PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vesa Koivu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jouko Kukkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Koivu
vs
Kukkonen

188 cm
18
184 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
18
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vesa Koivu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jouko Kukkonen!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kukkonen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Koivu, pushing him back against the cage.
Koivu is pressed up against the cage. Kukkonen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Koivu down to the mat. Koivu avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kukkonen tries for a takedown but Koivu sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Koivu stuffs the takedown.
Vesa Koivu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jouko Kukkonen.
Kukkonen closes the distance and clinches up with Koivu, looking for a takedown. Kukkonen pushes Koivu against the cage but Koivu circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Koivu is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
The crowd cheers as Koivu lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kukkonen doesn't seem phased though.

Kukkonen clinches with his opponent.
Koivu leaning against his opponent.
Koivu wants to stall.

Koivu pulls Kukkonen into guard.
Kukkonen throwing strikes from guard but Koivu blocks nicely.
Koivu is trying to control the position but Kukkonen postures up.
Kukkonen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen wants to control from the top but Koivu keeps moving.
Kukkonen preventing the sweep.
Kukkonen stays in close to Koivu's body and controls the position.

Kukkonen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Kukkonen decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Koivu, up you get!
Kukkonen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's two 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.
Kukkonen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kukkonen looks gassed!
Kukkonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Koivu but Koivu pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nice sprawl there from Koivu as Kukkonen shoots in.
Koivu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kukkonen swivels and escapes.
Kukkonen misses with a body shot.
Kukkonen fails to land the takedown.

Kukkonen rushes Koivu and presses him up against the cage.
Koivu is trying to maintain a safe position but Kukkonen gets an underhook and turns Koivu into the cage.

Kukkonen jumps guard and drags Koivu to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kukkonen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kukkonen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Koivu is looking to improve his position but Kukkonen isn't that keen on the idea.
Koivu tries to hold on but Kukkonen pushes him away.
Koivu tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four 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.
Kukkonen controlling from mount.
Kukkonen scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Koivu?
Kukkonen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kukkonen content just to control the position here.
I looks like Kukkonen might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jouko Kukkonen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Koivu stuffs the takedown.

Kukkonen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Koivu is trying to control the position but Kukkonen postures up.
Kukkonen wants to control from the top but Koivu keeps moving.
Koivu is trying to control the position but Kukkonen postures up.
Kukkonen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Koivu's head.
Koivu is pulling down on Kukkonen's head. It's preventing any offense from Kukkonen, at least for the moment.
Koivu wants to get back to his feet but Kukkonen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen pushes down on Koivu's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kukkonen trying to control the action but Koivu is working from the bottom.

Kukkonen is looking for a kimura here.
Kukkonen is breathing heavily.
Well, if Kukkonen is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Koivu tries to roll over but Kukkonen keeps him under control.
Koivu works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kukkonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Koivu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Koivu had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Kukkonen is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Koivu Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Kukkonen's back instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koivu patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Kukkonen is keeping busy.
Kukkonen is trying to get back to his feet but Koivu has full control of the position and if anything, Kukkonen has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Kukkonen defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Koivu's arms.
Kukkonen trying to control the hands but Koivu won't let him.

That's four 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.
Koivu has the hooks in. Kukkonen is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kukkonen trying to control the hands but Koivu breaks the grip.

Koivu has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jouko Kukkonen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Koivu is looking to clinch but Kukkonen is avoiding it.
Koivu takes a swing at Kukkonen's ribcage but misses.
Koivu tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Kukkonen counters with a takedown into side control.
Koivu tries to bench press Kukkonen off him but Kukkonen keeps the position.

Kukkonen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Koivu is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Koivu is letting Kukkonen control him for a moment.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Koivu sneaks back into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koivu wants to control but Kukkonen is keeping busy.
Koivu is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.

Koivu looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Koivu is looking to improve his position.

Kukkonen stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kukkonen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Koivu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kukkonen with a poor takedown
and Koivu counters with a nice leg kick.
Koivu fails with a takedown attempt.
Kukkonen has a takedown stuffed.
Koivu throws a body kick despite being completely out of range

and Kukkonen counters with a shoot takedown. Koivu fights it but they end up in guard.
Jouko Kukkonen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kukkonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Koivu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kukkonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Koivu can't keep his opponent in guard - Kukkonen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Koivu is trying to get back to full guard.
Kukkonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koivu keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Koivu wants to improve his position but Kukkonen is controlling well.
Kukkonen is looking to take a break and control but Koivu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Koivu throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Vesa Koivu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kukkonen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kukkonen throws the kick towards the body but Koivu avoids it.
Koivu tries to land a leg kick but Kukkonen saw it coming and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jouko Kukkonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kukkonen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jouko Kukkonen!