PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paavali Kontiainen (ranked 1517 p4p, 1645 weight class) and Kiso Kisei (ranked 198 p4p, 213 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kontiainen
vs
Kisei

192 cm
23
212
5 - 3 - 0

195 cm
23
209
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
World class MT
Good gas tank

FUClothing

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paavali Kontiainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kiso Kisei!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Andrew Berry and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kontiainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kisei throws a hook but Kontiainen avoids it easily.
Kontiainen throwing a counter right hand but Kisei manages to avoid it.

Kisei feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kisei looking to pass the guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kontiainen holds on and takes a little breather.

Kontiainen manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kisei drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kontiainen has a couple of punches blocked by Kisei.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kisei.
Kontiainen throws a punch but it's blocked by Kisei.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kisei tries to pull guard but Kontiainen forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Kisei wants a takedown.
Paavali Kontiainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kiso Kisei.
Kontiainen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kontiainen misses with the head strike.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kisei creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Kisei has Kontiainen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kontiainen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Kontiainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kontiainen has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Helsinki Private Gym in the buildup to the fight.
Kisei swings for the body but Kontiainen moves out of range.
Kontiainen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.

It looks like Kiso Kisei has been cut.
Kisei comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kisei tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kontiainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Kisei.
Kontiainen is looking to counter with a body kick.
Kisei throws a jab when Kontiainen was well out of range.
Kisei is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kontiainen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kisei lands a right hook to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kisei or perhaps it was just good defense by Kontiainen, which made it look bad.
A little feinted left hand from Kontiainen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kisei throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kontiainen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kontiainen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kisei throws an overhand right that lands on Kontiainen's shoulder, as Kontiainen tries to avoid the shot.
Sloppy strikes from Kontiainen. Those never looked like landing.
Kontiainen ducks under a wild hook from Kisei.
Kontiainen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Sloppy strikes from Kisei. Those never looked like landing.
Kisei thuds a left hand into Kontiainen's body.
Kontiainen leaves Kisei with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kontiainen misses with a low kick.
Kisei connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Kisei tries a low kick but Kontiainen avoids it.
Kontiainen slips under a jab.
It looked like Kontiainen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kisei cracks a nice hook into Kontiainen's ribs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kisei attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kontiainen throws a quick counter kick to the body but Kisei avoids it.
Kisei pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kontiainen throwing a counter right hand but Kisei manages to avoid it.
Kisei lands with a nice body punch.
Kiso Kisei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kontiainen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kisei changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kontiainen tries to avoid it but Kisei manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kontiainen to the ground. Kontiainen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kisei misses with a body shot
and Kontiainen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kisei is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Kisei looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Kisei is pressing down on Kontiainen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kontiainen is holding on for now.

Kisei is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kontiainen defends it well.
Kontiainen wants to improve his position but Kisei is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kisei wants to advance to full mount but Kontiainen doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Kontiainen keeping moving, preventing Kisei from controlling successfully.
Kisei pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kontiainen is keeping the position for now.
Kisei must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kontiainen wants to sweep here but Kisei controlling him for the moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kontiainen has his hands on Kisei's head, controlling the position.
Kisei is looking to advance position but Kontiainen has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kiso Kisei will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Kiso Kisei's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kisei gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kontiainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kisei shoots and misses
and Kontiainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kontiainen defending well as Kisei loads up on a big left hand.
Kontiainen throws out a loose jab but Kisei uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kontiainen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kontiainen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kontiainen avoids the head kick by Kisei.
Kiso Kisei seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kisei connects with a body shot that sends Kontiainen's belly button to the back.
Kontiainen misses the shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kisei fails to land the takedown.
Paavali Kontiainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kiso Kisei.
Kisei fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kontiainen manages to avoid it.
Kisei throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kontiainen's waist but Kontiainen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kisei off to one side.
Kontiainen misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kontiainen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kontiainen swings for the body but Kisei moves out of range.
Kisei pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kontiainen back to the cage. Kisei follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Good leg kick by Kisei.
Kisei closes the distance looking to clinch
and Kontiainen counters with a big head kick but Kisei shrugs it off.
Kontiainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Kisei is just out of range.
Kontiainen has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Kontiainen drops his hands momentarily and Kisei takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Kisei closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kisei lands in his opponent's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kontiainen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Kisei is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kontiainen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kisei controls the pace.
Kisei throwing strikes from guard but Kontiainen blocks nicely.
Kontiainen pulls Kisei in close to his closed guard and prevents Kisei from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kontiainen is trying to hold Kisei in close to prevent damage but Kisei has managed to pass into half guard.

Kontiainen kicks Kisei off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kisei connects with an inside leg kick.
Kisei scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kisei jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kisei connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kontiainen checks the leg kick.
Kisei shoots in looking for a takedown. Kontiainen tries to sprawl out of it but Kisei keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kontiainen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kontiainen is looking to counter punch.
Kisei throws a right hand that misses
and Kontiainen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kontiainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kisei lands with a nice combination. Kontiainen backs away looking to recover.
Kontiainen moves away from the strike by Kisei.
Kisei fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kisei throws a right and a left that Kontiainen avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kisei chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kontiainen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kisei ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kontiainen keeps the fight on the outside.
Kontiainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kisei.
Kisei checks a leg kick.
Kisei tries to counter with a clinch but Kontiainen shakes him off and moves away.
Kontiainen misses with a body shot.
Kisei tries to land a leg kick but Kontiainen saw it coming and moves away.
Kontiainen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kisei uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kontiainen has time to react.
Kisei misses with a hook
and Kisei takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kisei shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kontiainen pinned against the cage. Kontiainen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kiso Kisei showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kiso Kisei's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kisei looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Kisei is working for a submission of some sort.
Kontiainen is pressing down on Kisei's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Paavali Kontiainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kisei pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kontiainen is keeping the position for now.
Kontiainen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kontiainen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Kisei pushes down on Kontiainen's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Kisei wants to pass to mount but Kontiainen is defending the position.
Kisei is trying to control. Kontiainen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kontiainen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kontiainen.
Kisei pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kontiainen is keeping the position for now.
Paavali Kontiainen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kisei looking to sit in guard and control but Kontiainen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kisei is trying to keep Kontiainen in close.
Kontiainen preventing the sweep.
Kisei is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Kontiainen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kisei is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kisei working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kontiainen.
Kisei looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kiso Kisei is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kisei looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Paavali Kontiainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kontiainen misses the shot to the body.
Kontiainen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Decent striking displayed by Kisei there.
Kisei lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Kontiainen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kiseis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kisei fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kontiainen checks it well.
Kisei tests Kontiainen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kisei scores with a hook to the body. Kontiainen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kisei shoots and misses
and Kontiainen counters with an inside leg kick.
Kisei throws a predictable looking body shot

and Kontiainen counters with a head kick that drops Kisei to the mat! Kisei scrambles across the canvas and gets back to his feet, still wobbly!

Kisei is rocked!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kisei swings for the body but Kontiainen moves out of range.
Kisei is still on wobbly legs! Can Kontiainen finish him?
Kisei shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kontiainen as he avoids it easily.
Kisei seems to have recovered his senses.
Kisei takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kisei avoids a kick to the body.
Kontiainen cracks Kisei with a hook to the temple - Kisei is on wobbly legs here! Kontiainen swarms him with hook after hook, landing with each one! Kisei falls to the canvas face first and the referee dives in to stop the fight! Kontiainen wins by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Punches). Paavali Kontiainen!
A very excited looking Paavali Kontiainen made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.