PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Shane Walker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Freedom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Freedom has chosen Johnny Freedom as his entrance music. 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.

Walker
vs
Freedom

185 cm
33
205 lbs
23 - 7 - 1

180 cm
34
193 lbs
28 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the super heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Shane Walker!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 10 - 1, fighting out of New York, Johnny Freedom!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Walker throws a nice outside leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Freedom finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Freedom throws a head kick that misses.
Freedom scores with a jab to the jaw.
Walker throws a head kick that misses.
Freedom lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Walker throws a nice inside leg kick.
Walker has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Walker gets tackled into the cage by Freedom. Freedom maintains the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Freedom obliges.
Freedom working Walker over with knees to the body.
Walker trying to control the position but instead, Freedom has worked for underhooks and has pushed Walker into the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Walker.
Freedom lands an elbow inside that Walker shrugs off.

It looks like Shane Walker has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Walker pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Freedom scores with a kick to the body.
Walker checks a low kick from Freedom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freedom moves out of range of the leg kick from Walker.
Freedom looks to score with a jab to the body but Walker is just out of range.
Walker scores with a nice strike.
Freedom misses with a double jab
and Walker counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Walker takes one on the button.
Nice uppercut lands for Walker. That snapped Freedom's head back.
Freedom takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Walker throws a body shot but no joy.
Freedom tries to clinch up.
Johnny Freedom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Freedom looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Walker loads up on a big right hand but Freedom slips the punch.
Freedom steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Walker.
Walker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freedom chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Walker can pounce on him.
Walker walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Freedom checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Walker throws a right and a left that both miss.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Walker misses with a looping right.
Freedom has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Walker lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Freedom moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Freedom takes a jab right on the kisser.
Walker misses with a head kick.
Freedom steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Walker.
Freedom pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Walker tried to counter with a leg kick but Freedom avoided it.
Freedom misses with a low kick.
Freedom blocks a head kick by Walker.
Freedom feints and then cracks Walker's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Walker down.
Walker wants to clinch up but Freedom keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freedom lands a jab to the head.
Walker thows a body kick. Freedom tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Freedom misses with a body shot
and Walker counters with a low kick, right behind Freedom 's knee.
Walker checks the leg kick.
Walker seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Freedom throws a head kick that half lands.
Walker throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Walker tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Freedom throws out a powerful jab.
Freedom has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Walker.
Freedom pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Walker throws a leg kick that misses.
Freedom walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Walker checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Walker finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Walker swings for the body but Freedom moves out of range.
Walker scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
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!
Walker works over Freedom's head and body with a nice combination.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Freedom.
Walker scores with a nice right hand.
Walker pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Freedom tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Walker was well out of range. Poor timing from Freedom.
Walker throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Freedom.
Freedom steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Freedom throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Freedom lands a big head kick that sends Walker tumbling to the mat! Freedom takes a step backwards and waves Walker back to his feet - he wants the finish!
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Walker misses the shot to the body.
Walker dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johnny Freedom will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shane Walker's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Freedom connects with a jab.
Walker fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Freedom has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Freedom throws a body shot but no joy.
Walker fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Freedom is out of range.
Freedom dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Walker. That did some damage!
Freedom throws a poor cross that misses
and Walker counters with a straight right hand.
Freedom looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Crunch! Freedom slams his shin into Walker's torso.
Freedom getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

