PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tomi Juntunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Manoel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Juntunen's entrance music is Higher Ground by Stevie Wonder. A fine choice. Manoel has chosen Fantaisie-Impromptu as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Juntunen
vs
Manoel

198 cm
34
220 lbs
26 - 19 - 0

193 cm
36
222 lbs
36 - 16 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

SP Ultimate Nutrition

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 26 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tomi Juntunen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Antonio Manoel!
The judges for this bout are Stewart Dunkirk, Alan Glass and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manoel fails with an attempt to clinch.
Manoel is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Juntunen.
Manoel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Juntunen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Juntunen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A low kick from Manoel misses
and Juntunen counters with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Antonio Manoel has been cut.
Manoel has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Juntunen throws a body kick that misses.
Juntunen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Manoel throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Juntunen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Manoel connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Juntunen's hands.
Manoel ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Juntunen moves away.
Juntunen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Manoel can pounce on him.
Manoel looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Juntunen throws a head kick but Manoel moves out of range.
Juntunen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Manoel circles away quickly and effectively.
Juntunen blocks a jab.
Juntunen throws an off balance right hand
enabling Manoel to counter with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Juntunen misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manoel stuns Juntunen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Juntunen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Juntunen throws a lazy body kick
and Manoel counters with a left to the body.
Crunch! Juntunen slams his shin into Manoel's torso.
Juntunen looks to throw the jab but Manoel is out of range.
A swing and a miss from Manoel.
Manoel dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Juntunen. That did some damage!
Juntunen ducks under a wild hook from Manoel.
Juntunen appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Manoel misses with a lunging right hand
and Juntunen counters with a nice body kick.
Juntunen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Sloppy strikes from Juntunen. Those never looked like landing.
Manoel checks the leg kick.
Juntunen is looking to chop away at Manoel's legs.
Manoel keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A countering left hand to the body from Manoel misses.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Juntunen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Juntunen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Manoel looks like he wants to counter punch here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Manoel lands a head kick!

It looks like Tomi Juntunen has been cut.
Manoel connects with a crisp jab.
Manoel connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
A jab from Manoel finds it's way through Juntunen's defenses.
Manoel lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Juntunen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

