PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rou Joukani (ranked 895 p4p, 995 weight class) and Vlad Tepes Iii (ranked 138 p4p, 151 weight class). 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.

Joukani
vs
Tepes Iii

179 cm
26
175
13 - 10 - 0

180 cm
28
180
10 - 4 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Gatoroids
Voodoo Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rou Joukani!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 1, fighting out of London, Vlad Tepes Iii!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Wagner Zegers and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joukani slips under a jab from Tepes Iii.
A jab from Tepes Iii misses.
Joukani pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Joukani swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Joukani tried to score with a low kick but Tepes Iii checks it.
Joukani tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Tepes Iii was well out of range. Poor timing from Joukani.
Tepes Iii blocks the body kick.
Tepes Iii misses with a series of wild punches.
Joukani avoids the head kick by Tepes Iii.
Tepes Iii throws a shot from downtown. Joukani moves away and avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joukani walks into a jab.
Tepes Iii takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

It looks like Vlad Tepes Iii has been cut.
Joukani throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Joukani scores with a jab to the head.
Tepes Iii tries to land a front kick but Joukani steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Tepes Iii staying out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joukani misses with a combination
and Tepes Iii counters with a stiff right hand.
Joukani throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tepes Iii.
Tepes Iii drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Joukani defends it well.
Joukani throws a right hand that Tepes Iii ducks under and follows up with a left that Tepes Iii also avoids with ease.
Joukani tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Tepes Iii looks for the body kick but Joukani saw that one coming.
Joukani misses with an uppercut

and Tepes Iii counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Tepes Iii with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Joukani is trying is best to control the position here.
Tepes Iii is pressing down on Joukani's thigh, looking to free his foot. Joukani is holding on for now.

Tepes Iii is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tepes Iii thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tepes Iii prevents Joukani from improving his position.
Still in half guard, Tepes Iii seems content to control.
Joukani keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tepes Iii takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tepes Iii looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Tepes Iii has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Tepes Iii is thwarting Joukani's attempts to control the position.
Tepes Iii throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Tepes Iii working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Tepes Iii thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Tepes Iii takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Tepes Iii throws a jab when Joukani was well out of range.
Joukani connects with a right hand. Tepes Iii shakes it off.
Joukani throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rou Joukani seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sloppy strikes from Tepes Iii. Those never looked like landing.
Tepes Iii looks for the body kick but Joukani saw that one coming.
Joukani stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Joukani lands but Tepes Iii takes it in his stride.
Tepes Iii buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Joukani throws a shot from downtown. Tepes Iii moves away and avoids it.
Tepes Iii throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Joukani on the side of the head.
Joukani throws a head kick but Tepes Iii moves out of range.
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!
Tepes Iii lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Joukani at a distance.
Tepes Iii slips a jab from Joukani.
Tepes Iii throws a head kick that Joukani semi-blocks.
Joukani throws an off balance right hand

and Tepes Iii counters with a shoot takedown. Joukani fights it but they end up in guard.
Tepes Iii's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Vlad Tepes Iii dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Vlad Tepes Iii's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Joukani misses with a double jab.
Tepes Iii feints the counter takedown.
That kick from Joukani tenderised Tepes Iii's leg. Tepes Iii is trying to keep his angry face on.
Joukani just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice shot by Joukani.
Joukani on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Tepes Iii. Tepes Iii obviously looking to wear him down.
Joukani throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Joukani gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Tepes Iii counters with a shoot takedown. Joukani fights it but they end up in guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tepes Iii postures up.
Tepes Iii missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Tepes Iii throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Joukani works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Tepes Iii is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Tepes Iii is continuing to stall.
Let's hope that Tepes Iii has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tepes Iii pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Joukani is keeping the position for now.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Tepes Iii not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Joukani digs a good body shot into Tepes Iii's ribs.
Joukani gets off balance looking for a body kick
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Joukani throws a head kick that misses.
Tepes Iii throws a hook but Joukani avoids it easily.
Rou Joukani is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tepes Iii thuds his shin into the meat of Joukani's side.
Tepes Iii uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Joukani.
Joukani avoids the body shot from Tepes Iii.
Tepes Iii bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Joukani works the jab nicely.
Joukani moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.

That has opened up Vlad Tepes Iii's cut even more.
Joukani misses with an uppercut.
Tepes Iii fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Joukani is out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Tepes Iii misses the target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Tepes Iii throws a nice head kick!
Joukani throws a low kick but it's checked well by Tepes Iii.
Joukani misses with a hook. Tepes Iii ducked under it nicely.
Joukani throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Joukani throws a wild body kick that Tepes Iii sees coming a mile off.
Tepes Iii scores with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good work by Tepes Iii as he checks the leg kick.
Joukani tries a head kick but it misses.
Tepes Iii tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Joukani throws a head kick but Tepes Iii moves out of range.
Joukani misses with a double jab.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Joukani misses with a head kick.
Joukani slips a straight right by Tepes Iii.
Joukani scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Joukani misses with a looping right.
Tepes Iii swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Joukani lands a head shot.
Tepes Iii chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Joukani connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Joukani has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Tepes Iii finds it's way round the side to connect with Joukani's head.
Joukani will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Tepes Iii blocks a head kick by Joukani.
Joukani does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joukani slips under a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Tepes Iii fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Joukani is rocked!
Joukani throws a lazy right hand but Tepes Iii sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
A nice side step and Tepes Iii releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Oh Joukani is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Joukani blocks a head kick by Tepes Iii.
Joukani seems to have got his legs back now.
Tepes Iii uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Joukani.
Joukani lands a jab to the head.
Tepes Iii scores with a nice head shot.
Tepes Iii takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Tepes Iii fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Joukani misses with a looping left.
Tepes Iii misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tepes Iii lands with a hook. Joukani tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Joukani misses with an uppercut
and Tepes Iii counters with a leg kick.
Good exchange - Tepes Iii coming out on top.
Joukani misses with a kick to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rou Joukani will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Vlad Tepes Iii's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Tepes Iii lands with a nice body kick.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Joukani enables Tepes Iii to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Joukani manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tepes Iii is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Tepes Iii advances position into side control!
Tepes Iii misses with the ground and pound.
Tepes Iii lands a strong strike to the head of Joukani. That's dazed him! Tepes Iii looking to finish here. Joukani is waving his arms around trying to block but he's hurt badly - Tepes Iii lands more strikes and the referee steps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:39 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vlad Tepes Iii!