PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lahden Linkki (ranked 2569 p4p, 369 weight class) and Faith No More (ranked 4984 p4p, 632 weight class). Linkki comes to the cage accompanied by Cypress Hill - Cuban Necktie. Faith No More is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Linkki
vs
No More

188 cm
24
220 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

188 cm
28
213 lbs
8 - 7 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN

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 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lahden Linkki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Faith No More!
The judges for this bout are Valeri Chadov, Sergei Dronov and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

More dives in and scores a takedown into Linkki's guard.
Linkki being controlled here, momentarily.
Linkki looking for a sweep. Not yet Linkki, not yet.
More postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
More has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Linkki has More pulled in close to control his posture.
Linkki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Linkki 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.
Linkki can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as More controls the pace.
Linkki keeping moving, preventing More from controlling successfully.
More controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
More in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Linkki working a defensive guard here.
Linkki controlling More's posture.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
More throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
More takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Linkki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. More sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Linkki looks to land a right hand but More moved out of range.
More tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Linkki swivels and escapes.
More changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Linkki tries to avoid it but More manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Linkki to the ground. Linkki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
A punch combination from Linkki misses.
A countering left hand to the body from More misses.
Linkki lands a straight punch to the body, keeping More at a distance.
Linkki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Linkki walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
More connects with a leg kick. Linkki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Linkki looks to score with a jab to the body but More is just out of range.
More swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linkki misses with a straight left.
Linkki getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Linkki misses with a hook.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Linkki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but More manages to avoid it.
More tries a quick counter leg kick but Linkki is wise to it.
More takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Linkki takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Linkki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice straight punches there by Linkki. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Linkki.

It looks like Faith No More has been cut.
More swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Linkki.
Linkki is looking to wear down More with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
More punishes Linkki's body with a nice straight punch.
Linkki on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Linkki throws out a loose jab but More uses good head movement to avoid it.
More swings and misses with a hook to the body.
It looked like Linkki wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
More swings for the body but Linkki moves out of range.
A little feinted left hand from Linkki on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Linkki misses its intended target.
More flicks out a counter leg kick but Linkki steps away.
Linkki misses the body punch
and More counters with a left and a right that stings Linkki.
More takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Linkki misses with a straight right.
Linkki takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
More walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Linkki throws the left hand but More avoids the punch easily.
More uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Linkki has time to react.
Linkki misses with a wild body shot.
Nice body punch from Linkki.
Linkki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A jab from More misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Linkki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from More.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Linkki throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
More's jab looks to have found its range, popping Linkki under the eye.
More looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Linkki smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Linkki.
Linkki scores with a hook to the body. More takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Linkki just misses with a punch to the body.
Linkki's corner calls for a 1-2. Linkki obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
More throws a head kick that misses.
Linkki jabs More to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Linkki takes a body punch but keeps moving.
More avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

Linkki closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. More quickly recovers to half guard.
More is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
More told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Nice strikes from Linkki there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lahden Linkki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Faith No More's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

