PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Whisky Dan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalema Kirunda (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Dan might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to "I'm a man" by Black Strobe. Kirunda is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: The Hellacopters - In The Sign of Octopus. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Dan
vs
Kirunda

186 cm
21
197 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

188 cm
24
200 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
World class boxer
Solid chin

Takomo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Whisky Dan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kalema Kirunda!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kirunda misses the jab.
Kirunda looks to land a combination but Dan avoids it well.
A combination from Kirunda does no damage.
Kirunda takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Kirunda keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kalema Kirunda seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice shot lands for Kirunda.
Dan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kirunda.
Dan tries to land a front kick but Kirunda steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kirunda throws a leg kick but Dan checks it.
No joy there for Kirunda, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kirunda looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Dan has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kirunda wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kirunda is trying to force a seperation but Dan has the dominant position.

Kirunda breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kirunda will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dan checks a low kick from Kirunda.
Kirunda attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirunda looks to land a combination but Dan avoids it well.
Kirunda misses with a two punch combination.
Dan uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kirunda.
Kirunda looks gassed!
Kirunda tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dan paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kirunda takes a swing at Dan's ribcage but misses.
Dan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kirunda.
Kirunda tries to work over Dan's front leg with a kick but Dan checks it.
Kalema Kirunda is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kirunda throws a series of punches but Dan moves out of range.
Kirunda throws a right and a left that both miss.
Dan throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Dan staying out of range there.

Dan rushes Kirunda and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Dan missing with knees to the body.
Kirunda is trying to break the clinch but Dan is controlling him.
Dan tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dan using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Kirunda tries to circle away but Dan has him pinned against the cage.
Kirunda wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Dan has him pressed against the cage.
Dan missing with knees to the body.

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.
Dan missing with knees to the body.
Kirunda blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Dan missing with knees to the body.
Dan prevents Kirunda from breaking the clinch.
Dan misses with a short punch on the inside.

Kirunda escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Dan keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kirunda.
Kirunda throws a low kick but Dan avoids it.
Dan lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kirunda will feel that in the morning.
Dan misses with a two punch combination.
Kirunda shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Dan drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Whisky Dan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kirunda blocks a body shot from Dan.
Kirunda wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Kirunda breaks the clinch.
Kirunda throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Dan fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirunda throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kirunda is looking to clinch but Dan is avoiding it.
Dan throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Dan moves out of range of the strikes.
Dan moves out of range as Kirunda strikes.
Dan throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kirunda's head.
Kirunda misses with an uppercut.
Kirunda is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Dan shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Dan shoots for a double leg takedown but Kirunda sprawls well. He's pushed Dan's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kirunda misses the shot to the body.
Dan throws a head kick that Kirunda semi-blocks.
Kirunda tries to clinch up but Dan circles away and keeps his distance.
Dan tries a head kick but it misses.

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.
Kirunda swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Dan counters with a head kick. That will keep Kirunda thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
A low kick from Kirunda is predictable there
and Dan counters with a left and a right that stings Kirunda.
Dan slips a jab and a cross from Kirunda.
Crunch! Dan slams his shin into Kirunda's torso.

Dan drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kirunda wants to stand but Dan is controlling the position.

Dan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Dan drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Dan jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kirunda can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kirunda wants to get back to his feet but Dan is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dan trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kirunda uses the cage to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kalema Kirunda will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Dan fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kirunda sprawls well initially but Dan persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Dan stops Kirunda from getting back to his feet.

Dan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Dan wants to pass the guard but Kirunda is defending well.
Dan prevents Kirunda from standing back up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kirunda is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Dan is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
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.
Dan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirunda avoids the head kick by Dan.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dan.
Kirunda throws a right and a left that Dan avoids nicely.
Dan ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kirunda moves away.
Kirunda closes the distance but Dan moves to the side
and Dan counters with a low kick, right behind Kirunda 's knee.
Kirunda misses with a looping right.

Kirunda clinches.

Kirunda's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kirunda throws a leg kick that is checked
and Dan counters with an inside leg kick.
Kirunda clinches but Dan breaks the clinch
and Dan counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Kirunda throws a shot from downtown. Dan moves away and avoids it.
Kirunda takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Kirunda is predictable there

and Dan counters with a shoot takedown. Kirunda fights it but they end up in guard.
Dan trying to control but Kirunda is working from the bottom.
Dan stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kirunda swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kirunda pushes Dan off and gets back to his feet.
Dan bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Dan throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Dan shoots in and drives through. Kirunda sprawls well.
Kirunda misses with a leg kick

and Dan counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Dan.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Kirunda pushes Dan off and gets back to his feet.
Dan throws a sloppy head kick and Kirunda moves out of range easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirunda fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Dan.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Whisky Dan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kirunda throws a leg kick
and Dan counters with a big head kick but Kirunda shrugs it off.
Kirunda avoids the head kick by Dan.
Kirunda misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Dan shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kirunda as he avoids it easily.
Dan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kirunda thows a leg kick but Dan checks it

and Dan counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kirunda won't be happy with that.
Kirunda is trying to get back to his feet.
Dan tries to advance to mount but can't.

Dan tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Dan has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kirunda is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Dan is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kirunda knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kirunda is pushing Dan's head away, looking to escape. Dan manages to hold on to the position though.
Kirunda managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Dan.

Dan looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Oooh a lovely combination from Kirunda sends Dan down but not out. Kirunda dives into side control looking to finish.

It looks like Whisky Dan has been cut.
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!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kirunda has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Whisky Dan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Whisky Dan's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Dan misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kirunda swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A low kick from Kirunda is predictable there
and Dan counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Dan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kirunda was well out of range. Poor timing from Dan.
Dan lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Dan moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kirunda throws a leg kick

and Dan counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Dan is working for a kimura but Kirunda is defending it quite comfortably.
Dan tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Kirunda.

Kirunda makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dan ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Dan moves out of range of the strikes.
Dan keeps the fight on the outside.
A head kick by Kirunda misses
and Dan counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kirunda is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kirunda throws a leg kick

so Dan counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Dan prevents Kirunda from getting back to his feet.
Kirunda is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Dan dives into side control.
Kirunda pushes Dan away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Dan gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Dan working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kirunda is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Dan is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kirunda knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Dan is trying to get an arm triangle but Kirunda is defending well.
Dan prevents Kirunda from escaping the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Dan fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Whisky Dan is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kirunda fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Dan will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirunda misses with a looping left.
Dan throws a right hand that Kirunda ducks under and follows up with a left that Kirunda also avoids with ease.
Kirunda has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Dan throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kirunda.
Kirunda falls off balance throwing a combination

and Dan counters with a takedown into side control.
Kirunda dodges the ground and pound from Dan.
Dan trying to control the position but Kirunda is working away.
Kirunda is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Dan is controlling him well.

Dan tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Kirunda throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirunda throws a leg kick
and Dan counters with a series of strikes. Kirunda will be more careful next time no doubt.
Dan takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Dan dodges the punch combination from Kirunda.
Kalema Kirunda seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kirunda throws a hook but Dan blocks it.
Dan throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kirunda's waist but Kirunda gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Dan off to one side.
A low kick from Kirunda misses

and Dan holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Kirunda stops a takedown attempt from Dan.
Kirunda blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Kirunda breaks the clinch.
Kirunda lands a jab.
Dan is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kirunda sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Whisky Dan. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kirunda rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Dan moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Dan thuds a left hand into Kirunda's body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Whisky Dan showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Dan 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Whisky Dan!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Whisky Dan!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Whisky Dan!

Whisky Dan wins by unanimous decision!