PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kyoto Machine (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paha Yhdistys (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Paha Yhdistys will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Machine
vs
Yhdistys

190 cm
21
210 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

187 cm
20
205 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple 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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kyoto Machine!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paha Yhdistys!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Yhdistys tries to clinch up.
Paha Yhdistys seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Machine closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Machine lands in his opponent's guard.
Machine won't allow Yhdistys to sweep him here.
Yhdistys controls Machine momentarily but Machine frees himself.
Machine pushes down on Yhdistys's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Machine wants to pass the guard but Yhdistys is defending well.
Yhdistys trying to control from the bottom.
Machine not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Yhdistys is trying to control but can't.
Machine is tying to control. Yhdistys wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Yhdistys doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Machine decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Yhdistys's guard.
Machine looking to pass the guard.
Yhdistys manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Machine manages to get himself to full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Machine is on top in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yhdistys looking to hit a scissor sweep but Machine is one step ahead there.
Yhdistys keeping moving, preventing Machine from controlling successfully.
Machine trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Yhdistys trying to control the position.
Yhdistys looking to hit a scissor sweep but Machine is one step ahead there.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Yhdistys bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Machine's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Yhdistys postures up and lands a big shot to Machine's brow.
Yhdistys won't allow Machine to sweep him here.

Machine is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Machine is breathing heavily.
Yhdistys cracks Machine with a solid left hand.
Machine wants to sweep but no luck.
Yhdistys lands a couple of digs.
Yhdistys would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Yhdistys scoring with some ground and pound.
Machine manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Yhdistys manages to get himself to full guard.
Yhdistys throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Machine thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Yhdistys lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Machine!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machine is trying to escape the mount.
A nice elbow there by Yhdistys.
Yhdistys can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Machine is looking to escape.
Yhdistys in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Machine takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Yhdistys connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Machine really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Yhdistys lands with some strikes.
BOOM! Yhdistys connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Machine is looking to improve his position but Yhdistys isn't that keen on the idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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.
Yhdistys has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Machine's face.
Yhdistys looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Yhdistys punishing his opponent with strikes.
Machine taking shots to the head.
Yhdistys connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Machine is working to get back to half guard.
Machine is working hard here to advance position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Yhdistys working for a guillotine from mount but Machine is in no mood to give up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kyoto Machine will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Yhdistys looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Yhdistys is looking to advance position but Machine won't allow it.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Yhdistys lands a nice short elbow.
Yhdistys is just content to waste time from the top position. Machine takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

Machine working for a triangle but Yhdistys defends it easily.
Yhdistys is working Machine over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Machine doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

Machine looking for a guillotine here but Yhdistys defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machine is looking for a triangle but Yhdistys pushes his legs off easily.

Yhdistys drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Yhdistys jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Yhdistys working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

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

Machine looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Machine tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Yhdistys shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Machine is pressing down on Yhdistys's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Yhdistys lands a couple of elbows.

Machine looking for a guillotine here but Yhdistys defends easily.
Yhdistys content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Yhdistys distracts Machine with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Paha Yhdistys has got the better of the ground game so far.
Yhdistys wants to control from the top but Machine keeps moving.

Machine looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yhdistys has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Yhdistys trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machine is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Machine looking for a guillotine here but Yhdistys defends easily.
Machine tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Yhdistys shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Machine counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Machine throwing strikes from guard but Yhdistys blocks nicely.
Machine wants to pass the guard but Yhdistys is keeping the position.
Yhdistys is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machine tries to get to full guard but Yhdistys has control of the leg.

Machine looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Yhdistys stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Machine scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Yhdistys throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Yhdistys works his way to full guard. Good work.
Machine slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Machine landing a few strikes.

Machine tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Machine has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Machine tries for a kimura but Yhdistys is defending well.
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 Kyoto Machine will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Yhdistys misses with a takedown

and Machine counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Machine scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Yhdistys wants to sweep here but Machine controlling him for the moment.
Machine lands a couple of elbows.
Yhdistys wants to sweep here but Machine controlling him for the moment.
Yhdistys working a defensive guard here.

Machine 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.
Machine pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yhdistys is keeping the position for now.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Machine looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Yhdistys advances position into side control!
Machine takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Machine tries to buck Yhdistys off but Yhdistys is having none of it.
Yhdistys grinds an elbow into Machine's temple.
Machine is trying to get back to half guard.
Machine takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Yhdistys stands up and beckons Machine to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Yhdistys shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Machine's guard.
Yhdistys with a nice head shot there.

Machine is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Yhdistys stands up over Machine, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Machine is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Machine wants to sweep here but Yhdistys controlling him for the moment.

Machine looking for a guillotine here but Yhdistys defends easily.
Yhdistys content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Machine had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Yhdistys is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Machine Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Yhdistys's back instead.

Machine has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.
Machine misses with an elbow to the head.
Yhdistys trying to get back to his feet but Machine is in full control for now.
Yhdistys grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
I really don't envy Yhdistys right now.
Yhdistys rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Yhdistys wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Yhdistys tries to clinch

and Machine counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Machine looking to pass the guard.
Paha Yhdistys has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Yhdistys looking for a guillotine here but Machine defends easily.
Yhdistys will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Yhdistys tries to strike from the bottom.
Machine has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Machine postures up in Yhdistys's guard and throws a big left but Yhdistys blocks it.
Yhdistys throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Machine pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Yhdistys is keeping the position for now.
Yhdistys wants to sweep here but Machine controlling him for the moment.
Kyoto Machine is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Machine trying to control but Yhdistys is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kyoto Machine.
Well Machine 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Paha Yhdistys!