PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Felix Sandoval (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Atlas Kivi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sandoval kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Overseer - Slayed. Kivi has chosen Metallica - Ride the Lightning as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Sandoval
vs
Kivi

171 cm
28
158 lbs
15 - 3 - 0

175 cm
31
160 lbs
21 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Perkele!

North
Perkele!

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 15 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Felix Sandoval!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 21 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Atlas Kivi!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sandoval misses with a left hand
and Kivi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sandoval on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Kivi scores with a sloppy right hand. Sandoval should have avoided that one.
Sandoval looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Sandoval throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kivi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Sandoval uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kivi.
Sandoval misses with a body kick.
Sandoval with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kivi tries to clinch there but Sandoval circles away.
Sandoval moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kivi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Sandoval looks to throw a body kick

and Kivi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Sandoval.
Kivi tries to break the clinch but Sandoval is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

Kivi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kivi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sandoval paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kivi throws a big shot that misses.
Kivi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kivi wants to clinch.
Kivi digs a good hook to Sandoval's body.
Sandoval scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

Sandoval closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sandoval lands in his opponent's guard.
Sandoval throwing strikes but missing.
Sandoval is fighting to break Kivi's control of his arms but Kivi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval preventing the sweep.

Kivi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sandoval loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sandoval throwing strikes from guard but Kivi blocks nicely.
Sandoval controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
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!
Sandoval lands a couple of digs.
Sandoval passes Kivi's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Sandoval looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kivi with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kivi wants to control but Sandoval is keeping busy.
Kivi is looking to improve his position.
Kivi keeps trying to improve his position.
Kivi trying to control but Sandoval postures up.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Sandoval trying to control from half guard but Kivi is working away.
Sandoval lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kivi is looking to improve his position.
Sandoval working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Kivi's thigh. Kivi counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Sandoval trying to control but Kivi is working from the bottom.
Sandoval lands a couple of digs.
We've been hearing good reports from Sandoval's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Sandoval working some strikes from top position.
Kivi has Sandoval pulled in close to control his posture.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kivi is trying to keep Sandoval in close.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sandoval distracts Kivi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Felix Sandoval dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Sandoval steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kivi.
Sandoval walks into a straight right hand from Kivi.
Sandoval throws a leg kick

and Kivi moves into the clinch.
Sandoval misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sandoval content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Kivi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sandoval tries for a takedown but Kivi circles away easily
and Kivi counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Sandoval jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nice jab there from Sandoval.
Kivi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sandoval throws out the jab.
Sandoval throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kivi avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kivi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Sandoval tries to sprawl but Kivi drives through with a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kivi looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Sandoval makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sandoval.
Kivi stands up over Sandoval, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Sandoval working for submissions but it's allowed Kivi to get to half guard.

Sandoval is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kivi pulls his head out easily.
Kivi is figuring out what he wants to do next.

Sandoval looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kivi is looking to take a break and control but Sandoval is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kivi controlling the pace.
Sandoval is refusing to be controlled, as Kivi sits in half guard.
Kivi passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Sandoval!
Kivi avoids the attempt from Sandoval to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kivi dominating with strikes here.
Kivi connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Kivi manages to capitalize on a mistake by Sandoval to take his back!
Felix Sandoval overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sandoval is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Sandoval defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Kivi's arms.
Kivi keeps control of the position as Sandoval tries to break free.
Sandoval staying busy and making it hard for Kivi to control.
Sandoval rolls, trying to escape but Kivi keeps control of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval is working hard here to advance position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kivi has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Sandoval's body.
Kivi lands shots from the back.
Kivi is landing with strikes. Sandoval can't take much more of this.
Kivi is trying to stick to Sandoval's back but Sandoval is turning into Kivi. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kivi's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Sandoval.
Kivi wants to sweep here but Sandoval controlling him for the moment.
Kivi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sandoval throwing strikes from guard but Kivi blocks nicely.
Sandoval is fighting to break Kivi's control of his arms but Kivi is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Atlas Kivi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Sandoval with a lazy takedown attempt
letting Kivi counter with a right hand.
Sandoval with a poor takedown
and Kivi counters with a nice uppercut.
Sandoval lands a body shot.
Kivi takes a jab right on the kisser.
Sandoval gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Sandoval looks for a takedown but Kivi sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Felix Sandoval. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Sandoval throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Sandoval throws a head kick but Kivi moves out of range.
Sandoval tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Sandoval looks to score with a jab to the body but Kivi is just out of range.
Sandoval is looking to land body kicks.
Kivi throws a leg kick but Sandoval moved away.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kivi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Sandoval is looking to reverse the position.
Kivi trying to control the action but Sandoval is working from the bottom.
Sandoval is trying to get back to half guard.
Kivi trying to control the position but Sandoval is working away.
Sandoval is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kivi just content to control the position.
Sandoval is trying to get back to half guard.
Kivi landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kivi takes a little break here. Sandoval wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
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!
Sandoval manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Sandoval actively working from the bottom here.

Kivi seems to be working for a kimura but Sandoval defends the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval is refusing to be controlled, as Kivi sits in half guard.
Sandoval is trying to get back to full guard.
Kivi is looking to advance position but Sandoval won't allow it.

Kivi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Sandoval has managed to free his arm - good work.
Sandoval misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sandoval wants to control but Kivi is keeping busy and won't allow it.

Sandoval looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Sandoval wants to sweep but Kivi has passed to side control!
Sandoval tries to bench press Kivi off him but Kivi keeps the position.
Kivi connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Sandoval some visible discomfort.
Kivi working away.
Kivi working the head with strikes.
Sandoval tries to bench press Kivi off him but Kivi keeps the position.
Kivi trying to control the position but Sandoval is working away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kivi is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Sandoval's shoulder. That is not cool.
Sandoval is looking to regain half guard here but Kivi keeps moving and retains side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sandoval is trying to control Kivi's posture but Kivi avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Atlas Kivi.
I think Kivi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Atlas Kivi!
Our winner, Atlas Kivi, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.