PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tinashe Chukwuma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Knut Paulsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Knut Paulsen will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Chukwuma
vs
Paulsen

194 cm
24
258 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

205 cm
23
265 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tinashe Chukwuma!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Knut Paulsen!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Nard Betker and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paulsen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Chukwuma momentarily.
Paulsen misses with an uppercut
and Chukwuma counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Paulsen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Chukwuma circles away quickly and effectively.
Paulsen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Chukwuma.
Chukwuma takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Chukwuma checks a leg kick.
Paulsen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Chukwuma digs a good hook to Paulsen's body.
Paulsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chukwuma.
Chukwuma stuns Paulsen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Paulsen misses the shot to the body.
Chukwuma misses with a wild body shot.
Paulsen avoids a kick to the body.
Chukwuma thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Paulsen if he has to take too many more of those.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Chukwuma throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Chukwuma swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Chukwuma walks into a jab.
Paulsen throws a jab but it's blocked by Chukwuma.
Chukwuma looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Chukwuma uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Paulsen.
Paulsen misses the shot to the body.
Chukwuma blocks a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chukwuma takes one to the side of the head.
Paulsen is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Chukwuma walks into a straight right hand from Paulsen.
Chukwuma keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Chukwuma ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Paulsen moves away.
Paulsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chukwuma.
Paulsen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Chukwuma sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little feinted left hand from Chukwuma on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Chukwuma forces Paulsen back against the cage and clinches.
Chukwuma misses with an elbow over the top.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Chukwuma.
A shot in the inside from Chukwuma.

Paulsen breaks from the clinch.
Paulsen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Paulsen needs to keep his hands up - Chukwuma had a free shot at his head there.
We've been told by Chukwuma's head coaches at White Eagle that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Paulsen scores with a push kick.
Paulsen throws a push kick but Chukwuma slaps the foot to one side.
It looked like Chukwuma wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
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!
Chukwuma with a jab.
Paulsen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A lazy body kick from Paulsen
and Chukwuma counters with a good low kick that Paulsen was not able to check.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Chukwuma misses its intended target.
Paulsen takes one to the chin there.
A head kick by Paulsen misses
and Chukwuma counters with a nice low kick that buckles Paulsen's knee momentarily.
Paulsen staying out of range there.
Paulsen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Chukwuma misses with an attempted mid kick.
Paulsen throws out a counter right but Chukwuma avoids it with no problem.
Paulsen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Chukwuma at a distance.
Paulsen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Chukwuma.
Chukwuma takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Chukwuma walks into a jab.
Paulsen takes a swing at Chukwuma's ribcage but misses.
Chukwuma swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Paulsen lands a nice looking body shot.
Chukwuma fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paulsen manages to avoid it.
Paulsen keeps the fight on the outside.
Chukwuma is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Paulsen.
As Chukwuma backs off Paulsen throws a huge counter combo but Chukwuma manages to avoid it all.
Chukwuma throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Paulsen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Paulsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chukwuma moves away.
Paulsen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Chukwuma gets a clinch.
Chukwuma has Paulsen pressed against the cage, preventing Paulsen from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Chukwuma struggles to land a body shot inside as Paulsen controls his hands.
Paulsen digs a right hand into Chukwuma's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Chukwuma's gas tank.
Paulsen works on Chukwuma's body with a couple of short punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Paulsen struggles to land a body shot inside as Chukwuma controls his hands.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Chukwuma.
Chukwuma leaning against his opponent.
Chukwuma throws an elbow that misses.
Chukwuma is trying to maintain a safe position but Paulsen gets an underhook and turns Chukwuma into the cage.

Paulsen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Paulsen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Paulsen takes a swing at Chukwuma's ribcage but misses.
Paulsen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Paulsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Chukwuma tries to clinch but Paulsen is having none of it.
Chukwuma slips a jab from Paulsen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paulsen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Chukwuma's head.
