Sepi Pulkkinen!
In his post fight interview, Sepi Pulkkinen started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.