PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Javier Zabala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pera Pukama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Zabala
vs
Pukama

184 cm
23
210 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

190 cm
20
199 lbs
3 - 2 - 1

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Javier Zabala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Pera Pukama!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zabala swings for the body but Pukama moves out of range.
Zabala misses with a few strikes there.

Pukama closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Pukama lands in his opponent's guard.
Pukama stands and throws Zabala's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Pukama tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

Pukama decides to stand up, so the ref orders Zabala to his feet.
Pukama shoots in looking for a takedown. Zabala tries to sprawl out of it but Pukama keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Zabala manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Zabala displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pukama.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pukama closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Zabala did well to prevent Pukama getting side control.
Pukama thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Zabala's head.
Pukama has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Pukama is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Pukama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Pukama wants to take a breather but Zabala is having none of it.

Pukama seems to be looking for submissions.
Pukama trying to control the action but Zabala is working from the bottom.

Pukama is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Zabala sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zabala won't allow Pukama to pass to mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Pukama decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Pukama not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Pukama prevents Zabala from standing back up.
Pukama wants to get back to his feet.
Pukama sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Zabala defending well though.

Pukama is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Pukama looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pukama is trying to work for a kimura but Zabala is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Pukama seems to be looking for submissions.
Zabala on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Zabala tries to get out of the position.
Zabala pushes Pukama off looking to stand but Pukama dives back in and keeps control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Zabala throws a right and a left that Pukama avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Pukama moves away from the strike by Zabala.
Zabala slips a jab and a cross from Pukama.
Zabala rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pukama moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Javier Zabala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Pukama shoots in but Zabala avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Javier Zabala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pera Pukama.
Zabala misses with the combination.
A shot to the liver by Zabala. Beautiful body shot.
Pukama showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Zabala.
Zabala misses with a two punch combination.
Pukama thows a body shot but no joy.
Pukama misses with a body shot.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Pukama looks to land a body kick but Zabala moved away.
Pukama misses with a takedown attempt - Zabala sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zabala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zabala wants it to stay on the feet.
Zabala blocks a leg kick.
Zabala misses with the combination.
Zabala displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pukama.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pera Pukama dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pukama shoots for a double leg takedown but Zabala sprawls well. He's pushed Pukama's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

Pukama closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Pukama thows a huge punch but Zabala dodges it nicely.

Pukama wants to work for an arm triangle but Zabala is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Pukama works his way into side control.
Pukama throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Pukama is breathing heavily.
Pukama tries to move to mount but Zabala blocks the move with his legs.
Zabala avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Pukama.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pukama is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Zabala has escaped the position, nice work there.
Pukama tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Zabala knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Pukama on the ground.
Zabala is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Pukama has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Pukama sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Pukama trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Zabala has given up his back. Will we see Pukama going for some submissions?
Pukama punches the canvas rather than the man.

Pukama is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Zabala knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Zabala for a finish.

Pukama has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Zabala has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pukama thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Zabala avoids the strikes from Pukama.

Zabala is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Pukama trying to control momentarily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Pukama is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Zabala knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Zabala for a finish.
Pukama softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Pukama missing with strikes from the back.
Pukama misses with punches from the back.

Pukama is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Zabala is defending well though. Pukama let's go of the attempt for now.

Pukama is looking for the choke from the back position but Zabala is controlling his hands well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pera Pukama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Pukama defending well as Zabala loads up on a big left hand.
Zabala closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Zabala throws a series of punches but Pukama moves out of range.
Pukama slips a jab from Zabala.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Pukama. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Zabala stuffs the takedown.
Zabala slaps away a takedown attempt from Pukama, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nice sprawl there from Zabala as Pukama shoots in.
Javier Zabala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pera Pukama.
Zabala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Zabala wants it to stay on the feet.
Pukama shoots for a takedown but Zabala saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Zabala!
Zabala throws a combination that misses

and Pukama counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zabala's guard now.

Pukama thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Zabala is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pukama is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pukama trying to control the position from guard on top but Zabala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pukama decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Pukama displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Zabala throws out the jab.

Pukama shoots in and bounces Zabala off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Pukama looking to pass the guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Pukama thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Pukama throwing strikes but missing.

Pukama thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pukama is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Pukama throwing strikes from guard but Zabala blocks nicely.
Pukama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Zabala is keeping the position for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Pukama tries for a takedown but Zabala sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Pukama closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zabala circles away.
Pera Pukama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Pukama slips a jab and a cross from Zabala.
Javier Zabala is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Pukama fails to land the takedown.
Zabala misses with a jab, cross combination.
Pukama slips a jab and a cross from Zabala.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pukama.

Pukama throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Zabala was covering up waiting for the punch and Pukama finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Javier Zabala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pukama looking to sit in guard and control but Zabala gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Zabala avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Pera Pukama.
I've got Pukama winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pera Pukama!