PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Iikka Runnisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Deontay Hunter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Runnisto comes to the cage accompanied by Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös!. The crowd seem to be enjoying Hunter's choice of entrance music: Juicy. Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Runnisto
vs
Hunter

182 cm
21
192 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

175 cm
21
195 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Urban Fighter

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Deontay Hunter!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, John Kavanagh and Reed Andrews.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hunter takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Runnisto fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hunter wants to counter with a clinch but Runnisto pushes him away.
Runnisto lands with a slapping head kick.
Runnisto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hunter.
Hunter misses with a double jab
enabling Runnisto to counter with a crisp jab.
Runnisto throws a head kick but Hunter moves out of range.
Hunter throws an overhand right that lands on Runnisto's shoulder, as Runnisto tries to avoid the shot.
Hunter takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

Runnisto clinches.
Runnisto fails to pull the fight into his guard.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hunter.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hunter tries to work over Runnisto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hunter lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Runnisto will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hunter up against the cage.
Hunter keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Runnisto's efforts to push away.
Hunter tries to work over Runnisto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter struggles to land a body shot inside as Runnisto controls his hands.
Runnisto is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Hunter keeps control of Runnisto as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Hunter misses with a punch on the inside.
Hunter makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Runnisto.
Hunter blocking some punches.
Hunter can't find room to land a body shot as Runnisto controls the action.
Hunter doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hunter misses with a punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Runnisto.
Runnisto has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hunter avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hunter.
Runnisto blocks a body shot from Hunter.
Hunter is working Runnisto over against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Hunter fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hunter prevents a body shot from Runnisto.
Hunter stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nice body punch from Hunter - that landed with a thud.
Hunter tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Runnisto tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Runnisto struggles to land a body shot inside as Hunter controls his hands.
Hunter lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Runnisto backwards.
A nice left hand lands by Hunter.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hunter.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Runnisto doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hunter tries to throw a body punch but Runnisto avoids it by throwing Hunter back against the cage.
Runnisto tries a body shot but Hunter blocks it.
A short uppercut from Runnisto.
Hunter tries a body shot but Runnisto blocks it.
Hunter tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hunter blocks a body shot from Runnisto.
Runnisto misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto working aggressively here.

Runnisto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Hunter is just out of range.
A left and a right from Hunter both land. Nice combination.
Runnisto lands a jab to the head.

Hunter fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Runnisto, pushing him back against the cage.
Runnisto working hard to break the clinch.
Hunter blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hunter lands with a left to the head.
Hunter lands a left hand that snaps the head of Runnisto backwards.

Runnisto manages to break the clinch.
Hunter connects with a single shot there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hunter displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Runnisto throws out the jab.
Hunter throws a series of punches but Runnisto avoids them all with ease.

Hunter gets a clinch.

Runnisto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Runnisto staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunter lands a two punch combo.
Runnisto is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Runnisto moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Runnisto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hunter, pushing him back against the cage.
Hunter struggles to land a body shot inside as Runnisto controls his hands.
Runnisto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Runnisto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Runnisto tries to work over Hunter's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A right hook to the body lands for Runnisto.

Runnisto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Runnisto slips under a jab from Hunter.
Runnisto looks to land a left hand but Hunter moved out of range nicely.
Hunter looks to land a right hand but Runnisto moved out of range.
Runnisto lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Deontay Hunter has been cut.
Hunter tries to clinch but Runnisto moves out of range.
Runnisto looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Runnisto lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Deontay Hunter will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Deontay Hunter's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hunter misses with a hook.
Hunter slips under a jab.
Hunter misses with a straight left.
Hunter misses the jab.
Hunter throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Runnisto.
Hunter moves out of range of the strikes.
Hunter feints a counter leg kick.
Runnisto uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Hunter throws a body kick that misses.

Hunter clinches.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Runnisto.
Hunter tries to work over Runnisto's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A short left from Hunter.
Deontay Hunter seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nice body punch from Hunter.
Runnisto blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Runnisto blocking some punches.
Runnisto can't find room to land a body shot as Hunter controls the action.
Runnisto tries a body shot but Hunter blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Hunter scores with a nice short uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Runnisto.
Hunter lands a shoulder strike.
Hunter blocks a body shot from Runnisto.

