PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kaarlo Vihtala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rubert Kuminauha (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Vihtala might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Pohjois-Karjala. Kuminauha is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Celine Dion - Just Walk Away. Kaarlo Vihtala could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Rubert Kuminauha's chin.

Vihtala
vs
Kuminauha

202 cm
20
289 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

198 cm
26
240 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter striker
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 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kaarlo Vihtala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rubert Kuminauha!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vihtala misses the jab.
Vihtala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuminauha moves away.
Kuminauha shoots in for a double leg but Vihtala sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Vihtala misses with an uppercut.
Vihtala looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuminauha is just out of range.
Kuminauha checks a leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Vihtala.
Kuminauha shoots in but no luck this time.
Vihtala looks to land a right hand but Kuminauha moved out of range.
Kuminauha takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Kuminauha throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Vihtala was covering up waiting for the punch and Kuminauha finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kuminauha throwing strikes but missing.
Vihtala has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vihtala wants to sweep here but Kuminauha controlling him for the moment.
Kuminauha has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Vihtala looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Vihtala wants to improve his position but instead Kuminauha has moved into half guard.

Kuminauha is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Vihtala trying to control but Kuminauha postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Kuminauha is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Vihtala defends it well.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kuminauha shoots in for a takedown but Vihtala shows good takedown defense.
Kaarlo Vihtala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rubert Kuminauha.
Vihtala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vihtala pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuminauha misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kuminauha.
Kuminauha shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Vihtala as he jumps to the side.
Good work by Kuminauha as he checks the leg kick.
Vihtala lands with a thumping leg kick.
Vihtala lands the left hand.
Vihtala waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuminauha.

Vihtala drives through and clinches with Kuminauha against the cage.
Kuminauha jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Vihtala walks away with a smile on his face. Kuminauha gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuminauha takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
No luck for Kuminauha with that takedown attempt.
Vihtala takes a swing at Kuminauha's ribcage but misses.

Kuminauha changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Vihtala looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vihtala looks to move to half guard but instead Kuminauha has passed into mount! Damn!
Vihtala working to try and regain half guard.

Kuminauha is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Vihtala has managed to escape the submission attempt.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vihtala is trying to escape the mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaarlo Vihtala dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kuminauha takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kuminauha avoids a kick to the body.
Vihtala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rubert Kuminauha is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuminauha tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Vihtala swivels and escapes.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Vihtala. Kuminauha shrugs it off though.
Vihtala swings for the body but Kuminauha moves out of range.
Vihtala misses with a straight left.
Kaarlo Vihtala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vihtala scores with a jab to the body.
Kuminauha shoots in for a double leg but Vihtala sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Vihtala rushes Kuminauha and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kuminauha is breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuminauha tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Vihtala smiles and moves away.
Kaarlo Vihtala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rubert Kuminauha.
Vihtala chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vihtala doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuminauha circles away.
Vihtala misses with a body shot.
Kuminauha closes this distance looking for a takedown but Vihtala circles away.
Vihtala scores with a leg kick.
Kuminauha keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kaarlo Vihtala is winning the standup battle so far.
Vihtala looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuminauha is just out of range.

Kuminauha is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Vihtala's half guard.
Vihtala manages to get to full guard.
Vihtala is controlling Kuminauha's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vihtala tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kuminauha thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kuminauha pushing down on Vihtala's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Kuminauha is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Vihtala keeps control of the position for the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vihtala manages to get to full guard.
Vihtala bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kuminauha's guard.
Vihtala trying to control but Kuminauha is working from the bottom.

Kuminauha throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Vihtala slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Vihtala trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vihtala wants to get up but he can't break Kuminauha's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kuminauha keeping moving, preventing Vihtala from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kaarlo Vihtala dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Vihtala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuminauha manages to avoid it.
Vihtala throws a wild body kick that Kuminauha sees coming a mile off.
Vihtala connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kuminauha tries to score a power double leg takedown but Vihtala sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kuminauha somewhat.
Kuminauha fails with a takedown attempt.
Vihtala is looking to wear down Kuminauha with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kuminauha closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Vihtala jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Vihtala buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kuminauha shoots in looking for a takedown. Vihtala tries to sprawl out of it but Kuminauha keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Vihtala manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kaarlo Vihtala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rubert Kuminauha.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuminauha fails to land the takedown.
Vihtala misses with a head kick.
Kuminauha moves away from the strike by Vihtala.

Kuminauha closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Vihtala is trying to control but can't.

Kuminauha is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vihtala is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vihtala pushes Kuminauha off looking to stand but Kuminauha dives back in and keeps control.
Kuminauha prevents Vihtala from improving his position.
Kuminauha thows a huge punch but Vihtala dodges it nicely.
Vihtala wants to control but Kuminauha is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Vihtala controlling the position well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kuminauha is trying hard to land a takedown here. Vihtala sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kaarlo Vihtala is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vihtala ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuminauha moves away.
Kuminauha fails with a takedown attempt.
Kaarlo Vihtala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuminauha blocks a head kick by Vihtala.
Vihtala tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuminauha was well out of range. Poor timing from Vihtala.
A solid leg kick lands there for Vihtala.
Vihtala thows a body shot but no joy.
Kuminauha drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Vihtala looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuminauha is just out of range.
Vihtala misses with a body shot.

Kuminauha gets the takedown into side control.

Kuminauha is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Vihtala is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vihtala manages to get back to half guard.
Kuminauha missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Vihtala is trying to maintain the position but Kuminauha is very close to passing his half guard.

Kuminauha is looking for a kimura but Vihtala is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kuminauha to get the leverage.
Vihtala tries to kick Kuminauha off but Kuminauha keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Vihtala manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rubert Kuminauha has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vihtala looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kaarlo Vihtala showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vihtala, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kaarlo Vihtala!