PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antti Koskelainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bobby Lashley (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Antti Koskelainen has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Koskelainen
vs
Lashley

192 cm
22
230 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

190 cm
20
255 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

MMADNESS clothing

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 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Koskelainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bobby Lashley!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Koskelainen.
Lashley is trying to control Koskelainen's posture but Koskelainen avoids it.

Koskelainen decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Koskelainen swinging wilding here.
Koskelainen throws a sloppy head kick and Lashley moves out of range easily.

Lashley drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Koskelainen regains half guard.
Koskelainen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Lashley content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Lashley lands with a punch from half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Koskelainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Lashley lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Koskelainen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Koskelainen is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lashley lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Lashley must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Koskelainen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Lashley postures up and lands a big shot to Koskelainen's brow.

Koskelainen is rocked!
Koskelainen keeping moving, preventing Lashley from controlling successfully.
Lashley distracts Koskelainen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Oh Koskelainen is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Lashley pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Koskelainen is keeping the position for now.
Lashley slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Lashley drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Lashley jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Lashley chips away with some ground and pound.
Lashley slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Lashley connects with a couple of short punches.
Koskelainen seems to have got his legs back now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Koskelainen manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Lashley drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Koskelainen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Lashley wants to control but Koskelainen is keeping him busy.
Koskelainen is looking to regain half guard here but Lashley keeps moving and retains side control.
Koskelainen taking punishment in the form of punches.
Koskelainen tries to improve position but can't.
Lashley trying to control the position but Koskelainen is working away.
Koskelainen tries to improve position but can't.
Lashley scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Koskelainen to see if he's OK.
Koskelainen takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
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!
Koskelainen is looking for a sweep.
Lashley in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Koskelainen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koskelainen has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Lashley escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Lashley!
Koskelainen is looking to regain half guard here but Lashley keeps moving and retains side control.
Lashley cracks Koskelainen with a big elbow.
Koskelainen prevents Lashley from improving position.
Koskelainen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Koskelainen moves into full mount! Lashley won't be happy about that!

Koskelainen is working for a guillotine from mount but Lashley frees his head quite easily.
Lashley is controlling an arm, preventing Koskelainen from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.

Koskelainen is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Koskelainen tries to clinch there but Lashley circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koskelainen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Koskelainen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Koskelainen throws a head kick but Lashley moves out of range.

Lashley closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Lashley perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Koskelainen works his way to full guard. Good work.
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!

Koskelainen kicks Lashley off and gets to his feet.
Koskelainen with a lazy takedown attempt

and Lashley counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Koskelainen is pressing down on Lashley's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Koskelainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Koskelainen wants to sweep here but Lashley controlling him for the moment.

Koskelainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lashley scoring with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lashley looking to pass the guard.
Lashley wants to control from the top but Koskelainen keeps moving.

Koskelainen working for a triangle but Lashley defends it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bobby Lashley dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Koskelainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Koskelainen fails with the takedown

and Lashley counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Koskelainen's guard now.
Lashley wants to control from the top but Koskelainen keeps moving.
Bobby Lashley has got the better of the ground game so far.
Lashley forces his way into half guard.
Koskelainen is trying to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Koskelainen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Koskelainen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lashley is one step ahead there.

Koskelainen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Lashley can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Koskelainen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lashley really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Koskelainen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Koskelainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Lashley trying to control the position from guard on top but Koskelainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lashley is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Lashley is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lashley stopping the sweep attempt from Koskelainen.
Lashley working some strikes from top position.
Lashley trying to control but Koskelainen is working from the bottom.
Lashley preventing the sweep.

Koskelainen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Koskelainen is looking for a triangle here but Lashley uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Koskelainen is working to avoid the ground and pound but Lashley connects with a decent elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koskelainen is looking to regain half guard here but Lashley keeps moving and retains side control.
Koskelainen manages to get back to half guard.
Koskelainen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Lashley's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Lashley's back!

Koskelainen is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Lashley showing good submission defense here.
Lashley trying to control but not successfully.
Lashley is really stuck here.

Koskelainen patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Koskelainen is trying to stick to Lashley's back but Lashley is turning into Koskelainen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Koskelainen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Lashley.

Koskelainen looking for a guillotine here but Lashley defends easily.
Lashley pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Koskelainen is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koskelainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

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

Lashley avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Koskelainen keeping full guard, as Lashley tries to pass.
Koskelainen looking for a sweep. Not yet Koskelainen, not yet.
Koskelainen keeping moving, preventing Lashley from controlling successfully.
Lashley with a nice head shot there.

Koskelainen is looking for a triangle but Lashley pushes his legs off easily.

Koskelainen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lashley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Lashley trying to control but Koskelainen is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lashley is working Koskelainen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Koskelainen wants to sweep but no luck.

Koskelainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Lashley looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Koskelainen wants to sweep but no luck.

Koskelainen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lashley gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Koskelainen has a closed guard, preventing Lashley from standing up.
Lashley slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Koskelainen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Koskelainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lashley doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Lashley manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Koskelainen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lashley controls the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Antti Koskelainen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nice sprawl there from Koskelainen as Lashley shoots in.
Koskelainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Lashley swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Koskelainen tries to clinch there but Lashley circles away.
Koskelainen fails with the takedown

and Lashley counters with a nice double leg into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Koskelainen is looking for a triangle but Lashley pushes his legs off easily.

Koskelainen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Koskelainen pushes Lashley off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Koskelainen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Koskelainen throws a head kick that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Koskelainen has his takedown stuffed

and Lashley counters with a shoot takedown. Koskelainen fights it but they end up in guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Lashley is in close to Koskelainen's body, working some short punches and elbows.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koskelainen keeping moving, preventing Lashley from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Koskelainen is on top in guard.
Koskelainen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Lashley's guard.
Koskelainen advances to half guard.
Koskelainen works his way into full mount!
Lashley wants to hold on but Koskelainen pushes him away.

Koskelainen stands up from mount. Strange move.
Koskelainen doesn't succeed with the takedown

so Lashley counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antti Koskelainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lashley passes Koskelainen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Lashley prevents Koskelainen from improving his position.

Koskelainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Koskelainen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Koskelainen kicks Lashley off and gets back to his feet.

Koskelainen scores a takedown into full mount!
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!

Koskelainen stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Koskelainen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Lashley counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lashley.
Lashley stays in close to Koskelainen's body and controls the position.
Lashley connects with a couple of short punches.
Lashley is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Lashley working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Koskelainen's head.
Lashley trying to control but Koskelainen is working from the bottom.
Koskelainen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Koskelainen working for a triangle but Lashley defends it easily.
Koskelainen keeping full guard, as Lashley tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koskelainen is looking to stand up but Lashley isn't so interested in that idea.
Lashley trying to control but Koskelainen is working from the bottom.

Koskelainen has his foot on Lashley's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Lashley works his way back into a safe position though.
Lashley looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lashley shoots for a takedown but Koskelainen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Lashley has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Koskelainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Koskelainen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Lashley counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Lashley sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Koskelainen manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Koskelainen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Lashley turns into him and now he's in Koskelainen's guard.

Koskelainen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Lashley avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Koskelainen wants to sweep here but Lashley controlling him for the moment.
Koskelainen wants to stand up but Lashley is controlling him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lashley trying to control but Koskelainen is working from the bottom.

Koskelainen looking for a guillotine here but Lashley defends easily.
Lashley won't allow Koskelainen to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bobby Lashley comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Lashley has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Bobby Lashley!