PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikko Ukkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antto Kuivahko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ukkonen
vs
Kuivahko

175 cm
24
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
164 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Ukkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antto Kuivahko!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Kuivahko takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Antto Kuivahko has been cut.

Ukkonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ukkonen defending well as Kuivahko loads up on a big left hand.
Mikko Ukkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ukkonen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ukkonen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kuivahko swats away the attempt to clinch by Ukkonen.

Ukkonen moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuivahko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuivahko is looking for a takedown.
Ukkonen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kuivahko's face.
Ukkonen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ukkonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ukkonen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuivahko lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Kuivahko looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ukkonen is looking to sweep but instead, Kuivahko has passed into half guard.
Ukkonen is looking to improve his position.
Kuivahko thows a huge punch but Ukkonen dodges it nicely.
Kuivahko is keen to just control but Ukkonen is a slippery customer.
Ukkonen is trying to stand up here but Kuivahko is controlling him well.
Ukkonen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ukkonen tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuivahko wants to pass the guard but Ukkonen is defending well.
Ukkonen is refusing to be controlled, as Kuivahko sits in half guard.
Ukkonen is looking for a sweep. Kuivahko is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuivahko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ukkonen keeps working.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Antto Kuivahko was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Kuivahko shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Ukkonen pinned against the cage. Ukkonen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Ukkonen shoots in for a double leg but Kuivahko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ukkonen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kuivahko has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ukkonen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Mikko Ukkonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antto Kuivahko.
Kuivahko jumps guard but Ukkonen stands there with Kuivahko around his waist. Kuivahko gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ukkonen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kuivahko looks gassed!

Ukkonen breaks the clinch.

Ukkonen has managed to clinch.

Ukkonen manages to break the clinch.
Ukkonen dives in and grabs Kuivahko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kuivahko pushes down on Ukkonen's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ukkonen connects with a solid leg kick.
Kuivahko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kuivahko on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ukkonen swinging wildly here.
Ukkonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ukkonen thumps Kuivahko with a low kick.
Ukkonen tries a head kick but it misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ukkonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ukkonen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuivahko fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Ukkonen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Antto Kuivahko's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ukkonen wants to clinch

and Kuivahko counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kuivahko tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Ukkonen.
Ukkonen wants to control but Kuivahko is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kuivahko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ukkonen defending well though.
Ukkonen wants to stand back up but Kuivahko manages to pass into side control.
Ukkonen on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
You can see the frustration on Ukkonen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ukkonen bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kuivahko.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kuivahko.
Ukkonen stuffs the takedown attempt from Kuivahko. Kuivahko gets slowly back to his feet.
Mikko Ukkonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antto Kuivahko.
Kuivahko throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Ukkonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kuivahko fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ukkonen moves into the clinch.

Ukkonen breaks the clinch.

Kuivahko tries to keep at a distance but Ukkonen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kuivahko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Ukkonen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Ukkonen breaks the clinch.

Ukkonen clinches.
Kuivahko has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Ukkonen after a bit of a struggle.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Ukkonen obliges.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ukkonen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Ukkonen tries a knee to the head but Kuivahko blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuivahko wants a takedown.

Ukkonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A head kick from Ukkonen lands but Kuivahko takes it in his stride.

Ukkonen takes the fight into the clinch.

Ukkonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Ukkonen clinches up with Kuivahko and pushes him back against the cage.

Ukkonen manages to break the clinch.
Kuivahko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ukkonen avoids it really well and circles away.

Ukkonen instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuivahko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ukkonen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ukkonen throws a head kick that Kuivahko semi-blocks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuivahko misses with a takedown attempt

and Ukkonen moves into the clinch.
Knees to the body from Ukkonen.

Ukkonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ukkonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kuivahko swats him away and circles back towards the center.

Ukkonen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kuivahko is trying to break the clinch but Ukkonen is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Ukkonen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Antto Kuivahko's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get 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.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kuivahko enables Ukkonen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kuivahko manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kuivahko has control of Ukkonen's left arm, preventing Ukkonen from doing any damage.
Ukkonen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kuivahko controlling the position.
Ukkonen throwing strikes from guard but Kuivahko blocks nicely.

Ukkonen stands up from Kuivahko's guard - Ukkonen perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ukkonen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kuivahko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ukkonen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ukkonen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ukkonen throws a lazy right hand but Kuivahko sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Ukkonen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kuivahko takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuivahko tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ukkonen just stands there and leans against the cage.

Ukkonen breaks from the clinch.
Kuivahko misses with a leg kick
and Ukkonen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mikko Ukkonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuivahko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ukkonen swivels and escapes.

Ukkonen has managed to clinch.
Ukkonen scores a nice knee to the body.
Ukkonen effectively controlling the action here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ukkonen breaks the clinch.
Kuivahko shoots in looking for a takedown but Ukkonen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kuivahko's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mikko Ukkonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antto Kuivahko.
Kuivahko dodges the punch combination from Ukkonen.
Kuivahko looks for a takedown but Ukkonen sprawls well.
Ukkonen tries to clinch up.

Ukkonen rushes Kuivahko and presses him up against the cage.
Kuivahko tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ukkonen smiles and moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ukkonen drives through and clinches with Kuivahko against the cage.
Ukkonen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kuivahko.

Ukkonen breaks from the clinch.
Ukkonen throws a shot to the body.
Ukkonen doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuivahko circles away.
Ukkonen moves in looking to clinch but Kuivahko pushes him off.
Kuivahko avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuivahko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ukkonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Antto Kuivahko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kuivahko is defended easily by Ukkonen.
Kuivahko takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Ukkonen gets a clinch.
Mikko Ukkonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ukkonen will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kuivahko up against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikko Ukkonen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ukkonen, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mikko Ukkonen!
A very excited looking Mikko Ukkonen made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.