PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Taavi Liisteri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Urho Kukkamaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Liisteri kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Solid Base - I like it. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Liisteri
vs
Kukkamaa

170 cm
27
162 lbs
12 - 9 - 0

179 cm
24
165 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taavi Liisteri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Urho Kukkamaa!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukkamaa loads up on a big right hand but Liisteri slips the punch.
Liisteri shoots for a takedown but Kukkamaa saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kukkamaa misses with a series of wild punches.
Kukkamaa tries to clinch up but Liisteri circles away and keeps his distance.
Kukkamaa tries to clinch but Liisteri is having none of it.
Kukkamaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Liisteri swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kukkamaa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nice shot by Kukkamaa.
Urho Kukkamaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kukkamaa tries to clinch up.

Liisteri shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Liisteri showed some decent athleticism there.
Liisteri controlling the action here.
Liisteri tries to pass to full mount but Kukkamaa defends it.

Liisteri is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Liisteri is trying to control the action in half guard but Kukkamaa is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkamaa pushes Liisteri off looking to stand but Liisteri dives back in and keeps control.

Kukkamaa is defending against the submission attempts here by Liisteri.
Kukkamaa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Liisteri.
Liisteri wants to control but Kukkamaa is keeping him busy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kukkamaa connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Kukkamaa tries to clinch there but Liisteri circles away.
Urho Kukkamaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kukkamaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Liisteri paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Kukkamaa closes the distance and clinches.
Liisteri jumps guard but Kukkamaa stands there with Liisteri around his waist. Liisteri gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Liisteri takes an elbow to the temple.

It looks like Taavi Liisteri has been cut.
Kukkamaa comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Liisteri jumps guard and drags Kukkamaa to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Kukkamaa stands up from Liisteri's guard - Kukkamaa perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kukkamaa takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kukkamaa is looking to clinch.
Kukkamaa fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukkamaa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Liisteri tries to clinch
and Kukkamaa counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Liisteri tries for a takedown but Kukkamaa circles away easily
and Kukkamaa counters with a left and a right that stings Liisteri.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taavi Liisteri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Liisteri circles away from the clinch attempt

and Liisteri counters with a shoot takedown. Kukkamaa fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Liisteri trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kukkamaa wants to stand but Liisteri is controlling the position.

Kukkamaa manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Kukkamaa displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A slow jab from Liisteri misses its intended target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kukkamaa darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

Liisteri 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.
Kukkamaa wants to stand up but Liisteri is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkamaa keeping full guard, as Liisteri tries to pass.
Kukkamaa wants to stand and escape but Liisteri is having none of it.

Liisteri drops back looking for a leg! Kukkamaa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kukkamaa manages to kick Liisteri off! Liisteri jumps back into Kukkamaa's guard.
Liisteri trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukkamaa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kukkamaa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Liisteri works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Kukkamaa is defending against the submission attempts here by Liisteri.
Kukkamaa is refusing to be controlled, as Liisteri sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Kukkamaa kicks off Liisteri and gets to his feet.
Kukkamaa lands a really nice looking cross but Liisteri seems unphased.
Liisteri throws a right hand that Kukkamaa ducks under and follows up with a left that Kukkamaa also avoids with ease.
Kukkamaa misses with a looping left.
Kukkamaa cracks Liisteri with a good jab.
Kukkamaa tests Liisteri's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Liisteri with a poor takedown

and Kukkamaa counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kukkamaa.
Liisteri tries to pull guard but Kukkamaa holds him up against the cage and eventually Liisteri drops back down to his feet.
Liisteri fails to pull guard.
Kukkamaa lands an elbow inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liisteri jumps guard but Kukkamaa stands there with Liisteri around his waist. Liisteri gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Liisteri fails to pull guard.
Liisteri jumps guard but Kukkamaa stands there with Liisteri around his waist. Liisteri gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Liisteri tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kukkamaa smiles and moves away.

Kukkamaa has taken the fight to the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Urho Kukkamaa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Taavi Liisteri's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kukkamaa tries to clinch up

and Liisteri counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Liisteri drops back looking for a leg! Kukkamaa is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kukkamaa manages to kick Liisteri off! Liisteri jumps back into Kukkamaa's guard.
Liisteri controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kukkamaa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Liisteri is controlling him.
Liisteri postures up in Kukkamaa's guard and throws a big left but Kukkamaa blocks it.

Kukkamaa manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Kukkamaa. No joy for Liisteri on that attempt.
Kukkamaa throws the left hand but Liisteri avoids the punch easily.
Liisteri doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Kukkamaa counter with a right hand.

Kukkamaa closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Liisteri tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kukkamaa smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taavi Liisteri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kukkamaa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Liisteri swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kukkamaa has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Liisteri moves forwards but Kukkamaa connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kukkamaa uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Liisteri has time to react.
Liisteri shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kukkamaa pinned against the cage. Kukkamaa gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Liisteri walks into a straight right hand from Kukkamaa.

Kukkamaa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kukkamaa lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Liisteri backwards.
Kukkamaa lands a nice elbow.
Kukkamaa lands an elbow inside.
Liisteri tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kukkamaa smiles and moves away.

Liisteri bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Liisteri is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Kukkamaa has escaped the position, nice work there.

