PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rayce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anton Kuivanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuivanen has chosen Kanye West - POWER as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Gracie
vs
Kuivanen

165 cm
24
168 lbs
14 - 4 - 0

176 cm
21
168 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Heavy handed

Red Hand Clothing

HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rayce Gracie!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Anton Kuivanen!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Saam Ante and Wagner Zegers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kuivanen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kuivanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Kuivanen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rayce Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuivanen manages to avoid it.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Kuivanen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Gracie fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kuivanen sprawls well initially but Gracie persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kuivanen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Gracie.
Gracie is trying to control the action in half guard but Kuivanen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kuivanen wants to get back to full guard.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.
Gracie thows a huge punch but Kuivanen dodges it nicely.
Kuivanen wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie trying to control the action but Kuivanen is working from the bottom.
Kuivanen is trying to stand back up but Gracie is controlling him
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuivanen is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
Kuivanen trying to control but Gracie postures up.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kuivanen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.

Gracie is working for a submission of some sort.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Gracie in particular looking to stall.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kuivanen has managed to free his arm - good work.

Gracie is working for a kimura but Kuivanen is defending it quite comfortably.
Kuivanen pushes Gracie off looking to stand but Gracie dives back in and keeps control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a kimura but Kuivanen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Gracie to get the leverage.
Kuivanen is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.
Kuivanen tries to kick Gracie off but Gracie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kuivanen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.
Kuivanen wants to control but Gracie is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Gracie wants to pass to mount but Kuivanen is defending the position.
Kuivanen wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Gracie is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Kuivanen manages to escape and get back to his feet!
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuivanen.
Kuivanen throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
Kuivanen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Gracie moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Anton Kuivanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gracie will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Gracie tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kuivanen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gracie somewhat.
Kuivanen throws a nice head kick!
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.
Kuivanen lands the left hand.
Gracie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kuivanen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Anton Kuivanen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Kuivanen.
Gracie pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A punch combination from Gracie misses.
Kuivanen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A big right from Gracie misses.
Gracie lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kuivanen circles away quickly and effectively.
Gracie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuivanen. Kuivanen obviously looking to wear him down.
A good leg kick by Kuivanen.
Kuivanen connects with a solid leg kick.
Gracie shoots in looking for a takedown. Kuivanen tries to sprawl out of it but Gracie keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kuivanen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Gracie misses with a lunging right hand
and Kuivanen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Gracie fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rayce Gracie. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Gracie dives in and grabs Kuivanen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kuivanen pushes down on Gracie's head and hops out.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kuivanen, right into the meat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuivanen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gracie shoots for a takedown but Kuivanen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kuivanen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kuivanen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Kuivanen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Gracie fails to pull guard.

Kuivanen manages to break the clinch.
Kuivanen scores with a shot to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A combination from Kuivanen does no damage.
Kuivanen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

Gracie is rocked!
Kuivanen steps into range and unloads a brutal right left combo! Gracie is out on his feet! Kuivanen sets himself and nearly takes Gracie's head off with a straight right, sending him crashing to the mat! Wow, that was nasty... but awesome! Wooo!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:46 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Anton Kuivanen!
Anton Kuivanen is the new lightweight champion!
Anton Kuivanen decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.