PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mental Mike (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kurt Koben (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Mike
vs
Koben

200 cm
22
285 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

202 cm
20
260 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mental Mike!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kurt Koben!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koben tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mike sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Koben somewhat.
Mike connects with a crisp jab.
Mental Mike seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Koben closes the distance and clinches up with Mike, looking for a takedown. Koben pushes Mike against the cage but Mike circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Koben fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Mike sprawls well initially but Koben persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Mike is trying to stand up here but Koben is controlling him well.
Mike trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Koben with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Mike knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Koben on the ground.
Koben tries to pass to full mount but Mike defends it.
Koben is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mike looks like he's trying to stand up.
Koben keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Koben trying to mount his opponent but Mike defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koben is trying to control. Mike wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Koben is looking to advance position but Mike won't allow it.
Koben looks gassed!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Mike listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Koben takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mike thows a body kick. Koben tries to catch it but that hurt him.
A punch lands to the side of Koben 's head but he takes it in his stride.

It looks like Kurt Koben has been cut.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mike.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koben takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mike darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Mike closes the distance and pushes Koben back into the cage.
Mike wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on Mike's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Mike wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Koben prevents Mike from breaking the clinch.

Mike breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Koben takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Mike lands with an uppercut that bounces Koben off the cage and back into rage.

That has opened up Kurt Koben's cut even more.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koben walks into a left hand.
Mike throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Mike closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Mike drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Mike tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
Koben is looking to regain half guard here but Mike keeps moving and retains side control.

Mike decides to stand back up. Mike steps back and let's Koben get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mike lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Koben backs up against the cage.
Mike ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mike throws a sloppy head kick and Koben moves out of range easily.
Koben takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mike wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Mike lands a jab to the nose.
Mike changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Koben takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mike thuds a left hand into Koben's body.
Jab from Mike.
Mike lands with a nice combination. Koben backs away looking to recover.
Mike lands with a slapping head kick.

The cut above Kurt Koben's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mike connects with a looping right hand.
Koben moves forwards but Mike connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Mike scores with a decent looking hook.
Koben looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mental Mike has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kurt Koben.
Mike lands a nice looking body kick.
Mike digs a good hook to Koben's body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koben is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Mike.
Mike is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Mike lands a jab to the head.
Mike connects with a high kick.
Mike is working the combinations to good effect here.
Mike lands with a nice body punch.
Nice straight punches there by Mike. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mike.
Koben looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mike is fending him off so far but Koben persists. Nope, Mike circles away and we're back to standing.
Mike punishes Koben's body with a nice straight punch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Mike scores with a shot to the body.
Mike fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Koben looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A nice combination there by Mike.
A left and a right from Mike both land. Nice combination.
Mike scores with a jab to the head.
Koben walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nice body punch from Mike.
Koben gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Mike jabs at Koben's body.
Koben looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mental Mike dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kurt Koben's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Mike lands a slapping body shot.
Mike connects with a good right hand that stumbles Koben. Koben circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Mike uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Koben shoots for a takedown but Mike saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Mike shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mike has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Koben is proving hard to escape from.
Koben lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mike!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Koben landing strikes from the mount and Mike is in trouble!
Koben landing strikes from the mount and Mike is in trouble!
Mike is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mike is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Koben landing shots from mount.
Mike taking shots to the head.
Koben takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Koben landing strikes from the mount.
Mike has given up his back. Will we see Koben going for some submissions?
Koben biding his time, looking for the opening.
Koben tries to get the hooks in deep but Mike pushed the leg off.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mike tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Mike really wants to buck Koben off and get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koben controlling from mount.
Mike really wants to buck Koben off and get back to his feet.
Koben looking to control and managing it successfully.
Koben trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Mike is looking to get to half guard.
Koben controlling from the full mount.
Koben wants to control the pace but Mike is squirming around nicely.
Koben lands with some strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mike's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Koben in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Koben controlling his opponent.
Koben wants to control but Mike has made it back to half guard. Nice work.

Despite being in the dominant position, Kurt Koben just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mike lands a slapping body shot.
An inside leg kick lands from Mike.
Nice body punch from Mike.
Nice sprawl there from Mike as Koben shoots in.
Mike lands with a shot to the body.

Mike shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Mike was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Mike can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Koben is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koben is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Mike tries to control but Koben wriggling away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mental Mike dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Kurt Koben's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Koben shoots in but no luck this time.
Mike cracks a nice hook into Koben's ribs.
Koben on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Mike scores with a push kick.
Mike scores with a one two! Koben had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mike throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Mike lands a jab to Koben's midsection.

Mike fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Koben, pushing him back against the cage.

Mike breaks the clinch.
Koben on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
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!
Mike scores with a shot to the body.
Mental Mike is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mike lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Koben at a distance.
Mike lands a lovely overhand right.
Mike moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Mike bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
A left and a right from Mike both land. Nice combination.
Mike scores with a three punch combo!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koben on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Mike is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Koben can do to turn this around?
Mike moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Koben moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Mike goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Mike throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Koben.
Mike sizes up Koben with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd cheers as Mike lands an impressive looking overhand right. Koben doesn't seem phased though.
Koben fails with the takedown.
Mike looks to land a combination. Koben sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Mike lands with an overhand left.
Mike misses with a wild combination.
Koben will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mental Mike has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kurt Koben.
Mike scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Mike lands the left hand.
Mental Mike is winning the standup battle so far.
Mike explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mike scores with a hook to the body. Koben takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mike scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Mike misses with a kick to the body.
Koben fails with the takedown
enabling Mike to counter with a crisp jab.
Koben looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mike is fending him off so far but Koben persists. Nope, Mike circles away and we're back to standing.
Mike lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Mike changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mike ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mike tests Koben's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mike works over Koben's head and body with a nice combination.
Kurt Koben has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mike keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Koben takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Mike misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Koben has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Mike.
Mike misses with a two punch combination.
Koben has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Koben shoots for a double leg takedown but Mike sprawls well. He's pushed Koben's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Mike lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mike lands a jab to the nose.
Mike lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Koben will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mike scores with a jab. Koben acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Mike lands a jab.
Koben takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Koben gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mike counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mike lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Koben at a distance.
Koben gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Mike.
Mike with a hook.
Mike slaps away a takedown attempt from Koben, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Koben misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Mike scores with a hook to the body. Koben takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Mike scores with a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mike dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Koben dives in and grabs Mike's left leg, looking for a takedown. Mike pushes down on Koben's head and hops out.
A punch lands to the side of Koben 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Mike ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Mike connects with a nice looking jab.
Mike connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Mike works Koben's body with a nice hook.
Mike tries a head kick but it misses.
Koben takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Mike connects with a good right hand that stumbles Koben. Koben circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
The fighters circle momentarily. Mike darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Koben shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mike lands a nice shot that snaps Koben's head back.
Mike scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mike lands a two punch combo.
Mike uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Horrible takedown by Mike or perhaps it was just good defense by Koben which made him look bad.
Mental Mike is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koben shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mike sprawls well. Mike wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Koben gets slowly back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mental Mike showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mike, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:25
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:25
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mental Mike!