PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Damian Uzi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikko Hantunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Uzi's entrance music is Brocken Limbs. A fine choice. Hantunen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Bad Religion - American Jesus. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Uzi
vs
Hantunen

190 cm
22
209 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

190 cm
26
219 lbs
7 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
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 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Damian Uzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Hantunen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Some wild striking there from Hantunen.
Uzi looks for a takedown but Hantunen sprawls well.
Uzi has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hantunen finds it's way round the side to connect with Uzi's head.
Uzi has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Uzi changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hantunen tries to avoid it but Uzi manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hantunen to the ground. Hantunen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Uzi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hantunen swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Uzi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hantunen just misses with a punch to the body.
Uzi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hantunen pinned against the cage. Hantunen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Hantunen throws a looping overhand right but Uzi ducks down to avoid it.
Uzi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hantunen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Uzi somewhat.
Uzi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hantunen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Uzi somewhat.
Hantunen throws a jab but it's blocked by Uzi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hantunen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Uzi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Uzi misses with a takedown attempt - Hantunen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Uzi shoots in for a takedown but Hantunen shows good takedown defense.
Hantunen throws a combination. Uzi tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Hantunen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Hantunen pushes Uzi up against the cage in a clinch.
Uzi tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Hantunen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hantunen is trying to break the clinch but Uzi has him pressed against the cage.

Hantunen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hantunen thows a body shot but no joy.
Hantunen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Uzi.
Hantunen scores with the left hand. Uzi knows he should have avoided that one.
Uzi fails with the takedown.
Damian Uzi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hantunen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hantunen throws a right and a left that both miss.

Uzi has closed the distance and engaged Hantunen in a clinch.
Uzi can't find room to land a body shot as Hantunen controls the action.

Hantunen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Hantunen gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Hantunen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Uzi has a takedown stuffed.

Uzi gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Uzi is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hantunen is just riding it out for now. Uzi eventually gives up the hold.

Uzi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hantunen is trying to control but can't.

Uzi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hantunen trying to control here.
Uzi is looking to take a break and control but Hantunen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hantunen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Uzi 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.
Uzi trying to control but Hantunen is working from the bottom.
Hantunen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

We're going to have a standup here because Damian Uzi wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Uzi fails with a takedown attempt.
Uzi shoots in but no luck this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Hantunen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hantunen tries to land a leg kick but Uzi saw it coming and moves away.
Mikko Hantunen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hantunen misses with an uppercut. Uzi saw that one coming.
Hantunen lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Uzi shoots for a takedown but Hantunen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Uzi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Hantunen quickly recovers to half guard.
Uzi wants to control but Hantunen is keeping him busy.
Uzi is looking to pass Hantunen's guard but actually Hantunen recovers to full guard.
Hantunen pulls Uzi in close to prevent any damage.
Hantunen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Uzi!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hantunen fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Uzi taking shots to the head.
Hantunen lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

Hantunen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Uzi manages to regain half guard. Good work.

Uzi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hantunen pulls his head out easily.
Uzi gets full guard.

Uzi looking for a guillotine here but Hantunen defends easily.
Hantunen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Uzi is looking to regain half guard here but Hantunen keeps moving and retains side control.

Hantunen is trying to get an arm triangle but Uzi is defending well.
Hantunen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Uzi keeps working.
Uzi is trying to control Hantunen's posture but Hantunen avoids it.
Uzi seems a little lost for a moment, as Hantunen dominates the positioning.
Uzi struggling a bit here.
Uzi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Uzi is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hantunen working over Uzi with some ground and pound. Uzi looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Uzi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hantunen pulls his head out easily.
Hantunen throwing shots but Uzi is blocking nicely.
Uzi wants to control but Hantunen is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Uzi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Uzi looking for submissions off his back.
Hantunen working Uzi over with strikes.

Hantunen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Uzi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Uzi is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Uzi is looking to control Hantunen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Uzi avoid being mounted?
Ground and pound from Hantunen.
Uzi trying to control from the bottom.
Hantunen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Hantunen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Hantunen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Uzi tries to roll over but Hantunen keeps him under control.
Hantunen is trying to control. Uzi wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Uzi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hantunen pulls his head out easily.
Mikko Hantunen has got the better of the ground game so far.

Uzi looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Hantunen pushes past his half guard into mount!
Hantunen is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Uzi can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Hantunen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Uzi shoots in for a takedown but Hantunen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Uzi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hantunen misses with a looping left.
Hantunen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Uzi's sensitive parts.
Hantunen fails to land with a series of punches.

Uzi feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Hantunen has his foot on Uzi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Uzi works his way back into a safe position though.
Uzi trying to control the position from guard on top but Hantunen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hantunen is on top in guard.
Uzi trying to control the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Uzi is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hantunen is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hantunen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hantunen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Uzi looking for a guillotine here but Hantunen defends easily.
Uzi trying to keep a closed guard but Hantunen is proving a slippery customer.
Hantunen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hantunen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Uzi looking for a sweep. Not yet Uzi, not yet.
Hantunen trying to control the position from guard on top but Uzi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hantunen throwing strikes from guard but Uzi blocks nicely.

Uzi working for a triangle but Hantunen defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hantunen distracts Uzi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hantunen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Hantunen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Uzi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hantunen has managed to get both his arms back between Uzi's legs - danger averted.

Uzi is looking for a triangle here but Hantunen uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Hantunen landing a few strikes.
Uzi is trying to improve his position.
Uzi is working to avoid the ground and pound but Hantunen connects with a decent elbow.

Hantunen stands up and beckons Uzi to his feet.
Uzi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hantunen sprawls well. Hantunen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Uzi gets slowly back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hantunen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Uzi takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hantunen is looking to clinch but Uzi is avoiding it.
Hantunen takes a swing at Uzi's ribcage but misses.
Hantunen is looking to score with low kicks.
Hantunen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Uzi circles away quickly and effectively.

Uzi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Hantunen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Uzi is trying to get an arm triangle but Hantunen is defending well.
Hantunen holding on.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hantunen prevents Uzi from improving position.

Uzi swings around for an armbar but Hantunen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Uzi's guard.
Hantunen wants to get up but he can't break Uzi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Hantunen scoring with some ground and pound.
Hantunen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Uzi working for a triangle but Hantunen defends it easily.
Hantunen trying to control but Uzi is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikko Hantunen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hantunen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikko Hantunen!