PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kanaali Moskinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalle Kuusivirta (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.

Moskinen
vs
Kuusivirta

182 cm
25
260 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the 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, Kanaali Moskinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kalle Kuusivirta!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Moskinen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Moskinen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Kuusivirta on his heels. He'll look to pass Kuusivirta's guard now, I'm sure.
Kuusivirta looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuusivirta, not yet.
Moskinen lands a couple of digs.
Moskinen postures up in Kuusivirta's guard and throws a big left but Kuusivirta blocks it.
Moskinen stays in close to Kuusivirta's body and controls the position.

Kuusivirta is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Moskinen postures up in Kuusivirta's guard and throws a big left but Kuusivirta blocks it.
Moskinen wants to control from the top but Kuusivirta keeps moving.
Moskinen wants to pass the guard but Kuusivirta is keeping the position.
Moskinen controlling from the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusivirta wants to sweep here but Moskinen controlling him for the moment.
Kuusivirta can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Moskinen controls the pace.

We're going to have a standup here because Kanaali Moskinen wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Moskinen tries for a takedown but Kuusivirta sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Kuusivirta shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Moskinen tries to hold on but Kuusivirta postures up.
Moskinen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kuusivirta tries to control but Moskinen wriggling away.
Moskinen tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Moskinen is controlling an arm, preventing Kuusivirta from taking his back. Although keeping him in mount is no better to be honest.
Kuusivirta trying to control but Moskinen is having none of it.
Moskinen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Kuusivirta has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Moskinen's face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Moskinen holds on for dear life.
Moskinen tries to hold on but Kuusivirta pushes him away.
Moskinen is looking to improve his position but Kuusivirta isn't that keen on the idea.
Kuusivirta wants to control the pace but Moskinen is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moskinen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kuusivirta is trying to keep Moskinen in close.
Kuusivirta looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuusivirta, not yet.
Moskinen postures up.
Moskinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuusivirta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Kuusivirta shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Kuusivirta was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Kuusivirta looks gassed!
Moskinen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Kuusivirta with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Moskinen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moskinen wants to control but Kuusivirta is having none of it.
Moskinen is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Kuusivirta prevents Moskinen from getting the reversal.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuusivirta wants to take his opponent's back but Moskinen doesn't allow it.
Kuusivirta misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Moskinen regains half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Moskinen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Moskinen pulls Kuusivirta in close to prevent any damage.
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 Kanaali Moskinen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Moskinen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Moskinen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kuusivirta is fending him off so far but Moskinen persists. Nope, Kuusivirta circles away and we're back to standing.

Moskinen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Moskinen lands in his opponent's guard.
Moskinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kuusivirta is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kuusivirta looking to hit a scissor sweep but Moskinen is one step ahead there.
Kanaali Moskinen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Moskinen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kuusivirta works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kuusivirta is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusivirta trying to control the position.
Moskinen wants to control from the top but Kuusivirta keeps moving.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Moskinen shoots in for a double leg but Kuusivirta sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Moskinen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kuusivirta tries to avoid it but Moskinen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kuusivirta to the ground. Kuusivirta escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kanaali Moskinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Moskinen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Moskinen lands in his opponent's guard.

Moskinen drops back looking for a leg! Kuusivirta is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kuusivirta manages to kick Moskinen off! Moskinen jumps back into Kuusivirta's guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Moskinen won't allow Kuusivirta to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusivirta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Moskinen trying to control but Kuusivirta is working from the bottom.
Kuusivirta trying to keep a closed guard but Moskinen is proving a slippery customer.

Kuusivirta looking for a guillotine here but Moskinen defends easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Moskinen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusivirta trying to keep a closed guard but Moskinen is proving a slippery customer.
Moskinen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kuusivirta keeping moving, preventing Moskinen from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Moskinen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kuusivirta works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kuusivirta is trying to keep Moskinen in close.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kuusivirta keeping moving, preventing Moskinen from controlling successfully.
Moskinen postures up in Kuusivirta's guard and throws a big left but Kuusivirta blocks it.
Moskinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuusivirta swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Moskinen throwing strikes but missing.
Kuusivirta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Moskinen is working Kuusivirta over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Moskinen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Moskinen trying to control but Kuusivirta is working from the bottom.
Moskinen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kuusivirta's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Moskinen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Moskinen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kanaali Moskinen dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kuusivirta stuffs the takedown attempt from Moskinen. Moskinen gets slowly back to his feet.

Kuusivirta closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kuusivirta lands in his opponent's guard.
Kuusivirta stopping the sweep attempt from Moskinen.
Kuusivirta stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Moskinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Moskinen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuusivirta doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuusivirta manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Moskinen is trying to keep Kuusivirta in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusivirta postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Moskinen trying to keep a closed guard but Kuusivirta is proving a slippery customer.
Kuusivirta passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Moskinen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kuusivirta off and has taken his back!
Moskinen controlling well, preventing Kuusivirta from escaping the position.
Kuusivirta just trying to survive but Moskinen is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Kuusivirta takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Moskinen keeps control of the position as Kuusivirta tries to break free.
Moskinen has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Kuusivirta.
Kalle Kuusivirta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusivirta is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Moskinen.
Moskinen looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Kuusivirta tries to escape but Moskinen has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Kuusivirta is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
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!
Moskinen biding his time, looking for the opening.
Moskinen is looking to control Kuusivirta but Kuusivirta is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Moskinen has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Kuusivirta's body.
Moskinen lands punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Moskinen misses with a punch to the head.
Kuusivirta tries to roll but Moskinen sticks to his back.
Kuusivirta is trying to get back to his feet but Moskinen has full control of the position and if anything, Kuusivirta has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Moskinen lands a shot to the body.

Moskinen tightening his grip on Kuusivirta, looking for the choke.
Moskinen 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.
Kuusivirta is keeping busy.
Moskinen has his opponent trapped and is landing shots. Not a good position for Kuusivirta.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Moskinen's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Moskinen working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Moskinen is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Moskinen gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Moskinen gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Moskinen apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Moskinen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kuusivirta as he avoids it easily.
Kanaali Moskinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Moskinen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kuusivirta pinned against the cage. Kuusivirta gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kanaali Moskinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Moskinen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kanaali Moskinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Moskinen in particular looking to stall.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kanaali Moskinen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Moskinen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kanaali Moskinen!