PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lasi Kukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jasser Tiihonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kukko
vs
Tiihonen

185 cm
28
194 lbs
16 - 7 - 2

181 cm
30
192 lbs
16 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

ĄFFĄKĘTIΘN

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 16 - 7 - 2, fighting out of London, Lasi Kukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jasser Tiihonen!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, James Ackerman and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukko tests Tiihonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Jab by Kukko.
Tiihonen lands a body shot.
Lasi Kukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Tiihonen looks for a takedown but Kukko sprawls well.
Tiihonen defending well as Kukko loads up on a big left hand.
Kukko throws a hook but Tiihonen blocks it.
Kukko looks to land a right hand but Tiihonen moved out of range.
A combination from Kukko does no damage.
Kukko fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Tiihonen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kukko trying to control but Tiihonen postures up.

Tiihonen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tiihonen looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tiihonen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kukko is just riding it out for now. Tiihonen eventually gives up the hold.

Tiihonen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Tiihonen is working for a submission of some sort.

Tiihonen is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukko gets back to full guard.
Tiihonen looking to pass the guard.
Tiihonen pushing down on Kukko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Tiihonen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kukko is pressing down on Tiihonen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Tiihonen won't allow Kukko to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiihonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kukko pulls Tiihonen in close to prevent any damage.

Tiihonen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kukko dives on top into guard.
Kukko has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kukko is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Tiihonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kukko doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kukko manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Tiihonen is looking for a triangle but Kukko pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tiihonen trying to keep a closed guard but Kukko is proving a slippery customer.

Kukko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tiihonen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kukko has managed to get both his arms back between Tiihonen's legs - danger averted.
Kukko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Tiihonen has his foot on Kukko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kukko works his way back into a safe position though.
Tiihonen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kukko manages to get himself to full guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Tiihonen stopping the sweep attempt from Kukko.
Tiihonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tiihonen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kukko swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kukko lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Tiihonen!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jasser Tiihonen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kukko throws an overhand right that lands on Tiihonen's shoulder, as Tiihonen tries to avoid the shot.
Tiihonen looks for a takedown but Kukko sprawls well.

Kukko fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Tiihonen to the ground. Kukko is now in Tiihonen's guard.

Tiihonen has his foot on Kukko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kukko works his way back into a safe position though.
Kukko in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Tiihonen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kukko tries to free his leg and advance position but Tiihonen is retaining full guard.
Kukko sitting in guard here, content to control.
Tiihonen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kukko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Tiihonen has his foot on Kukko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kukko works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tiihonen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kukko can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Tiihonen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tiihonen is breathing heavily.
Tiihonen keeping moving, preventing Kukko from controlling successfully.

Tiihonen has his foot on Kukko's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kukko works his way back into a safe position though.
Kukko trying to control the position from guard on top but Tiihonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kukko connects with a couple of short punches.

Tiihonen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kukko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tiihonen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukko is stalling in the full guard.

Kukko got a little sloppy there for a moment and Tiihonen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kukko has managed to get both his arms back between Tiihonen's legs - danger averted.
Kukko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Tiihonen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kukko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kukko pushes down on Tiihonen's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Nice strikes from Kukko there.
Kukko trying to control the pace.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko winds up and cracks Tiihonen with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Kukko is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Tiihonen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kukko pulls his head out easily.
Kukko wants to pass to mount but Tiihonen is defending the position.

Kukko looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Tiihonen looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tiihonen looking for submissions off his back.
Tiihonen won't allow Kukko to pass to mount.
Lasi Kukko overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tiihonen tries to roll over but Kukko keeps him under control.

Tiihonen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kukko pulls his head out easily.
Kukko prevents Tiihonen from improving his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tiihonen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tiihonen wants to get back to full guard.
Kukko working Tiihonen over with strikes.
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!

A combination from Kukko does no damage.
Tiihonen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kukko but Kukko pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Kukko closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Tiihonen's guard.
Kukko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kukko trying to control but Tiihonen is working from the bottom.
Kukko won't allow Tiihonen to sweep him here.

Tiihonen working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kukko has passed into half guard!
Kukko frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Tiihonen can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kukko with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.
Tiihonen regains half guard.
Tiihonen is in trouble now - Kukko has advanced to mount!
Kukko content just to control the position here.
Tiihonen manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Tiihonen wants to get back to full guard.
Kukko is trying to control. Tiihonen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Kukko looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Tiihonen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tiihonen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kukko works his way into full mount!
Kukko controlling from mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee warns Tiihonen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Tiihonen is trying desperately to improve position.
Kukko lands a big elbow.
Kukko looking to control and managing it successfully.

Kukko is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Tiihonen is surviving well by controlling Kukko's body position as best he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiihonen slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Tiihonen looking for submissions off his back.
Tiihonen is refusing to be controlled, as Kukko sits in half guard.

Kukko seems to be working for a kimura but Tiihonen defends the submission attempt.
Kukko slows the pace down in half guard.

Tiihonen looking for submissions off his back.
Kukko lands strikes from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tiihonen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kukko is trying to control the action in half guard but Tiihonen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kukko not doing much here.

Tiihonen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Tiihonen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Tiihonen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kukko seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kukko working some strikes from top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lasi Kukko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kukko has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 29:28
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28

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