PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tsutomu Miyazaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riku Kurikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Miyazaki
vs
Kurikka

165 cm
20
140 lbs
7 - 2 - 2

177 cm
20
148 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

No Contest Clothing

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 7 - 2 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Tsutomu Miyazaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riku Kurikka!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Paul Tew and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Miyazaki moves out of range of the strikes.
Kurikka lands a jab to the nose.
Kurikka throws a hook to the side of Miyazaki's head but Miyazaki sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kurikka throws an overhand right that lands on Miyazaki's shoulder, as Miyazaki tries to avoid the shot.
Miyazaki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kurikka.
Miyazaki throws a low kick, looking for Kurikka's leg but Kurikka calmly moves out of range.
Riku Kurikka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A slow jab from Kurikka misses its intended target.
Miyazaki walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kurikka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Miyazaki moves away.
Kurikka lands a nice shot to the body.
A swing and a miss from Kurikka.

Miyazaki drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Miyazaki scoring with punches and elbows.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kurikka is looking to reverse the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kurikka can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurikka tries to buck Miyazaki off but Miyazaki is having none of it.
Miyazaki controls the position.
Kurikka is pushing Miyazaki's head away, looking to escape. Miyazaki manages to hold on to the position though.
An elbow from Miyazaki crashes against the mat.
Miyazaki working the ground and pound.
Kurikka is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kurikka is trying to control Miyazaki's posture but Miyazaki avoids it.
Kurikka is looking to reverse the position.
Miyazaki cracks Kurikka with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Miyazaki working the ground and pound.
Miyazaki trying to control the action but Kurikka is working from the bottom.
Miyazaki cracks Kurikka with a big elbow.
Kurikka tries to improve position but can't.
Kurikka wants to control but Miyazaki postures up.
Miyazaki fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Miyazaki scoring with punches and elbows.
Miyazaki lands some shots froms side control.
Miyazaki looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kurikka is avoiding damage well.
Kurikka is trying to get back to his feet.
Miyazaki lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Miyazaki 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.
Kurikka wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Miyazaki content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Miyazaki throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Miyazaki in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kurikka defending against the ground and pound.
Sloppy strikes there by Miyazaki.
Kurikka wants to control but Miyazaki postures up.
Miyazaki cracks Kurikka with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Kurikka taking punishment in the form of punches.
Miyazaki trying to control the action but Kurikka is working from the bottom.
Kurikka is trying to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Miyazaki in side control, throwing shots but Kurikka defends.
Kurikka is trying to buck Miyazaki off.
Miyazaki in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kurikka is not content to let Miyazaki control the position.
Miyazaki lands a few punches from side control.
Miyazaki looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Kurikka is avoiding damage well.
You can see the frustration on Kurikka's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Miyazaki creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Miyazaki looks up at the clock and then as Kurikka takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Miyazaki smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Miyazaki lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Kurikka wants to control but Miyazaki postures up.
Miyazaki cracks Kurikka with a big right hand but Kurikka just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Kurikka parries the strikes from Miyazaki easily there. Miyazaki is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kurikka to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miyazaki cracks Kurikka with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurikka tries to bench press Miyazaki off him but Miyazaki keeps the position.
Miyazaki in the domination position with Kurikka hanging on.
Miyazaki scoring with punches from side control.
Kurikka taking punishment in the form of punches.
Miyazaki wants to control but Kurikka is keeping him busy.
Kurikka parries the strikes from Miyazaki easily there. Miyazaki is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kurikka to escape.
Check out the look on Miyazaki's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Miyazaki looks up at the clock and then as Kurikka takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Miyazaki smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Kurikka takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Kurikka is trying to buck Miyazaki off.
Kurikka takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kurikka on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Kurikka tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Sloppy strikes there by Miyazaki.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tsutomu Miyazaki dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kurikka tries to bum rush Miyazaki with a series of wild strikes but Miyazaki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Miyazaki with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kurikka misses the jab.
Miyazaki showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kurikka.
Kurikka misses with a double jab.
Kurikka throws a jab but it's blocked by Miyazaki.
Miyazaki takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kurikka looks to throw the jab but Miyazaki is out of range.
Kurikka throws a lazy right hand but Miyazaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kurikka misses with a jab, cross combination.
Kurikka checks a low kick from Miyazaki.
Kurikka lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Kurikka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Miyazaki shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Miyazaki showed some decent athleticism there.
Kurikka taking some punishment here, with Miyazaki in his half guard.
Miyazaki looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Miyazaki working the head and body with strikes.
Miyazaki throwing shots but Kurikka is blocking nicely.
Miyazaki scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Miyazaki takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Miyazaki lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Miyazaki is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Kurikka really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Miyazaki. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kurikka is looking to improve his position.
Kurikka keeps control of the position for the meantime.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurikka makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kurikka.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Miyazaki accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Miyazaki scoring with some ground and pound.
Kurikka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Miyazaki connects with a couple of short punches.
Miyazaki throws a big elbow that misses.
Miyazaki scoring with punches to the head and body.
