PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kalle Kula (ranked 2961 p4p, 1382 weight class) and Tomomi Tsuruta (ranked 385 p4p, 213 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kula
vs
Tsuruta

190 cm
24
215
3 - 3 - 0

192 cm
23
209
8 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

Shadow Realm Apparel

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 London, Kalle Kula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tomomi Tsuruta!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Paul Aken and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tsuruta bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've been told by Kula's head coaches at BKC Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Tsuruta looks to score with a jab to the body but Kula is just out of range.
Kula misses with a body shot.
Tsuruta slips a jab from Kula.
Tsuruta displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kula throws out the jab.
Kula looks to score with a jab to the body but Tsuruta is just out of range.
Tsuruta is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kula misses with a straight left.
Tsuruta shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kula sprawls well. Kula wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Tsuruta gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kula digs a good body shot into Tsuruta's ribs.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Tsuruta has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Tsuruta ducks under a wild hook from Kula.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kula loads up on a big right hand but Tsuruta slips the punch.
Tsuruta tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Kula throws a wild body kick that Tsuruta sees coming a mile off.
Tsuruta changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kula tries to avoid it but Tsuruta manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kula to the ground. Kula escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Tsuruta drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Tsuruta keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nice defenses there by Tsuruta.
Kula lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tsuruta backs up against the cage.
Kula throws a body punch but Tsuruta moves out of range.
Tsuruta slips under a jab from Kula.
Kula misses with a body shot
and Tsuruta counters with a stiff right hand.
Kula works over Tsuruta's head and body with a nice combination.
Kula misses with a jab to the body
and Tsuruta counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kula throws a sloppy head kick and Tsuruta moves out of range easily.
Kula throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Tsuruta.
Nice defenses there by Kula.

Kula tries to sprawl but Tsuruta drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Tsuruta slips a nice elbow through Kula's hands, connecting with Kula's forehead.
Tsuruta not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kula tries to get to full guard but Tsuruta has control of the leg.
Tsuruta missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kula trying to control from the bottom.
Ground and pound from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tsuruta connects with a nice short shot to Kula's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tsuruta thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kula's head.
Kula is controlling Tsuruta's trapped leg to prevent Tsuruta from advancing to side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta thows a huge punch but Kula dodges it nicely.
Kula is not content to let Tsuruta control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Tsuruta connects with a nice short shot to Kula's temple.
Kula desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Kula is trying to control but can't.
Tsuruta missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Tsuruta throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kula is looking to improve his position.
Tsuruta lands strikes from half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kula is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Tsuruta's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Tsuruta's back!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta trying to control the position but Kula manages to sink in the hooks.
Tsuruta is trying to break free.
Tsuruta manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kula's guard. Nice work there by Tsuruta.
Kula controls Tsuruta momentarily but Tsuruta frees himself.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kula holds on and takes a little breather.
Kula looking for a sweep. Not yet Kula, not yet.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Kula holds on and takes a little breather.
Tsuruta content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kula 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.
Kula working a defensive guard here.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kalle Kula dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kula throws a body shot but no joy.
A jab from Kula misses.
A shot to the liver by Tsuruta. Beautiful body shot.
Kula throws a jab when Tsuruta was well out of range.
Tsuruta keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kula.
Tsuruta looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kula throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Tsuruta sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kalle Kula is winning the standup battle so far.
Kula throws out a loose jab but Tsuruta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Tsuruta is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
A shot to the body from Kula misses

and Tsuruta counters with a takedown into side control.
Tsuruta taking a breather here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kula is trying to improve his position.
You can see the frustration on Kula's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kula is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tsuruta trying to control the position but Kula is working away.
Kula manages to work his way to half guard, despite Tsuruta's best efforts.
Kula is looking to improve his position.
Kula is working hard here to advance position.
Kula moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kula has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Tsuruta postures up.
Tsuruta is working Kula over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tsuruta won't allow Kula to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kula is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Tsuruta trying to control the position from guard on top but Kula is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Tsuruta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kula working a defensive guard here.
Kula keeping moving, preventing Tsuruta from controlling successfully.
Kula 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.
Kula working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kula works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kula pulls Tsuruta in close to prevent any damage.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Tomomi Tsuruta has got the better of the ground game so far.
Tsuruta is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kula has momentary wrist control but Tsuruta slips an elbow through the middle.
Tsuruta wants to pass the guard but Kula is keeping the position.
Kula pulls Tsuruta in close to his closed guard and prevents Tsuruta from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kula wants to sweep but no luck.
Kula trying to control the position.
Tsuruta in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kula not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tsuruta is working Kula over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Tsuruta postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Tsuruta lands a couple of elbows.
Kula is trying to control the position but Tsuruta postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kula avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kula wants to sweep here but Tsuruta controlling him for the moment.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kula is on top in guard.

Tsuruta wants to sweep here but Kula controlling him for the moment.
Tsuruta is trying to keep Kula in close.
Tsuruta seems keen to control Kula's posture.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Tsuruta can't keep his opponent in guard - Kula advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Well, if Kula is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Tomomi Tsuruta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Tsuruta shoots in for a takedown but Kula shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
An attempted straight right counter from Kula misses the target.
Jab by Tsuruta.
Kula dips to his left and cracks Tsuruta with an uppercut!
Kula misses with a straight left.
Tsuruta lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Tsuruta looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
It looked like Kula wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Tsuruta shoots in looking for a takedown. Kula tries to sprawl out of it but Tsuruta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kula manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tsuruta digs a good hook to Kula's body.
Kalle Kula is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kula stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kula wants it to stay on the feet.
Kalle Kula has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomomi Tsuruta.
Tsuruta dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kula scores with a punch to the head.
Kalle Kula seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kula throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Tsuruta misses with a takedown attempt - Kula sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kula throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tsuruta moves away from the strike by Kula.
Tsuruta staying out of range there.
Kula catches Tsuruta with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Kula misses with a wild body shot.
Kula throws a lazy right hand but Tsuruta sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta misses the shot to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Kula on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Tsuruta moves out of range of the strikes.
Tsuruta keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kula.
Tsuruta feints the counter takedown.
Tsuruta misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A counter left hand to the body from Kula misses its target.
Kula fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Tsuruta looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Tsuruta is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kula rather than just go for the knockout.
Tsuruta defending well as Kula loads up on a big left hand.
Kula misses with a body shot.
Kula connects with a single shot there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tsuruta takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Tsuruta shoots and misses
and Kula connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kula avoids the body shot from Tsuruta.
Tsuruta shoots in looking for a takedown. Kula tries to sprawl out of it but Tsuruta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kula manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Tsuruta closes the distance and clinches up with Kula, looking for a takedown. Tsuruta pushes Kula against the cage but Kula circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
It looked like Kula was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Tsuruta.
Kula throws a hook but Tsuruta blocks it.
And Tsuruta tries to counter it with a takedown but Kula pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Tsuruta closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Kula's guard.
Kula is adopting a defensive guard.
Kula wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Tsuruta is now in half guard.
Kula tries to get to full guard but Tsuruta has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tsuruta content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Tsuruta is pressing down on Kula's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kula is holding on for now.
Kula is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kula makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kula.
Kula controls Tsuruta momentarily but Tsuruta frees himself.
Kula is adopting a defensive guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kalle Kula showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kula has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 29:28
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kalle Kula!
A relieved looking Kalle Kula thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.