PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Valdemar Kosonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Maximus Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kosonen comes to the cage accompanied by Mad Sin - Burn and Rise . Manhoef comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Minowaman Style kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Maximus Manhoef has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kosonen
vs
Manhoef

178 cm
27
163 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

178 cm
26
166 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valdemar Kosonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Maximus Manhoef!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manhoef closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kosonen circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Kosonen. No joy for Manhoef on that attempt.

Kosonen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Manhoef to the mat! Manhoef manages to get full guard.
Kosonen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Manhoef looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kosonen passes into half guard.
Kosonen is looking to take a break and control but Manhoef is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kosonen passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Manhoef!
Kosonen wants to take his opponent's back but he's not managed it.
Kosonen throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosonen with a couple of short strikes.

Kosonen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Manhoef turns into him and now he's in Kosonen's guard.
Kosonen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Manhoef is one step ahead there.
Kosonen is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kosonen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kosonen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kosonen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Manhoef can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Manhoef has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kosonen is proving hard to escape from.
Kosonen working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef wants to stand but Kosonen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manhoef stopping the sweep attempt from Kosonen.

Manhoef gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Manhoef shoots and misses

and Kosonen counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Manhoef's guard now.
Valdemar Kosonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Maximus Manhoef.
Kosonen controlling from the top position.
Kosonen trying to control but Manhoef is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kosonen works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Kosonen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Manhoef is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Manhoef keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kosonen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Manhoef is refusing to be controlled, as Kosonen sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valdemar Kosonen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Manhoef closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kosonen to the mat! Kosonen manages to get full guard.
Manhoef wants to pass the guard but Kosonen is keeping the position.
Manhoef wants to stand and escape but instead Kosonen has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Kosonen trying to control but Manhoef is working from the bottom.
Kosonen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Kosonen working some strikes from top position.
Manhoef being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosonen wants to control from the top but Manhoef keeps moving.
Kosonen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Manhoef works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kosonen pushing down on Manhoef's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Manhoef is looking to improve his position.

Kosonen is looking for a kimura but Manhoef is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kosonen to get the leverage.
Kosonen trying to control from half guard but Manhoef is working away.
Kosonen trying to control from Manhoef's half guard. Manhoef has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kosonen passes Manhoef's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Manhoef gets full guard.
Manhoef is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Kosonen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kosonen wants to sweep here but Manhoef controlling him for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef trying to control the position from guard on top but Kosonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Manhoef must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Manhoef wants to stand but Kosonen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Kosonen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Manhoef!
Manhoef is looking to improve his position but Kosonen isn't that keen on the idea.
Kosonen looking to control but Manhoef is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
BOOM! Kosonen connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Manhoef is working to get back to half guard.
Kosonen looking to control but Manhoef is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Valdemar Kosonen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kosonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Manhoef gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kosonen counters with a left to the body.
Kosonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Manhoef as he avoids it easily.
Manhoef shoots and misses

and Kosonen counters with a single leg into guard. Manhoef didn't expect that.
Kosonen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Manhoef swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kosonen passes Manhoef's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kosonen uses his free foot to push down on Manhoef's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Manhoef.
Kosonen throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Kosonen scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Valdemar Kosonen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kosonen connects with a bit shot that sees Manhoef covering up! More strikes from Kosonen and the referee jumps in to stop the fight! Kosonen is our winner by TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:21 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Valdemar Kosonen!