Manoel rushes Juntunen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Manoel has a couple of punches blocked by Juntunen.
Juntunen avoiding damage as Manoel throws knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Manoel.
Manoel stalling against the cage.
Juntunen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Manoel avoiding damage as Juntunen throws knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manoel softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Juntunen lands a hook that snaps the head of Manoel backwards.
Manoel prevents a body shot from Juntunen.
Manoel is stalling here.
Juntunen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Manoel avoids it.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Juntunen misses with a knee strike.
Manoel creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Manoel has a couple of punches blocked by Juntunen.
Manoel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Juntunen.
Manoel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Juntunen tries to land a knee to the head but Manoel blocks with his arms.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Juntunen lands a body shot in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Juntunen blocks a body shot from Manoel.
Manoel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Juntunen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A shot in the inside from Manoel.
A right hand to the body from Manoel.
Juntunen misses with a hook from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Juntunen with a knee to the head.
Nice body punch from Manoel - that landed with a thud.
Juntunen takes a shot to the head.
Manoel keeps control of Juntunen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Manoel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Manoel goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Manoel is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Juntunen dodges an elbow strike from Manoel.
Manoel just leaning against Juntunen, taking a breather.
Manoel taking a breather.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Manoel dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nice shot lands for Manoel.
Juntunen slips under a jab.
Juntunen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Manoel looks to land a right hand but Juntunen moved out of range.
Manoel throws a hook but Juntunen blocks it.
Juntunen throws a leg kick but Manoel moved away.
Manoel lands with an uppercut that bounces Juntunen off the cage and back into range.
Juntunen swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Manoel.
A solid leg kick lands there for Juntunen.
Manoel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Juntunen.
Antonio Manoel seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Juntunen throws a shot to the body.
Juntunen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Manoel.
A bone on bone clash there as Manoel blocks the leg kick.
Juntunen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Manoel.
Manoel lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A slow jab from Manoel misses its intended target.
Juntunen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Manoel counters with a nice uppercut.
Juntunen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Manoel.
Juntunen lands a nice looking body shot.
Manoel lands with a cross.
Juntunen 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.
Nice defenses there by Juntunen.
And Juntunen counters with a quick kick to the body but Manoel blocks it.
Juntunen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Manoel.
Manoel throws a head kick that Juntunen semi-blocks.
Manoel swings for the body but Juntunen moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Manoel misses the target.
Manoel lands a right hook to the body.
Manoel walks into a straight right hand from Juntunen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Juntunen throws a right and a left that both miss.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manoel shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Juntunen eats them both and turns towards Manoel to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
A big right from Juntunen misses.
Nice body punch from Manoel.
Manoel scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Juntunen moves out of range of the strikes.
Manoel misses the jab.
Manoel throws a jab but it's blocked by Juntunen.
Manoel misses with a hook. Juntunen ducked under it nicely.
Manoel swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Manoel takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Juntunen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Manoel counters with a nice low kick that buckles Juntunen's knee momentarily.
Manoel chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Juntunen scores with a decent looking hook.
Manoel moves out of range of the body kick from Juntunen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manoel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Juntunen throws a shot from downtown. Manoel moves away and avoids it.
Manoel digs a good body shot into Juntunen's ribs.
Juntunen avoids the body shot from Manoel.
Manoel bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Juntunen's head.
Juntunen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Juntunen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Juntunen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Manoel misses with the combination.
Manoel misses with a leg kick.
Juntunen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
The crowd cheers as Manoel lands an impressive looking overhand right. Juntunen doesn't seem phased though.
Juntunen slips a straight right by Manoel.
Juntunen staying out of range there.
Manoel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manoel is looking to score with low kicks.
Juntunen lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Manoel scores with a leg kick.
Juntunen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A counter left hand to the body from Juntunen misses its target.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Manoel throws a body punch but Juntunen moves out of range.
Juntunen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A lazy left from Juntunen finds it's target.
Juntunen's legs have taken a beating and he's really slowing down as a result.
Juntunen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Manoel moves away.
A leg kick checked by Manoel.
Juntunen throws a push kick but Manoel slaps the foot to one side.
Manoel lands a slapping body shot.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Manoel lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Juntunen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Juntunen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
A telegraphed right hand from Manoel misses the target.
Manoel scores with a hook to the body. Juntunen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Manoel stuns Juntunen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antonio Manoel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Juntunen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Some wild striking there from Manoel.
Manoel misses with a jab to the body
and Juntunen counters with a low kick, right behind Manoel 's knee.
Manoel takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Manoel does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Manoel throws a hook but Juntunen avoids it easily.
Juntunen avoids the body shot from Manoel.
Juntunen throws a big counter combination but Manoel scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Manoel misses with a low kick.
Manoel takes a swing at Juntunen's ribcage but misses.
Juntunen throws a body kick that misses
and Manoel counters with a leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Manoel tries to close the distance and clinch up but Juntunen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Manoel clobbers Juntunen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Juntunen throws a lazy body kick
and Manoel counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Manoel fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Juntunen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Juntunen tenderised Manoel's leg. Manoel is trying to keep his angry face on.
Manoel tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Juntunen defending well as Manoel loads up on a big left hand.
Manoel lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Manoel turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Manoel tries to clinch but Juntunen moves away
and Juntunen counters with a stiff right hand.
Manoel moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Juntunen misses with a leg kick.
Juntunen misses with an uppercut.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Manoel! But no joy.
Juntunen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice uppercut there from Manoel.
A jab from Manoel misses.
Antonio Manoel seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manoel uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Juntunen.
Manoel throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Manoel.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manoel misses the shot to the body.
Nice uppercut there from Manoel.
Good standup being displayed there by Juntunen as he connects with a hook.
Juntunen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Manoel throws a leg kick but Juntunen checks it.
Manoel takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Manoel throws a nice outside leg kick.
Manoel takes a swing at Juntunen's ribcage but misses.
Juntunen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Juntunen just misses with a punch to the body.
Manoel thows a leg kick but Juntunen checks it
and Juntunen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Manoel thuds his right hand into Juntunen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Tomi Juntunen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Juntunen throws a head kick that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A leg kick checked by Manoel.
Juntunen slips a jab and a cross from Manoel.
Juntunen staying out of range there.
Antonio Manoel is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Manoel throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Juntunen.
Juntunen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Manoel throws a leg kick but Juntunen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Juntunen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Juntunen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Manoel throws out the jab.
Juntunen throws a jab when Manoel was well out of range.
Juntunen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Manoel.
Manoel throws a right hand that Juntunen ducks under and follows up with a left that Juntunen also avoids with ease.
Manoel bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Juntunen's head backwards.
Juntunen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manoel misses with a body shot.
A quick step to the side and Juntunen tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Manoel looks to land a combination but Juntunen avoids it well.
Manoel comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Juntunen misses with a body kick.
Manoel throws out a counter right but Juntunen avoids it with no problem.
Juntunen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Manoel.
Manoel is looking to slow Juntunen down with leg kicks.
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!
Juntunen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Manoel connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Juntunen momentarily.
Juntunen blocks a head kick by Manoel.
Manoel throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Juntunen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Manoel lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Manoel displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Juntunen doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
A shot to the liver by Manoel. Beautiful body shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antonio Manoel comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Manoel 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 Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antonio Manoel!
After the fight, Antonio Manoel was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.