PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dan Tucker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eliod Bunkley Iii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bunkley Iii has chosen Knocksville Girl as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tucker
vs
Bunkley Iii

188 cm
33
260 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

185 cm
38
193 lbs
31 - 28 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

PED Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dan Tucker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 28 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eliod Bunkley Iii!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Tucker, as that shot connected.
Bunkley Iii fails with the takedown
and Tucker counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Tucker throws a lazy right hand but Bunkley Iii sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Bunkley Iii will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Bunkley Iii doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Bunkley Iii shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Tucker counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bunkley Iii thinking.
Dan Tucker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Eliod Bunkley Iii.
Bunkley Iii fails with the takedown
and Tucker counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bunkley Iii takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nice sprawl there from Tucker as Bunkley Iii shoots in.
Bunkley Iii staying out of range there.
Bunkley Iii swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
letting Tucker counter with a right hand.
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!
Tucker lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Tucker moves forwards but Bunkley Iii connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Bunkley Iii uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Tucker.
Tucker throws a body punch but Bunkley Iii moves out of range.
Bunkley Iii changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Tucker tries to avoid it but Bunkley Iii manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Tucker to the ground. Tucker escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Dan Tucker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Tucker.
Bunkley Iii closes the distance and clinches up with Tucker, looking for a takedown. Bunkley Iii pushes Tucker against the cage but Tucker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Bunkley Iii misses with a hook
and Tucker counters with a nice body shot.
Tucker scores with a body shot.
Bunkley Iii looks winded!
Tucker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Tucker scores with a sloppy right hand. Bunkley Iii should have avoided that one.
Bunkley Iii doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Tucker counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Bunkley Iii thinking.
Bunkley Iii slips a jab and a cross from Tucker.
Tucker lands a slapping body shot.
Bunkley Iii shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tucker sprawls well. Tucker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bunkley Iii gets slowly back to his feet.
Tucker swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Bunkley Iii uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Tucker.
Bunkley Iii is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Bunkley Iii looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bunkley Iii prevents Tucker from getting back to his feet.

