PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Roger Pontare (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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?

Pontare
vs
King

170 cm
25
145 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

175 cm
20
158 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roger Pontare!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jimmy King!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
King throws a jab when Pontare was well out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pontare.
A decent looking cross lands there for King.
King moves into range and connects with a jab.
King dips to his left and cracks Pontare with an uppercut!
King smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Pontare changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. King looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Pontare wants to lay and pray for a moment but King keeps working.
You can see the frustration on King's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
King is not content to let Pontare control the position.
Pontare controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
King is not content to let Pontare control the position.
Pontare not doing much here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Roger Pontare.
Pontare shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
King lands a jab-cross combination.
A punch combination from King misses.
King lands with a straight right. Pontare didn't see that one coming.
King fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

King closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Pontare to the mat! Pontare manages to get full guard.
King throwing strikes from guard but Pontare blocks nicely.

Pontare is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
King jumps guard but Pontare stands there with King around his waist. King gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
King blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Pontare can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Pontare. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Pontare fails to pull guard.
Pontare goes for a takedown attempt but King pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
King cracks Pontare with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
King just misses with a punch to the body.
King dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
King stalks Pontare and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Pontare's face. Pontare staggers backwards, shaken.
Pontare uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by King.
Pontare takes a body punch but keeps moving.
King scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pontare shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Pontare is breathing heavily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pontare wants to take a breather but King is having none of it.
Pontare is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because King is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
King is looking to control Pontare's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can King avoid being mounted?
Pontare is trying to control. King wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy King dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Danga de danga de dang - King scores with a four punch combination!
King throws a series of punches but Pontare avoids them all with ease.
Pontare shoots and misses
and King makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
King looks to throw the jab but Pontare is out of range.
King lands a nice shot to the body.
Pontare is on the wrong end of a nice combination from King.
Pontare fails with the takedown

and King counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Pontare!
Pontare on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Pontare tries to get out of the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
King postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Pontare looks a forlorn figure.
King working Pontare over with strikes here.
Pontare is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Pontare?
King scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Pontare?
King postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Pontare looks a forlorn figure.
Pontare trying desperately to get to his feet.
King breaks from Pontare's wrist control and lands an elbow.
King is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Pontare can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
King throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.

Pontare somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Jimmy King seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

King drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King chips away with some ground and pound.

King gets to his feet - Pontare follows without any prompting.

King looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
King won't allow Pontare to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pontare can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as King controls the pace.
King lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pontare avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pontare wants to get back to his feet but King is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
King throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
King sizes up Pontare with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Pontare misses with a takedown attempt

and King counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Pontare. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. King connects with a nice short shot to Pontare's temple.
Pontare won't allow King to pass to mount.
King lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Pontare wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pontare blocking the ground and pound attempt from King.
Jimmy King has got the better of the ground game so far.
King looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Pontare tries to kick King off but King keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pontare slips a jab and a cross from King.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
King lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Pontare at a distance.

King looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Pontare wants to stand up but King is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy King showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

King uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Pontare slips under a jab.
Pontare shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and King counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Pontare shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and King counters with a takedown into side control.
King scoring with punches and elbows.
Pontare is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but King has just dragged him back down to the mat.
King trying to control the action but Pontare is working from the bottom.
Pontare is trying to get back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Pontare sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
King has knee on belly momentarily but Pontare bucks him off and regains half guard.
Nice strikes from King there.
Nice strikes from King there.
King trying to pass the guard but Pontare defending well.
King sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pontare defending well though.
King is looking to take a break and control but Pontare is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
King stops Pontare from getting back to his feet.
King stalling.
King looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Pontare with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
King thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Pontare's head.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pontare gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Pontare with a poor takedown
and Pontare takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Pontare. That's going to take a lot out of him.
King digs a good hook to Pontare's body.
Jimmy King seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King tests Pontare's chin there with a solid looking shot.
King uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
A jab from King finds it's way through Pontare's defenses.

King looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Pontare!
Pontare wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
King connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Pontare squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
King looking to finish Pontare with some ground and pound. This is bad for Pontare!
King lands a nice shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pontare trying desperately to get to his feet.
King in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Pontare is bucking up trying to escape but King cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
King lands with some strikes.
Pontare is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
King raining down shots from the mount!
King has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Pontare tries to buck King off but he can't manage it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy King really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pontare takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
King connects with a crisp jab.
King ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Pontare moves away.
King throws a jab when Pontare was well out of range.
King throws a right and a left that both miss.
King looks to land a right hand but Pontare moved out of range.
Pontare gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and King counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King just misses with a punch to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Pontare gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
A looping hook to the body misses from King. Pontare does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

King shoots in and bounces Pontare off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Pontare wants to get back to his feet but King is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Pontare scrambles and gets back to his feet.
King lands with a good body shot.
Pontare has his takedown stuffed
and King counters with a nice uppercut.
Pontare takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pontare gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
King scores with the left hand. Pontare knows he should have avoided that one.

King gets a takedown into half guard.
King sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Pontare defending well though.
King throws a strike but Pontare avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
King must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Pontare pushes King off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Pontare doesn't succeed with the takedown
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Pontare. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pontare takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
King lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

King closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Pontare did well to prevent King getting side control.
King throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pontare is trying to stand back up but King is controlling him
King thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
King thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
King missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
King thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
King not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King prevents Pontare from standing back up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
King lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Pontare shoots and misses
and King counters with a three punch combo that has Pontare backing up. Pontare nods at King to acknowledge the strikes.
Good standup being displayed there by King as he connects with a hook.
Pontare has his takedown stuffed
and King counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
King thuds his right hand into Pontare's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
King throws a hook but Pontare avoids it easily.
King digs a good body shot into Pontare's ribs.
Nice defenses there by Pontare.
Pontare shoots and misses
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy King dominated that fourth round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Jab by King.
King looks to land a right hand but Pontare moved out of range.
King scores with a nice strike.
Pontare misses with a takedown
and King counters with a right hand to the body.
Pontare takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Pontare ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pontare with a poor takedown
and King counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Pontare looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
King moves into range and connects with a jab.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
King lands with a straight right. Pontare didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pontare shoots and misses

and King counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Pontare!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roger Pontare. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pontare squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
King landing punches.
King lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
King has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Pontare's face.
King trying to control but Pontare is having none of it.
Pontare wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King working Pontare over with strikes here.
Pontare squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
King postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Pontare looks a forlorn figure.
Pontare is in a horrible position here. King smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
King tries to control but Pontare wriggling away.
Pontare is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
King in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee warns Pontare that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Pontare is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
King landing shots from mount.
King is landing with some decent strikes but Pontare is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
King unloading with bombs!
King connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
King controlling his opponent.
King scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by King.
King trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Pontare is trying to stand up.
King controlling from the full mount.
King dominating with strikes here.
Pontare is trying to stand.
King scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Roger Pontare has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jimmy King is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pontare throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jimmy King comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well King has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 42:50
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 43:50
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 42:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jimmy King!
Jimmy King is the new featherweight champion!