PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Cris Carter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and JeanPierre Kusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kusela's choice of entrance music: Paradise Lost - Small Town Boy. Cris Carter has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Carter
vs
Kusela

208 cm
21
183 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

178 cm
22
169 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Determined

ALL-STAR Nutrition (140 Recovery, $ 30)

Bushido Clothing
CROWN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cris Carter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, JeanPierre Kusela!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kusela looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kusela working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Carter is refusing to be controlled, as Kusela sits in half guard.
Carter tries to kick Kusela off but Kusela keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kusela controlling the action here.
Kusela prevents Carter from standing back up.
Kusela thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kusela prevents Carter from standing back up.
Well, if Kusela is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kusela stops Carter from getting back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kusela wants to clinch.
Kusela shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Carter as he jumps to the side.

Carter has Kusela up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carter doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kusela wants a takedown.
Carter tries a knee to the head but Kusela blocks it.
Kusela blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kusela.
Carter looking to throw knees to the head but Kusela is blocking nicely.
Carter fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Carter working aggressively here.

Kusela works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Kusela is pushing down on Carter's leg trying to pass to half guard. Carter is fighting to maintain full guard but Kusela has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kusela tries to pass the half guard into mount. Carter knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Carter kicks off Kusela and gets to his feet.
Kusela fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Cris Carter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JeanPierre Kusela.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kusela.

Kusela shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kusela wants to free his trapped foot but Carter is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kusela looks gassed!
Carter is not content to let Kusela control the position.
Kusela sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Carter defending well though.
Kusela thows a huge punch but Carter dodges it nicely.
Kusela seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Carter does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kusela thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Carter's head.

Carter pushes Kusela off and gets back to his feet.
Cris Carter seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Carter closes the distance but Kusela moves to the side

and Kusela decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Carter's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carter is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kusela is controlling him.
Carter will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusela trying to control but Carter is working from the bottom.
Kusela postures up in Carter's guard and throws a big left but Carter blocks it.
Carter wants to stand but Kusela is controlling the position.
Kusela trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Carter is looking to stand up but Kusela isn't so interested in that idea.
Kusela lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kusela works over Carter with some ground and pound from guard.
Kusela prevents Carter from getting back to his feet.
Carter really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kusela wants to get up but he can't break Carter's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Carter keeping full guard, as Kusela tries to pass.
Carter is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kusela is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kusela missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Carter is looking to stand up but Kusela isn't so interested in that idea.
Carter trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nice takedown defense from Carter. No joy for Kusela on that attempt.

Kusela scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Carter is not content to let Kusela control the position.
Kusela lands some shots froms side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Carter is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Kusela has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Carter looks to clinch

and Kusela counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JeanPierre Kusela dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kusela changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Carter tries to avoid it but Kusela manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Carter to the ground. Carter escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Carter tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kusela counters with a nice double leg into side control. Carter won't be happy with that.
Kusela grinds an elbow into Carter's temple.
Kusela looks up at the clock and then as Carter takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kusela smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Kusela tries to advance to mount but can't.
Carter bucks up and tries to throw Kusela off but instead Kusela has got his back!
Carter wants to get back to his feet.
Kusela wants to control but Carter is keeping busy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kusela is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Carter up.
Kusela is throwing strikes from the back here. Oh that last one was to the back of the head. Kusela gets a warning from the referee. He throws another strike to the back of the head straight away though and the referee has seen enough. He breaks up the two fighters and stands them back up. Kusela gets a real talking to here and is lucky not to get a point deducted. Kusela apologises and we restart here on the feet.
Kusela sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusela shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Carter as he avoids it easily.
Carter's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Carter duly obliges.

Carter rushes Kusela and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Kusela avoids a wild elbow strike from Carter.
Carter looking to throw knees to the head but Kusela is blocking nicely.
Kusela is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Cris Carter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JeanPierre Kusela.
Carter doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Carter lands a knee to the head.
Carter is working Kusela over against the cage.
Carter throws a punch but it's blocked by Kusela.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Carter.
Carter working aggressively here.
Kusela takes a shot to the head.
Kusela is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Carter lands a left hand.
Carter misses with a body punch.
Carter misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Carter with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kusela has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Carter is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Carter lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kusela has Carter pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Carter manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kusela blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Carter swings wildly with an uppercut but Kusela uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kusela has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Carter avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Good body shot from Carter.
Carter swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Carter doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Carter.
A knee to the head by Carter.
Kusela wants a takedown.
Carter fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A nice left hand lands by Carter.
Kusela blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kusela tries to score a body lock takedown but Carter shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusela drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Carter connects with a nasty looking knee right to Kusela's face.
Carter swings wildly with an uppercut but Kusela uses good head movement to avoid it.
Carter content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kusela is trying to drag Carter to the mat but Carter just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Carter tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kusela has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Carter is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Carter misses with some punches.
Carter misses with a punch to the body.
Carter misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kusela tries for a takedown but Carter manages to get underhooks.
Kusela can't get the takedown.

That's four 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.
Carter lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A nice right hand lands inside from Carter.
Kusela blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Carter using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kusela has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Carter with a knee to the head.
Carter working aggressively here.
Carter with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Carter.

Kusela gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kusela working the head and body with strikes.
Kusela has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
BOOM! Kusela connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Carter wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

JeanPierre Kusela showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kusela scores a takedown into full mount!
Carter takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Kusela landing strikes from the mount and Carter is in trouble!
Kusela trying to control but Carter is having none of it.
Kusela controlling his opponent.
The referee warns Carter that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
JeanPierre Kusela has got the better of the ground game so far.

Carter bucks up and throws Kusela to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

Carter gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Carter wants to stand up but Kusela is controlling him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusela trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kusela distracts Carter with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kusela stands up over Carter, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Kusela looking to pass the guard.
Kusela trying to control the position from guard on top but Carter is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Carter has Kusela up against the cage in a clinch.
Kusela avoids the elbow strike from Carter, against the cage.
Carter prevents the takedown attempt.
Carter misses with a short punch on the inside.
Carter throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Carter.
Carter with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Carter has a couple of punches blocked by Kusela.
A head punch on the inside from Carter fails to land.
Carter misses with a short punch on the inside.
Carter looking to throw knees to the head but Kusela is blocking nicely.

Kusela tightens his grip and picks Carter up, before dumping him to the ground. Carter manages to land in guard.
Kusela with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kusela throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Carter works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kusela tries to free his leg and advance position but Carter is retaining full guard.
Carter can't keep his opponent in guard - Kusela advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kusela trying to pass the guard but Carter defending well.
Kusela thows a huge punch but Carter dodges it nicely.

Carter has one foot on Kusela's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Carter wants to clinch

and Kusela counters with a takedown into side control.
Kusela is looking to take a break and control but Carter is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kusela tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Cris Carter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Carter regains half guard there - taking advantage of Kusela's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Kusela missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kusela sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Carter defending well though.
Carter is refusing to be controlled, as Kusela sits in half guard.
Carter is looking to escape.
JeanPierre Kusela is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusela wants to pass to mount but Carter is defending the position.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Carter plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Cris Carter is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Carter moves into range and clinches up with Kusela.
Carter swings wildly with an uppercut but Kusela uses good head movement to avoid it.
Carter throws a punch but it's blocked by Kusela.
Kusela tries to pull guard but Carter holds him up against the cage and eventually Kusela drops back down to his feet.
Carter tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Carter misses with a punch on the inside.
Carter tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kusela drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Cris Carter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of JeanPierre Kusela.
Kusela blocks a punch to the side of the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
JeanPierre Kusela comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kusela winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... JeanPierre Kusela!