PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Charles Kota (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vesa Asikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kota comes into the arena with Airplanes - B.o.B ft Hayley Williams blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kota
vs
Asikainen

183 cm
32
214 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

189 cm
29
225 lbs
2 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Charles Kota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 17 - 0, fighting out of London, Vesa Asikainen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kota shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Asikainen napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Asikainen struggling a bit here.
Asikainen wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
You can see the frustration on Asikainen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Asikainen can do anything to dispel that myth.
Asikainen takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Kota tries to score with some ground and pound. Asikainen controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Kota misses with the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kota trying to control the action but Asikainen is working from the bottom.

Kota is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Asikainen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kota creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Asikainen sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kota wants to lay and pray for a moment but Asikainen keeps working.
Kota looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Asikainen is avoiding damage well.
Asikainen taking punishment in the form of punches.

Kota is trying to get an arm triangle but Asikainen is defending well.
Asikainen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kota misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kota swings around for an armbar but Asikainen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Kota's guard.
Kota not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Asikainen wants to control from the top but Kota keeps moving.

Kota looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kota working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Asikainen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Asikainen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Kota is looking for a triangle but Asikainen pushes his legs off easily.

Kota is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Asikainen defends well.
Asikainen tries to free his leg and advance position but Kota is retaining full guard.

Kota has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Asikainen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asikainen passes into half guard.
Asikainen is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Kota reverses the position - he's now on top in Asikainen's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kota loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kota throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Asikainen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kota lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Asikainen wants to stand up but Kota is controlling him.
Asikainen trying to keep a closed guard but Kota is proving a slippery customer.
Kota throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kota postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kota throwing strikes but missing.
Kota postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Asikainen seems keen to control Kota's posture.
Kota postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kota wants to control from the top but Asikainen keeps moving.
Kota with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Charles Kota dominated that round.
That's time! Kota's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Asikainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Asikainen shoots in for a takedown but Kota shows good takedown defense.
Kota rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Asikainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Kota gets the takedown into side control.

Asikainen bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
Asikainen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Charles Kota has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Vesa Asikainen.

Kota looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kota throws a big elbow that misses.
Kota in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kota throwing strikes from guard but Asikainen blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kota is standing up over Asikainen. Asikainen looks to escape but Kota dives into side control.

Kota is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Asikainen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kota throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Asikainen works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.

Asikainen has one foot on Kota's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Kota leaves Asikainen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kota swats away the attempt to clinch by Asikainen.
No luck for Asikainen with that takedown attempt.
Asikainen misses with a looping left.
Asikainen has his takedown stuffed
and Kota counters with a nice uppercut.
Kota looks for a takedown but Asikainen sprawls well.
Asikainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kota as he avoids it easily.
Asikainen shoots in but Kota avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Asikainen is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asikainen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kota as he jumps to the side.

Kota closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kota lands in his opponent's guard.
Kota trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Kota postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Asikainen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kota, into his guard.

Kota will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Asikainen trying to control but Kota is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Asikainen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Asikainen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Asikainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kota is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Asikainen defends well.

Kota looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Asikainen passes into side control.
Kota is looking to reverse the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Charles Kota will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Asikainen with a poor takedown
and Kota counters with a nice uppercut.
Kota keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kota throws a head kick that misses.
Asikainen steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.

Kota takes the fight into the clinch.
Kota has Asikainen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Asikainen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Asikainen is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kota drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Asikainen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kota has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Asikainen after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Kota. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asikainen is trying to push Kota away but Kota has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kota wants to take the fight to the mat but Asikainen manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Asikainen can't get the takedown.

Kota pulls Asikainen into guard.

Asikainen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kota has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Asikainen has managed to get both his arms back between Kota's legs - danger averted.
Asikainen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Kota's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Asikainen is trying to work for a kimura but Kota is defending well.

Kota is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Asikainen pulls his head out easily.
Asikainen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Kota!
Asikainen prevents Kota from getting the reversal.
Kota looks very frustrated and is flailing away with strikes from the bottom. His corner are telling him to stay calm.
Kota wants to control but Asikainen is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asikainen wants to control the pace but Kota is squirming around nicely.
Kota is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kota gets back to half guard.

Kota with the active half guard here but Asikainen passes nicely into side control.
Asikainen cracks Kota with a big elbow.
Kota tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kota is working hard here to advance position.
Asikainen trying to control the action but Kota is working from the bottom.
Kota takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Kota's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Asikainen grinds an elbow into Kota's temple.
Kota is working to avoid the ground and pound but Asikainen connects with a decent elbow.
Kota sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Asikainen lands a nice short elbow.

Asikainen stands up out of the half guard.
Asikainen misses with a takedown

and Kota counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Asikainen!

Asikainen bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Asikainen is defended easily by Kota.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!

Kota gets the takedown into side control.

Asikainen sneaks out the side door and pushes Kota away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Asikainen dives in and grabs Kota's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kota pushes down on Asikainen's head and hops out.
Vesa Asikainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Asikainen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kota sprawls well. Kota wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Asikainen gets slowly back to his feet.

Kota shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Asikainen manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vesa Asikainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Kota 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a majority draw!