PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Taneli Hauki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matt Puempel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taneli Hauki could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Matt Puempel's chin.

Hauki
vs
Puempel

188 cm
27
197 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

186 cm
32
192 lbs
13 - 12 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Taneli Hauki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Matt Puempel!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Ian Loll and Elvis Blanc.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hauki takes a kick to the side of the head.
Hauki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Puempel has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Hauki takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
A chopping leg kick lands by Puempel.
Puempel lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hauki misses with a straight left.
The fighters circling - Hauki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hauki connects with the punch.
Taneli Hauki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hauki scores with a crisp jab that stopped Puempel in his tracks.
Hauki throws a nice outside leg kick.
Puempel avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Puempel throws a sloppy head kick and Hauki moves out of range easily.
Hauki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Puempel blocks the body kick.
A big left from Hauki misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hauki tries a head kick but it misses.
Hauki lands a leg kick that knocks Puempel off balance momentarily.
Puempel shoots for a double leg takedown but Hauki sprawls well. He's pushed Puempel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Puempel. That's going to slow Hauki down.
Puempel throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Hauki counters with a three punch combo that has Puempel backing up. Puempel nods at Hauki to acknowledge the strikes.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hauki checks a leg kick.

Hauki fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Puempel, pushing him back against the cage.
Puempel can't get the takedown.
Hauki tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Puempel is working for takedown but Hauki is calmly controlling the position for now.
Taneli Hauki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matt Puempel.
A short right from Hauki.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hauki - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Puempel managing to block the knees to the body from Hauki.
Puempel wants to stall.
Hauki will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Puempel up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Puempel fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hauki.
Puempel lands a body punch.
Hauki lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Puempel breaks the clinch.
Puempel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hauki throws a low kick but it's checked well by Puempel.
We've been told by Hauki's head coaches at Brotherhood Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Hauki throws a front kick aimed at Puempel's knee but Puempel avoids it well.
Hauki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Taneli Hauki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hauki connects with a good straight punch right through the guard and follows up with a right hook and a left hook! That last one sent Puempel tumbling to the canvas! Hauki pours on the pressure with more strikes and the referee has no hesitation diving in to stop the fight! Puempel was done - good stoppage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:53 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Taneli Hauki!
Taneli Hauki made sure to mention his sponsor, Speedy Supps + Laundry in his post fight interview.