Paulsen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Chukwuma cracks Paulsen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Knut Paulsen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Paulsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Paulsen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Chukwuma rather than just go for the knockout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paulsen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
A shot to the body from Chukwuma misses
and Paulsen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Chukwuma uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Paulsen.
Chukwuma tries a head kick but it misses.
Paulsen misses with a wild body shot.
Paulsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chukwuma.
Paulsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Paulsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chukwuma manages to avoid it.
Paulsen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Chukwuma keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Paulsen swings for the body but Chukwuma moves out of range.
Chukwuma throws a hook to the side of Paulsen's head but Paulsen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Chukwuma throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Paulsen looks to score with a jab to the body but Chukwuma is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Knut Paulsen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Chukwuma takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Chukwuma throws a nice inside leg kick.
Paulsen pushes Chukwuma away with a front kick.
Paulsen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Chukwuma throws a jab but it's blocked by Paulsen.
Chukwuma fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Paulsen manages to avoid it.
Paulsen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chukwuma has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Chukwuma scores with a jab.
Paulsen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Chukwuma's sensitive parts.
Chukwuma misses with a body kick.
Chukwuma takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Paulsen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Chukwuma stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Chukwuma throws the kick towards the body but Paulsen avoids it.
Paulsen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Chukwuma wants to slow Paulsen down by chopping away at his legs.
Paulsen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Chukwuma slips under a jab from Paulsen.
It looked like Chukwuma wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Knut Paulsen seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paulsen moves out of range of the body kick from Chukwuma.
Chukwuma chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Paulsen throws a front kick that sends Chukwuma stumbling back into the cage.
Chukwuma scoring well with a low kick there.
Chukwuma uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Paulsen.
Paulsen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Paulsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chukwuma.
Chukwuma feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Chukwuma thumps Paulsen with a low kick.
Paulsen misses with a body kick.
Paulsen avoids the body shot from Chukwuma.
Paulsen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Chukwuma on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Chukwuma blocks the body kick.
Chukwuma fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Chukwuma throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Paulsen keeps the fight on the outside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paulsen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
A combination from Paulsen does no damage.
A swing and a miss from Paulsen.
A jab from Paulsen finds it's way through Chukwuma's defenses.
Chukwuma works Paulsen's body with a nice hook.
Chukwuma tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Chukwuma swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Chukwuma takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Chukwuma throws a body shot but no joy.
Paulsen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Chukwuma moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paulsen has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Chukwuma fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Paulsen checks it well.
Paulsen throws a poor cross that misses
and Chukwuma connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Chukwuma scores with a kick to the body.
Paulsen is breathing heavily.
Paulsen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Paulsen throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Chukwuma counters with a slapping leg kick.
Chukwuma tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Paulsen is able to avoid easily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Chukwuma!
Chukwuma throws a leg kick but Paulsen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Paulsen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulsen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Paulsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chukwuma.
A slapping leg kick lands for Chukwuma.
Paulsen tries to land a leg kick but Chukwuma saw it coming and moves away.
Chukwuma lands a glancing blow to the side of Paulsen's head.
Paulsen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paulsen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice body kick there by Chukwuma.
Paulsen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Chukwuma connects with a jab.
Chukwuma misses with an attempted mid kick.
Chukwuma lands a nice leg kick that just misses Paulsen's sensitive parts.
Chukwuma scores with a body shot.
Chukwuma throws a push kick but Paulsen slaps the foot to one side.
Chukwuma throws a half hearted mid kick.
Paulsen is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Chukwuma with a body shot.
Paulsen tries to move into range but Chukwuma moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Paulsen blocks the body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paulsen fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Paulsen has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Chukwuma.
Paulsen misses the shot to the body.
Paulsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chukwuma.
Paulsen misses with a body shot.
Paulsen swings for the body but Chukwuma moves out of range.
Paulsen throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Chukwuma avoids the body shot from Paulsen.
Paulsen throws a lazy body kick
and Chukwuma counters with a stiff right hand.
Paulsen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Paulsen swings for the body but Chukwuma moves out of range.
Paulsen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Chukwuma. Chukwuma obviously looking to wear him down.
