PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lasi Kukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ruff Diamond (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruff Diamond will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kukko
vs
Diamond

185 cm
24
194 lbs
5 - 1 - 1

195 cm
19
198 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 5 - 1 - 1, fighting out of London, Lasi Kukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Ruff Diamond!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Sam Margolis and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kukko darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kukko trying to mount his opponent but Diamond defends it.
Kukko is trying to control. Diamond wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kukko is pressing down on Diamond's thigh, looking to free his foot. Diamond is holding on for now.
Diamond is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kukko throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Diamond holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Diamond works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kukko trying to control but Diamond is working from the bottom.

Kukko drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Diamond manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kukko has Diamond in his guard.
Kukko wants to sweep here but Diamond controlling him for the moment.
Diamond wanted to stand there but Kukko had control of the position.

Kukko is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Diamond is aware though and is defending well.

Kukko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Diamond can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kukko has his foot on Diamond's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Diamond works his way back into a safe position though.
Kukko has Diamond pulled in close to control his posture.

Diamond gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kukko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Diamond throws a nice looking combination but Kukko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Kukko gets a takedown into half guard.
Kukko is trying to control. Diamond wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Diamond can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kukko trying to mount his opponent but Diamond defends it.
Kukko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diamond wants to get back to full guard.

Kukko seems to be working for a kimura but Diamond defends the submission attempt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Diamond is looking to improve his position.
Kukko winds up and cracks Diamond with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Kukko is trying to work for a kimura but Diamond is defending well.
Kukko prevents Diamond from standing back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kukko takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kukko is keen to just control but Diamond is a slippery customer.
Kukko tries to pass to full mount but Diamond defends it.

Kukko wants to work for an arm triangle but Diamond is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kukko slips a nice elbow through Diamond's hands, connecting with Diamond's forehead.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Diamond moves into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kukko closes the distance and clinches up with Diamond, looking for a takedown. Kukko pushes Diamond against the cage but Diamond circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kukko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kukko slips under a jab.
Kukko shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Diamond as he jumps to the side.
Diamond changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kukko tries a head kick but it misses.

Kukko closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Diamond to the mat! Diamond manages to get full guard.
Diamond has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kukko postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Diamond is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kukko, into his guard.
Diamond is looking to stand up but Kukko won't let him.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diamond won't allow Kukko to sweep him here.
Diamond would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Diamond trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kukko throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Diamond throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kukko works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kukko working a defensive guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Diamond fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kukko on the side of the head.
Kukko tries for a takedown but Diamond sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lasi Kukko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Diamond throws a right and a left that Kukko avoids nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Diamond. Kukko does a little dance to reset his feet.
Diamond lands the left hand.
Diamond throws the left hand but Kukko avoids the punch easily.
Kukko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Diamond as he avoids it easily.
Kukko shoots in looking for a takedown. Diamond tries to sprawl out of it but Kukko keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Diamond manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Kukko scores with a takedown into Diamond's guard.

Diamond stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko fails with the takedown.
Kukko fails to land the takedown.
Donk. Diamond catches Kukko right on the button with a cross.
Lasi Kukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Diamond stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Diamond wants it to stay on the feet.
Diamond throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kukko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Diamond but Diamond pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Diamond connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Diamond displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kukko.
Kukko takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kukko chopping away at his opponent's legs.

Kukko decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Diamond manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kukko is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Diamond is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Diamond has escaped and now he's on top!
Diamond is stalling in the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diamond wants to get up but he can't break Kukko's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Kukko looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Diamond stays in close to Kukko's body and controls the position.
Diamond would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Diamond content to stall in guard here.
Kukko trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ruff Diamond showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
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. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A big right from Diamond misses.
Diamond misses with a looping left.
Kukko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Diamond's waist but Diamond gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kukko off to one side.
A combination from Diamond does no damage.
Diamond bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kukko moves out of range of the strikes.

Kukko shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Diamond is trying to defend but Kukko finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Kukko wants to take a breather but Diamond is having none of it.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kukko in particular looking to stall.
Kukko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Diamond regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kukko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko wants to pass the guard but Diamond is keeping the position.
Kukko is working hard here to advance position.
Kukko controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kukko looking to sit in guard and control but Diamond gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Kukko working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Diamond doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Diamond manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Kukko has his foot on Diamond's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Diamond works his way back into a safe position though.

Diamond gets to his feet - Kukko follows without any prompting.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kukko is defended easily by Diamond.
Diamond throws a looping overhand right but Kukko ducks down to avoid it.
Horrible takedown by Kukko or perhaps it was just good defense by Diamond which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lasi Kukko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice cross by Diamond.
Kukko tries to land a front kick but Diamond steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A big right from Diamond misses.
Kukko shoots in and drives through. Diamond sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Diamond throws a big shot that misses.
Kukko shoots for a double leg takedown but Diamond sprawls well. He's pushed Kukko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Diamond defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kukko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diamond misses with an uppercut.
Diamond misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Diamond might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Diamond missing with a left hand there. Kukko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Kukko fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Diamond sprawls well initially but Kukko persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Diamond is trying to maintain the position but Kukko is very close to passing his half guard.
Diamond pushes Kukko off looking to stand but Kukko dives back in and keeps control.
Diamond is controlling Kukko's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Kukko is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Diamond is just riding it out for now. Kukko eventually gives up the hold.
Diamond is refusing to be controlled, as Kukko sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kukko displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Diamond throws out the jab.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
No luck for Kukko with that takedown attempt.
Diamond checks a leg kick.
Diamond looks to score with a jab to the body but Kukko is just out of range.
Diamond missing with a left hand there. Kukko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Lasi Kukko.
I think Kukko 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 James Glass scores the fight 29:29
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!