PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Pekka Kokko (ranked 4353 p4p, 4665 weight class) and True Religion (ranked 408 p4p, 422 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kokko
vs
Religion

180 cm
22
175
0 - 0 - 0

182 cm
25
180
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Pekka Kokko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, True Religion!
The judges for this bout are Sandra Marshall, Daniel Franklin and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kokko gets a clinch.
Kokko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Religion or not.
Kokko misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Religion tries to throw a body punch but Kokko avoids it by throwing Religion back against the cage.
Religion is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Kokko is defending well.
Kokko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Religion.
Kokko misses with a body punch.
Kokko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kokko tries to work over Religion's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Religion tries a body shot but Kokko blocks it.
A nice left hand lands by Kokko.
Religion swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Religion is looking for a takedown.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kokko.
Religion is trying to drag Kokko to the mat but Kokko just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Pekka Kokko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of True Religion.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kokko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Religion throws a punch but it's blocked by Kokko.
Kokko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Religion or not.
Kokko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Religion blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Religion blocks a punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kokko tries to work over Religion's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short uppercut from Kokko.
A short uppercut from Kokko.
Kokko scores with a shoulder strike.
Still in the clinch, Kokko scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kokko lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Religion backwards.
Kokko takes a shot to the head.
Kokko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kokko tries a body shot but Religion blocks it.
A short right from Kokko.
Religion has a couple of punches blocked by Kokko.
Religion goes for a takedown attempt but Kokko pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Kokko lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kokko is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kokko misses with a body shot

and Religion counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Religion is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Let's hope that Religion 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.
Kokko trying to control the position.
Religion 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Religion throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Religion working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Religion's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Kokko is trying to keep Religion in close.
Religion throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
True Religion seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Religion throws a lazy right hand but Kokko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Religion throws an overhand right that lands on Kokko's shoulder, as Kokko tries to avoid the shot.
Kokko scores with a nice strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Religion moves into the clinch successfully.
Kokko working aggressively here.
Religion tries a body shot but Kokko blocks it.
Religion swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Religion misses with a punch on the inside.
Kokko scores with a shot to the side of Religion's head.
Kokko lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Religion backwards.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kokko misses with some punches.
Religion tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Religion misses with a short punch on the inside.
Religion swings wildly with an uppercut but Kokko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Religion tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kokko blocking some punches.
Religion has a couple of punches blocked by Kokko.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Religion tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kokko.
Religion blocks an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Religion takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Religion misses with a takedown attempt - Kokko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kokko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Religion closes the distance and clinches.
Religion blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kokko lands with a short shot to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Religion fails to land.
Kokko makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Religion blocks a body shot from Kokko.
Kokko cracks Religion with a nice body shot.
Kokko can't find room to land a body shot as Religion controls the action.
Religion tries to score a body lock takedown but Kokko shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kokko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kokko misses with a punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Kokko as the two fighters clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Religion lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kokko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kokko blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kokko stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Religion is breathing heavily.
Kokko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Still in the clinch, Kokko scores with a nice short uppercut.
A nice left hand lands by Kokko.
Kokko lands with a light punch inside.

Religion is rocked!
A hook to the body from Kokko.
Kokko pushes Religion back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Religion is still on wobbly legs! Can Kokko finish him?
Kokko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kokko unloads with a big right hand that wobbles Religion! He's leaning against the cage trying to keep his feet but Kokko is unloading with more strikes now! Religion drops to his knees and the referee stops the fight for a TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:42 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Pekka Kokko!