PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mauri Kunnas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pertti Apila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kunnas's entrance music is Palpan killi. A fine choice. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kunnas
vs
Apila

205 cm
24
270 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

210 cm
24
281 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Dangerous knees
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mauri Kunnas!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pertti Apila!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Apila slips a jab from Kunnas.
Kunnas loads up on a big right hand but Apila slips the punch.
Kunnas cracks the inside of Apila's front leg.
Apila keeps the fight on the outside.
Kunnas moves in looking to clinch but Apila pushes him off.
Kunnas on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Apila moves away from the strike by Kunnas.
Kunnas throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kunnas just misses with a punch to the body.
Apila dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kunnas connects with a solid leg kick.
Kunnas tries to work over Apila's front leg with a kick but Apila checks it.
Kunnas wants to clinch up but Apila keeps it at a distance.
Apila keeps the fight on the outside.
Apila misses with a body shot.
Kunnas misses with a low kick as Apila jumps back.
Kunnas moves in looking to clinch but Apila pushes him off.
Kunnas lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Apila backs up against the cage.

It looks like Pertti Apila has been cut.
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!
Apila checks a low kick from Kunnas.
Kunnas moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Apila misses with a straight right.
Kunnas keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kunnas - that will leave a mark!
Kunnas throws a right hand that Apila ducks under and follows up with a left that Apila also avoids with ease.
Apila moves forwards but Kunnas connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Apila misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kunnas.
A jab lands there for Apila.
Nice defenses there by Apila.
Kunnas tries a low kick but Apila avoids it.

Kunnas rushes Apila and presses him up against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Apila.
A hook to the body from Apila.
Apila lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kunnas backwards.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Apila.
Kunnas throws a knee to the head but misses.
Apila lands a shot to the body.
Kunnas is breathing heavily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kunnas landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kunnas blocks an uppercut.
Kunnas manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Apila can't find room to land a body shot as Kunnas controls the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Apila blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Apila lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Apila managing to block the knees to the body from Kunnas.
A right hook to the body lands for Apila.
Apila pushes Kunnas back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Good body shot from Apila.
Nice body punch from Apila - that landed with a thud.

Apila manages to break the clinch.
Apila cracks Kunnas with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kunnas moves out of range as Apila strikes.
Apila throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Apila fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A decent looking cross lands there for Apila.
Apila tests Kunnas's chin there with a solid looking shot.

Apila feints and then winds up with a huge right hand that connects perfectly and sends Kunnas sprawling to the canvas! Kunnas rolls over backwards and springs off the cage and manages to regain his footing - how acrobatic! Oh, he's still wobbly - can Apila finish him?!
Kunnas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Apila.
Kunnas looks to land a right hand but Apila moved out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Apila digs a good hook to Kunnas's body.
Apila scores with a decent looking hook.
Apila connects with the punch.
Apila misses the shot to the body.
Apila just misses with a punch to the body.
Kunnas looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Apila scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kunnas doesn't seem bothered though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kunnas takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kunnas defending well as Apila loads up on a big left hand.
Apila falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kunnas counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kunnas throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Apila lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Apila throws a right hand that Kunnas ducks under and follows up with a left that Kunnas also avoids with ease.
Apila throws a right hand that Kunnas ducks under and follows up with a left that Kunnas also avoids with ease.
Apila dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Kunnas.
Apila looks to land a right hand but Kunnas moved out of range.
Apila lands a two punch combo.
Apila scores with a punch to the head.
Apila looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Apila drops Kunnas with a beautiful combination! Kunnas stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Apila is looking for the KO!

Kunnas is rocked!
Kunnas drops his hands momentarily. Apila doesn't need a second invitation, landing a shot to the temple. Kunnas staggers and falls to the mat and the ref dives in to save him from any more punishment. Kunnas doesn't seem happy with the stoppage but he was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Pertti Apila!
Pertti Apila is the new heavyweight champion!