Espoo Ring Sharks reported earlier today that gym’s lightweight star Niko Puhakka (25-11) won the Draka Eurasian title at the Draka 7 event in Vladivostok, Russia. According to the report Puhakka dominated Russian Arsen Shabanov with numerous takedowns and superior ground game. In the first round Puhakka was in a dangerous spot when Shabanov managed locked in a tight guillotine choke on Puhakka but the experienced Finn defended skillfully and eventually progressed to full mount. In the second and third round Puhakka took over the fight controlling the action with takedowns and steady Ground and Pound from the top. In the end judges awarded the Finn with a clear cut unanimous decision win. The fight was Puhakka’s first in 2012. Before this bout Puhakka fought in november 2011 when he beat UFC veteran John Gunderson at Fight Festival 31.
The bout was fought under Draka rules that are somewhat different from the standard Unified MMA rules. In Draka the breaks between rounds are only 30 seconds and also the ground fighting is limited to 30 seconds at one time.
