PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Joulu Pukki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Malo The Samoan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The Samoan is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Samoan Song. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Pukki
vs
The Samoan

179 cm
21
215 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

189 cm
24
223 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

5th Round
FNF Energy & Stamina - Sale!

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 6 - 1 - 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 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Malo The Samoan!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Paulo Santos and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pukki is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in The Samoan's half guard.
The Samoan tries to roll over but Pukki keeps him under control.
Pukki controlling the action here.
The Samoan wants to improve his position but Pukki is controlling well.
The Samoan is looking to control Pukki's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can The Samoan avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, if Pukki is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
The Samoan is looking for a sweep. Pukki is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The Samoan trying to control from the bottom.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A slow jab from Pukki misses its intended target.
Pukki shoots in but The Samoan avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Malo The Samoan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pukki jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The Samoan thows a left - swing and a miss!
Pukki motions for The Samoan to come forward. Pukki throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Pukki has a takedown stuffed.

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.
The Samoan takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Pukki tries to score a power double leg takedown but The Samoan sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pukki somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joulu Pukki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The Samoan throws a body punch but Pukki moves out of range.
The Samoan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pukki moves away.
The Samoan misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pukki.
Pukki shoots for a takedown but The Samoan saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Pukki fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. The Samoan sprawls well initially but Pukki persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Pukki is taking a breather. The Samoan says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pukki prevents The Samoan from standing back up.
The Samoan trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukki controlling the action here.
The Samoan is trying to stand.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
The Samoan is looking to improve his position.
Pukki is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's four 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.
The Samoan is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Samoan is trying to stand.
The Samoan pushes Pukki off but Pukki dives into side control.
Pukki staying calm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joulu Pukki dominated that round.
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.

The Samoan looks to land a left hand but Pukki moved out of range nicely.
Nice takedown defense from The Samoan. No joy for Pukki on that attempt.
The Samoan looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Pukki shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. The Samoan defends it nicely.
Pukki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says The Samoan as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joulu Pukki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The Samoan's corner calls for a 1-2. The Samoan obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Joulu Pukki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pukki looks to land a combination but The Samoan avoids it well.
A swing and a miss from The Samoan.
The Samoan takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Pukki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around The Samoan's waist but The Samoan gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pukki off to one side.
Pukki dodges the punch combination from The Samoan.
Joulu Pukki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Samoan slips a straight right by Pukki.
The Samoan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pukki was well out of range. Poor timing from The Samoan.

Pukki shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. The Samoan manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The Samoan trying to control the position here.
Pukki is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if The Samoan can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The Samoan not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The Samoan wants to stand but Pukki is controlling the position.
The Samoan seems keen to control Pukki's posture.
Pukki trying to control the position from guard on top but The Samoan is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukki controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The Samoan wants to sweep but no luck.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Pukki shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. The Samoan manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The Samoan wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Pukki 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Samoan wants to sweep but no luck.
The Samoan wants to stand but Pukki is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joulu Pukki dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

The Samoan slaps away a takedown attempt from Pukki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pukki closes the distance and clinches up with The Samoan, looking for a takedown. Pukki pushes The Samoan against the cage but The Samoan circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pukki dives in and grabs The Samoan's left leg, looking for a takedown. The Samoan pushes down on Pukki's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joulu Pukki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pukki looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? The Samoan is fending him off so far but Pukki persists. Nope, The Samoan circles away and we're back to standing.
Good work by The Samoan as he checks the leg kick.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Pukki is defended easily by The Samoan.
Pukki throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and The Samoan counters with a nice uppercut.
Pukki with a lazy takedown attempt
and The Samoan counters with a stiff right hand.
The Samoan takes a swing at Pukki's ribcage but misses.
Pukki with a poor takedown
and The Samoan counters with a right hand to the body.
Pukki misses with a leg kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Pukki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
The Samoan is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The Samoan throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
The Samoan thows a body shot but no joy.
Pukki fails with the takedown
and The Samoan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pukki with a lazy takedown attempt
enabling The Samoan to counter with a crisp jab.
Pukki takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Pukki misses with a takedown
and The Samoan counters with a nice uppercut.
The Samoan blocks a jab.
The Samoan lands with a straight right. Pukki didn't see that one coming.
Pukki is looking to slow The Samoan down with leg kicks.
Pukki throws a body kick that misses.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Pukki lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and The Samoan has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from The Samoan and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Pukki doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting The Samoan counter with a right hand.
Pukki takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pukki has his takedown stuffed
and The Samoan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukki takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
The Samoan cracks Pukki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The Samoan swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The Samoan moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A shot to the liver by The Samoan. Beautiful body shot.
Pukki throws a predictable looking body shot
and The Samoan counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Malo The Samoan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The Samoan misses with a wild combination.
Pukki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as The Samoan throws out the jab.
The Samoan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pukki was well out of range. Poor timing from The Samoan.
The Samoan loads up on a big right hand but Pukki slips the punch.
Pukki shoots and misses
and The Samoan counters with a straight right hand.
The crowd cheers as Pukki lands an impressive looking overhand right. The Samoan doesn't seem phased though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pukki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as The Samoan sprawls well. The Samoan wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pukki gets slowly back to his feet.
Pukki throws a leg kick that misses.
Joulu Pukki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pukki with a lazy takedown attempt
and The Samoan makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Malo The Samoan seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pukki defending well as The Samoan loads up on a big left hand.
Pukki fails with the takedown
and The Samoan counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pukki will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
The Samoan pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pukki closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

The Samoan is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pukki pulls his head out easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Malo The Samoan comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pukki has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Seu Braga scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 29:28
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joulu Pukki!