PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kaarlo Kataja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rolf Thorkildsen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rolf Thorkildsen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kataja
vs
Thorkildsen

168 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

176 cm
20
150 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Valhalla War Gear

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 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kaarlo Kataja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rolf Thorkildsen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kataja misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Kataja attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Thorkildsen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kataja paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thorkildsen shoots and misses

and Kataja decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Thorkildsen's guard.
Thorkildsen keeping full guard, as Kataja tries to pass.

Thorkildsen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kataja wants to pass the guard but Thorkildsen is keeping the position.

Thorkildsen working for a triangle but Kataja defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorkildsen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kataja trying to control but Thorkildsen is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

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

Thorkildsen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thorkildsen looks gassed!

Kataja postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Thorkildsen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kataja, into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kataja working for a triangle but Thorkildsen defends it easily.
Thorkildsen tries to free his leg and advance position but Kataja is retaining full guard.

Thorkildsen drops back looking for a leg! Kataja is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kataja manages to kick Thorkildsen off! Thorkildsen jumps back into Kataja's guard.
Thorkildsen wants to pass the guard but Kataja is keeping the position.
Kataja controls Thorkildsen momentarily but Thorkildsen frees himself.
Thorkildsen passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Thorkildsen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kataja doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Thorkildsen.
Kataja works his way to full guard. Good work.
Thorkildsen looking to pass the guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kataja tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kataja is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Thorkildsen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Kataja is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kataja throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

Thorkildsen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

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

Thorkildsen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Thorkildsen looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rolf Thorkildsen will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Thorkildsen slips under a jab from Kataja.
Kataja tries for a takedown but Thorkildsen circles away easily

and Thorkildsen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kataja!

Thorkildsen looking to secure an arm triangle but Kataja defends it well.

Thorkildsen working for a guillotine from mount but Kataja is in no mood to give up.
Kataja is working to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thorkildsen looking to secure an arm triangle but Kataja defends it well.
Rolf Thorkildsen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kataja is trying to escape the mount.

Thorkildsen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Kataja is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Thorkildsen working for a submission but Kataja is keeping him at bay.

Kataja is flailing around, obviously not happy about being mounted. Thorkildsen locks hold of one of his arms and spins for an armbar. He's got it! Kataja is forced to tap!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rolf Thorkildsen!