PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Remy Bonjasky (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mursu Valkoinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Valkoinen has chosen Nuki Nuki as his entrance music. Remy Bonjasky could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Mursu Valkoinen's chin.

Bonjasky
vs
Valkoinen

200 cm
24
215 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

195 cm
19
200 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Prefers standup

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Remy Bonjasky!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mursu Valkoinen!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Joseph Jones and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valkoinen throws a head kick that half lands.
Bonjasky on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Valkoinen. Valkoinen obviously looking to wear him down.
Valkoinen throws a leg kick but Bonjasky checks it.
Valkoinen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Valkoinen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Good leg kick by Valkoinen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Valkoinen jabs at Bonjasky's body.
Bonjasky on the wrong end of a nice hook.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bonjasky tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Valkoinen swivels and escapes.
Valkoinen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Valkoinen circles away from the clinch attempt.

Valkoinen lands a left and a right that send Bonjasky crashing to the mat, dazed. Valkoinen thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Bonjasky is rocked!

It looks like Remy Bonjasky has been cut.
Valkoinen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bonjasky. That did some damage!
Oh Bonjasky is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Valkoinen thows a leg kick but Bonjasky checks it
and Bonjasky counters with a thumping low kick.
Bonjasky seems to have got his legs back now.
Valkoinen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Valkoinen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Bonjasky checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A slapping leg kick lands for Valkoinen.
Valkoinen throws a good cross that connects.

Bonjasky shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Bonjasky is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Valkoinen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Valkoinen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Valkoinen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Valkoinen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Bonjasky wants to get back to full guard.
Valkoinen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Valkoinen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Valkoinen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Bonjasky sees it coming and defends easily.
Valkoinen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Valkoinen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Bonjasky has managed to free his arm - good work.
Bonjasky trying to control but Valkoinen postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Valkoinen is working for a kimura but Bonjasky is defending it quite comfortably.

Valkoinen is trying to work for a kimura but Bonjasky is defending well.
Bonjasky is looking to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Valkoinen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Valkoinen looks to land a strike but Bonjasky avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Valkoinen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Bonjasky controls Valkoinen momentarily but Valkoinen frees himself.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valkoinen throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valkoinen postures up in Bonjasky's guard and throws a big left but Bonjasky blocks it.
Bonjasky avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Valkoinen throwing strikes from guard but Bonjasky blocks nicely.
Valkoinen throwing strikes from guard but Bonjasky blocks nicely.

Bonjasky is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Valkoinen is aware though and is defending well.
Bonjasky wants to sweep here but Valkoinen controlling him for the moment.
Bonjasky is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Valkoinen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Bonjasky is looking to stand up but Valkoinen isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Valkoinen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bonjasky looking for a sweep. Not yet Bonjasky, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bonjasky bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Valkoinen's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Valkoinen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Valkoinen trying to strike off his back.
Bonjasky stops Valkoinen from standing up.
Valkoinen looking for a sweep. Not yet Valkoinen, not yet.
Valkoinen keeps trying to improve his position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mursu Valkoinen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Remy Bonjasky's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Bonjasky swinging wildly here.
Bonjasky dives in for a single leg takedown but Valkoinen sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
I was talking to Bonjasky's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Bonjasky managing to block the knees to the body from Valkoinen.
Valkoinen prevents a takedown attempt there.

Bonjasky manages to pull guard.

Valkoinen drops back looking for a leg! Bonjasky is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Bonjasky manages to kick Valkoinen off! Valkoinen jumps back into Bonjasky's guard.

Bonjasky looking for a guillotine here but Valkoinen defends easily.

Bonjasky looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mursu Valkoinen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Valkoinen lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonjasky has momentary wrist control but Valkoinen slips an elbow through the middle.
Valkoinen postures up in Bonjasky's guard and throws a big left but Bonjasky blocks it.
Valkoinen works over Bonjasky with some ground and pound from guard.
Valkoinen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Valkoinen with a nice head shot there.
Valkoinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Valkoinen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Bonjasky throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Valkoinen throwing strikes but missing.
Valkoinen throws a big right hand that misses.
Valkoinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Valkoinen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Valkoinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Valkoinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonjasky tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valkoinen stands up over Bonjasky, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Valkoinen landing some decent shots from guard.
Bonjasky avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Valkoinen connects with a couple of short punches.

