PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jin Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miksu Rupunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rupunen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kim
vs
Rupunen

185 cm
29
220 lbs
13 - 15 - 1

185 cm
30
205 lbs
18 - 9 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
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 13 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jin Kim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Miksu Rupunen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kim is defended easily by Rupunen.
Kim tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rupunen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kim somewhat.
Kim fails with the takedown

and Rupunen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jin Kim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rupunen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rupunen content to stall in guard here.
Rupunen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kim is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rupunen controls from within his opponent's guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Miksu Rupunen was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A cross from Rupunen lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim shoots in looking for a takedown but Rupunen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kim's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kim dives in and grabs Rupunen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Rupunen pushes down on Kim's head and hops out.
Good standup being displayed there by Rupunen as he connects with a hook.
Rupunen tries to bum rush Kim with a series of wild strikes but Kim uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rupunen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kim was well out of range. Poor timing from Rupunen.
Sloppy strikes from Rupunen. Those never looked like landing.
Kim takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kim with a poor takedown
enabling Rupunen to counter with a crisp jab.
Kim avoids a punch combination nicely.
Miksu Rupunen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rupunen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

It looks like Jin Kim has been cut.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kim gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rupunen.
Rupunen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kim circles away quickly and effectively.
Rupunen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kim shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rupunen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen throws a right and a left that Kim avoids nicely.
Rupunen swings widly with a right hand

and Kim counters with a single leg into guard. Rupunen didn't expect that.
Rupunen wants to sweep here but Kim controlling him for the moment.
Rupunen keeping full guard, as Kim tries to pass.
Kim passes Rupunen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Rupunen regains full guard. Nicely done.

Rupunen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Kim is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rupunen is defending well.

Kim escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rupunen tries to bum rush Kim with a series of wild strikes but Kim uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rupunen throws a right and a left that Kim avoids nicely.
Rupunen misses with a two punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rupunen tries to avoid it but Kim manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rupunen to the ground. Rupunen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Kim dives in and scores a takedown into Rupunen's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rupunen is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Kim dives into side control.
Rupunen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rupunen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kim off and has taken his back!
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rupunen has good solid back control here.
Kim tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Rupunen goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Kim is on top in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kim lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rupunen is trying to control the position but Kim postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rupunen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rupunen is trying to keep Kim in close.

Rupunen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rupunen keeping busy, throwing shots from the bottom.
Kim throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miksu Rupunen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jin Kim's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rupunen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rupunen misses with a jab, cross combination.

Rupunen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kim to the ground. Rupunen is now in Kim's guard.

Rupunen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kim looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kim looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kim!
Rupunen is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kim is controlling him well.
Kim cracks Rupunen with a big elbow.
Kim connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Rupunen some visible discomfort.

Kim is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rupunen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Miksu Rupunen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rupunen manages to get back to half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kim thows a huge punch but Rupunen dodges it nicely.
Rupunen wants to get back to full guard.
Rupunen trying to control here.
Rupunen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kim's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kim's back!

Rupunen looking for the RNC.
Kim just looking to survive in the bad position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kim breaks Rupunen's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Kim preventing the sweep.
Kim passes into half guard.
Kim stops Rupunen from getting back to his feet.
Rupunen gets back to full guard.
Kim won't allow Rupunen to sweep him here.
Rupunen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kim lands a couple of digs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rupunen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kim manages to get himself to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Rupunen won't allow Kim to sweep him here.
Kim has a closed guard, preventing Rupunen from standing up.
Kim has Rupunen pulled in close to control his posture.
Kim can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rupunen controls the pace.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Rupunen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kim is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jin Kim.
Kim with a poor takedown
and Rupunen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kim fails with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jin Kim. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rupunen throws a right and a left that both miss.
A combination from Rupunen does no damage.

Rupunen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rupunen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kim knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

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

Rupunen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kim has managed to free his arm - good work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miksu Rupunen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jin Kim's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kim shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rupunen as he avoids it easily.
Jin Kim is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kim has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Kim throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rupunen was covering up waiting for the punch and Kim finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Rupunen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kim wants to control from the top but Rupunen keeps moving.
Kim landing some decent shots from guard.
Rupunen looking for a sweep. Not yet Rupunen, not yet.
Rupunen is trying to control the position but Kim postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rupunen keeping moving, preventing Kim from controlling successfully.
Kim is looking to work some ground and pound but Rupunen has wrist control.
Kim is standing up over Rupunen. Rupunen looks to escape but Kim dives into side control.
Kim working the ground and pound.
Rupunen is trying to get back to half guard.
Kim creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Kim in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kim cracks Rupunen with a big elbow.
Kim wants to control but Rupunen is keeping him busy.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Rupunen is staying active underneath Kim, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kim connects with a nice short shot to Rupunen's temple.
Kim not doing much here.
Rupunen is looking to improve his position.
Rupunen wants to get back to his feet.
Rupunen is looking for a sweep. Kim is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kim is pressing down on Rupunen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rupunen is holding on for now.
Rupunen is trying to stand up here but Kim is controlling him well.
Rupunen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kim working over Rupunen with some ground and pound. Rupunen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kim lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kim has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kim lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kim wants to take a breather but Rupunen is having none of it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rupunen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kim is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rupunen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rupunen has escaped and now he's on top!
Rupunen tries to free his leg and advance position but Kim is retaining full guard.
Kim controlling Rupunen's posture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rupunen trying to control but Kim is working from the bottom.
Rupunen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Miksu Rupunen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rupunen wants to control from the top but Kim keeps moving.

Kim has his foot on Rupunen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rupunen works his way back into a safe position though.
Jin Kim has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rupunen stays in close to Kim's body and controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jin Kim showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rupunen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miksu Rupunen!