PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lyota Machida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalle Kikkeli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kalle Kikkeli will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Machida
vs
Kikkeli

190 cm
18
212 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

225 cm
18
200 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lyota Machida!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kalle Kikkeli!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Machida gets a takedown into half guard.
Kikkeli is pressing down on Machida's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Kikkeli throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Machida stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kikkeli swivels though and keeps the full guard.

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

Machida avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Machida has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kikkeli is proving hard to escape from.
Machida might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machida stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kikkeli swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kikkeli working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Machida has passed into half guard!
Kikkeli is looking to improve his position.
Kikkeli is pressing down on Machida's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kikkeli looks gassed!
Machida passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Kikkeli sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Kikkeli is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Machida seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machida prevents Kikkeli from improving his position.

Machida is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kikkeli makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kikkeli.
Kikkeli lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Machida!

Kikkeli jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Machida is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Machida and Kikkeli has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.

Kikkeli swings around for an armbar but Machida sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kikkeli's guard.
Kikkeli keeping full guard, as Machida tries to pass.
Machida has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kikkeli is proving hard to escape from.
Kikkeli is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

Kikkeli working for a triangle but Machida defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kikkeli is looking for a triangle but Machida pushes his legs off easily.

Machida is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Kikkeli lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Machida!
Machida is looking to get to half guard.

Kikkeli swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Machida is now in Kikkeli's guard. A big mistake from Kikkeli there, giving up the dominant position!
Machida passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Machida stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Machida shoots for a takedown but Kikkeli saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Machida throws a body kick that misses.

Machida feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Kikkeli throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Machida avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kikkeli looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Machida is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Kikkeli has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Machida is looking to defend but Kikkeli has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Machida! Kikkeli pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Machida taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Kalle Kikkeli!