PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Orsini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Inspectah Knuckles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Orsini
vs
Knuckles

183 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
18
215 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gabriel Orsini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Inspectah Knuckles!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

A momentary lapse in concentration from Orsini enables Knuckles to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Orsini manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Knuckles trying to control but Orsini is working from the bottom.
Knuckles content to stall in guard here.
Knuckles must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Inspectah Knuckles was stalling too much, according to the referee.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Knuckles is defended easily by Orsini.
Orsini misses with a series of wild punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Orsini but Orsini pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Knuckles misses with a takedown
and Orsini counters with a two punch combo.
Gabriel Orsini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Inspectah Knuckles.
Orsini walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Knuckles checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Knuckles fails to land the takedown.
Orsini throws a one two combo.

It looks like Inspectah Knuckles has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles shoots in looking for a takedown but Orsini manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Knuckles's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Orsini.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Orsini.
Knuckles dives in and grabs Orsini's left leg, looking for a takedown. Orsini pushes down on Knuckles's head and hops out.
Knuckles closes this distance looking for a takedown but Orsini circles away.
Knuckles looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Orsini is fending him off so far but Knuckles persists. Nope, Orsini circles away and we're back to standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab from Knuckles.
Orsini swinging wildly here.
Orsini misses with a straight right.
A looping hook to the body misses from Orsini. Knuckles does a little dance to reset his feet.
Orsini pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Knuckles back to the cage. Orsini follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A combination from Orsini does no damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Orsini sprawls well. Orsini wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Knuckles gets slowly back to his feet.

Knuckles looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Knuckles looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Knuckles is looking to stall here but Orsini recovers full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Knuckles gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gabriel Orsini will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Inspectah Knuckles's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Orsini leaves Knuckles with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A punch combination from Orsini misses.
Knuckles looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Orsini is fending him off so far but Knuckles persists. Nope, Orsini circles away and we're back to standing.
Orsini looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Orsini lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Knuckles shoots in for a double leg but Orsini sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Gabriel Orsini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Inspectah Knuckles.
Orsini throws a right hand that Knuckles ducks under and follows up with a left that Knuckles also avoids with ease.
Orsini closes the distance and clinches up with Knuckles, looking for a takedown. Orsini pushes Knuckles against the cage but Knuckles circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Knuckles fails with a takedown attempt.
Orsini stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
No luck for Knuckles with that takedown attempt.
Gabriel Orsini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Knuckles fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Knuckles fails with a takedown attempt.
Knuckles is breathing heavily.
Orsini lands a jab to Knuckles's midsection.

Orsini gets a double leg takedown into Knuckles's guard.
Orsini wants to control from the top but Knuckles keeps moving.
Orsini stays in close to Knuckles's body and controls the position.
Orsini wants to control from the top but Knuckles keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Gabriel Orsini wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Orsini thows a body shot but no joy.
Orsini misses with a low kick.
Orsini looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Knuckles shoots in looking for a takedown. Orsini tries to sprawl out of it but Knuckles keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Orsini manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orsini scores with a jab to the body.
Knuckles changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Orsini tries to avoid it but Knuckles manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Orsini to the ground. Orsini escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Knuckles scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Knuckles seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Orsini does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Orsini dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Inspectah Knuckles'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!

Orsini throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Knuckles counters with a shoot takedown. Orsini fights it but they end up in guard.
Knuckles wants to stand and escape but instead Orsini has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Orsini prevents Knuckles from getting back to his feet.
Orsini trying to control but Knuckles is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Knuckles can do anything to dispel that myth.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Gabriel Orsini just wasn't active enough.
Knuckles throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Orsini's waist but Orsini gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Knuckles off to one side.
Knuckles takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Orsini misses with a wild body shot.
Orsini slaps away a takedown attempt from Knuckles, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Knuckles looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Orsini is fending him off so far but Knuckles persists. Nope, Orsini circles away and we're back to standing.
Inspectah Knuckles has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gabriel Orsini has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Inspectah Knuckles.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Orsini tries to bum rush Knuckles with a series of wild strikes but Knuckles uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Orsini lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Orsini throws a front kick that sends Knuckles stumbling back into the cage.
Knuckles tries a head kick but it misses.
Orsini fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Orsini displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Knuckles.
Orsini scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Gabriel Orsini is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Orsini misses with the combination.
Orsini thows a body shot but no joy.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Orsini takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
A looping hook to the body misses from Orsini. Knuckles does a little dance to reset his feet.
Gabriel Orsini is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Orsini swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Knuckles counters with a nice double leg into side control. Orsini won't be happy with that.
Knuckles is looking to take a break and control but Orsini is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Orsini gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Knuckles is trying to control the action in half guard but Orsini is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Inspectah Knuckles was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Orsini connects with a solid leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Inspectah Knuckles.
I think Orsini has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gabriel Orsini!