Bunkley Iii drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Bunkley Iii jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Bunkley Iii in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tucker wants to sweep but no luck.
Tucker is working hard here to advance position.
Bunkley Iii prevents Tucker from getting back to his feet.
Tucker keeping moving, preventing Bunkley Iii from controlling successfully.
Bunkley Iii working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tucker's head.
Bunkley Iii throwing strikes from guard but Tucker blocks nicely.
Tucker controls Bunkley Iii momentarily but Bunkley Iii frees himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker keeping moving, preventing Bunkley Iii from controlling successfully.
Bunkley Iii pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Tucker is keeping the position for now.
Tucker wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Tucker looking to hit a scissor sweep but Bunkley Iii is one step ahead there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Bunkley Iii shoots in but Tucker avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Bunkley Iii has tried to improve his agility in the runup to this fight.
No luck for Bunkley Iii with that takedown attempt.
It looked like Tucker wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Bunkley Iii.
Tucker was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Tucker misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Tucker throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Bunkley Iii shoots for a double leg takedown but Tucker sprawls well. He's pushed Bunkley Iii's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bunkley Iii shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Tucker sprawls well. Tucker wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bunkley Iii gets slowly back to his feet.
Bunkley Iii misses with a takedown attempt
and Tucker counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Tucker misses with a straight left.
Bunkley Iii with a poor takedown
and Tucker counters with a right hand to the body.
Tucker lands with a good body shot.
Tucker swings for the body but Bunkley Iii moves out of range.
Tucker fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bunkley Iii manages to avoid it.
Bunkley Iii has his takedown stuffed
letting Tucker counter with a right hand.
Tucker is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Bunkley Iii avoids the body shot from Tucker.
Tucker punishes Bunkley Iii's body with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dan Tucker dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Tucker misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bunkley Iii.
Tucker stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Bunkley Iii throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Tucker's waist but Tucker gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Bunkley Iii off to one side.
Tucker swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Bunkley Iii changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Tucker looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Bunkley Iii working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Tucker knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bunkley Iii on the ground.
Tucker is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Bunkley Iii's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Tucker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bunkley Iii can do to turn this around?
Tucker is trying to maintain the position but Bunkley Iii is very close to passing his half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tucker wants to get back to full guard.
Bunkley Iii not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Bunkley Iii missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tucker is trying to get back to full guard.
Tucker wants to control but Bunkley Iii is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Bunkley Iii lands strikes from half guard.
Bunkley Iii scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Tucker is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Tucker wants to get back to full guard.
Bunkley Iii drops an elbow to the side of Tucker's head.
Tucker is looking for a sweep. Bunkley Iii is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bunkley Iii lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Tucker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bunkley Iii.
Bunkley Iii throwing shots but Tucker is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Tucker is looking for a sweep. Bunkley Iii is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bunkley Iii throwing shots but Tucker is blocking nicely.
Bunkley Iii missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Bunkley Iii seems to be working for a kimura but Tucker defends the submission attempt.
Bunkley Iii scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Bunkley Iii thows a huge punch but Tucker dodges it nicely.
Bunkley Iii seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Tucker is defending against the submission attempts here by Bunkley Iii.
Tucker is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Bunkley Iii missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Bunkley Iii lands with a punch from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bunkley Iii passes into side control, despite Tucker's attempt to control the position.
Bunkley Iii in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Bunkley Iii is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Tucker knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Tucker sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Tucker moves into full guard.
Tucker pulls Bunkley Iii in close to his closed guard and prevents Bunkley Iii from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii won't allow Tucker to sweep him here.
Tucker is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Bunkley Iii postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tucker not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tucker is looking to stand up but Bunkley Iii isn't so interested in that idea.
Bunkley Iii throws a big right hand that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bunkley Iii is working Tucker over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Bunkley Iii stops Tucker from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eliod Bunkley Iii showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Tucker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Tucker throws a body shot but no joy.
Tucker digs a good hook to Bunkley Iii's body.
Tucker throws a hook to the side of Bunkley Iii's head but Bunkley Iii sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Bunkley Iii shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Tucker's guard.
Bunkley Iii wants to control from the top but Tucker keeps moving.
Bunkley Iii is looking to work some ground and pound but Tucker has wrist control.
Tucker wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Bunkley Iii slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bunkley Iii keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tucker's head.
Bunkley Iii working some strikes from top position.
Tucker is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Tucker is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Bunkley Iii lands a couple of elbows.
Bunkley Iii with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bunkley Iii throws a big elbow that misses.
Bunkley Iii loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Tucker avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bunkley Iii keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Tucker's head.
Bunkley Iii with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bunkley Iii working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tucker's head.
Bunkley Iii wants to control from the top but Tucker keeps moving.
Tucker looking for a sweep. Not yet Tucker, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Tucker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tucker preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bunkley Iii is looking to work some ground and pound but Tucker has wrist control.
Bunkley Iii throws a strike but Tucker rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Bunkley Iii throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Bunkley Iii takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bunkley Iii throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Bunkley Iii is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Tucker has his hands clasped together around Bunkley Iii's back. He's all about the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tucker is looking for a sweep. Bunkley Iii is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Tucker is trying to control but can't.
Tucker is looking for a sweep. Bunkley Iii is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Bunkley Iii thows a huge punch but Tucker dodges it nicely.
Bunkley Iii not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Bunkley Iii has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Bunkley Iii looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Tucker with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Bunkley Iii is trying to control. Tucker wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Bunkley Iii seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Bunkley Iii throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Tucker keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Tucker blocking the ground and pound attempt from Bunkley Iii.
Bunkley Iii is looking to stall here but Tucker recovers full guard.
Bunkley Iii makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Tucker keeping full guard, as Bunkley Iii tries to pass.
Bunkley Iii wants to control from the top but Tucker keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tucker is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Bunkley Iii trying to hold on to Tucker's head to control him but Tucker postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eliod Bunkley Iii comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bunkley Iii 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eliod Bunkley Iii!
In his post fight interview, Eliod Bunkley Iii started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.