PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mark Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Pais (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kuusela
vs
Pais

177 cm
21
146 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

166 cm
26
143 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Mark Kuusela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Thiago Pais!
The judges for this bout are Leandro Rodrigues, Paulo Santos and Emerson Jorge.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pais finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.

Kuusela drives through and clinches with Pais against the cage.

Pais breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kuusela wants to clinch.
Pais misses with a takedown

and Kuusela counters by moving into the clinch.
Kuusela lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Pais.
Pais tries to pull guard but Kuusela won't allow it.
Kuusela lands a body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Kuusela.
Kuusela tries a body shot but Pais blocks it.
Kuusela lands with a short head shot on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusela tries a body shot but Pais blocks it.
Kuusela tries a body shot but Pais blocks it.
Kuusela lands a shot to the body.
Kuusela has a couple of punches blocked by Pais.
Kuusela misses with a punch to the body.
Kuusela working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kuusela.
Kuusela can't find room to land a body shot as Pais controls the action.
Pais jumps guard but Kuusela turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mark Kuusela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Pais.
Kuusela throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Paiss head.
Kuusela digs a right hand into Pais's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Pais's gas tank.
Kuusela lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pais backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pais is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kuusela to keep the fight standing.
Pais blocks a body shot from Kuusela.
Kuusela lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuusela tries to work over Pais's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kuusela tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuusela scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kuusela scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kuusela pushes Pais back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Pais wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuusela tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pais's elbow.
Kuusela struggles to land a body shot inside as Pais controls his hands.
Pais wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kuusela has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pais's elbow.
Kuusela misses with a punch to the body.
Pais has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Kuusela after a bit of a struggle.
Kuusela tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuusela lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kuusela can't find room to land a body shot as Pais controls the action.
Kuusela goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kuusela working aggressively here.
Pais jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuusela walks away with a smile on his face. Pais gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kuusela tries to clinch but Pais moves away
and Pais makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kuusela wants to clinch up but Pais keeps it at a distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela tries to clinch but Pais is having none of it.
Pais shoots for a takedown but Kuusela saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Pais fails to land the takedown.
Pais tries for a takedown but Kuusela circles away easily

and Kuusela counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kuusela tries a body shot but Pais blocks it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pais wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kuusela lands a nice uppercut.
Kuusela misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mark Kuusela dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Pais circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuusela is looking to clinch but Pais is avoiding it.
Kuusela slaps away a takedown attempt from Pais, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pais throws out a leg kick but Kuusela moves out of range and Pais only half commits.
Kuusela defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pais.
A low kick from Pais misses

and Kuusela counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kuusela.
Kuusela struggles to land a body shot inside as Pais controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pais breaks from the clinch.
A leg kick checked by Kuusela.
Pais misses with an uppercut

and Kuusela moves into the clinch.
Kuusela lands a nice shot to the body.
Kuusela tries to throw a body punch but Pais avoids it by throwing Kuusela back against the cage.
Kuusela is working Pais over against the cage.
Kuusela lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pais backwards.
Mark Kuusela has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kuusela lands with a short shot to the head.
Kuusela struggles to land a body shot inside as Pais controls his hands.
Kuusela stops a takedown attempt from Pais.
Mark Kuusela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Thiago Pais.
A short left from Kuusela.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nice body punch from Kuusela - that landed with a thud.
A nice left hand lands by Kuusela.
Kuusela makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Pais tries to pull guard but Kuusela forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Pais has Kuusela pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kuusela manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Pais prevents a body shot from Kuusela.
Kuusela works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kuusela lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Kuusela can't find room to land a body shot as Pais controls the action.
A short left from Kuusela.
Pais prevents a body shot from Kuusela.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela prevents Pais from breaking the clinch.
Pais prevents a body shot from Kuusela.
Kuusela lands with a left to the head.
Kuusela makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Kuusela struggles to land a body shot inside as Pais controls his hands.
Kuusela lands with a light punch inside.
Kuusela lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Pais backwards.
A short right from Kuusela.
Kuusela can't find room to land a body shot as Pais controls the action.
Kuusela lands a right hand.

Pais is rocked!
Kuusela makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Pais is still on wobbly legs! Can Kuusela finish him?
Kuusela lands a big right hand that drops Pais! The killer instinct kicks in and Kuusela finishes his opponent with a series of strikes from mount. A dominating finish by Kuusela!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mark Kuusela!