PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Donato Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jarmo Laukkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Russo kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Imagine Dragons-Radioactive. Laukkanen has chosen The Mutilation of Christ as his entrance music. Jarmo Laukkanen told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Russo
vs
Laukkanen

172 cm
39
149 lbs
35 - 26 - 1

168 cm
31
150 lbs
19 - 18 - 0

Good wrestling
Great low kicks
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
World class MT
Heavy handed

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 35 - 26 - 1, fighting out of New York, Donato Russo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 18 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jarmo Laukkanen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice body punch from Laukkanen.

Laukkanen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Laukkanen trying to control the position but Russo is working away.
Laukkanen is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Laukkanen looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Russo is avoiding damage well.
Russo tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Laukkanen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Russo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Laukkanen's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Russo won't allow Laukkanen to pass to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Russo is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo gets full guard.
Laukkanen passes Russo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Laukkanen has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Russo is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Laukkanen trying to control but Russo is having none of it.
Laukkanen connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Russo can't escape the position.
Russo gets back to half guard.

Laukkanen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Russo has managed to free his arm - good work.
Russo is looking to control Laukkanen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Russo avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Russo looking for a kimura from the bottom but Laukkanen passes into side control!
Russo is looking for a sweep.
Laukkanen trying to control the action but Russo is working from the bottom.
Russo manages to get back to half guard.
Russo wants to control but Laukkanen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Russo tries to roll over but Laukkanen keeps him under control.
Laukkanen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Russo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Russo trying to control from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo wants to improve his position but Laukkanen is controlling well.
Russo is working hard here to advance position.
Laukkanen with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Russo wants to improve his position but Laukkanen is controlling well.
Russo makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Russo.
Russo keeping moving, preventing Laukkanen from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jarmo Laukkanen.
Laukkanen misses with a few strikes there.
Russo looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Laukkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Russo moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laukkanen misses the body punch
and Russo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Laukkanen lands a head kick!
Laukkanen misses with a low kick.
Laukkanen throws a head kick but Russo moves out of range.
Russo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Laukkanen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Laukkanen misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarmo Laukkanen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Laukkanen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Russo takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Laukkanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Laukkanen throws a combination. Russo tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

It looks like Donato Russo has been cut.
Laukkanen works the jab nicely.
Jarmo Laukkanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laukkanen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Russo circles away quickly and effectively.
Laukkanen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Laukkanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Russo was well out of range. Poor timing from Laukkanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laukkanen throws a head kick that misses.
Laukkanen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Russo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Laukkanen.
Laukkanen looks for the body kick but Russo saw that one coming.
Laukkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Laukkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Laukkanen.
Laukkanen throws a sloppy head kick
and Russo counters with a good, hard body kick but Laukkanen shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laukkanen looks to land a combination but Russo avoids it well.
Russo avoids the head kick by Laukkanen.
A swing and a miss from Laukkanen.
Laukkanen thows a body kick. Russo tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Nice takedown defense from Russo. No joy for Laukkanen on that attempt.
Laukkanen misses with a low kick.
Russo takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laukkanen throws a leg kick
and Russo counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Laukkanen misses the shot to the body.
Laukkanen throws a push kick but Russo slaps the foot to one side.
Laukkanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Laukkanen throws a sloppy head kick
and Russo counters with a body kick that stops Laukkanen in his tracks momentarily.
Laukkanen swinging wildly here.
Laukkanen looks to score with a jab to the body but Russo is just out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laukkanen misses with a head kick.
Laukkanen throws a sloppy head kick
and Russo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Laukkanen throws the kick towards the body but Russo avoids it.
Laukkanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Russo moves out of range as Laukkanen throws a body kick.
Laukkanen throws a sloppy head kick

and Russo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Laukkanen won't be happy with that.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Russo lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Laukkanen has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Russo trying to control the position but Laukkanen is working away.
Russo scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Laukkanen to see if he's OK.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarmo Laukkanen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Donato Russo's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Laukkanen jabs Russo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Laukkanen thows a body shot but no joy.
Russo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Laukkanen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Laukkanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Russo was well out of range. Poor timing from Laukkanen.
Russo blocks the body kick.
Russo blocks a head kick by Laukkanen.
Laukkanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laukkanen throws a head kick that misses.
Laukkanen swings widly with a right hand
and Russo counters with a left and a right that stings Laukkanen.
A head kick misses from Laukkanen.
Laukkanen swings and misses with a shot to the body
letting Russo counter with a right hand.
Russo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Laukkanen misses with a head kick.
Laukkanen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Laukkanen misses the shot to the body.
Laukkanen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Russo rather than just go for the knockout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Laukkanen.
Laukkanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Laukkanen throws a push kick but Russo slaps the foot to one side.
Laukkanen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Laukkanen takes a swing at Russo's ribcage but misses.
Laukkanen misses with a body punch
and Russo counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Laukkanen misses with a lunging right hand
and Russo counters with a thumping low kick.
Laukkanen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Jarmo Laukkanen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Laukkanen throws a hook but Russo avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laukkanen thows a leg kick but Russo checks it
and Russo counters with a three punch combo that has Laukkanen backing up. Laukkanen nods at Russo to acknowledge the strikes.
Laukkanen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Russo is fending him off so far but Laukkanen persists. Nope, Russo circles away and we're back to standing.
Laukkanen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Laukkanen misses with a jab to the body

