PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Samson Fortier (ranked 2081 p4p, 251 weight class) and Manu Mikkonen (ranked 1761 p4p, 215 weight class). Mikkonen has chosen When Worlds Collide 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.

Fortier
vs
Mikkonen

205 cm
23
265 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

195 cm
23
242 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Zenith Nutrition (160q/$200)

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 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Samson Fortier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of New York, Manu Mikkonen!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fortier throws a jab when Mikkonen was well out of range.
Fortier circles away from the clinch attempt.
Fortier feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Mikkonen looks to land a combination but Fortier avoids it well.
Manu Mikkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mikkonen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Fortier stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Mikkonen digs a good hook to Fortier's body.
Mikkonen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Fortier was well out of range. Poor timing from Mikkonen.
Fortier throwing a counter right hand but Mikkonen manages to avoid it.
Mikkonen avoids a kick to the body.
Mikkonen throws a combination that misses
and Fortier connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mikkonen throws a poor cross that misses
and Fortier counters with a good, hard body kick but Mikkonen shrugs it off.
Fortier bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Fortier thinks about countering with a body kick.
Fortier feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Mikkonen's calf.
Mikkonen moves in looking to clinch but Fortier pushes him off.
Mikkonen lands with a shot to the body.

Mikkonen has closed the distance and engaged Fortier in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mikkonen swings wildly with an uppercut but Fortier uses good head movement to avoid it.
Fortier lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mikkonen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fortier has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mikkonen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Fortier's elbow.
Mikkonen cracks Fortier with a nice body shot.
Mikkonen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Mikkonen struggles to land a body shot inside as Fortier controls his hands.
Mikkonen tries to land a knee to the head but Fortier blocks with his arms.
Fortier working aggressively here.
Mikkonen can't find room to land a body shot as Fortier controls the action.
Mikkonen pressing his opponent against the cage.
Mikkonen stalling the fight.
Mikkonen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fortier tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Fortier swings wildly with an uppercut but Mikkonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mikkonen tries a body shot but Fortier blocks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fortier taking a breather.
A short body shot lands from Fortier as the two fighters clinch.
Fortier misses with some punches.
Mikkonen prevents a body shot from Fortier.
Mikkonen blocks a body shot from Fortier.
Fortier is struggling to control the position.
Fortier misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fortier tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fortier taking a breather.
Mikkonen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Fortier swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A right handed body shot lands from Fortier.
Fortier lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mikkonen backwards.
Fortier lands a body punch.
Mikkonen looks winded!
Fortier pushes Mikkonen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fortier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Fortier.
Fortier is leaning against Mikkonen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Fortier lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Fortier tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Mikkonen's elbow.
Fortier throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Mikkonens head.
Fortier lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fortier can't find room to land a body shot as Mikkonen controls the action.
Fortier lands a right hand that snaps the head of Mikkonen backwards.
A short body shot lands from Fortier as the two fighters clinch.
Fortier lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Fortier tries to work over Mikkonen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Still in the clinch, Fortier scores with a nice short uppercut.
Fortier lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fortier tries to work over Mikkonen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Fortier doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Fortier digs a right hand underneath Mikkonen's ribcage. Mikkonen let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fortier lands a shoulder strike.
A shot in the inside from Fortier.

Mikkonen is rocked!
Fortier is working Mikkonen over against the cage.
Mikkonen is still on wobbly legs! Can Fortier finish him?
Fortier creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Mikkonen's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Mikkonen drops to his knees and Fortier pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Samson Fortier!
An out of breath Samson Fortier thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.
In defeat, Manu Mikkonen stepped up to the mic, saying 'What the Fuck was that shit!?! I'm coming back and I will destroy all! Get that fucking mic out of my face!'.