PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jack Poldi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abel Koponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Abel Koponen acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Poldi
vs
Koponen

188 cm
29
220 lbs
16 - 7 - 0

187 cm
32
215 lbs
11 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jack Poldi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abel Koponen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koponen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Koponen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Poldi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've been told by Poldi's head coaches at Team Finland that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Poldi tries to clinch there but Koponen circles away.
A left and a right from Koponen both land. Nice combination.
Koponen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Koponen.
Koponen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Poldi looks to land a right hand but Koponen moved out of range.
Poldi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Poldi tries to clinch but Koponen moves out of range.
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!

Poldi moves into the clinch successfully.
Poldi lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Abel Koponen has been cut.
Poldi controlling the action here for a moment.
Koponen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Poldi pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koponen jumps guard and drags Poldi to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koponen trying to control the position.
Koponen looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Poldi trying to control but Koponen is working from the bottom.
Koponen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Poldi has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Abel Koponen hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Poldi is looking to clinch but Koponen is avoiding it.
Poldi is looking to clinch but Koponen is avoiding it.
Koponen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Poldi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Koponen somewhat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Poldi wants to clinch.
Poldi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Poldi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Koponen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Poldi tries to clinch but Koponen moves out of range.
Poldi tries to clinch but Koponen moves out of range.
Poldi doesn't manage to clinch there - Koponen circles away.
Koponen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Poldi checks it well.
No luck for Koponen with that takedown attempt.
Jack Poldi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Abel Koponen.
Poldi darts in trying to clinch
and Koponen counters with a straight right hand.
Poldi tries to clinch there but Koponen circles away.
Koponen has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koponen has a takedown stuffed.
Poldi tries to clinch there but Koponen circles away.

Koponen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Koponen is taking a breather. Poldi says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

Koponen is working for a submission here. He's got hold of the far side arm and he's looking for a kimura. He's cranking on the arm and he's got it! Poldi is tapping out! Ouch, that looked like it hurt!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Abel Koponen!
A very excited looking Abel Koponen made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.