and Russo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Russo.
Russo is looking to work some ground and pound but Laukkanen has wrist control.
Donato Russo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Russo wants to control from the top but Laukkanen keeps moving.
Russo is looking to work some ground and pound but Laukkanen has wrist control.
Russo looking to pass the guard.
Russo working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo throwing strikes from guard but Laukkanen blocks nicely.
Laukkanen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Russo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Russo trying to control but Laukkanen is working from the bottom.
Laukkanen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russo trying to control but Laukkanen is working from the bottom.
Russo stopping the sweep attempt from Laukkanen.
Russo passes into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Laukkanen gets back to full guard.
Russo is in close to Laukkanen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Donato Russo did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Donato Russo's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Laukkanen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Laukkanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Laukkanen misses with a looping right.
Donato Russo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Laukkanen throws a sloppy head kick and Russo moves out of range easily.
Laukkanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Russo moves away from the strike by Laukkanen.
Laukkanen throws a front kick aimed at Russo's knee but Russo avoids it well.
Laukkanen misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laukkanen misses with a low kick as Russo jumps back.
A head kick misses from Laukkanen.
Laukkanen throws a wild body kick that Russo sees coming a mile off.

Laukkanen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Laukkanen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Russo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Laukkanen working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Russo is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Russo slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Russo tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Russo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laukkanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Russo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Laukkanen's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Russo postures up and lands a big shot to Laukkanen's brow.
Russo trying to control but Laukkanen is working from the bottom.
Laukkanen wants to sweep but no luck.
Laukkanen keeping moving, preventing Russo from controlling successfully.
Russo lands a couple of digs.
Russo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Russo trying to control but Laukkanen is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Laukkanen is trying to control the position but Russo postures up.
Russo content to stall in guard here.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Russo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Laukkanen looking for a sweep. Not yet Laukkanen, not yet.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Laukkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russo throws a big elbow that misses.
Russo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Laukkanen is keeping the position for now.
Laukkanen throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Laukkanen keeping full guard, as Russo tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Russo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Laukkanen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russo looking to pass the guard.
Laukkanen is trying to keep Russo in close.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Laukkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Russo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Russo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Donato Russo had his way with Jarmo Laukkanen in that round.
The cut man is working on Donato Russo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Laukkanen pushes Russo away with a front kick.
Laukkanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Laukkanen swings for the body but Russo moves out of range.
Russo blocks a head kick by Laukkanen.
Laukkanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Laukkanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Laukkanen tries to land a body kick

and Russo counters with a shoot takedown. Laukkanen fights it but they end up in guard.
Russo trying to control but Laukkanen is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Russo cracks Laukkanen with a solid left hand.
Russo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Russo trying to control but Laukkanen is working from the bottom.
Laukkanen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Russo scoring with punches to the head and body.
Russo lands a couple of elbows.
Russo is in close to Laukkanen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Russo slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Russo trying to control the position but Laukkanen is working away.
Sloppy strikes there by Russo.
Laukkanen is trying to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Laukkanen to see if he's OK.
Laukkanen is trying to escape the position but Russo is controlling the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russo working the head and body with strikes.
Russo works to advance to full mount. Laukkanen defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Laukkanen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Laukkanen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Laukkanen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Laukkanen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Russo lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Russo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Laukkanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laukkanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo advances position into side control!
Russo is chipping away with strikes.
Russo controlling the position.
Russo cracks Laukkanen with a big right hand but Laukkanen just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Russo cracks Laukkanen with a big right hand but Laukkanen just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Laukkanen can't do much from the bottom here.
Laukkanen is trying to get back to half guard.
Laukkanen takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laukkanen is trying to control Russo's posture but Russo avoids it.
Russo is putting a hurting on Laukkanen here, landing some big shots from side control.
Laukkanen takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Laukkanen takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Russo scores with punches from side control.
Laukkanen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Laukkanen won't allow Russo to pass to mount.
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. Russo connects with a nice short shot to Laukkanen's temple.
Laukkanen trying to control from the bottom.
Laukkanen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Laukkanen is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Laukkanen taking some punishment here, with Russo in his half guard.
Laukkanen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Russo.

And that's the end of the fight!
Donato Russo showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Russo 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Donato Russo!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Donato Russo!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Donato Russo!

Donato Russo wins by unanimous decision!
An out of breath Donato Russo thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.