PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abe Kongo (ranked 4140 p4p, 5602 weight class) and Kalle Kuula (ranked 541 p4p, 639 weight class). I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Kongo
vs
Kuula

172 cm
25
173
5 - 4 - 0

173 cm
25
209
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abe Kongo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kalle Kuula!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuula tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kongo counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kuula fails with an attempt to clinch.

Kongo clinches up with Kuula and pushes him back against the cage.
Kuula told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
Kongo stops a takedown attempt from Kuula.
Kuula has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kongo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Kuula tries to pull guard but Kongo holds him up against the cage and eventually Kuula drops back down to his feet.
Abe Kongo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalle Kuula.

Kongo pulls guard.
Kuula should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Kongo can't keep his opponent in guard - Kuula advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kuula wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kongo keeps working.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kuula is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kongo is controlling Kuula's position as best he can from this difficult position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
We've been hearing good reports from Kongo'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.
Kongo on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kongo tries to get out of the position.
Kongo wants to get back to his feet.
Kongo is concentrating on defense, preventing Kuula from advancing position.
Kongo pushes Kuula off looking to stand but Kuula dives back in and keeps control.

Kuula is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kuula thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kongo's head.
Kongo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kuula on the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kuula wants to take a breather but Kongo is having none of it.
Kongo desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Kuula tries to pass to full mount but Kongo defends it.
Kuula missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Kuula seems to be working for a kimura but Kongo defends the submission attempt.
Kongo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kuula.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuula seems to be looking for submissions.

Kuula is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Kuula has eaten all the pies!
Kongo tries to get to full guard but Kuula has control of the leg.

Kuula maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Kongo could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Kuula has cracked it and Kongo is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Kuula!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Kalle Kuula!