PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Iikka Runnisto (ranked 299 p4p, 44 weight class) and Conrad Calacon (ranked 508 p4p, 75 weight class). Runnisto kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Alta Pois - Sie sua näkköös!. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Conrad Calacon enters the cage!

Runnisto
vs
Calacon

182 cm
32
192 lbs
29 - 14 - 2

185 cm
27
188 lbs
16 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Octagon

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 29 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Iikka Runnisto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Conrad Calacon!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Calacon throws a right hand that misses
letting Runnisto counter with a right hand.
Calacon tests Runnisto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Calacon slips under a jab from Runnisto.
Calacon moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Runnisto jabs at Calacon's body.
Conrad Calacon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Calacon looks to land a combination but Runnisto avoids it well.
Calacon takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Calacon dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A right-left combo lands from Runnisto.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Calacon tries to work over Runnisto's front leg with a kick but Runnisto checks it.
Calacon displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Runnisto throws out the jab.
Calacon looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Calacon throws a right and a left that Runnisto avoids nicely.
Runnisto lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Calacon works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Runnisto lands with an overhand left.
Calacon lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Calacon takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Calacon scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Calacon misses with a body shot.
Calacon lands a glancing blow to the side of Runnisto's head.
Calacon tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Calacon fails with an attempt to clinch.
Runnisto ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Runnisto cracks Calacon with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice shot lands for Calacon.
Calacon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Runnisto checks a leg kick.
Runnisto is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Calacon throws a nice inside leg kick.
Runnisto misses the jab.
Runnisto checks a low kick from Calacon.
Runnisto connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
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!
Runnisto works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Runnisto cracks Calacon with an open hand slap.
Runnisto throws a right and a left that both miss.
Runnisto fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Calacon misses with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Calacon connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Runnisto scrambles back to his feet.
Calacon throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Runnisto.
Runnisto with a jab.
Calacon slips under a jab.
Calacon has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Runnisto is looking to chop away at Calacon's legs.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Calacon.
An attempted straight right counter from Runnisto misses the target.
Runnisto lands a body shot.
Calacon slips under a jab.
Calacon lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Runnisto looks to land a right hand but Calacon moved out of range.
Calacon pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Runnisto punishes Calacon's body with a nice straight punch.
Nice uppercut there from Runnisto.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Calacon.
Calacon is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Runnisto.
Runnisto staying out of range there.
Runnisto connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Calacon's hands.
Calacon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto blocks a jab.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Runnisto throws a lazy uppercut
and Calacon counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Runnisto defending well as Calacon loads up on a big left hand.
Runnisto misses with a hook
and Calacon counters with a nice body shot.
Calacon thumps Runnisto with a low kick.
Runnisto will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A looping hook to the body misses from Calacon. Runnisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Runnisto throws out a loose jab but Calacon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Calacon avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Calacon takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Runnisto cracks the inside of Calacon's front leg.
Runnisto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Runnisto connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Calacon avoids the body shot from Runnisto.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Calacon! But no joy.
It looks like Runnisto has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.
Runnisto throws a big shot that misses.
Calacon tries to clinch but Runnisto is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calacon looks to score with a jab to the body but Runnisto is just out of range.
Runnisto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Runnisto misses with a wild body shot.
Runnisto with a nice cross.
Calacon tries to work over Runnisto's front leg with a kick but Runnisto checks it.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Calacon misses with a looping left.
Calacon keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Calacon throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Runnisto.
Calacon tries to close the distance and clinch up but Runnisto swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Runnisto throws a shot from downtown. Calacon moves away and avoids it.
Calacon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Runnisto cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Calacon throws a low kick but Runnisto avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Runnisto scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Calacon defending well as Runnisto loads up on a big left hand.
Runnisto changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Calacon lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Runnisto backs up against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Iikka Runnisto will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Runnisto jabs Calacon to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Calacon throws a lazy right hand but Runnisto sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Runnisto throws a big counter combination but Calacon scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Runnisto. Calacon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Runnisto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Calacon.
Runnisto appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
A cross from Runnisto lands.
Runnisto cracks Calacon with an open hand slap.
Calacon tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Runnisto was well out of range. Poor timing from Calacon.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Calacon might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Runnisto has got the better of the exchanges.
Calacon tests Runnisto's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Sloppy strikes from Calacon. Those never looked like landing.
Runnisto is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Runnisto keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Calacon misses with a wild body shot.
Runnisto throws a body punch but Calacon moves out of range.
Calacon swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Calacon walks into a stiff left hand from Runnisto.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Calacon misses with a straight left.
Calacon throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Runnisto.
A big left from Calacon misses.
Calacon steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Runnisto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto misses with a wild body shot.
Runnisto tries to move into range but Calacon moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Runnisto throws a series of strikes that have Calacon backpedaling.
Runnisto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Calacon moves away.
Runnisto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A big left from Runnisto misses.
Despite the aggression on Calacon's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Runnisto throws out a loose jab but Calacon uses good head movement to avoid it.
Runnisto cracks Calacon with an open hand slap.
Runnisto throws a big shot that misses.
Runnisto throws a hook to the side of Calacon's head but Calacon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Iikka Runnisto is winning the standup battle so far.
A jab from Runnisto misses.
Calacon swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
An attempted straight right counter from Runnisto misses the target.
Runnisto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Runnisto slips under a jab from Calacon.
Calacon has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Calacon misses with an uppercut.
Runnisto misses the shot to the body.
Calacon throws a body shot but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto punishes Calacon's body with a nice straight punch.
Calacon blocks a jab.
