PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Damian Kaia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Anssi Kukkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kaia
vs
Kukkonen

183 cm
23
194 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
191 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

HATE Technologies

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Damian Kaia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anssi Kukkonen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kaia shoots in but no luck this time.
Kukkonen cracks Kaia with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

It looks like Damian Kaia has been cut.
Kaia is looking to clinch.
Kaia shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Damian Kaia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kaia takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kaia fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Damian Kaia. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kukkonen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kaia, pushing him back against the cage.
Kukkonen digs a right hand into Kaia's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kaia's gas tank.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kaia wants a takedown.
Kaia tries to pull guard but Kukkonen holds him up against the cage and eventually Kaia drops back down to his feet.
Kaia jumps guard but Kukkonen stands there with Kaia around his waist. Kaia gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kukkonen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Kukkonen breaks the clinch.
Kaia shoots in and drives through. Kukkonen sprawls well.

Kukkonen rushes Kaia and presses him up against the cage.

Kaia lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kukkonen is trying to stand up here but Kaia is controlling him well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen has hold of Kaia's hands but Kaia slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kaia is looking to take a break and control but Kukkonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kaia prevents Kukkonen from standing back up.
Kukkonen is not content to let Kaia control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kaia wants to pass to mount but Kukkonen is defending the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kaia shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kukkonen but Kukkonen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kaia shoots in but Kukkonen avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Kukkonen darts in and clinches Kaia up against the cage.
Kaia wants a takedown.
Kaia tries to pull guard but Kukkonen won't allow it.
Kaia looking for a takedown.
Kaia is breathing heavily.
Kaia tries for a takedown. No joy.
Kaia missing with knees to the body.
Kaia wants to break free but Kukkonen has control.
Kaia tries to pull guard but Kukkonen won't allow it.
Kukkonen scores with a shot to the side of Kaia's head.

Kukkonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Kaia with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen lands with a jab that stuns his opponent. Kaia is looking to close the distance but Kukkonen sees it coming and throws a beautiful knee! Kaia crumbles to the mat and that's all she wrote! Let's hope Kaia is OK because that was naaaaaasty!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:08 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Knee). Anssi Kukkonen!