PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Spong (ranked 2149 p4p, 1748 weight class) and Ultima Kekkonen (ranked 272 p4p, 226 weight class). Daniel Spong had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Spong
vs
Kekkonen

179 cm
24
255
4 - 3 - 0

195 cm
24
257
5 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Daniel Spong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ultima Kekkonen!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kekkonen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Spong avoids the body shot from Kekkonen.
Kekkonen stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Spong moves out of range of the body kick.
Kekkonen throws a leg kick but Spong checks it.
A big left from Kekkonen misses.
A bone on bone clash there as Spong blocks the leg kick.
Kekkonen misses with a two punch combination.
Kekkonen throws a low kick but Spong avoids it.
Kekkonen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kekkonen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Spong lands with an uppercut that bounces Kekkonen off the cage and back into range.

It looks like Ultima Kekkonen has been cut.
Kekkonen throws a body shot but no joy.
Spong changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Spong cracks Kekkonen with a good jab.
Ultima Kekkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kekkonen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Kekkonen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kekkonen.
Kekkonen throws a body punch but Spong moves out of range.
Kekkonen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Spong.
Spong tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kekkonen defends well and Spong ends up having to push Kekkonen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Spong misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kekkonen lands a right hand.

Spong breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Spong misses with a straight left.
Horrible takedown attempt by Spong or perhaps it was just good defense by Kekkonen, which made it look bad.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kekkonen! But no joy.
Spong misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Spong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kekkonen moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kekkonen lands the left hand.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kekkonen.
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!
Spong misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kekkonen moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice straight punches there by Kekkonen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kekkonen.
Spong uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kekkonen.
Kekkonen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kekkonen throws a right and a left that Spong avoids nicely.
Spong stuns Kekkonen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Spong swings for the body but Kekkonen moves out of range.
Kekkonen swings for the body but Spong moves out of range.
Kekkonen has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Kekkonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Spong gets a takedown into half guard.
Spong throwing shots but Kekkonen is blocking nicely.
Spong slips a nice elbow through Kekkonen's hands, connecting with Kekkonen's forehead.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spong thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kekkonen's head.
Kekkonen is trying to maintain the position but Spong is very close to passing his half guard.
Spong not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Spong lands strikes from half guard.
Spong is trying to control. Kekkonen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kekkonen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Spong.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spong throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kekkonen holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Spong wants to take a breather but Kekkonen is having none of it.
Spong sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kekkonen defending well though.
Spong wants to take a breather but Kekkonen is having none of it.
Spong not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Spong has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Spong throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Spong thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kekkonen's head.
Kekkonen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kekkonen is looking to improve his position.

Spong is looking for a kimura here.
Spong is keen to just control but Kekkonen is a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ultima Kekkonen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Ultima Kekkonen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kekkonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kekkonen! But no joy.
Spong looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kekkonen scores with a hook to the body. Spong takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Spong defending well as Kekkonen loads up on a big left hand.

Spong drives through with a takedown into Kekkonen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Kekkonen can't keep his opponent in guard - Spong advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Spong prevents Kekkonen from improving his position.
Kekkonen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Spong is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kekkonen taking some punishment here, with Spong in his half guard.
Kekkonen has hold of Spong's hands but Spong slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That has opened up Ultima Kekkonen's cut even more.
Kekkonen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Spong scores with a couple of nice shots.

The cut above Ultima Kekkonen's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Daniel Spong overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spong tries to pass to full mount but Kekkonen defends it.
Kekkonen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Spong trying to control the position from guard on top but Kekkonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Spong is looking to work some ground and pound but Kekkonen has wrist control.
Spong 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.
Spong is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Spong throwing strikes but missing.
Kekkonen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Spong accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Spong throws a big right hand that misses.
Spong connects with a couple of short punches.

Ultima Kekkonen's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Ultima Kekkonen's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Daniel Spong!