PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stelian Zeklos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Veri Koira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Zeklos's entrance music is Du Riechst So Gut. A fine choice. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Zeklos
vs
Koira

183 cm
22
219 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

197 cm
21
219 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid Muay Thai
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Stelian Zeklos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Veri Koira!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Zeklos misses with an attempted mid kick.

Koira feints and as Zeklos raises his hands in defense, Koira changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Zeklos is on top in guard.

Zeklos stands and steps away. Koira gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Koira fails with a takedown attempt.
Zeklos scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Zeklos looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Koira is defended easily by Zeklos.
Koira blocks the body kick.
Zeklos lands a jab to Koira's midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koira stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Zeklos.
Koira shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Zeklos sprawls well. Zeklos wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Koira gets slowly back to his feet.
Stelian Zeklos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Veri Koira.
Zeklos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zeklos darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Koira fails with a takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Koira.
Zeklos throws a low kick but it's checked well by Koira.

Zeklos gets caught flat footed, as Koira shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Zeklos wants to get back to his feet but Koira is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Zeklos pushes Koira off and scrambles back to his feet.
Stelian Zeklos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeklos works the jab nicely.
The crowd cheers as Zeklos lands an impressive looking overhand right. Koira doesn't seem phased though.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Zeklos has closed the distance and engaged Koira in a clinch.

Zeklos escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Koira takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Zeklos thuds his right hand into Koira's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Koira shoots in and drives through. Zeklos sprawls well.
Zeklos throws out a leg kick but Koira moves out of range and Zeklos only half commits.
Koira tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Koira moves out of range of the leg kick from Zeklos.
Zeklos throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Zeklos throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Zeklos moves into the clinch.
Zeklos wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zeklos tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Koira lands an elbow just above Zeklos 's eye.

It looks like Stelian Zeklos has been cut.
Zeklos misses with an elbow strike.
Zeklos swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Zeklos avoiding damage.
A knee to the head by Koira.
Zeklos has a couple of punches blocked by Koira.
Koira blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Koira blocks a body shot from Zeklos.
Koira throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Zeklos dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Koira keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Zeklos's efforts to push away.
Zeklos misses with a hook to the ribs.
Zeklos has a couple of punches blocked by Koira.
Zeklos misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Koira.
Zeklos blocks an elbow strike from Koira.
Koira keeps control of Zeklos as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeklos softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Koira tries to stall but Zeklos uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Koira pushes off an throws an elbow but Zeklos leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Zeklos lands with a short shot to the head.
Koira misses with a knee strike.
Koira blocks an elbow strike.
Koira prevents Zeklos from breaking the clinch.
Zeklos pushes Koira back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Koira blocks an elbow strike.
Koira scores with a knee to the head.
A shot in the inside from Zeklos.
Koira throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Koira lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Zeklos managing to block the knees to the body from Koira.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Koira is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Zeklos is looking to control Koira's arms but Koira gets an underhook and turns him. Now Zeklos has his back to the cage.
Koira pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stelian Zeklos dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Stelian Zeklos's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Zeklos throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Zeklos stuffs the takedown.
Zeklos tries a head kick but it misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zeklos, right into the meat.
Zeklos fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Koira.
Zeklos tries a head kick but it misses.
Koira slips a straight right by Zeklos.
Koira steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zeklos.
Zeklos tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Zeklos throws a sloppy head kick and Koira moves out of range easily.
Nice sprawl there from Zeklos as Koira shoots in.

Koira shoots in and gets a takedown into Zeklos's guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Koira's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Koira prevents Zeklos from getting back to his feet.
Zeklos might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zeklos keeping full guard, as Koira tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koira trying to control the position from guard on top but Zeklos is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koira might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Zeklos kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Koira won't allow Zeklos to get back to his feet.
Koira makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Koira passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zeklos is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Zeklos is looking to get back to his feet here but Koira is keeping cool and he's managed to take Zeklos's back.
Zeklos is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Zeklos looking very determined here, making life difficult for Koira.
Zeklos manages to reverse the position and now he's in Koira's guard. Nice work there by Zeklos.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Zeklos gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Zeklos lands with a hook. Koira tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Stelian Zeklos is winning the standup battle so far.
Zeklos pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Zeklos throws a sloppy head kick and Koira moves out of range easily.
Koira shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Zeklos as he jumps to the side.
Stelian Zeklos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Veri Koira.
Zeklos tries to land a leg kick but Koira saw it coming and moves away.
Zeklos throws a nice inside leg kick.
Zeklos misses with a leg kick.
Zeklos lunges at Koira with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Koira's hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Zeklos works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Zeklos fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Koira is out of range.
Koira shoots in for a double leg but Zeklos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zeklos misses with a body kick.
Koira slips a straight right by Zeklos.
Koira blocks a head kick by Zeklos.
Zeklos throws a body kick that misses.
Zeklos misses with a kick to the body

and Koira counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Zeklos's guard now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koirais looking to pass into half guard but Zeklos pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Zeklos is in guard.

Zeklos gets to his feet. Koira looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Zeklos, right into the meat.
Koira fails to land the takedown.
Koira checks a leg kick.
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 Stelian Zeklos will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Stelian Zeklos's cut.
That's time! 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.

Good work by Koira as he checks the leg kick.

Koira closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Zeklos to the mat! Zeklos manages to get full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Zeklos wants to stand but Koira is controlling the position.
Zeklos looking for a sweep. Not yet Zeklos, not yet.
Veri Koira has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koira postures up and lands a big shot to Zeklos's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zeklos trying to control the position.
Koira lands a couple of digs.
Koira won't allow Zeklos to get back to his feet.
Zeklos looking to hit a scissor sweep but Koira is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koira postures up in Zeklos's guard and throws a big left but Zeklos blocks it.
Zeklos keeping moving, preventing Koira from controlling successfully.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Zeklos holds on and takes a little breather.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Stelian Zeklos just wasn't active enough.
Zeklos scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Koira closes this distance looking for a takedown but Zeklos circles away.
Stelian Zeklos is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Koira fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Koira moves out of range of the strikes.
Koira's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koira shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zeklos as he avoids it easily.
Stelian Zeklos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Veri Koira.
Nice takedown defense from Zeklos. No joy for Koira on that attempt.
Zeklos lands a nice leg kick that just misses Koira's sensitive parts.
Koira walks into a stiff left hand from Zeklos.
Zeklos looks for the body kick but Koira saw that one coming.
Koira moves out of range of the strikes.
Zeklos is looking to score with low kicks.
Koira ducks under a wild hook from Zeklos.
Zeklos smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Koira shoots in for a double leg but Zeklos sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Zeklos wants to slow Koira down by chopping away at his legs.
Koira takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Koira shoots for a takedown but Zeklos saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Koira tries to score a power double leg takedown but Zeklos sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Koira somewhat.
A slapping body kick lands there for Zeklos.
Veri Koira has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koira slips a straight right by Zeklos.

Zeklos closes the distance and pushes Koira back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Zeklos lands with a left to the head.
Zeklos throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Zeklos blocks an elbow strike.
Zeklos lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Koira misses with an elbow over the top.
Zeklos working aggressively here.
Zeklos lands a right hand that snaps the head of Koira backwards.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Zeklos creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Zeklos missing with knees to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Zeklos scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Zeklos trying to stall but Koira improves his position.
A short right from Zeklos.
Stelian Zeklos is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Zeklos misses with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stelian Zeklos showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Zeklos, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stelian Zeklos!
Stelian Zeklos bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.