PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Manolito Tai Kung (ranked 751 p4p, 1803 weight class) and Rupert Helenius (ranked 104 p4p, 216 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tai Kung
vs
Helenius

180 cm
38
170
34 - 19 - 0

185 cm
35
177
16 - 13 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Brooklyn Apothecary
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 34 - 19 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Manolito Tai Kung!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 2, fighting out of London, Rupert Helenius!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Columbo Gatti and Dean Styles.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Helenius is rocked!

It looks like Rupert Helenius has been cut.
Helenius dodges the punch combination from Tai Kung.
Helenius is still on wobbly legs! Can Tai Kung finish him?
Tai Kung cracks Helenius with a right hand to the side of the head.
Helenius seems to have recovered his senses.
Tai Kung throws a series of punches but Helenius moves out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Helenius throws a hook but Tai Kung blocks it.
A jab lands there for Helenius.
A telegraphed right hand from Tai Kung misses the target.
Tai Kung has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Helenius lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Helenius.
Helenius has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Helenius smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Tai Kung avoids the body shot from Helenius.
A little feinted left hand from Tai Kung on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Helenius fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tai Kung looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tai Kung misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helenius stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Helenius takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Helenius tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Tai Kung on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Tai Kung misses with an uppercut.
Helenius scores with a hook to the body. Tai Kung takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Tai Kung looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Helenius throws a lazy right hand but Tai Kung sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Helenius misses with an uppercut
and Tai Kung counters with a three punch combo that has Helenius backing up. Helenius nods at Tai Kung to acknowledge the strikes.
Tai Kung looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Helenius drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Tai Kung defends it well.
Helenius throws a body shot but no joy.
Helenius misses with a left hand
and Tai Kung counters with a nice body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Some wild striking there from Helenius.
Tai Kung fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Helenius manages to avoid it.
Helenius is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helenius looks to land a left hand but Tai Kung moved out of range nicely.
Helenius swings widly with a right hand
and Tai Kung counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Helenius scores with a jab.
Helenius throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Tai Kung fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Helenius manages to avoid it.
A low kick from Helenius is predictable there
and Tai Kung counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Helenius lands a nice shot that snaps Tai Kung's head back.
A shot to the liver by Tai Kung. Beautiful body shot.
Helenius throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Helenius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
And Tai Kung counters with a quick kick to the body but Helenius blocks it.
Tai Kung misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Helenius.
Helenius lands a nice looking body shot.
Helenius looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Tai Kung swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Tai Kung lands with a shot to the body.
Helenius throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nice defenses there by Helenius.
Tai Kung moves out of range of the strikes.
Tai Kung tries a head kick but it misses.
Tai Kung on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Tai Kung takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Tai Kung takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Helenius shoots in for a double leg but Tai Kung sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It appears Tai Kung was looking to counter with a kick there.
A shot to the body from Helenius misses
and Tai Kung counters with a nice uppercut.
Helenius uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tai Kung has time to react.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Helenius on the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Helenius moves out of range of the body kick from Tai Kung.
Helenius fails to land with a series of punches.
Tai Kung drops his hands momentarily and Helenius takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
No joy there for Helenius, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Tai Kung is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Helenius. Tai Kung does a little dance to reset his feet.
Helenius just misses with a punch to the body.
Helenius shoots in for a takedown but Tai Kung shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Manolito Tai Kung has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rupert Helenius.
Helenius moves out of range of the body kick.
Tai Kung throws a sloppy head kick

and Helenius counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Tai Kung looking for a sweep. Not yet Tai Kung, not yet.
Helenius trying to control the position from guard on top but Tai Kung is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
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 Manolito Tai Kung will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Rupert Helenius's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Helenius throws a predictable looking body shot
and Tai Kung counters with a nice kick to the body.
Tai Kung misses with a head kick.
Tai Kung misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Helenius connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Helenius shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Helenius showed some decent athleticism there.
Helenius is looking to pass Tai Kung's guard but actually Tai Kung recovers to full guard.
Helenius pushes down on Tai Kung's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Tai Kung is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helenius is trying to control. Tai Kung wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Helenius in particular looking to stall.
Helenius trying to control from half guard but Tai Kung is working away.
Helenius might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Tai Kung haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Helenius is looking to advance position but Tai Kung won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Helenius is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Helenius can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Tai Kung is looking to escape.
Tai Kung wants to control but Helenius is having none of it.
Helenius prevents Tai Kung from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung tries to hold on but Helenius pushes him away.
Helenius is looking to work his way around to Tai Kung's back. He needs to be careful though, as he's in danger of losing this dominant position.

Helenius jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Tai Kung is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Tai Kung and Helenius has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Tai Kung prevents Helenius from improving position.

Helenius goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Tai Kung rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Helenius's guard! Nice work there by Tai Kung!
Helenius has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Tai Kung has passed into side control.
Helenius tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tai Kung is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Helenius will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Tai Kung tries to move to mount but Helenius blocks the move with his legs.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Helenius is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Tai Kung's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Helenius is trying to get back to full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Tai Kung perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Rupert Helenius will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Rupert Helenius's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Helenius connects with a good right hand that stumbles Tai Kung. Tai Kung circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Helenius shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Tai Kung as he jumps to the side.
Helenius is trying hard to land a takedown here. Tai Kung sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tai Kung misses the shot to the body.
Tai Kung loads up on a big right hand but Helenius slips the punch.
Tai Kung is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Helenius throws a jab when Tai Kung was well out of range.
Tai Kung throwing a counter right hand but Helenius manages to avoid it.
Helenius throws a lazy right hand but Tai Kung sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helenius misses the body punch

and Tai Kung counters with a head kick that drops Helenius to the mat! Helenius scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!
A head kick misses from Tai Kung.
Helenius is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tai Kung misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helenius lands with a cross.
Helenius throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tai Kung counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Helenius lands an overhand right.
Helenius shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Manolito Tai Kung has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rupert Helenius.
Tai Kung pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Helenius swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A head kick by Tai Kung misses
and Helenius counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Helenius. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Helenius.
Helenius throws a body punch but Tai Kung moves out of range.
Helenius lands a lovely overhand right.
Helenius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tai Kung was well out of range. Poor timing from Helenius.
Helenius scores with a crisp jab that stopped Tai Kung in his tracks.
Tai Kung misses with a straight right.
Tai Kung steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Helenius.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helenius fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Helenius throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Tai Kung counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Tai Kung gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Helenius counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tai Kung throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Helenius throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tai Kung sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Tai Kung throws a poor cross that misses

so Helenius counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Helenius trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Helenius looking to sit in guard and control but Tai Kung gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Tai Kung sitting in guard here, content to control.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Helenius is on top in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helenius looking to pass the guard.
Tai Kung looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Helenius 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.
Tai Kung keeping moving, preventing Helenius from controlling successfully.
Tai Kung is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Helenius is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Helenius tries to free his leg and advance position but Tai Kung is retaining full guard.
Tai Kung keeping moving, preventing Helenius from controlling successfully.
Helenius sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Tai Kung's guard.
Tai Kung works his way to full guard. Good work.
Helenius works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Helenius trying to pass the guard but Tai Kung defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rupert Helenius comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Helenius has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Steve Montenegro scores the fight 28:29
Judge Columbo Gatti scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Rupert Helenius!
A very excited looking Rupert Helenius made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.