PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mario Ze Spario (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalervo Paukku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kalervo Paukku will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Ze Spario
vs
Paukku

189 cm
24
215 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

205 cm
23
210 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mario Ze Spario!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Kalervo Paukku!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Viktor Lagutenko and Valeri Chadov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ze Spario has a takedown stuffed.
Ze Spario shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Paukku sprawls well. Paukku wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ze Spario gets slowly back to his feet.
Paukku throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Paukku misses with the combination.
Ze Spario misses with a takedown attempt - Paukku sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Ze Spario. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paukku throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ze Spario scores with a nice head shot.
Ze Spario slips a jab and a cross from Paukku.
Paukku swinging wildly here.
Paukku takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Paukku is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Ze Spario fails with the takedown.
Paukku fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ze Spario manages to avoid it.
Ze Spario throws a body punch but Paukku moves out of range.
Ze Spario changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Paukku tries to avoid it but Ze Spario manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Paukku to the ground. Paukku escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ze Spario needs to keep his hands up - Paukku had a free shot at his head there.
Paukku misses with a series of wild punches.
Paukku lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ze Spario slips a jab and a cross from Paukku.
Ze Spario shoots in looking for a takedown but Paukku manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ze Spario's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Ze Spario misses the shot to the body.
Ze Spario misses with a kick to the body.
A left and a right from Paukku both land. Nice combination.
Ze Spario shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Paukku pinned against the cage. Paukku gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ze Spario swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Paukku keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Paukku lands a jab.
A combination from Paukku does no damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ze Spario looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ze Spario looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nice takedown defense from Paukku. No joy for Ze Spario on that attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paukku paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Paukku bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ze Spario is defended easily by Paukku.
Ze Spario is breathing heavily.
Sloppy strikes from Paukku. Those never looked like landing.

Ze Spario gets a double leg takedown into Paukku's guard.
Paukku is controlling Ze Spario's posture.
Paukku manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ze Spario manages to get himself to full guard.

Paukku drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Ze Spario dives on top into guard.
Paukku tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paukku is pulling down on Ze Spario's head. It's preventing any offense from Ze Spario, at least for the moment.
Ze Spario prevents Paukku from getting back to his feet.
Ze Spario postures up in Paukku's guard and throws a big left but Paukku blocks it.
Ze Spario might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Paukku being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Paukku is trying to keep Ze Spario in close.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kalervo Paukku wasn't active enough on the ground.
Paukku connects with a crisp jab.
Ze Spario shoots in looking for a takedown. Paukku tries to sprawl out of it but Ze Spario keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Paukku manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Paukku misses with a hook. Ze Spario ducked under it nicely.
Paukku misses with a few strikes there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ze Spario closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Ze Spario wants to work for an arm triangle but Paukku is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Paukku gets full guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ze Spario thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ze Spario tries to free his leg and advance position but Paukku is retaining full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Paukku is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Paukku lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ze Spario!

Paukku is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Ze Spario has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Ze Spario!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ze Spario throws a big elbow that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kalervo Paukku will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ze Spario tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Paukku swivels and escapes.
Ze Spario shoots in but no luck this time.
Ze Spario swings for the body but Paukku moves out of range.
Paukku slaps away a takedown attempt from Ze Spario, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Ze Spario. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paukku throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paukku lands a jab to the head.
Ze Spario shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Paukku defends it nicely.
Kalervo Paukku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut there from Paukku.
Kalervo Paukku seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Paukku moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Ze Spario shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Paukku as he jumps to the side.
Paukku has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Ze Spario throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Paukku's waist but Paukku gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Ze Spario off to one side.
Paukku fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Ze Spario on the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Paukku closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ze Spario is defending against the submission attempts here by Paukku.

Paukku is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ze Spario doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paukku.
Paukku is thwarting Ze Spario's attempts to control the position.

Paukku is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Ze Spario has managed to free his arm - good work.

Paukku is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Paukku is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Ze Spario doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Paukku.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ze Spario manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Paukku is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ze Spario is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ze Spario has escaped and now he's on top!
Ze Spario trying to control the position from guard on top but Paukku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ze Spario won't allow Paukku to sweep him here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paukku looking to control.
Ze Spario advances position into side control!
Ze Spario in side control lands a decent elbow.
Ze Spario prevents Paukku from escaping the position.
Ze Spario passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Paukku!
Ze Spario scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Paukku in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Paukku slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Ze Spario thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Ze Spario is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Paukku has managed to free his arm - good work.
Paukku trying to control from the bottom.
Paukku is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ze Spario is working for a submission of some sort.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ze Spario is looking for a kimura but Paukku is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Ze Spario to get the leverage.
Ze Spario throwing shots but Paukku is blocking nicely.

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

Paukku is defending against the submission attempts here by Ze Spario.
Paukku gets back to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paukku is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Paukku is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
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 Mario Ze Spario will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Paukku lands with an uppercut that bounces Ze Spario off the cage and back into range.
Paukku throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ze Spario.
Ze Spario throws a nice looking combination but Paukku bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Ze Spario shoots in for a takedown but Paukku shows good takedown defense.

Paukku feints and as Ze Spario raises his hands in defense, Paukku changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Paukku is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ze Spario is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ze Spario has escaped and now he's on top!

Paukku working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ze Spario has passed into half guard!

Ze Spario wants to work for an arm triangle but Paukku is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Paukku wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paukku trying to control from the bottom.
Paukku takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ze Spario is keen to just control but Paukku is a slippery customer.

Paukku is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ze Spario pulls his head out easily.

Ze Spario is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Paukku is pressing down on Ze Spario's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Ze Spario connects with a couple of short punches.
Paukku tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Paukku controlling Ze Spario's posture.
Ze Spario stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Paukku swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ze Spario works over Paukku with some ground and pound from guard.
Ze Spario makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Paukku looking for a sweep. Not yet Paukku, not yet.
Paukku pulls Ze Spario in close to prevent any damage.
Ze Spario has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ze Spario wants to pass the guard but Paukku is keeping the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paukku is trying to control the position but Ze Spario postures up.
Ze Spario working some strikes from top position.
Paukku is trying to control the position but Ze Spario postures up.
Ze Spario trying to control but Paukku is working from the bottom.
Paukku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ze Spario is one step ahead there.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Ze Spario's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paukku is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ze Spario postures up and lands a big shot to Paukku's brow.
Ze Spario prevents Paukku from getting back to his feet.
Paukku looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ze Spario throwing strikes but missing.
Ze Spario throwing strikes from guard but Paukku blocks nicely.
Paukku has momentary wrist control but Ze Spario slips an elbow through the middle.
Paukku keeping moving, preventing Ze Spario from controlling successfully.

Paukku has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Ze Spario off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ze Spario looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Paukku is fending him off so far but Ze Spario persists. Nope, Paukku circles away and we're back to standing.
A combination from Paukku does no damage.
Ze Spario tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Paukku swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mario Ze Spario. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Paukku throws a series of punches but Ze Spario moves out of range.
Mario Ze Spario is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Paukku misses with the combination.
Ze Spario fails with the takedown.
Ze Spario tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Paukku swivels and escapes.
Paukku swinging wildly here.
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!
Ze Spario misses with a low kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Paukku thuds a left hand into Ze Spario's body.
Ze Spario closes the distance and clinches up with Paukku, looking for a takedown. Ze Spario pushes Paukku against the cage but Paukku circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ze Spario misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

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 Mario Ze Spario.
I think Ze Spario has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 29:28
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:28
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mario Ze Spario!