PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Morrison Erikksen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ari Kantola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Erikksen
vs
Kantola

190 cm
32
300 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

185 cm
34
300 lbs
26 - 11 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Morrison Erikksen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ari Kantola!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Erikksen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kantola was covering up waiting for the punch and Erikksen finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kantola has control of Erikksen's left arm, preventing Erikksen from doing any damage.

Kantola is working an open guard so Erikksen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Erikksen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kantola tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Erikksen is in Kantola's guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kantola has control of Erikksen's left arm, preventing Erikksen from doing any damage.
Kantola's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
More stalling from Kantola.
Erikksen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kantola is continuing to stall.
Let's hope that Kantola has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

Erikksen closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kantola's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kantola controlling the position.
We've been hearing good reports from Erikksen'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.

Erikksen gets to his feet - Kantola follows without any prompting.

Erikksen stands up and waves to Kantola to follow him.

Kantola has taken the fight to the clinch.
Erikksen wants to stall.
Kantola misses with a knee to the head.
Erikksen blocking some punches.
A short right from Erikksen.
Erikksen swings wildly with an uppercut but Kantola uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kantola tries to throw a body punch but Erikksen avoids it by throwing Kantola back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kantola blocking some punches.
Kantola lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kantola lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Morrison Erikksen has been cut.
A left hand lands to the body for Kantola.
Erikksen is breathing heavily.
Kantola connects with a nasty looking knee right to Erikksen's face.
Erikksen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kantola lands a nice elbow.
Kantola holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kantola lands an elbow inside that Erikksen shrugs off.

Morrison Erikksen's cut is getting worse.
Kantola using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Erikksen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Erikksen wants to stall.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Kantola.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kantola lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Morrison Erikksen's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Erikksen slowing the pace effectively.
Kantola utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Kantola connects with a nasty looking knee right to Erikksen's face.

Jeez, Morrison Erikksen's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kantola slows down the pace here.
Erikksen takes an elbow to the temple.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Morrison Erikksen's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Ari Kantola!
In his post fight interview, Ari Kantola started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.