PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joulu Pukki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Dai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dai comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Dignity kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Mark Dai will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Pukki
vs
Dai

179 cm
20
215 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

165 cm
20
205 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

WIN Nutritional

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Joulu Pukki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Dai!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Matheus Silva and Seu Braga.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pukki closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Pukki prevents Dai from improving his position.
Dai is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dai has a hand on Pukki's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Pukki takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Dai keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Dai is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Dai is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Dai is trying to reverse the position but instead Pukki has taken his back - oops!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Dai tries to break free.
Pukki not allowing Dai to control his hands.
I really don't envy Dai right now.
Pukki slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Dai trying to control the hands but Pukki breaks the grip.
Dai tries to escape but Pukki has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Pukki trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Dai doesn't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dai can't escape the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Dai trying to control the hands but Pukki breaks the grip.
Pukki trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Dai doesn't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pukki is not going to allow Dai to sit and survive in this position.
Dai tries to escape but Pukki has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Dai trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Dai tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Dai is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joulu Pukki dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Dai shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Dai passes into half guard.

Dai is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Dai seems to be working for a kimura but Pukki defends the submission attempt.

Pukki is defending against the submission attempts here by Dai.
Pukki wants to control but Dai is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Dai is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Dai is looking for a kimura. It's pretty deep but Pukki still has the half guard so he's probably OK. Oh, Pukki has exploded into a beautiful escape there and after a quick scramble, he's ended up in side control on top! Nice work!
Dai is breathing heavily.
Dai tries to buck Pukki off but Pukki is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Dai gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Dai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Pukki will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Pukki in particular looking to stall.
Dai tries to roll over but Pukki keeps him under control.
Dai is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Pukki jumps into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukki tries to advance to mount but Dai denies him.
Dai is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Pukki closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Dai tries to contro but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Pukki takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dai is working to get back to half guard.
Dai sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Dai is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mark Dai will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Pukki tries for a takedown but Dai circles away easily

and Dai counters with a shoot takedown. Pukki fights it but they end up in guard.
Pukki wants to sweep but no luck.
Dai slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Dai has hold of Pukki's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Pukki seems comfortable defending it but Dai has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Pukki is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Pukki is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Dai couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:24 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Mark Dai!