Calacon lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Runnisto throws out a loose jab but Calacon uses good head movement to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Calacon.
A counter left hand to the body from Runnisto misses its target.
Calacon missing with a left hand there. Runnisto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Calacon ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Calacon uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Runnisto.
Calacon looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Runnisto throws a series of strikes that have Calacon backpedaling.
Runnisto lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Runnisto drops his hands momentarily and Calacon takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Calacon missing with a left hand there. Runnisto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Calacon tries to work over Runnisto's front leg with a kick but Runnisto checks it.
Runnisto fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Calacon scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Runnisto takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Calacon uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto lands the left hand.
Runnisto missing with a left hand there. Calacon was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Calacon lands a nice shot that snaps Runnisto's head back.
Calacon slips under a jab from Runnisto.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Calacon! But no joy.
Runnisto throws an overhand right that lands on Calacon's shoulder, as Calacon tries to avoid the shot.
Calacon lands a head shot.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Runnisto misses its intended target.
Calacon lands a leg kick that knocks Runnisto off balance momentarily.
Runnisto jabs Calacon right on the nose. Calacon blinks but takes it well.
Calacon throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Runnisto.
Calacon tries to land a front kick but Runnisto steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Runnisto lands a glancing blow to the side of Calacon's head.
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!
Calacon on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Calacon throws a low kick, looking for Runnisto's leg but Runnisto calmly moves out of range.
Calacon throws a leg kick but Runnisto checks it.
Calacon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Runnisto sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto swings for the body but Calacon moves out of range.
Calacon is looking to chop away at Runnisto's legs.
Runnisto connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Calacon momentarily.
Runnisto throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Calacon ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Calacon let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Runnisto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Calacon.
Runnisto misses with a hook.
The crowd cheers as Calacon lands an impressive looking overhand right. Runnisto doesn't seem phased though.
Calacon swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Calacon throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Calacon throws the left hand but Runnisto avoids the punch easily.
Calacon misses with an uppercut. Runnisto saw that one coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Runnisto is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Calacon throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Runnisto's head.
Runnisto connects with a body shot.
Runnisto throws out a powerful jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Iikka Runnisto will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Calacon takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Calacon lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Runnisto circles away quickly and effectively.
Calacon connects with a leg kick. Runnisto looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Calacon pivots, looking for a leg kick but Runnisto is out of range and Calacon settles back down.
An attempted straight right counter from Runnisto misses the target.
Runnisto listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Calacon misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Runnisto.
Calacon wants to slow Runnisto down by chopping away at his legs.
Runnisto misses with a straight left.
A slow jab from Calacon misses its intended target.
Runnisto throwing a counter right hand but Calacon manages to avoid it.
Runnisto digs a good hook to Calacon's body.
Calacon lands a nice shot that snaps Runnisto's head back.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Runnisto, as that shot connected.
Runnisto misses the body punch
and Runnisto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Calacon throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Calacon throws a looping overhand right but Runnisto ducks down to avoid it.
Runnisto listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Calacon throws a right and a left that Runnisto avoids nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Runnisto tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Calacon was well out of range. Poor timing from Runnisto.
Nice defenses there by Calacon.
Runnisto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A shot to the body from Calacon misses
and Runnisto counters with a straight right hand.
The fighters circle momentarily. Calacon darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Runnisto scores with the left hand. Calacon knows he should have avoided that one.
Calacon misses with a straight right.
Calacon throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Runnisto counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Runnisto throws a jab when Calacon was well out of range.
Calacon lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Calacon finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Calacon lands a jab-cross combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Runnisto works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Runnisto connects with a solid leg kick.
Runnisto misses the shot to the body.
Calacon slips under a jab from Runnisto.
Conrad Calacon has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Runnisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Calacon is just out of range.
Calacon misses with a straight left.
Runnisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Calacon connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A left lands for Runnisto.
Runnisto lands a right hook to the body.
Runnisto connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Calacon throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Runnisto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Calacon misses with an uppercut.
Calacon loads up on a big right hand but Runnisto slips the punch.
Runnisto throws a big counter combination but Calacon scrambles out of danger and avoids any damage.
Calacon cracks Runnisto with a right hand to the side of the head.
Runnisto lands a nice looking body shot.
Runnisto blocks a jab.
Runnisto swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Runnisto. Calacon does a little dance to reset his feet.
Runnisto moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Runnisto throws a hook to the side of Calacon's head but Calacon sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Calacon looks to throw the jab but Runnisto is out of range.
Runnisto lands a jab to the head.
Calacon throws a series of strikes that have Runnisto backpedaling.
Iikka Runnisto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Runnisto keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Calacon throws a jab when Runnisto was well out of range.
Calacon takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Runnisto throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Calacon sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Calacon feints a counter leg kick.
Calacon takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Calacon wants to clinch.
Runnisto slips a straight right by Calacon.
Calacon thows a left - swing and a miss!
Calacon takes one to the chin there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Calacon cracks the inside of Runnisto's front leg.
Runnisto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Calacon.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Calacon changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Calacon misses with an uppercut.
Calacon takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Calacon throws a series of punches but Runnisto moves out of range.
Runnisto swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Calacon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Calacon misses with a low kick.
A punch combination from Runnisto misses.
Calacon is looking for the big counter here.
A leg kick checked by Runnisto.
Calacon looks to land a right hand but Runnisto moved out of range.
Runnisto throws a poor cross that misses
and Calacon counters with a stiff right hand.
Calacon on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Runnisto scores with a hook to the body. Calacon takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Calacon gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Runnisto stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Calacon rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Runnisto moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Runnisto slips a jab and a cross from Calacon.
Runnisto connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Iikka Runnisto.
Well Runnisto 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 Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iikka Runnisto!