Paulsen just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Chukwuma misses with a body shot
and Paulsen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Chukwuma.
Paulsen throws a hook to the side of Chukwuma's head but Chukwuma sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nice body kick there by Paulsen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Tinashe Chukwuma will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Chukwuma tries to land a front kick but Paulsen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Chukwuma misses with a wild body shot.
A jab lands there for Paulsen.
Paulsen punishes Chukwuma's body with a nice straight punch.
Chukwuma looks to land a body kick but Paulsen moved away.
A jab lands there for Paulsen.
Paulsen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Chukwuma tries a low kick but Paulsen avoids it.
Paulsen appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Some bone on bone action there as Paulsen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Paulsen loads up on a big right hand but Chukwuma slips the punch.
Paulsen throws a body punch but Chukwuma moves out of range.
Chukwuma throws a body punch but Paulsen moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paulsen misses with a body shot.
A good leg kick by Chukwuma.
Paulsen throws a sloppy body shot
and Chukwuma counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Chukwuma thows a body kick. Paulsen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Paulsen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Paulsen blocks the body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chukwuma just misses with a punch to the body.
Paulsen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Chukwuma in his tracks.
Paulsen just misses with a punch to the body.
Paulsen takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Paulsen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Chukwuma manages to avoid it.
A low kick from Paulsen misses
and Chukwuma counters with a nice leg kick.
Chukwuma misses with an uppercut.
Paulsen throws a body punch but Chukwuma moves out of range.
It looked like Chukwuma was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Paulsen.
Chukwuma with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Paulsen moves out of range of the body kick from Chukwuma.
Paulsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chukwuma moves away.
Chukwuma takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
An inside leg kick lands from Paulsen.
Paulsen moves out of range of the body kick from Chukwuma.
Chukwuma tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Paulsen was well out of range. Poor timing from Chukwuma.
Paulsen misses with a wild body shot.
Chukwuma thuds his right hand into Paulsen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chukwuma steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Paulsen.
Chukwuma throws a body punch but Paulsen moves out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chukwuma connects with a solid leg kick.
Chukwuma wants to clinch.
Paulsen slips a jab from Chukwuma.
Chukwuma wants to clinch
and Paulsen counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Paulsen moves out of range as Chukwuma strikes.
Chukwuma throws a looping overhand right but Paulsen ducks down to avoid it.
Chukwuma lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Paulsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chukwuma moves away.
Good leg kick by Chukwuma there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Chukwuma looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Paulsen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paulsen is looking to land body kicks.
Paulsen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Paulsen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Chukwuma moves away.
Paulsen looks for the body kick but Chukwuma saw that one coming.
Paulsen misses with a looping left.
Paulsen misses with a wild body shot.
Chukwuma lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Chukwuma.
Paulsen takes a swing at Chukwuma's ribcage but misses.
An inside leg kick from Paulsen misses.
Chukwuma cracks Paulsen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Chukwuma stuns Paulsen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
A shot to the liver by Paulsen. Beautiful body shot.
A swing and a miss from Paulsen.
Paulsen misses with a hook
and Paulsen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Paulsen lands with an uppercut that bounces Chukwuma off the cage and back into range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paulsen chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chukwuma scores with a leg kick.
Paulsen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Paulsen's corner calls for a 1-2. Paulsen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Paulsen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Chukwuma swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Chukwuma jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Paulsen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Paulsen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Paulsen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Chukwuma.
Chukwuma's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Paulsen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Chukwuma scrambles back to his feet.
Chukwuma misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paulsen.
Good work by Paulsen as he checks the leg kick.
A left lands for Paulsen.
Paulsen scores with a hook to the body. Chukwuma takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Chukwuma misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Paulsen takes a swing at Chukwuma's ribcage but misses.
Chukwuma throws a lazy right hand but Paulsen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Knut Paulsen.
I think Paulsen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Aafke Stam scores the fight 28:29
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Knut Paulsen!
A very excited looking Knut Paulsen made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.