More staying out of range there.
A looping hook to the body misses from Linkki. More does a little dance to reset his feet.
More pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
More paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Linkki throws a shot from downtown. More moves away and avoids it.
Good exchange - Linkki coming out on top.
More throws a lazy right hand but Linkki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
More scores with a kick to the midsection.
Linkki waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract More.
More scoring well with a low kick there.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Linkki throws a shot from downtown. More moves away and avoids it.
More throws a right and a left that Linkki avoids nicely.
Linkki thows a left - swing and a miss!
More uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Linkki.
A jab lands there for Linkki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linkki swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Linkki lunges at More with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by More's hand.
More wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
More gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Linkki drives through with a takedown into More's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Linkki distracts More with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Linkki postures up in More's guard and throws a big left but More blocks it.
Linkki with a flurry of punches that miss.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as More holds on and takes a little breather.
Linkki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Linkki gets to his feet - More follows without any prompting.
More misses with a body punch
and Linkki counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Lahden Linkki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
More with a lazy takedown attempt
and Linkki counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Linkki connects with a looping right hand.
Linkki loads up on a big right hand but More slips the punch.
Linkki comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Linkki is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that More can do to turn this around?
Linkki swings widly with a right hand
and More counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Linkki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Linkki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. More sees it coming and avoids it easily.
More doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Linkki misses with a left hand
and More cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Linkki throws an uppercut from half a mile away. More sees it coming and avoids it easily.
More moves away from the strike by Linkki.
Linkki swings widly with a right hand
and More counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linkki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from More.
More tries a quick counter leg kick but Linkki is wise to it.
More throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Linkki looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
More attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
More slips a jab and a cross from Linkki.
More will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A big left from Linkki misses.
Jab, jab by Linkki - just one landing.
More fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Linkki manages to avoid it.
Linkki throws out a loose jab but More uses good head movement to avoid it.
Linkki digs a good body shot into More's ribs.
Linkki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Linkki misses the jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
More scores with a kick to the midsection.
More tries to land a front kick but Linkki steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Linkki misses the jab.
More throws an overhand right that lands on Linkki's shoulder, as Linkki tries to avoid the shot.
Linkki throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
More uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Linkki.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Linkki misses with a left hand
and More counters with a lovely straight right hand!
More cracks Linkki with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
More uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Linkki.
More swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Linkki connects with a good right hand that stumbles More. More circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Good standup being displayed there by Linkki as he connects with a hook.
Linkki misses the body punch
and More makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
A jab from Linkki misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lahden Linkki dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Faith No More's cut.
That's time! Linkki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

More fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Linkki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Linkki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Linkki uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before More has time to react.
Lahden Linkki is winning the standup battle so far.
Linkki looks to throw the jab but More is out of range.
More doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.

Linkki closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. More did well to prevent Linkki getting side control.
Linkki is thwarting More's attempts to control the position.
More tries to get to full guard but Linkki has control of the leg.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Linkki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
More is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
More has hold of Linkki's hands but Linkki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
More manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

More is working an open guard so Linkki takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Linkki missing with a left hand there. More was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Linkki connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
More ducks under a wild hook from Linkki.
Linkki misses with a body shot.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts More, as that shot connected.
More looks to score with a jab to the body but Linkki is just out of range.
Linkki misses with a straight left.
More uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Linkki.
Nice uppercut there from Linkki.
More lands with a shot to the body.
More finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good exchange - Linkki coming out on top.
Linkki looks to land a left hand but More moved out of range nicely.
More moves away from the strike by Linkki.
More throws a fast counter high kick but Linkki manages to duck under it in time.
More misses with a wild combination.
Linkki is looking to counter punch.
Faith No More has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Linkki scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Linkki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from More.
Linkki swinging wildly here.
Linkki swings for the body but More moves out of range.
Linkki throws a hook but More blocks it.
More drops his hands momentarily and Linkki takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Linkki. More does a little dance to reset his feet.
More keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
More takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Linkki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by More.
More slips a straight right by Linkki.
More raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Linkki throws an overhand right that lands on More's shoulder, as More tries to avoid the shot.
A nice side step and More releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Linkki misses with a looping left.
Linkki scores with a body shot.
More takes one to the side of the head.
Donk. Linkki catches More right on the button with a cross.
More scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Decent striking displayed by Linkki there.
Linkki misses with a jab to the body
and More counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Linkki scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

More is rocked!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Linkki.
More is still in real trouble! Can Linkki finish him?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Linkki throws an elbow but More slips to the side and avoids it well.
More seems to have recovered his senses.
Linkki is looking to take a break and control but More is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
More takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Lahden Linkki is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Linkki trying to control the position but More is working away.
The strikes coming from Linkki are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Linkki throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Linkki lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Linkki trying to control the action but More is working from the bottom.
More is looking for a sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lahden Linkki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Linkki has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Valeri Chadov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

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