PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Karri Vahti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taisto Kurmotus (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Vahti
vs
Kurmotus

180 cm
20
182 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

190 cm
22
181 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Karri Vahti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Taisto Kurmotus!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Illya Tyunina and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurmotus looks to clinch
and Vahti connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Vahti scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kurmotus doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice body kick from Kurmotus.
Vahti circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kurmotus closes the distance looking to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kurmotus throws a low kick but Vahti avoids it.
Vahti misses with an uppercut.
Kurmotus blocks a low kick nicely.
Vahti throws the left hand but Kurmotus avoids the punch easily.
Vahti uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kurmotus has time to react.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vahti's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kurmotus under the eye.
Kurmotus tries to work over Vahti's front leg with a kick but Vahti checks it.

Kurmotus drives through and clinches with Vahti against the cage.
Kurmotus leaning against his opponent.
Kurmotus stalling in the clinch but Vahti improves position.
Vahti is looking to break free of the clinch but Kurmotus has double underhooks.
Kurmotus prevents Vahti from breaking the clinch.
Vahti has had enough of the clinch but Kurmotus keeps him there for the moment.
Kurmotus lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Vahti.
Vahti is trying to force a seperation but Kurmotus has the dominant position.

Kurmotus breaks from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurmotus slips a jab from Vahti.
Vahti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kurmotus tries to close the distance and clinch but Vahti swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kurmotus has taken the fight to the clinch.
Vahti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kurmotus has him pressed against the cage.
Kurmotus landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A body shot lands from Kurmotus.
Vahti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kurmotus has him pressed against the cage.

Vahti breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kurmotus walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vahti checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kurmotus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kurmotus lands a leg kick that knocks Vahti off balance momentarily.
Vahti is breathing heavily.
Kurmotus doesn't manage to clinch there - Vahti circles away.
Kurmotus tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Vahti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Vahti circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kurmotus moves to clinch but Vahti breaks away
and Vahti cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Vahti checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Vahti scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kurmotus doesn't manage to clinch there - Vahti circles away.
Kurmotus tries to clinch up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus is looking to clinch but Vahti is avoiding it.
Kurmotus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vahti paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Taisto Kurmotus seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Vahti slips a straight right by Kurmotus.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Kurmotus is looking to clinch.
Kurmotus tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Vahti counters with a left and a right that stings Kurmotus.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kurmotus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vahti swats away the attempt to clinch by Kurmotus.
Vahti listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Vahti connects with a leg kick. Kurmotus looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Vahti connects with a jab.
Good leg kick by Vahti there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
The fighters circling - Vahti throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kurmotus feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Vahti's calf.
Kurmotus tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Vahti manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kurmotus wants to clinch up but Vahti keeps it at a distance.
Vahti looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Vahti throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kurmotus counters with an outside leg kick.
Kurmotus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vahti throws a front kick aimed at Kurmotus's knee but Kurmotus avoids it well.
Kurmotus tries to clinch up.
Vahti tests Kurmotus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kurmotus is looking to clinch but Vahti is avoiding it.
Kurmotus darts in trying to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kurmotus fails with an attempt to clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kurmotus.
Kurmotus fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Vahti on the side of the head.
Kurmotus on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
An inside leg kick lands from Vahti.
Vahti scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Vahti looks to land a right hand but Kurmotus moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vahti fails to land with a series of punches.

Kurmotus has managed to clinch.
Kurmotus lands a body shot.
Kurmotus landing some nice looking knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vahti is trying to break the clinch but Kurmotus is controlling him.
Kurmotus controlling the action here for a moment.
Vahti's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Kurmotus breaks from the clinch.
Kurmotus scores with a push kick.
Vahti keeps the fight on the outside.

Kurmotus clinches up against the cage.
Vahti managing to block the knees to the body from Kurmotus.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vahti working hard to break the clinch.
Vahti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Vahti's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Vahti is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Kurmotus tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Vahti counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Vahti misses with a right hand
and Vahti takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Taisto Kurmotus will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Vahti fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kurmotus is out of range.
Kurmotus slips under a jab.
Vahti misses with a hook

and Kurmotus counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kurmotus.
Still in the clinch, Kurmotus scores with a nice short uppercut.
Kurmotus prevents Vahti from breaking the clinch.
Kurmotus trying to land knees to the body.
Kurmotus keeps control of Vahti as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kurmotus throws a knee to the head but misses.

Vahti breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vahti is looking to slow Kurmotus down with leg kicks.
Kurmotus tries to clinch up
and Vahti counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Kurmotus throws a push kick but Vahti slaps the foot to one side.
Kurmotus lands a jab to the nose.
Kurmotus keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kurmotus is breathing heavily.
Kurmotus tries to clinch up
enabling Vahti to counter with a crisp jab.
Kurmotus throws a low kick but Vahti moves out of range easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Vahti!
Taisto Kurmotus is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vahti throws a head kick that Kurmotus semi-blocks.
Vahti throws a low kick, looking for Kurmotus's leg but Kurmotus calmly moves out of range.
Kurmotus on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Karri Vahti is winning the standup battle so far.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Vahti.
Kurmotus doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Vahti scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Vahti lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Vahti moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Vahti.
Kurmotus's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Vahti connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kurmotus scrambles back to his feet.
Vahti with a nice cross.
An inside leg kick lands from Vahti.
Vahti misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vahti throws a good cross that connects.
Kurmotus gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Vahti.
Kurmotus takes one on the button.
Kurmotus takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Vahti throws a leg kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Vahti paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kurmotus closes the distance looking to clinch
and Vahti counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Vahti, right into the meat.
Vahti ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Vahti!

