PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lasi Kukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kevin Handelman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Handelman has chosen Lasi Bout to get Knocked Out! - 2Pac as his entrance music. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Kukko
vs
Handelman

185 cm
24
194 lbs
6 - 1 - 2

187 cm
22
190 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

F.ighters U.nlimited K.lothing C.ompany ☯

.: AFFAKETION :.
.: AFFAKETION :.

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 6 - 1 - 2, fighting out of London, Lasi Kukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kevin Handelman!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Handelman. No joy for Kukko on that attempt.
Handelman swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kukko shoots in but Handelman avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kukko looks to land a body kick but Handelman moved away.

Handelman clinches with his opponent.
Handelman misses with a hook to the ribs.
Handelman fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Handelman lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A right hand to the body from Handelman.
Kukko tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lasi Kukko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kukko blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Kukko drags the fight down to the ground.
Handelman throwing strikes from guard but Kukko blocks nicely.

Kukko had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Handelman defends it easily.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Handelman throwing strikes from guard but Kukko blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Handelman decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A punch lands to the side of Kukko 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nice takedown defense from Handelman. No joy for Kukko on that attempt.
Kukko fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Handelman avoids it really well and circles away.
Handelman doesn't manage to clinch there - Kukko circles away.
Kukko swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kukko shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Handelman bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukko has a takedown stuffed.
Handelman chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kukko can pounce on him.

Kukko gets a clinch.
Handelman misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Handelman tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Kukko's elbow.

Kukko turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Kukko manages to end up in side control.
Kukko trying to control the action but Handelman is working from the bottom.
Kukko taking a breather here.
Kukko tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Handelman regains half guard.
Handelman is looking to escape.
Kukko wants to pass to mount but Handelman is defending the position.
Kukko is working hard here to advance position.
Handelman tries to get to full guard but Kukko has control of the leg.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Handelman can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kukko is pressing down on Handelman's thigh, looking to free his foot. Handelman is holding on for now.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kukko keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Handelman fails in his attempt to clinch.
Handelman wants to clinch but Kukko slips to the side
and Kukko counters with a good low kick that Handelman was not able to check.
Handelman slips a jab from Kukko.
Kukko misses with a leg kick.
Handelman darts in trying to clinch
and Kukko counters with a slapping leg kick.
Handelman looks to clinch

and Kukko counters with a shoot takedown. Handelman fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kukko trying to control the position from guard on top but Handelman is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lasi Kukko dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Handelman misses with a hook.
Handelman tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kukko counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kukko motions for Handelman to come forward. Kukko throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kukko throws a sloppy head kick and Handelman moves out of range easily.
Kukko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Handelman wants to clinch
and Kukko counters with an outside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Handelman digs a good body shot into Kukko's ribs.

Handelman moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handelman stops a takedown attempt from Kukko.
Kukko blocks a body shot from Handelman.
Handelman misses with a punch to the body.
Kukko is trying to drag Handelman to the mat but Handelman just about manages to keep his footing. He used the ropes to his advantage there.
Handelman tries a body shot but Kukko blocks it.
Handelman misses with the head strike.
Kukko takes a shot to the head.
Kukko changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Handelman fights it off and pushes away nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lasi Kukko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Handelman tries to clinch

and Kukko counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Kukko trying to control but Handelman is working from the bottom.
Kukko trying to move into half guard but instead Handelman has managed to sweep!
Handelman wants to stand but Kukko is controlling his posture from full guard.

Kukko working for a triangle but Handelman defends it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Handelman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Handelman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Kukko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Kukko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Handelman loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kukko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kukko looking to control.
Handelman must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Kukko has a closed guard, preventing Handelman from standing up.
Handelman throwing strikes but missing.
Handelman postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Handelman really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kukko. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Handelman!
You get the feeling that Handelman really doesn't like being in this position too much.
Kukko tries to control but Handelman wriggling away.
Handelman tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Handelman is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.

Kukko looking for a guillotine from mount but Handelman is having none of it.
Kukko looking to control but Handelman is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Handelman is desperately trying to improve his position but Kukko has a good base and remains in mount.
Kukko tries to control but Handelman wriggling away.
Kukko tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Handelman avoids a series of strikes thrown by Kukko.
Handelman bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kukko controls Handelman momentarily but Handelman frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lasi Kukko dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Kukko shoots in for a takedown but Handelman shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Handelman tries to clinch but Kukko moves away

and Kukko counters with a nice double leg into side control. Handelman won't be happy with that.
Handelman is trying to improve his position.
Kukko is looking to take a break and control but Handelman is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Handelman prevents Kukko from improving position.
Handelman is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kukko is controlling him well.
Kukko working away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Handelman is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kukko asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Handelman is looking to regain half guard here but Kukko keeps moving and retains side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Kukko looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Lasi Kukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kukko tries for a takedown but Handelman sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown by Kukko or perhaps it was just good defense by Handelman which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lasi Kukko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Handelman moves away from the strike by Kukko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kukko attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Handelman tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kukko counters with a slapping leg kick.
Kukko fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A slow jab from Kukko misses its intended target.
Handelman clinches but Kukko breaks the clinch
and Kukko counters with a thumping low kick.
Kukko closes the distance and clinches up with Handelman, looking for a takedown. Kukko pushes Handelman against the ropes but Handelman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kukko throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Handelman tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kukko counters with an inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko throws a head kick but Handelman moves out of range.
Kukko shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Handelman sprawls well. Handelman wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kukko gets slowly back to his feet.
Kukko misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Kukko looks to land a body kick but Handelman moved away.
Kukko throws a low kick but Handelman avoids it.
Handelman wants to clinch but Kukko slips to the side
and Kukko counters with a low kick, right behind Handelman 's knee.
Handelman tries to clinch but Kukko moves away
and Kukko counters with a nice body kick.
Lasi Kukko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Kukko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Handelman swivels and escapes.
Handelman wants to clinch but Kukko slips to the side

and Kukko counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Handelman!
Handelman is in all sorts of trouble here.
Handelman tries to buck Kukko off but Kukko takes his back!
Kukko scores with strikes from the back.
Kukko is not going to allow Handelman to sit and survive in this position.
Handelman covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Handelman is in bad spot here.

Kukko looking to break Handelman's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Handelman remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Kukko will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Kevin Handelman has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Good control from Kukko.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lasi Kukko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kukko, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 30:27
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lasi Kukko!