PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tarmo Hovi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marake Burate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hovi comes to the cage accompanied by Vesa-Matti Loiri - Armo. Tarmo Hovi has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hovi
vs
Burate

200 cm
35
215 lbs
24 - 16 - 1

196 cm
21
214 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

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 24 - 16 - 1, fighting out of London, Tarmo Hovi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Marake Burate!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Donald Grub and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hovi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Burate misses with a looping left.
Burate throws out a loose jab but Hovi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hovi lands with an overhand left.
Hovi fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hovi has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Hovi lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hovi shoots in for a double leg but Burate sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hovi shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Burate counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tarmo Hovi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hovi shoots and misses

and Burate counters with a crisp right hand that drops Hovi! Burate lets Hovi back up to his feet, looking for a finish!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The fight stays on the outside here - Hovi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hovi shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Burate as he avoids it easily.
Hovi is breathing heavily.
Hovi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Burate.
Burate lands a jab to the head.

Hovi is rocked!
Hovi throws a lazy uppercut
and Burate counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Oh Hovi is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Marake Burate is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Burate lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Hovi takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Tarmo Hovi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Burate lands an uppercut, right on the button! Hovi tumbles backwards into the cage, staring vacantly into space! He's got no idea where he is, who he is or what day it is... Poor guy.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:09 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Marake Burate!