PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Simo Halli (ranked 2350 p4p, 5726 weight class) and Sergej Kusnemirpow (ranked 293 p4p, 510 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Halli
vs
Kusnemirpow

180 cm
25
185
11 - 8 - 0

193 cm
23
197
2 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Simo Halli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Sergej Kusnemirpow!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Halli gets the takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kusnemirpow is looking to regain half guard here but Halli keeps moving and retains side control.
Kusnemirpow is not content to let Halli control the position.

Halli thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kusnemirpow tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Halli wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kusnemirpow felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Halli is looking to take a break and control but Kusnemirpow is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Halli wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kusnemirpow, who protects the arm well.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kusnemirpow is trying to get back to half guard.

Halli tries for a kimura but Kusnemirpow is defending well.
Kusnemirpow is looking to reverse the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Halli wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kusnemirpow, who protects the arm well.
Halli is looking to take a break and control but Kusnemirpow is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kusnemirpow is trying to improve his position.
The referee asks Halli politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Halli prefers to stall for the moment though.
Kusnemirpow is trying to get back to half guard.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Halli trying to control the position but Kusnemirpow is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Halli looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Halli thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kusnemirpow is looking for a sweep.
We've been hearing that Halli has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Kusnemirpow is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Halli's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kusnemirpow is looking to improve his position.

Halli is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kusnemirpow sees it coming and defends easily.
Kusnemirpow wants to improve his position but Halli is controlling well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Halli in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Kusnemirpow tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Halli!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Simo Halli!
A relieved looking Simo Halli thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.