PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Juha Kuivanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jon Eliott (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jon Eliott has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Juha Kuivanen's chin.

Kuivanen
vs
Eliott

183 cm
24
195 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

185 cm
23
190 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Big heart

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Kuivanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Jon Eliott!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Phil Schofield and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Eliott fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kuivanen sprawls well initially but Eliott persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Eliott is trying to control. Kuivanen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Eliott throwing shots but Kuivanen is blocking nicely.
Kuivanen trying to control but Eliott postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuivanen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kuivanen keeping full guard, as Eliott tries to pass.
Kuivanen tries to strike from the bottom.
Eliott tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuivanen is retaining full guard.
Eliott trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Eliott trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuivanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuivanen throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Kuivanen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Eliott trying to control but Kuivanen is working from the bottom.

Eliott drops back looking for a leg! Kuivanen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kuivanen manages to kick Eliott off! Eliott jumps back into Kuivanen's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eliott drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kuivanen dives on top into guard.
Kuivanen won't allow Eliott to sweep him here.
Kuivanen 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.
Kuivanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Eliott keeping moving, preventing Kuivanen from controlling successfully.

Eliott throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Eliott really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuivanen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kuivanen throwing strikes from guard but Eliott blocks nicely.
Eliott avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Eliott is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kuivanen defends well.
Kuivanen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen throws a big right hand that misses.

Eliott working for a triangle but Kuivanen defends it easily.
Eliott looks winded!
Kuivanen throwing strikes but missing.
Eliott looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kuivanen is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kuivanen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kuivanen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Eliott utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen throws a big elbow that misses.
Kuivanen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Eliott is looking for a triangle here but Kuivanen uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Eliott dodges the ground and pound from Kuivanen.
Kuivanen creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Eliott sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Check out the look on Kuivanen's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Kuivanen throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Kuivanen misses with the ground and pound.
Kuivanen working the ground and pound but Eliott is defending the strikes.
Kuivanen postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Kuivanen creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Eliott sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Kuivanen throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Eliott is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eliott managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kuivanen.
Eliott is looking for a sweep.
Kuivanen in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Eliott is looking to regain half guard here but Kuivanen keeps moving and retains side control.
An elbow from Kuivanen crashes against the mat.
Eliott parries the strikes from Kuivanen easily there. Kuivanen is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Eliott to escape.
Eliott can't do much from the bottom here.
Kuivanen working the strikes but Eliott uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Kuivanen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Eliott looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eliott trying to control but Kuivanen postures up.
Kuivanen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Kuivanen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kuivanen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Eliott tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kuivanen is in Eliott's guard.
Eliott wants to sweep but no luck.

Eliott has his foot on Kuivanen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kuivanen works his way back into a safe position though.
Kuivanen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Eliott is looking for a triangle here but Kuivanen uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Eliott can't do much from the bottom here.
Eliott parries the strikes from Kuivanen easily there. Kuivanen is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Eliott to escape.
Eliott is breathing heavily.
Eliott tries to bench press Kuivanen off him but Kuivanen keeps the position.
Eliott can't do much from the bottom here.
Eliott defending against the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuivanen throws an elbow but Eliott slips to the side and avoids it well.
Kuivanen working away.
Kuivanen wants to control for a moment but Eliott uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Kuivanen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Still in half guard, Kuivanen seems content to control.
Eliott is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kuivanen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kuivanen's back!
Eliott is not going to allow Kuivanen to sit and survive in this position.

Eliott looking for the choke but no joy.
Eliott is trying to stick to Kuivanen's back but Kuivanen is turning into Eliott. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Eliott's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kuivanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eliott working a defensive guard here.

Eliott is looking for a triangle but Kuivanen pushes his legs off easily.
Eliott keeping moving, preventing Kuivanen from controlling successfully.

Eliott working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuivanen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuivanen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Eliott preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Eliott trying to keep a closed guard but Kuivanen is proving a slippery customer.
Kuivanen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kuivanen with a nice head shot there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Eliott looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kuivanen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kuivanen throws a big right hand that misses.
Kuivanen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Eliott works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kuivanen postures up in Eliott's guard and throws a big left but Eliott blocks it.
Kuivanen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Eliott is trying to control the position but Kuivanen postures up.
Kuivanen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Eliott works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kuivanen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Eliott utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kuivanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Eliott is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuivanen stays in close to Eliott's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eliott is trying to control the position but Kuivanen postures up.

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

Kuivanen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kuivanen working the ground and pound from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuivanen in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Eliott is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
An elbow from Kuivanen crashes against the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuivanen throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Eliott tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Eliott dodges the ground and pound from Kuivanen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Kuivanen dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Eliott gets a double leg takedown into Kuivanen's guard.
Kuivanen throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Eliott slips nicely into half guard.
Eliott trying to pass the guard but Kuivanen defending well.
Kuivanen manages to get to full guard.
Eliott stopping the sweep attempt from Kuivanen.
Eliott throws a big right hand that misses.
Kuivanen throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Eliott takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Eliott wants to control from the top but Kuivanen keeps moving.

Eliott drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kuivanen looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kuivanen looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kuivanen!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eliott is trying to improve his position.
Kuivanen works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Kuivanen working the ground and pound but Eliott is defending the strikes.
Kuivanen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Eliott keeps working.
Eliott is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kuivanen is thwarting Eliott's attempts to control the position.
Eliott keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kuivanen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Eliott's head.
Kuivanen is trying to control. Eliott wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Eliott's head.
Eliott blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kuivanen.
Kuivanen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Eliott tries to roll over but Kuivanen keeps him under control.
Eliott is trying to control but Kuivanen manages to pass to mount!
Eliott working to try and regain half guard.
Kuivanen thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Kuivanen punching from mount but Eliott doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuivanen thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Kuivanen avoids the attempt from Eliott to control.
Eliott might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kuivanen haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Eliott avoids a series of strikes thrown by Kuivanen.
Eliott working to try and regain half guard.
Eliott is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kuivanen sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Kuivanen looking to finish with strikes here!
Poor strikes thrown by Kuivanen there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Eliott is looking to improve his position but Kuivanen isn't that keen on the idea.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eliott holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kuivanen tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Eliott keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Eliott is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Kuivanen thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Kuivanen thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Kuivanen punching from mount but Eliott doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Juha Kuivanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Eliott is trying to escape the mount.
Kuivanen punching from mount but Eliott doing a good job of avoiding damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Eliott blocking the ground and pound.
Jon Eliott has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Juha Kuivanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Eliott holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Kuivanen tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juha Kuivanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuivanen 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 Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juha Kuivanen!