Walker is rocked!
Walker connects with an inside leg kick.
Freedom checks a low kick from Walker.
Freedom punishes Walker's body with a nice straight punch.
Freedom tries to clinch up.
Walker tried to counter with a leg kick but Freedom avoided it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Freedom eats them both and turns towards Walker to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Walker digs a good body shot into Freedom's ribs.
Walker moves out of range of the body kick from Freedom.
Shane Walker is winning the standup battle so far.
Freedom moves out of range as Walker throws a body kick.
A jab from Freedom does it's job there.
Walker misses with a leg kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Freedom.
Freedom throws a right and a left that both miss.
Walker was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
A chopping leg kick lands by Freedom.
Walker throws a wild body kick that Freedom sees coming a mile off.
Walker throws a body kick that misses.
Freedom throws a quick inside leg kick.
Freedom throws a leg kick that misses.
Walker looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Freedom. Walker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Walker seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
A left lands for Walker.
Walker throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Walker blocks the body kick.
Freedom throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Walker stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Freedom pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Freedom scores with a kick to the body.
Freedom throws a big shot that misses.
Walker moves out of range of the leg kick from Freedom.
Freedom throws a leg kick
and Walker counters with a body kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Walker.
Freedom misses with a leg kick
and Walker counters with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freedom walks into a left hand.
Freedom takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A low kick from Freedom misses
and Walker cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Freedom cracks the inside of Walker's front leg.
Freedom's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Freedom keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Walker lands a nice looking body shot.
Walker scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Freedom attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Freedom looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Walker fires out a quick counter leg kick but Freedom just manages to avoid it.
A big right from Freedom misses.
Walker moves in looking to clinch but Freedom pushes him off.
Walker lands with a right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freedom pulls out of a head kick attempt.
An inside leg kick from Walker misses.
Freedom avoids the head kick by Walker.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Walker tries a low kick but Freedom avoids it.
Freedom looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Walker lands a leg kick that knocks Freedom off balance momentarily.
Walker throws a leg kick but Freedom checks it.
Walker tries to work over Freedom's front leg with a kick but Freedom checks it.
Walker misses with an attempted mid kick.
Walker misses with a low kick.
Freedom throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Freedom fails in his attempt to clinch.
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 Shane Walker will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Shane Walker's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Freedom explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Walker lands with a nice body punch.
Freedom jabs Walker right on the nose. Walker blinks but takes it well.
Freedom throws a low kick but Walker avoids it.
Freedom throws a nice outside leg kick.
Freedom checks a leg kick.
Freedom misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Walker.
Walker tries to land a body kick
and Freedom counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Walker throws a head kick that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Decent striking displayed by Freedom there.
Walker pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Walker throws a shot from downtown. Freedom moves away and avoids it.
Walker will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Walker slips a jab and a cross from Freedom.
As Freedom looks to move away, Walker throws a big counter combo but Freedom just gets out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker just misses with a punch to the body.
Freedom throws a front kick aimed at Walker's knee but Walker avoids it well.
Freedom tries to work over Walker's front leg with a kick but Walker checks it.
Freedom lands a nice leg kick that just misses Walker's sensitive parts.
A clash of legs there as Walker blocks the low kick.
Walker feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Freedoms jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Freedom tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Walker manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Walker has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Freedom.
Freedom looks to score with a jab to the body but Walker is just out of range.
Freedom scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Freedom checks a leg kick nicely.
Walker takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freedom feints and then cracks Walker's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Walker down.
Freedom misses with a hook. Walker ducked under it nicely.
Freedom takes a swing at Walker's ribcage but misses.
As Freedom backs away, Walker returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Freedom pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Walker quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
A looping hook to the body misses from Freedom. Walker does a little dance to reset his feet.
Freedom avoids a kick to the body.
Walker is looking to chop away at Freedom's legs.
Freedom now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Freedom dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Walker. That did some damage!
Freedom is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Walker rather than just go for the knockout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Freedom dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Walker. That did some damage!
Freedom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Freedom doesn't manage to clinch there - Walker circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker misses with a looping left.
Walker goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Walker throws a low kick but Freedom avoids it.
Freedom scores with a decent looking hook.
Walker throws a sloppy head kick and Freedom moves out of range easily.
Freedom misses with a wild body shot.
Freedom tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Freedom tries to clinch but Walker is having none of it.
Walker fires out a quick counter leg kick but Freedom just manages to avoid it.
Walker throws a quick inside leg kick.
Walker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Freedom.
Walker is looking for a counter combo.
Walker lands a really nice looking cross but Freedom seems unphased.
Freedom connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freedom scores with a nice body kick.
Walker slips a straight right by Freedom.
Freedom finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Freedom lands a right hook to the body.
Jab by Freedom.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Walker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Walker uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Freedom.
Freedom swings away with a body shot that misses
and Walker counters with a series of strikes. Freedom will be more careful next time no doubt.
Freedom lands a body shot.
Walker pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Walker on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Freedom moves in looking to clinch but Walker pushes him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Freedom really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Shane Walker's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Freedom connects with a leg kick. Walker looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Freedom connects with an inside leg kick.
Freedom fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Walker checks it well.
Freedom just manages to avoid a counter high kick fromWalker.
