PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sami Kuristaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Angel (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.

Kuristaja
vs
Angel

189 cm
21
195 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

185 cm
22
195 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Prestige Clothing
Prestige Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Kuristaja!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Frank Angel!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good leg kick by Kuristaja there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kuristaja misses with a low kick.
Kuristaja lands with a kick to the temple. Angel shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Angel misses with a straight right.
Angel avoids the head kick by Kuristaja.
Kuristaja looks to land a body kick but Angel moved away.
Kuristaja throws a low kick but it's checked well by Angel.
Angel avoids a kick to the body.
Angel shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuristaja pinned against the cage. Kuristaja gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Angel doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kuristaja counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Angel is lucky that one didn't land flush.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Angel gets a double leg takedown into Kuristaja's guard.
Angel postures up.

Angel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Angel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Angel wants to control from the top but Kuristaja keeps moving.
Kuristaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuristaja, not yet.
Angel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuristaja swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Angel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Angel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kuristaja trying to keep a closed guard but Angel is proving a slippery customer.
Angel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kuristaja is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja 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.

Angel 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.

Angel drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Angel jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Angel drops back looking for a leg! Kuristaja is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kuristaja manages to kick Angel off! Angel jumps back into Kuristaja's guard.
Angel wants to control from the top but Kuristaja keeps moving.
Kuristaja looking to hit a scissor sweep but Angel is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angel postures up.
Kuristaja keeping full guard, as Angel tries to pass.
Kuristaja controls Angel momentarily but Angel frees himself.
Angel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kuristaja trying to control the position here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Sami Kuristaja.
Kuristaja tries to clinch up but Angel circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four 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.

Angel closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Angel seems to be working for a kimura but Kuristaja defends the submission attempt.
Kuristaja on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kuristaja tries to get out of the position.
Angel works his way into full mount!
Kuristaja is looking to get to half guard.

Angel wants to finish this one by submission but Kuristaja is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Angel.
Kuristaja tries to lock up and control but Angel gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Frank Angel will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Angel shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kuristaja but Kuristaja pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Angel waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuristaja.
Kuristaja swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Angel counters with a takedown into side control.

Angel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kuristaja knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Angel on the ground.
Kuristaja manages to work his way to half guard, despite Angel's best efforts.
Kuristaja trying to control here.

Angel is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Angel stalling away here and it's allowed Kuristaja to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.

Angel drops back looking for a leg! Kuristaja is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kuristaja manages to kick Angel off! Angel jumps back into Kuristaja's guard.
Angel wants to pass the guard but Kuristaja is keeping the position.
Angel wants to control from the top but Kuristaja keeps moving.
Kuristaja is trying to control the position but Angel postures up.
Kuristaja tries to land a sweep but no joy.

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.
Angel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuristaja swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kuristaja looking to hit a scissor sweep but Angel is one step ahead there.
Angel stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuristaja swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Angel trying to control but Kuristaja is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kuristaja throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kuristaja misses with a body shot.

Angel throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kuristaja tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Angel is in Kuristaja's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angel chips away with some ground and pound.
Angel tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuristaja is retaining full guard.
Angel is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

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

Angel 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.
Angel trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuristaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Angel forces his way into half guard.
Kuristaja is trying to control but can't.

That's four 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.
Angel is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Angel jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kuristaja manages to avoid the submission attempt.

Angel working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Angel working away.

Angel is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kuristaja has escaped the position, nice work there.
Kuristaja controls the position for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Angel showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Angel shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kuristaja is trying to defend but Angel finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Angel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kuristaja has managed to free his arm - good work.

Angel seems to be working for a kimura but Kuristaja defends the submission attempt.
Kuristaja moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Angel advances to half guard.
Kuristaja wants to control but Angel is keeping busy.

Angel is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kuristaja sees it coming and defends easily.
Angel is looking to advance position but Kuristaja won't allow it.

Angel looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Angel sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kuristaja defending well though.

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.
Kuristaja is trying to get back to full guard.

Angel is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kuristaja defends it well.

Angel is trying to work for a kimura but Kuristaja is defending well.
Kuristaja is trying to get back to full guard.
Angel tries to pass to full mount but Kuristaja defends it.
Kuristaja keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja trying to control here.

Angel wants to work for an arm triangle but Kuristaja is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Angel is thwarting Kuristaja's attempts to control the position.
Frank Angel has got the better of the ground game so far.
Angel throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kuristaja has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Angel is working away from the top position though.

Angel is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Angel is working for a kimura but Kuristaja is defending it quite comfortably.

Angel is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kuristaja has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Angel is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kuristaja is just riding it out for now. Angel eventually gives up the hold.
Kuristaja is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kuristaja keeping control of the position.
Angel is keen to just control but Kuristaja is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Angel really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Angel shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kuristaja manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Angel passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Angel tries for a kimura but Kuristaja is defending well.

Angel is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kuristaja is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kuristaja manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Angel works his way to full guard. Good work.

Angel has his foot on Kuristaja's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuristaja works his way back into a safe position though.
Angel has a closed guard, preventing Kuristaja from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Angel is working an open guard so Kuristaja takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kuristaja tests Angel's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuristaja misses with a wild combination.
Kuristaja throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Angel.
Sami Kuristaja is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Angel keeps the fight on the outside.
Kuristaja throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kuristaja.
Kuristaja misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Angel counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Angel drops back looking for a leg! Kuristaja is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kuristaja manages to kick Angel off! Angel jumps back into Kuristaja's guard.
Kuristaja is trying to control the position but Angel postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Angel drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kuristaja dives on top into guard.
Kuristaja postures up.
Kuristaja wants to stand but Angel has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Angel is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kuristaja is aware though and is defending well.

Angel is looking for a triangle but Kuristaja pushes his legs off easily.
Angel looking to control.
Angel tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Angel is working an open guard so Kuristaja takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Angel is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Kuristaja scores with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Angel keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kuristaja tries a low kick but Angel avoids it.
Angel with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kuristaja counters with a leg kick.
Sami Kuristaja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuristaja looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kuristaja tries to land a front kick but Angel steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kuristaja missing with a left hand there. Angel was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Angel misses with a takedown
and Kuristaja counters with a series of strikes. Angel will be more careful next time no doubt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Angel dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kuristaja misses with a low kick as Angel jumps back.

Angel closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

Angel thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Angel wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kuristaja, who protects the arm well.
Kuristaja is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Angel goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Kuristaja rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Angel's guard! Nice work there by Kuristaja!
Angel looking for a sweep. Not yet Angel, not yet.
Kuristaja wanted to stand there but Angel had control of the position.

Angel looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Angel is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

Angel is looking for a triangle but Kuristaja pushes his legs off easily.
Angel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Angel looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Angel throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Angel has his foot on Kuristaja's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuristaja works his way back into a safe position though.
Kuristaja trying to stand up but can't free himself from Angel's guard.
Kuristaja stopping the sweep attempt from Angel.

Angel has his foot on Kuristaja's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuristaja works his way back into a safe position though.
Kuristaja wants to stand but Angel has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Angel seems keen to control Kuristaja's posture.

Angel working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuristaja doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Angel is tightening it up a little... Kuristaja has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Kuristaja reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Kuristaja taps out! nice BJJ there by Angel!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:31 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Frank Angel!
Frank Angel is the new middleweight champion!