Liisteri wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kukkamaa, who protects the arm well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri prevents Kukkamaa from escaping the position.

Kukkamaa throws Liisteri to one side and escapes!
Kukkamaa lands a jab-cross combination.
Liisteri shoots and misses
and Kukkamaa counters with a one-two to the body.
Kukkamaa swats away the attempt to clinch by Liisteri.
Kukkamaa fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Liisteri on the side of the head.

Kukkamaa closes the distance and clinches.
Kukkamaa lands a hook that snaps the head of Liisteri backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Liisteri jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kukkamaa walks away with a smile on his face. Liisteri gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kukkamaa slaps away a takedown attempt from Liisteri, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kukkamaa stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kukkamaa wants it to stay on the feet.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Liisteri takes an elbow to the forehead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri jumps guard but Kukkamaa stands there with Liisteri around his waist. Liisteri gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Liisteri takes an elbow to the forehead.
Liisteri tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kukkamaa gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Kukkamaa lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Kukkamaa gets through Liisteri's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Liisteri takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kukkamaa lands a right hand that snaps the head of Liisteri backwards.
Liisteri jumps guard but Kukkamaa stands there with Liisteri around his waist. Liisteri gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kukkamaa comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Taavi Liisteri's cut is getting worse.
Liisteri tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Liisteri takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kukkamaa lands a right hand that snaps the head of Liisteri backwards.
Liisteri tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kukkamaa just stands there and leans against the cage.
Liisteri tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kukkamaa lands a damaging elbow.
Liisteri tries to pull guard but Kukkamaa holds him up against the cage and eventually Liisteri drops back down to his feet.
Kukkamaa lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Taavi Liisteri's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Kukkamaa lands an elbow just above Liisteri 's eye.
Kukkamaa lands a right hand that snaps the head of Liisteri backwards.

Liisteri is rocked!
Liisteri takes an elbow to the forehead.
Oh Liisteri is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kukkamaa comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Liisteri jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kukkamaa walks away with a smile on his face. Liisteri gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Kukkamaa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Liisteri fails with a takedown attempt.
Liisteri seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liisteri takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Liisteri fails with a takedown attempt.

Kukkamaa pushes Liisteri up against the cage in a clinch.
Liisteri tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kukkamaa smiles and moves away.
Nice straight punches there by Kukkamaa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kukkamaa.
Liisteri keeps the fight on the outside.
Kukkamaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kukkamaa scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kukkamaa fails with an attempt to clinch.
A big right from Kukkamaa misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liisteri doesn't manage to clinch there - Kukkamaa circles away.
Kukkamaa lands a body shot.
Kukkamaa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Liisteri shoots in and bounces Kukkamaa off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Urho Kukkamaa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Taavi Liisteri's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Liisteri shoots in but Kukkamaa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Liisteri fails with a takedown attempt.
Liisteri circles away from the clinch attempt.
Liisteri shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Kukkamaa as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Taavi Liisteri. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kukkamaa tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Liisteri counters with a single leg into guard. Kukkamaa didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Liisteri stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kukkamaa swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Taavi Liisteri overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Liisteri won't allow Kukkamaa to get back to his feet.
Liisteri throwing strikes but missing.
Liisteri trying to control but Kukkamaa is working from the bottom.

Liisteri is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Liisteri stops Kukkamaa from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkamaa is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Kukkamaa pushes Liisteri off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Kukkamaa tries to clinch

and Liisteri counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kukkamaa won't be happy with that.
Kukkamaa is trying to buck Liisteri off.
Liisteri trying to control the action but Kukkamaa is working from the bottom.
Kukkamaa wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Liisteri wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kukkamaa, who protects the arm well.
Kukkamaa is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Liisteri is controlling him well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Liisteri working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Kukkamaa is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kukkamaa wants to clinch.
Kukkamaa takes a swing at Liisteri's ribcage but misses.
Kukkamaa connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Liisteri momentarily.

Kukkamaa has Liisteri up against the cage in a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Kukkamaa.

Liisteri manages to pull guard.
Liisteri trying to strike off his back.

Liisteri looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukkamaa stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Kukkamaa wants to clinch but Liisteri slips to the side

and Liisteri counters with a shoot takedown. Kukkamaa fights it but they end up in guard.
Kukkamaa wants to get back to his feet but Liisteri is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Liisteri wants to control from the top but Kukkamaa keeps moving.
Kukkamaa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Liisteri tries to free his leg and advance position but Kukkamaa is retaining full guard.
Kukkamaa is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Liisteri is controlling him.
Liisteri controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kukkamaa looks to clinch

and Liisteri counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukkamaa is refusing to be controlled, as Liisteri sits in half guard.
Liisteri missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kukkamaa tries to kick Liisteri off but Liisteri keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Liisteri is looking to take a break and control but Kukkamaa is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Liisteri is looking for a kimura but Kukkamaa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Liisteri to get the leverage.

Kukkamaa kicks Liisteri off and gets back to his feet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Liisteri fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kukkamaa sprawls well initially but Liisteri persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Liisteri prevents Kukkamaa from standing back up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Liisteri is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kukkamaa wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taavi Liisteri showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kukkamaa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Urho Kukkamaa!