PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Ryan McNeil (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Julle Kuikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

McNeil
vs
Kuikka

215 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

175 cm
22
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Attliction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ryan McNeil!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Julle Kuikka!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuikka looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Kuikka looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
McNeil wants to stand and escape but Kuikka is having none of it.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

McNeil is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
McNeil bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kuikka's guard.
McNeil wants to control from the top but Kuikka keeps moving.
McNeil wanted to stand there but Kuikka had control of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

McNeil stands up and waves to Kuikka to follow him.
Kuikka tries to clinch up.
McNeil throws a head kick but Kuikka moves out of range.
McNeil throws a head kick that Kuikka semi-blocks.

Kuikka feints and as McNeil raises his hands in defense, Kuikka changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as McNeil holds on and takes a little breather.
McNeil not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuikka looking to pass the guard.
McNeil will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
McNeil keeping moving, preventing Kuikka from controlling successfully.
McNeil can't keep his opponent in guard - Kuikka advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
McNeil wants to control but Kuikka is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kuikka wants to control but McNeil is keeping him busy.

Kuikka is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McNeil doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kuikka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNeil slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kuikka trying to control the position from guard on top but McNeil is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
McNeil wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Kuikka is now in half guard.

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.
McNeil is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kuikka's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kuikka's back!

McNeil looking to break Kuikka's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Kuikka remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise McNeil will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Kuikka is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by McNeil.

Kuikka preventing the rear naked choke attempt from McNeil.
McNeil is riding his opponent, not letting Kuikka buck him off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ryan McNeil will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

McNeil throws a sloppy head kick and Kuikka moves out of range easily.
Kuikka takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Kuikka darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
McNeil keeps control of the position for the meantime.
McNeil really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
McNeil trying to control here.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeil desperately trying to maintain half guard.
McNeil regains full guard. Nicely done.
Kuikka looking to pass the guard.
Kuikka trying to control but McNeil is working from the bottom.

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.
Kuikka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
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.
Kuikka thows a big elbow that misses.

McNeil throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kuikka postures up.
McNeil preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
McNeil tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
McNeil with a poor takedown

and Kuikka counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
McNeil throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
McNeil looks like he's trying to stand up.
McNeil is trying to control but can't.

Kuikka is trying to work for a kimura but McNeil is defending well.
McNeil trying to control from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McNeil gets full guard.
McNeil trying to control the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Kuikka has his takedown stuffed
and McNeil counters with a big head kick but Kuikka shrugs it off.
A head kick by McNeil misses

and Kuikka counters with a nice double leg into side control. McNeil won't be happy with that.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuikka throws an elbow but McNeil slips to the side and avoids it well.
McNeil is not content to let Kuikka control the position.

Kuikka decides to take the fight back to the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Julle Kuikka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

McNeil sets himself and throws a head kick that knocks Kuikka to the ground! McNeil dives into full mount looking to finish!

Kuikka is rocked!
McNeil controlling the position easily from mount.
Kuikka is in all sorts of trouble here.
McNeil can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kuikka is looking to escape.
McNeil controlling from mount.
Kuikka takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McNeil avoids the attempt from Kuikka to control.
McNeil trying to control but Kuikka is having none of it.
McNeil is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kuikka is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Kuikka wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kuikka is really stuck here.
McNeil trying to control momentarily.
Kuikka rolls, trying to escape but McNeil keeps control of the position.

McNeil is persistently looking for the submission but Kuikka is defending it well.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - McNeil's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McNeil wants to control the position but Kuikka frees himself and scrambles - McNeil manages to regain control in side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McNeil throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
McNeil looks to land a left hand but Kuikka moved out of range nicely.
McNeil is looking to land body kicks.

Kuikka shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
McNeil tries to reverse the position but Kuikka maintains control.
McNeil slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuikka trying to mount his opponent but McNeil defends it.

McNeil kicks off Kuikka and gets to his feet.
McNeil with a poor takedown

so Kuikka counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

McNeil is edging up against the ropes. He's using the ropes to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
McNeil stops a takedown attempt from Kuikka.
Kuikka tries to score a body lock takedown but McNeil shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
McNeil has had enough of the clinch but Kuikka keeps him there for the moment.
Kuikka tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. McNeil smiles and moves away.
Ryan McNeil has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Julle Kuikka.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuikka misses with a combination

and McNeil counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kuikka!

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan McNeil showed his dominance in that final round.
I think McNeil 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan McNeil!