Miyazaki might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Miyazaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Miyazaki stands and throws Kurikka's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Kurikka tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Miyazaki throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Kurikka is looking for a sweep.
Miyazaki working the ground and pound.
Check out the look on Miyazaki's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurikka manages to work his way to half guard, despite Miyazaki's best efforts.
Kurikka has hold of Miyazaki's hands but Miyazaki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Miyazaki is keen to just control but Kurikka is a slippery customer.
Tsutomu Miyazaki overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kurikka blocking the ground and pound attempt from Miyazaki.
Kurikka has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Miyazaki is working away from the top position though.
Miyazaki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kurikka is looking to get back to is feet but Miyazaki passes into side control.
Miyazaki takes a little break here. Kurikka wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Kurikka is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Miyazaki's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Miyazaki working the head and body with strikes.
Miyazaki tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kurikka knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Miyazaki landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kurikka taking some punishment here, with Miyazaki in his half guard.
Miyazaki scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Miyazaki thows a huge punch but Kurikka dodges it nicely.
Miyazaki throwing shots but Kurikka is blocking nicely.
Kurikka taking some punishment here, with Miyazaki in his half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Miyazaki lands a nice short elbow.
Kurikka tries to kick Miyazaki off but Miyazaki keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Miyazaki lands strikes from half guard.
Kurikka is looking to improve his position.
Miyazaki tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kurikka knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Kurikka is staying active underneath Miyazaki, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kurikka wants to control but Miyazaki is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kurikka won't allow Miyazaki to pass to mount.
Kurikka is trying to stand back up but Miyazaki is controlling him
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kurikka has hold of Miyazaki's hands but Miyazaki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kurikka trying to control but Miyazaki postures up.
Kurikka keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tsutomu Miyazaki dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Miyazaki misses with a low kick as Kurikka jumps back.
Kurikka punishes Miyazaki's body with a nice straight punch.
Kurikka looks to land a left hand but Miyazaki moved out of range nicely.
Kurikka might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Miyazaki blocks a jab.
Miyazaki displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kurikka throws out the jab.
Kurikka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The fighters circling - Kurikka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kurikka keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Kurikka misses the target.
Kurikka misses with a hook. Miyazaki ducked under it nicely.
Kurikka misses with a hook. Miyazaki ducked under it nicely.
Kurikka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Miyazaki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Kurikka there.
Kurikka will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kurikka throws a looping overhand right but Miyazaki ducks down to avoid it.
Riku Kurikka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kurikka throws a hook but Miyazaki blocks it.
Kurikka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Miyazaki ducks under a wild hook from Kurikka.
Kurikka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Miyazaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Miyazaki defending well as Kurikka loads up on a big left hand.
Kurikka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Miyazaki.
Miyazaki takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kurikka throws a right and a left that Miyazaki avoids nicely.
Riku Kurikka seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miyazaki throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kurikka swinging wildly here.
Kurikka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Miyazaki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kurikka.
Miyazaki uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kurikka.
Miyazaki moves away from the strike by Kurikka.
Miyazaki throws a low kick but Kurikka avoids it.
Kurikka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kurikka throws the left hand but Miyazaki avoids the punch easily.
Kurikka throws a shot from downtown. Miyazaki moves away and avoids it.
Miyazaki bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kurikka loads up on a big right hand but Miyazaki slips the punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miyazaki darts in looking for a takedown but Kurikka gets double underhooks and turns Miyazaki into the cage.
Kurikka is trying to push Miyazaki away but Miyazaki has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Miyazaki is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kurikka pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Miyazaki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tsutomu Miyazaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Miyazaki has picked Kurikka up - he's going for a ride! Miyazaki dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Miyazaki is keen to just control but Kurikka is a slippery customer.
Kurikka is looking to escape.
Miyazaki is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kurikka wants to get back to his feet.
Kurikka has hold of Miyazaki's hands but Miyazaki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Miyazaki seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Miyazaki works his foot free and advances to mount.
Miyazaki is in the full mount, landing strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Miyazaki lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Miyazaki putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Miyazaki cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kurikka tries to lock up and control but Miyazaki gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Miyazaki cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Kurikka in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Miyazaki punishing his opponent with strikes.
Miyazaki is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Kurikka tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Miyazaki with shots to the head and body - Kurikka looks very uncomfortable down there.
Miyazaki fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Kurikka is wriggling around trying to escape.
Kurikka wants to control but Miyazaki is having none of it.
Miyazaki lands a heavy elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Miyazaki looking to finish Kurikka with some ground and pound. This is bad for Kurikka!
Miyazaki with good strikes from the mount here!
Riku Kurikka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kurikka is rocked!
Miyazaki raining down shots from the mount!

And that's the end of the fight!
Tsutomu Miyazaki showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Miyazaki, 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 30:27
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tsutomu Miyazaki!
Tsutomu Miyazaki decided to hype himself up post fight. It was going well but he went on about it a bit too long and the crowd turned on him a little.