A lazy left from Walker finds it's target.
Freedom just misses with a punch to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Walker misses the target.
Walker throws a lazy right hand but Freedom sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Walker sets himself, and Freedom steps forward looking for the clinch! Walker avoids it this time.
Walker blocks a low kick nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walker is looking to score with low kicks.
Walker throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Freedom feints and then cracks Walker's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Walker down.
Freedom throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freedom connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Freedom misses with a kick to the body.
Freedom avoids a punch combination nicely.
Freedom looks to score with a jab to the body but Walker is just out of range.
Freedom scores with a body shot.
Walker chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Freedom can pounce on him.
Freedom throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Walker throws a body kick that misses.
Walker tries to work over Freedom's front leg with a kick but Freedom checks it.
Walker misses with a body kick.
Walker avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freedom looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Walker was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Freedom throws a leg kick that misses.
Freedom checks a leg kick.
Freedom tries a quick counter leg kick but Walker is wise to it.
Freedom displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Walker throws out the jab.
Freedom is trying to counter with his kicks.
Walker avoids the body shot from Freedom.
Freedom finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
A body shot lands from Walker.
Freedom lands a nice elbow.
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!
Freedom lands a left hand.
Freedom lands a nice knee to the body.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Freedom lands an elbow that stopped Walker in his tracks for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Walker lands with a right to the head.
Walker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Walker wants to break the clinch but can't.
Freedom landing knees to the body.
Johnny Freedom seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Walker breaks the clinch.
Walker steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Freedom. That one must have hurt.
Freedom looks to score with a jab to the body but Walker is just out of range.
Walker throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Walker keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Freedom is looking to clinch but Walker is avoiding it.
A low kick from Freedom is predictable there
and Freedom takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Walker throws a leg kick but Freedom sees it coming and moves out of range.
Freedom 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.
Freedom throws a low kick but Walker avoids it.
Walker throws a push kick but Freedom slaps the foot to one side.
Walker tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Freedom paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Walker takes a kick to the side of the head.
Freedom misses with a hook to the body
and Walker counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Walker digs a good hook to Freedom's body.
Freedom thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Walker if he has to take too many more of those.
Freedom lands a nice looking kick to the body. Walker takes a step back to recover.
Freedom tries to land a leg kick but Walker saw it coming and moves away.
Walker was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Walker connects with a good right hand that stumbles Freedom. Freedom circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Freedom connects with a high kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johnny Freedom dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Shane Walker's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A slapping body kick lands there for Walker.
Freedom lands with a straight right. Walker didn't see that one coming.
A swing and a miss from Freedom.
Walker tries to move into range but Freedom moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Freedom misses with a body kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Freedom checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Freedom throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Freedom fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Walker has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A decent looking cross lands there for Freedom.
Walker swats away the attempt to clinch by Freedom.
Walker checks the leg kick nicely there.
Walker throwing a counter right hand but Freedom manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Walker is looking to slow Freedom down with leg kicks.
A chopping leg kick lands by Freedom.
Freedom avoids a kick to the body.
Freedom throws a lazy head kick
and Walker counters with a series of strikes. Freedom will be more careful next time no doubt.
Walker goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A nice leg kick lands there from Freedom.
Walker moves out of range of the body kick from Freedom.
Freedom throws an off balance right hand
and Walker counters with an inside leg kick.
Freedom stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Walker.
Freedom throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Walker throws a sloppy head kick and Freedom moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Walker fails with an attempt to clinch.
Freedom takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Walker checks the leg kick.
Walker connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Walker jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Walker slips a jab from Freedom.
Walker fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Freedom checks it well.
Walker throws a head kick but Freedom moves out of range.
Freedom throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Freedom is looking to chop away at Walker's legs.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Walker.
A head kick misses from Walker.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freedom throws a combination that misses
and Walker counters with a good low kick that Freedom was not able to check.
Walker fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Freedom is out of range.
Freedom checks a leg kick nicely.
Freedom throws a hook to the side of Walker's head but Walker sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Walker takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Freedom misses with a low kick.
Walker is looking to counter with head kicks.
Freedom finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Walker moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Walker lands a jab to the nose.
Freedom throws a chopping leg kick but Walker manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Walker tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnny Freedom is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freedom misses with a body kick.
Freedom swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Freedom fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Freedom closes the distance and clinches.
Walker stalling in the clinch but Freedom improves position.
Freedom misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Walker.
Stalling in the clinch from Walker.
Walker scores with a shoulder strike.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Freedom blocks a body shot from Walker.
Freedom scores a nice knee to the body.
Freedom landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Walker tries to stall but Freedom uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Walker is looking to control Freedom's arms but Freedom gets an underhook and turns him. Now Walker has his back to the cage.
Shane Walker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Walker lands a nice uppercut.

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 Shane Walker.
Well Freedom 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 47:49
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:47
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Johnny Freedom!
Johnny Freedom is the new super heavyweight champion!
Johnny Freedom seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.