PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Aatos Kesti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mats Lindgraf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mats Lindgraf will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Kesti
vs
Lindgraf

169 cm
19
144 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

225 cm
20
130 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aatos Kesti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mats Lindgraf!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lindgraf avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kesti misses with a series of wild punches.
Lindgraf looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Kesti wants to clinch

and Lindgraf moves into the clinch.
Kesti wants to break the clinch but can't.
Lindgraf throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kesti tries to break free but Lindgraf pushes him back against the cage.
Kesti tries to break free but Lindgraf pushes him back against the cage.
Kesti tries to break the clinch but Lindgraf is controlling the position.

Kesti pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kesti tries to clinch there but Lindgraf circles away.
Kesti leaves Lindgraf with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kesti tries to clinch but Lindgraf is having none of it.
Kesti scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Lindgraf doesn't seem bothered though.
We've been told by Kesti's head coaches at Nordic Top Team that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesti throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Lindgraf counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Kesti keeps the fight on the outside.

Kesti closes the distance and pushes Lindgraf back into the cage.
Lindgraf is trying to stall.
Lindgraf is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kesti pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Lindgraf is working for takedown but Kesti is calmly controlling the position for now.
Aatos Kesti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mats Lindgraf.
Kesti is trying to break the clinch but Lindgraf is controlling him.
Kesti has had enough of the clinch but Lindgraf keeps him there for the moment.
Kesti tries to break the clinch but Lindgraf is controlling the position.
Kesti wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Lindgraf tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kesti just stands there and leans against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kesti gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kesti is looking to break free of the clinch but Lindgraf has double underhooks.
With the fighters up against the cage, Lindgraf throws an elbow but misses.
Kesti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kesti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Lindgraf has him pressed against the cage.
Lindgraf blocks an uppercut.
Lindgraf changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kesti fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Lindgraf is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Kesti tries to close the distance and clinch but Lindgraf swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kesti closes the distance and pushes Lindgraf back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf pushes off an throws an elbow but Kesti leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Kesti gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Lindgraf.
A hook to the body from Kesti.
Lindgraf drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lindgraf prevents Kesti from breaking the clinch.
Lindgraf wants to take the fight to the mat but Kesti manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Kesti tries to break free but Lindgraf pushes him back against the cage.

Kesti manages to break the clinch.
Lindgraf tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kesti paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Aatos Kesti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kesti tries to close the distance and clinch up but Lindgraf swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kesti closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kesti tries to clinch up.
Kesti misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice sprawl there from Kesti as Lindgraf shoots in.
Kesti misses with a two punch combination.
Kesti misses with a body shot.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kesti tries to close the distance and clinch but Lindgraf swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kesti has managed to clinch.
Lindgraf blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aatos Kesti dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A punch combination from Kesti misses.
Kesti lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lindgraf backs up against the cage.

Lindgraf is rocked!
Lindgraf tries to clinch but Kesti is having none of it.
Kesti misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Lindgraf.
Kesti keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kesti moves in looking to clinch but Lindgraf pushes him off.
Kesti is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Lindgraf can do to turn this around?

Lindgraf moves into the clinch successfully.
Kesti avoiding damage.
Lindgraf goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kesti prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lindgraf is looking to take this one to the mat.
Aatos Kesti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mats Lindgraf.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lindgraf manages to pull guard.
Lindgraf trying to control the position.
Kesti cracks Lindgraf with a solid left hand.
Lindgraf working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kesti.

Kesti avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Kesti throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Lindgraf works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kesti throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Lindgraf avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kesti postures up in Lindgraf's guard and throws a big left but Lindgraf blocks it.
Kesti stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Lindgraf swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kesti postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kesti stands up over Lindgraf, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kesti throws an elbow that misses. Lindgraf uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kesti's guard. Nice move by Lindgraf!

Kesti is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Lindgraf content to stall in guard here.
Lindgraf looking to sit in guard and control but Kesti gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Lindgraf looking for a guillotine here but Kesti defends easily.
Kesti throws an elbow that misses. Lindgraf uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kesti's guard. Nice move by Lindgraf!

The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kesti wants to get back to his feet but Lindgraf is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Lindgraf stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kesti swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Lindgraf wants to control from the top but Kesti keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lindgraf stops Kesti from standing up.
Lindgraf trying to control but Kesti is working from the bottom.

Lindgraf drops back looking for a leg! Kesti is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kesti manages to kick Lindgraf off! Lindgraf jumps back into Kesti's guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lindgraf looking to pass the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mats Lindgraf will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Kesti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kesti tries to clinch but Lindgraf is having none of it.

Kesti rushes Lindgraf and presses him up against the cage.
Lindgraf drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kesti pulls his leg out and moves away.

Kesti has managed to clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kesti.
Lindgraf is working for takedown but Kesti is calmly controlling the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kesti breaks the clinch.

Kesti drives through and clinches with Lindgraf against the cage.
Kesti tries to work over Lindgraf's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kesti scores with a shoulder strike.
Lindgraf is still on wobbly legs! Can Kesti finish him?

Kesti pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Lindgraf seems to have recovered his senses.
Kesti throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lindgraf counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kesti throws a left and a right that both miss
and Lindgraf cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Kesti gets a clinch.
Lindgraf wants a takedown.
Aatos Kesti has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mats Lindgraf.
Lindgraf is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Kesti to keep the fight standing.
Aatos Kesti has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kesti lands with a short shot to the head.
Kesti working aggressively here.
Lindgraf tries for a takedown but Kesti manages to get underhooks.
Kesti prevents the takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kesti dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kesti presses Lindgraf against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Lindgraf is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Kesti manages to break the clinch.
Kesti fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kesti fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kesti throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kesti throws a right and a left that Lindgraf avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kesti rushes Lindgraf and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kesti prevents a takedown attempt there.
Lindgraf blocks an uppercut.

Kesti manages to break the clinch.
Kesti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Kesti instigates a clinch.
Lindgraf goes for a takedown attempt but Kesti pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Lindgraf ducks under a wild hook from Kesti.
Kesti tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Lindgraf paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kesti scores with a body shot.
Lindgraf tries for a takedown but Kesti sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Aatos Kesti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kesti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Aatos Kesti is winning the standup battle so far.
Kesti leaves Lindgraf with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kesti wants to land a leg kick but Lindgraf is out of range.
No joy there for Kesti, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Kesti gets a clinch.
Lindgraf is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kesti - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Kesti wants to break the clinch but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aatos Kesti showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kesti has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aatos Kesti!