Bonjasky escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Valkoinen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Bonjasky looking to hit a scissor sweep but Valkoinen is one step ahead there.
Valkoinen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bonjasky's head.
Bonjasky is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bonjasky escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Valkoinen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Bonjasky working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Valkoinen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Valkoinen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Valkoinen connects with a couple of short punches.

Valkoinen is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Bonjasky is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Bonjasky has escaped and now he's on top!
Valkoinen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bonjasky. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Valkoinen is looking to sweep but instead, Bonjasky has passed into half guard.
Valkoinen is trying to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Valkoinen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Valkoinen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bonjasky stands up over Valkoinen, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Valkoinen looking for a sweep. Not yet Valkoinen, not yet.
Bonjasky slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bonjasky scoring with punches and elbows.
Bonjasky controls the position.
Valkoinen is looking to regain half guard here but Bonjasky keeps moving and retains side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bonjasky controlling from side mount.
Bonjasky wants to control but Valkoinen is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mursu Valkoinen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Remy Bonjasky's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Bonjasky tries to clinch up but Valkoinen circles away and keeps his distance.
Valkoinen lands a leg kick that knocks Bonjasky off balance momentarily.
Valkoinen connects with a leg kick. Bonjasky looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Valkoinen scores with a head kick.
Nice takedown defense from Valkoinen. No joy for Bonjasky on that attempt.
Valkoinen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Bonjasky blocks the body kick.
Bonjasky takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Mursu Valkoinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valkoinen looks to throw the jab but Bonjasky is out of range.
That kick from Valkoinen tenderised Bonjasky's leg. Bonjasky is trying to keep his angry face on.
Valkoinen throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mursu Valkoinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Valkoinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Bonjasky takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A clash of legs there as Bonjasky blocks the low kick.
Valkoinen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Valkoinen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valkoinen clobbers Bonjasky with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Bonjasky stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Valkoinen.
Valkoinen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Bonjasky is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Valkoinen tries to work over Bonjasky's front leg with a kick but Bonjasky checks it.
Valkoinen throws a sloppy head kick and Bonjasky moves out of range easily.
Bonjasky is looking to clinch but Valkoinen is avoiding it.
Valkoinen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Bonjasky is out of range and Valkoinen settles back down.
Valkoinen misses with a low kick.
Bonjasky shoots in for a double leg but Valkoinen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Bonjasky has Valkoinen up against the cage in a clinch.
Bonjasky is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Bonjasky drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Remy Bonjasky. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Valkoinen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bonjasky in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valkoinen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Bonjasky in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Valkoinen lands a knee to the body.
Valkoinen crunches a lovely knee into Bonjasky's ribcage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Valkoinen manages to break the clinch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Valkoinen.
Bonjasky takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Bonjasky shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Valkoinen is looking to improve his position.
Valkoinen is trying to escape back to his feet but Bonjasky uses the scramble to pass into side control.
Valkoinen tries to bench press Bonjasky off him but Bonjasky keeps the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Bonjasky thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Bonjasky looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Valkoinen manages to get back to half guard.
Bonjasky seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Valkoinen wants to improve his position but Bonjasky is controlling well.
Valkoinen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bonjasky is trying to control. Valkoinen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
It looks like Bonjasky is going to stand back up.
Valkoinen wants to improve his position but Bonjasky is controlling well.
Mursu Valkoinen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Valkoinen wants to control but Bonjasky is keeping busy.
Bonjasky prevents Valkoinen from standing back up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Bonjasky throws a right and a left that Valkoinen avoids nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Valkoinen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Remy Bonjasky has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Valkoinen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bonjasky.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mursu Valkoinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Valkoinen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Joseph Jones scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mursu Valkoinen!
Our winner, Mursu Valkoinen, 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.