PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Kirkham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valko Hai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kirkham
vs
Hai

175 cm
25
167 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
166 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kyle Kirkham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valko Hai!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hai closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kirkham did well to prevent Hai getting side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kirkham is trying to control but can't.
Hai throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hai trying to control the action but Kirkham is working from the bottom.
Hai is just content to waste time from the top position. Kirkham takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Hai postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Kirkham is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hai is aware though and is defending well.
Hai stops Kirkham from standing up.
Kirkham controls Hai momentarily but Hai frees himself.
Hai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kirkham keeping full guard, as Hai tries to pass.
Hai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kirkham trying to keep a closed guard but Hai is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkham is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hai throwing strikes but missing.
Kirkham utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hai preventing the sweep.
Kirkham utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hai controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hai throwing strikes but missing.
Hai preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirkham keeping moving, preventing Hai from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hai shoots in looking for a takedown. Kirkham tries to sprawl out of it but Hai keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kirkham manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kirkham tries to clinch up but Hai circles away and keeps his distance.
Hai with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kirkham counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kirkham.
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!
Kirkham throws a big right hand that misses.
Kirkham trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hai escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kirkham gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kirkham trying to control but Hai is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kirkham is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kirkham throws an elbow that misses. Hai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kirkham's guard. Nice move by Hai!
Hai trying to move into half guard but instead Kirkham has managed to sweep!
Hai 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.
Kirkham is stalling in the full guard.
Hai is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kirkham got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hai has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kirkham has managed to get both his arms back between Hai's legs - danger averted.
Kirkham is working Hai over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kirkham throwing strikes from guard but Hai blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kirkham trying to control but Hai is working from the bottom.
Kirkham makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
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 Kyle Kirkham will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hai shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hai gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kirkham counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hai!
Hai manages to regain half guard. Good work.
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. Kirkham connects with a nice short shot to Hai's temple.
Hai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kirkham.
Kyle Kirkham overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hai is refusing to be controlled, as Kirkham sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hai keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kirkham sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hai defending well though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirkham wants to control but Hai is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kirkham is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hai has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hai tries to get to full guard but Kirkham has control of the leg.
Hai is staying active underneath Kirkham, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kirkham not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kirkham trying to control the action but Hai is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hai is pressing down on Kirkham's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kirkham throws a strike but Hai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hai throws an elbow that misses. Kirkham uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hai's guard. Nice move by Kirkham!
Kirkham wants to control from the top but Hai keeps moving.

Kirkham decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hai, up you get!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kyle Kirkham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valko Hai.
Hai changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kirkham tries to avoid it but Hai manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kirkham to the ground. Kirkham escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hai is breathing heavily.
Kirkham goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hai misses with a takedown attempt

and Kirkham counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hai is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Kirkham gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kirkham is trying to control the action in half guard but Hai is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kirkham.
Kirkham moves nicely into side control.
Hai is letting Kirkham control him for a moment.
Kirkham trying to control the action but Hai is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kirkham tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirkham trying to control the action but Hai is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hai is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Kirkham dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kirkham leaves Hai with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hai with a poor takedown

and Kirkham counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hai won't be happy with that.
Kirkham throws an elbow but Hai slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hai is looking to regain half guard here but Kirkham keeps moving and retains side control.
Kirkham throws an elbow but Hai slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hai manages to get back to half guard.
Kirkham is keen to just control but Hai is a slippery customer.
Hai moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hai not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hai wants to sweep but no luck.
Kirkham is stalling in the full guard.
Kirkham trying to control the position from guard on top but Hai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kyle Kirkham.

Kirkham gets a clinch.
Hai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kirkham avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kyle Kirkham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valko Hai.

Kirkham ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kirkham no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kirkham is pulling down on Hai's head to control his posture.
Valko Hai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kirkham manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Kirkham feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kirkham wants to pass the guard but Hai is keeping the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kirkham stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hai swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kirkham is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkham trying to control but Hai is working from the bottom.
Hai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kirkham.
Kirkham slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kirkham stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hai swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kirkham stands and steps away. Hai gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hai dives in and grabs Kirkham's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kirkham pushes down on Hai's head and hops out.

Kirkham scores with a takedown into Hai's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkham trying to control the position from guard on top but Hai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kirkham sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kirkham is pushing down on Hai's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hai is fighting to maintain full guard but Kirkham has managed to sneak the leg through.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kirkham is working for a kimura but Hai is defending it quite comfortably.
Kyle Kirkham is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kirkham is pressing down on Hai's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hai is holding on for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyle Kirkham showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kirkham, 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 for Kyle Kirkham!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Kyle Kirkham!
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Kyle Kirkham!

Kyle Kirkham wins by unanimous decision!