Kurmotus is rocked!
Vahti lands with a good body shot.
Kurmotus is still on wobbly legs! Can Vahti finish him?
Kurmotus takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kurmotus seems to have recovered his senses.
Vahti throws a head kick that misses.
A shot to the liver by Vahti. Beautiful body shot.
Vahti lands a glancing blow to the side of Kurmotus's head.
Kurmotus is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Vahti lands a nice shot that snaps Kurmotus's head back.
Vahti moves out of range as Kurmotus strikes.
Vahti scores with a jab. Kurmotus acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Vahti tenderised Kurmotus's leg. Kurmotus is trying to keep his angry face on.
Vahti listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Vahti tests Kurmotus's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A solid leg kick lands there for Vahti.
Vahti with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Vahti lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Vahti connects with the punch.
Vahti checks a low kick from Kurmotus.
Vahti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vahti throws out a powerful jab.
Vahti scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kurmotus in his tracks.
Vahti lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Vahti pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kurmotus back to the cage. Vahti follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kurmotus has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Vahti moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
A nice leg kick lands there from Vahti.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kurmotus looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Vahti counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Good leg kick by Vahti there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Vahti dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kurmotus. That did some damage!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vahti lands with a straight right. Kurmotus didn't see that one coming.
Kurmotus misses with a head kick.
Vahti throws out a powerful jab.
Nice cross by Vahti.
Vahti throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kurmotus.
Kurmotus looks to clinch
and Vahti counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Vahti feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kurmotus's calf.
Vahti lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kurmotus's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kurmotus takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kurmotus blocks a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vahti cracks the inside of Kurmotus's front leg.
Kurmotus doesn't manage to clinch there - Vahti circles away.
Kurmotus darts in trying to clinch
and Vahti counters with a stiff right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Karri Vahti dominated that second 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. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kurmotus tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Vahti counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Vahti scores with a leg kick.
Vahti lands a nice looking body shot.
Vahti misses with a looping right.
Good exchange - Vahti coming out on top.
Vahti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kurmotus.
Vahti motions for Kurmotus to come forward. Vahti throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Vahti avoids the head kick by Kurmotus.
Kurmotus wants to land a leg kick but Vahti is out of range.
Vahti steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Kurmotus. That one must have hurt.
Vahti cracks the inside of Kurmotus's front leg.
Kurmotus takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vahti circles away from the clinch attempt.
Vahti feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kurmotus's calf.
Vahti connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kurmotus fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kurmotus closes the distance and clinches.
Vahti wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kurmotus misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Vahti.
Vahti blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Vahti escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Left hook, right uppercut from Vahti.
Vahti is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kurmotus can do to turn this around?
Kurmotus on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
A cross from Vahti lands.
Nice shot lands for Vahti.
Vahti connects with a solid leg kick.
Kurmotus on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Vahti connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Vahti dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kurmotus. That did some damage!
Kurmotus closes the distance but Vahti moves to the side
and Vahti counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kurmotus thinking.
Vahti lets loose with a powerful body kick. Kurmotus will feel that in the morning.
Kurmotus on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Vahti lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kurmotus's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vahti connects with a body shot that sends Kurmotus's belly button to the back.
Kurmotus tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Vahti counters with a good low kick that Kurmotus was not able to check.
Vahti is looking to slow Kurmotus down with leg kicks.
Kurmotus takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Vahti misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kurmotus tries to clinch
and Vahti counters with a nice uppercut.
Vahti jabs Kurmotus to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Vahti lands a leg kick that knocks Kurmotus off balance momentarily.
A lazy left from Vahti finds it's target.
Vahti circles away from the clinch attempt
and Vahti counters with a one-two to the body.
Kurmotus tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kurmotus wants to clinch up but Vahti keeps it at a distance.

Kurmotus gets in close and instigates a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Vahti on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Vahti on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vahti has had enough of the clinch but Kurmotus keeps him there for the moment.

Vahti breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Vahti lands a body shot.
Vahti lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kurmotus closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Vahti cracks Kurmotus with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Vahti swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vahti lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kurmotus slips under a jab.
Vahti throws a head kick but Kurmotus moves out of range.
Kurmotus moves in looking to clinch but Vahti pushes him off.
Kurmotus checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kurmotus tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Vahti counters with a stiff right hand.
Kurmotus wants to clinch up but Vahti keeps it at a distance.
A shot to the liver by Vahti. Beautiful body shot.
Vahti feints a jab promting Kurmotus to slip. Vahti then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Kurmotus slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Vahti moves out of range of the body kick from Kurmotus.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurmotus wants to clinch
and Vahti counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kurmotus tries to clinch
and Vahti cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Vahti gets tackled into the cage by Kurmotus. Kurmotus maintains the clinch.

Vahti breaks from the clinch.
Vahti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kurmotus was well out of range. Poor timing from Vahti.
Vahti just misses with a punch to the body.
Vahti lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Vahti with a hook.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Kurmotus.
Vahti blocks a head kick by Kurmotus.
Vahti uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Vahti lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vahti tries to score with a low kick but Kurmotus moves his leg out of the way.
Vahti circles away from the clinch attempt
and Vahti counters with a slapping leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Karri Vahti showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vahti 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 29:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 29:27
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Karri Vahti!