PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kwame Kagiso (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kai Firanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Firanen has chosen Bee Gees - Stayin' Alive as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The key to victory for Kwame Kagiso has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Kagiso
vs
Firanen

185 cm
25
200 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

209 cm
18
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kwame Kagiso!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kai Firanen!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kagiso has Firanen up against the cage in a clinch.

Kagiso gets control of Firanen's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kagiso will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Kagiso is looking to stand up but Firanen isn't so interested in that idea.
Firanen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Kagiso escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Firanen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Firanen won't allow Kagiso to sweep him here.
Firanen lands a couple of elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Firanen preventing the sweep.
Firanen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Firanen with a nice head shot there.

Kagiso had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Firanen defends it easily.
Firanen postures up and lands a big shot to Kagiso's brow.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Firanen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Firanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kagiso controls Firanen momentarily but Firanen frees himself.
Firanen is looking to stand up but Kagiso won't let him.
Firanen is fighting to break Kagiso's control of his arms but Kagiso is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Kagiso preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Firanen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Firanen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Firanen lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Firanen is looking to work some ground and pound but Kagiso has wrist control.
Firanen prevents Kagiso from getting back to his feet.
Kagiso might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Firanen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kagiso is looking to stand up but Firanen isn't so interested in that idea.
Firanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kagiso is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Firanen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Firanen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Firanen controls Kagiso momentarily but Kagiso frees himself.
Firanen keeping moving, preventing Kagiso from controlling successfully.
Firanen has a closed guard, preventing Kagiso from standing up.
Firanen keeping moving, preventing Kagiso from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kagiso is really struggling to control Firanen but he's trying to hold on to the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Kai Firanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Firanen scores with a takedown into Kagiso's guard.
Firanen stays in close to Kagiso's body and controls the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Firanen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kagiso's guard.
Kagiso trying to keep a closed guard but Firanen is proving a slippery customer.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Firanen is looking to work some ground and pound but Kagiso has wrist control.
Kagiso looking to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kai Firanen dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Firanen tries for a takedown but Kagiso sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Kagiso clinches.
Firanen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kagiso gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Firanen turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Firanen cracks Kagiso with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Kagiso is trying to control Firanen's posture but Firanen avoids it.
Kagiso wants to get back to his feet.
Kagiso is looking to reverse the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Firanen tries to advance to mount but Kagiso denies him.
Kai Firanen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kagiso is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Firanen off and has taken his back!

Kagiso patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kagiso has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Firanen has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Firanen is really stuck here.
Firanen trying to control the position but Kagiso manages to sink in the hooks.
Firanen is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Kagiso is staying active.
Kagiso is riding his opponent, not letting Firanen buck him off.
Firanen tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Kagiso trying to control but Firanen is having none of it.
Firanen is trying to get back to his feet but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Firanen is looking to improve his position but Kagiso isn't that keen on the idea.
Firanen regains half guard.

Kagiso seems to be working for a kimura but Firanen defends the submission attempt.
Firanen trying to control but Kagiso postures up.
Firanen is looking for a sweep. Kagiso is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kagiso trying to control the action but Firanen is working from the bottom.
Firanen taking some punishment here, with Kagiso in his half guard.
Firanen tries to get to full guard but Kagiso has control of the leg.
Firanen is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Kagiso jumps into side control!
Firanen is looking for a sweep.

Kagiso decides to stand up, so the ref orders Firanen to his feet.

Kagiso shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Firanen is trying to defend but Kagiso finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Firanen is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Firanen tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Firanen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Firanen trying to strike off his back.
Firanen keeping moving, preventing Kagiso from controlling successfully.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Firanen can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kagiso stopping the sweep attempt from Firanen.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kagiso trying to control but Firanen is working from the bottom.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kwame Kagiso dominated that second round.
That's time! Kagiso's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kagiso bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kagiso creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Firanen sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Firanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kagiso advances to mount.
Firanen is desperately trying to improve his position but Kagiso has a good base and remains in mount.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Firanen sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Firanen trying to control but Kagiso postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Firanen is refusing to be controlled, as Kagiso sits in half guard.
Firanen is looking to improve his position.
Firanen tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Kagiso tries to pass to full mount but Firanen defends it.
Firanen tries to roll over but Kagiso keeps him under control.

Kagiso is trying to work for a kimura but Firanen is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Firanen is looking for a sweep. Kagiso is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kagiso seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Firanen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kagiso looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Firanen is pressing down on Kagiso's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Firanen looking for a guillotine here but Kagiso defends easily.
Firanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Kagiso avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Firanen keeping moving, preventing Kagiso from controlling successfully.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kagiso pushes Firanen up against the cage in a clinch.

Kagiso ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kagiso no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kagiso not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Firanen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kagiso dives on top into guard.

Firanen throws his legs up looking for a submission but Kagiso uses it to pass to side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kagiso trying to control the action but Firanen is working from the bottom.

Kagiso decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Kagiso drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kagiso pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Firanen is keeping the position for now.
Kagiso loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kagiso wants to control from the top but Firanen keeps moving.
Firanen wants to sweep here but Kagiso controlling him for the moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kwame Kagiso showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kagiso has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kwame Kagiso!