PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between James Potkukelkka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Furio Falcone (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Falcone has chosen Hatebreed - Live for this as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Potkukelkka
vs
Falcone

170 cm
24
154 lbs
11 - 7 - 0

178 cm
31
156 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Potkukelkka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Furio Falcone!
The judges for this bout are Chris Downing, Cecil Peabody and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A nice inside leg kick there by Potkukelkka. That's going to slow Falcone down.
Falcone throws a low kick, looking for Potkukelkka's leg but Potkukelkka calmly moves out of range.
Falcone is looking to clinch.
Falcone wants to land a leg kick but Potkukelkka is out of range.
Potkukelkka checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Potkukelkka explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Potkukelkka blocks a leg kick.
Potkukelkka lands with a kick to the ribs.
Falcone is looking to slow Potkukelkka down with leg kicks.
Potkukelkka throws the kick towards the body but Falcone avoids it.
Potkukelkka scores with a hook to the body. Falcone takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Potkukelkka checks a low kick from Falcone.
Falcone throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Potkukelkka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Potkukelkka misses with a body shot.
Potkukelkka keeps the fight on the outside.
Falcone on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Potkukelkka. Potkukelkka obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slapping leg kick lands for Potkukelkka.

Falcone darts in and clinches Potkukelkka up against the cage.
Potkukelkka slowing the pace effectively.
Falcone misses with an elbow over the top.
Falcone throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Potkukelkka blocks it with crossed arms.
Potkukelkka leaning his opponent against the cage.
Falcone with a knee to the head.
Falcone trying to stall but Potkukelkka improves his position.
Falcone throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Potkukelkkas head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Potkukelkka - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Falcone scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nice elbow from Falcone.
Falcone scores with a shot to the side of Potkukelkka's head.
Falcone throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Falcone's elbow.
Potkukelkka dodges an elbow strike from Falcone.
Falcone misses with a knee strike.
Falcone using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Potkukelkka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Falcone with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Potkukelkka is rocked!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Falcone throws an elbow that misses.
Oh Potkukelkka is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Falcone keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Potkukelkka's efforts to push away.
Falcone doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Falcone throws an elbow that misses.
Potkukelkka seems to have got his legs back now.
Falcone throws an elbow but it misses.

Potkukelkka breaks the clinch.
Potkukelkka throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Potkukelkka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Potkukelkka tries to land a front kick but Falcone steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Potkukelkka shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Falcone tries to roll over but Potkukelkka keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka wants to free his trapped foot but Falcone is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Potkukelkka looks to land a strike but Falcone avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Potkukelkka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka wants to control from the top but Falcone keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Potkukelkka stays in close to Falcone's body and controls the position.
Potkukelkka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Potkukelkka wants to control from the top but Falcone keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of James Potkukelkka.
Falcone tries to close the distance and clinch but Potkukelkka swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Falcone takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A low kick from Falcone misses
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
and Potkukelkka counters with a nice leg kick.
Nice body kick there by Potkukelkka.
Falcone misses with a straight left.
Potkukelkka checks a low kick from Falcone.
Falcone attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Falcone works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A big left from Falcone misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Falcone.
Falcone on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Falcone avoids the body shot from Potkukelkka.
Falcone wants to clinch.
Falcone tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Potkukelkka was well out of range. Poor timing from Falcone.
Falcone tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Falcone misses with a leg kick
and Potkukelkka counters with a nice body kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Potkukelkka checks a leg kick.
Falcone misses with a few strikes there.
Potkukelkka connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Falcone throws a leg kick which misses Potkukelkka's front leg but catches the back leg as Potkukelkka tries to avoid it.
Potkukelkka fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Falcone has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Falcone throws a leg kick but Potkukelkka sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Potkukelkka misses with a body kick.
Potkukelkka scores with a push kick.

Falcone rushes Potkukelkka and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Falcone misses with an elbow strike.
Falcone throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Potkukelkka blocks it with crossed arms.

Potkukelkka turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Falcone seems a little lost for a moment, as Potkukelkka dominates the positioning.
Falcone really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Potkukelkka. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka tries to move to mount but Falcone blocks the move with his legs.
Potkukelkka taking a breather here.
Potkukelkka has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Potkukelkka landing a few strikes.
Potkukelkka looking to control but instead Falcone has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Potkukelkka throws a strike but Falcone avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka wants to control from the top but Falcone keeps moving.
Potkukelkka slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Potkukelkka throws a big elbow that misses.
Potkukelkka throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Potkukelkka slips nicely into half guard.
Potkukelkka content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka wants to lay and pray for a moment but Falcone keeps working.
Potkukelkka tries to pass the half guard into mount. Falcone knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Potkukelkka slips a nice elbow through Falcone's hands, connecting with Falcone's forehead.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Falcone is staying active underneath Potkukelkka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Falcone is looking for a sweep. Potkukelkka is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Potkukelkka dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Potkukelkka throws a sloppy head kick
and Falcone counters with a leg kick.
Potkukelkka misses with a body kick.
Falcone throws a leg kick but Potkukelkka checks it.
Potkukelkka is looking to slow Falcone down with leg kicks.
Potkukelkka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Potkukelkka moves out of range of the body kick from Falcone.
Potkukelkka shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Falcone sprawls well. Falcone wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Potkukelkka gets slowly back to his feet.
Falcone lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Potkukelkka throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Falcone comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Potkukelkka scores with a spinning back kick!
Falcone throws an overhand right that lands on Potkukelkka's shoulder, as Potkukelkka tries to avoid the shot.
Furio Falcone seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Potkukelkka blocks a low kick nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potkukelkka checks a leg kick nicely.
Falcone throws a head kick that misses.
Falcone is looking to clinch.
Falcone throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Falcone misses with an uppercut
and Potkukelkka counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Potkukelkka looking to score a takedown here. Falcone is defending well but Potkukelkka drives through and ends up in Falcone's guard.
Potkukelkka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Potkukelkka postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Potkukelkka is pushing down on Falcone's leg trying to pass to half guard. Falcone is fighting to maintain full guard but Potkukelkka has managed to sneak the leg through.
Potkukelkka wants to take a breather but Falcone is having none of it.
Potkukelkka works his way into full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Potkukelkka lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Potkukelkka thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Potkukelkka landing strikes, looking to finish!

Potkukelkka wants to finish this one by submission but Falcone is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Potkukelkka.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Potkukelkka thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Falcone blocking the ground and pound.
James Potkukelkka overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Potkukelkka lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Potkukelkka content just to control the position here.
Potkukelkka fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Furio Falcone has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Potkukelkka with shots to the head and body - Falcone looks very uncomfortable down there.
Potkukelkka controlling from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James Potkukelkka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
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!

And that's the end of the fight!
James Potkukelkka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Potkukelkka, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Potkukelkka!
Our winner, James Potkukelkka, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.