Runnisto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hunter pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Runnisto back to the cage. Hunter follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Runnisto misses with a double jab.
Hunter wants to counter the offense by Runnisto and move into the clinch position.
Hunter takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hunter throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hunter is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Runnisto just misses with a punch to the body.
Hunter is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Runnisto with a body shot.
Runnisto tries to bum rush Hunter with a series of wild strikes but Hunter uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hunter jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Runnisto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hunter has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Runnisto throws a body shot but no joy.
Hunter throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As Hunter looks to move away, Runnisto throws a big counter combo but Hunter just gets out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Hunter drives through and clinches with Runnisto against the cage.
Runnisto slows down the pace here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Runnisto.
A short left from Hunter.
Runnisto lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hunter lands a shoulder strike.
Runnisto is leaning against Hunter and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hunter.
Runnisto tries a body shot but Hunter blocks it.
Runnisto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hunter lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Runnisto swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Runnisto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Runnisto takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Runnisto avoids the body shot from Hunter.
Runnisto steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hunter.
The fighters circling - Hunter throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hunter keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Runnisto.
Hunter lands with a shot to the body.
Hunter throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hunter throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Runnisto tries to clinch up but Hunter circles away and keeps his distance.
Runnisto scores with a jab to the jaw.
Runnisto ducks under a wild hook from Hunter.
Runnisto is looking to counter punch.
Hunter throws a looping overhand right but Runnisto ducks down to avoid it.
Hunter tries to move into range but Runnisto moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Runnisto stuns Hunter with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Runnisto misses with an uppercut. Hunter saw that one coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Runnisto changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Hunter rushes Runnisto and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Runnisto is trying to pull guard but Hunter turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Runnisto jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Hunter walks away with a smile on his face. Runnisto gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hunter with a jab.
Hunter throws a lazy right hand but Runnisto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hunter lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Hunter misses the shot to the body.
Hunter lands an overhand right.
Runnisto defending well as Hunter loads up on a big left hand.
Hunter misses with a wild body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Runnisto, as that shot connected.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sloppy strikes from Runnisto. Those never looked like landing.
Hunter missing with a left hand there. Runnisto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Hunter misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Deontay Hunter showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Deontay Hunter's cut.
That's time! Runnisto's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Runnisto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A big right from Hunter misses.
A jab from Hunter misses.
Hunter finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Runnisto thinks about countering with a head kick.
Runnisto misses with a wild body shot.

Hunter clinches with his opponent.
Runnisto can't get the takedown.
Runnisto struggles to land a body shot inside as Hunter controls his hands.
Runnisto tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Runnisto misses with a hook from the clinch.

Runnisto breaks the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runnisto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Runnisto throws an off balance right hand
and Hunter counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Hunter jabs Runnisto to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Runnisto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hunter moves away.
Runnisto shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunter throws a jab when Runnisto was well out of range.
Runnisto staying out of range there.
Hunter throws a jab but it's blocked by Runnisto.
Runnisto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hunter looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A slow jab from Hunter misses its intended target.
Runnisto swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Runnisto closes the distance but Hunter moves to the side
and Hunter makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hunter takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Iikka Runnisto is winning the standup battle so far.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hunter.
Hunter waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Runnisto.
Hunter dodges the punch combination from Runnisto.

Runnisto shoots in and gets a takedown into Hunter's guard.
Hunter trying to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hunter is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Runnisto throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hunter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Hunter uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Runnisto ducks under a wild hook from Hunter.
Runnisto misses with a hook
and Hunter counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A slow jab from Hunter misses its intended target.
Runnisto misses with a series of wild punches.
Hunter jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hunter uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Runnisto.
Hunter avoids the body shot from Runnisto.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunter swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Hunter explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Runnisto takes one on the button.
Hunter looks to land a right hand but Runnisto moved out of range.
Hunter misses with a looping left.
Runnisto jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hunter misses with a straight left.
The crowd cheers as Hunter lands an impressive looking overhand right. Runnisto doesn't seem phased though.
Runnisto staying out of range there.
A big left from Runnisto misses.
Iikka Runnisto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hunter circles away from the clinch attempt.
Runnisto looks to land a combination but Hunter avoids it well.
Hunter rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Runnisto moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hunter uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Runnisto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Runnisto. Hunter does a little dance to reset his feet.
Runnisto fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Runnisto moves out of range as Hunter strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A head kick misses from Runnisto.
Hunter swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Hunter punishes Runnisto's body with a nice straight punch.
A big right from Hunter misses.
Runnisto is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hunter.
Deontay Hunter is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Runnisto takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Hunter shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Runnisto takes one on the button.
Runnisto throws a big shot that misses.
Hunter throws a hook to the side of Runnisto's head but Runnisto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Runnisto throws a looping overhand right but Hunter ducks down to avoid it.
Runnisto moves away from the strike by Hunter.

And that's the end of the fight!
Deontay Hunter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hunter 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge John Kavanagh scores the fight 27:30
Judge Reed Andrews scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Deontay Hunter!
An out of breath Deontay Hunter thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.