PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jari Koivusalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Claus Bandingo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Koivusalo
vs
Bandingo

178 cm
25
160 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

170 cm
21
156 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Fight Club Clothing™

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jari Koivusalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Claus Bandingo!
The judges for this bout are Tiny Johnson, Gwen Towbar and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koivusalo changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Bandingo tries to avoid it but Koivusalo manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Bandingo to the ground. Bandingo escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Koivusalo fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Bandingo, pushing him back against the cage.
Koivusalo throws a head punch that misses.

Bandingo is trying to trip Koivusalo. He has hold of a leg but Koivusalo is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Bandingo persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Koivusalo keeping moving, preventing Bandingo from controlling successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Koivusalo is on top in guard.
Koivusalo tries to stand but Bandingo is controlling from the bottom.

Bandingo is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Bandingo keeping moving, preventing Koivusalo from controlling successfully.
Koivusalo tries to free his leg and advance position but Bandingo is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bandingo looking for a guillotine here but Koivusalo defends easily.

Bandingo working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Koivusalo has passed into half guard!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koivusalo wants to stand up but Bandingo is controlling the position.
Koivusalo is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Bandingo reverses the position - he's now on top in Koivusalo's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bandingo drops back, looking for a kneebar! Koivusalo looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Koivusalo looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Koivusalo!
Bandingo can't do much from the bottom here.

Koivusalo tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Koivusalo has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Bandingo manages to work his way to half guard, despite Koivusalo's best efforts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koivusalo is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bandingo manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Koivusalo is breathing heavily.

Bandingo working for a triangle but Koivusalo defends it easily.
Koivusalo has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Bandingo is looking for a triangle but Koivusalo pushes his legs off easily.

Bandingo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Koivusalo wants to stand and escape but instead Bandingo has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Koivusalo knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bandingo on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koivusalo keeping full guard, as Bandingo tries to pass.
Bandingo is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Bandingo 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.

Koivusalo has his foot on Bandingo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bandingo works his way back into a safe position though.
Bandingo landing with the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Bandingo 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.
Bandingo pushing down on Koivusalo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Claus Bandingo dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Bandingo is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Koivusalo's half guard.
Bandingo is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Koivusalo!
Bandingo working away from the top, dropping strikes.

Bandingo working for a submission but Koivusalo is keeping him at bay.
Koivusalo's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.

Bandingo looking for a guillotine from mount but Koivusalo is having none of it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bandingo quickly switches position and commits to an armbar! It's a big risk for Bandingo but it's paid off an Koivusalo is forced to tap! Nice work by Bandingo.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:03 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Claus Bandingo!