PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juhani Kontiovaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sicobo Fratibi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Fratibi's choice of entrance music: AFRICAN UNITE. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

Kontiovaara
vs
Fratibi

193 cm
30
267 lbs
12 - 13 - 0

203 cm
24
288 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juhani Kontiovaara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sicobo Fratibi!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fratibi misses with a straight right.
Kontiovaara fails with a takedown attempt.
Kontiovaara fails with a takedown attempt.
Fratibi thows a body shot but no joy.
Kontiovaara shoots in and drives through. Fratibi sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juhani Kontiovaara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice takedown defense from Fratibi. No joy for Kontiovaara on that attempt.
A chopping leg kick lands by Fratibi.
Sicobo Fratibi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kontiovaara shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Fratibi as he jumps to the side.
Fratibi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kontiovaara moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jab by Fratibi.

It looks like Juhani Kontiovaara has been cut.
Fratibi throws a hook to the side of Kontiovaara's head but Kontiovaara sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fratibi takes a swing at Kontiovaara's ribcage but misses.
Fratibi misses with a looping left.
Kontiovaara avoids a punch combination nicely.
Sicobo Fratibi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No joy there for Fratibi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fratibi cracks Kontiovaara with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Fratibi throws a series of punches but Kontiovaara moves out of range.
No luck for Kontiovaara with that takedown attempt.
Fratibi misses with a double jab.
A big right from Fratibi misses.
Fratibi swings widly with a right hand

and Kontiovaara decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Fratibi's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Fratibi keeping full guard, as Kontiovaara tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kontiovaara drops back looking for a leg! Fratibi is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Fratibi manages to kick Kontiovaara off! Kontiovaara jumps back into Fratibi's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kontiovaara sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Fratibi's guard.

Kontiovaara is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Fratibi sees it coming and defends easily.
Kontiovaara trying to control the action but Fratibi is working from the bottom.

Kontiovaara wants to work for an arm triangle but Fratibi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

Kontiovaara is looking for a kimura but Fratibi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kontiovaara to get the leverage.
Kontiovaara trying to control from half guard but Fratibi is working away.
Kontiovaara prevents Fratibi from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kontiovaara is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Fratibi is not content to let Kontiovaara control the position.

Kontiovaara wants to work for an arm triangle but Fratibi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kontiovaara wants to free his trapped foot but Fratibi is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Fratibi kicks Kontiovaara off and gets back to his feet.
Kontiovaara shoots for a takedown but Fratibi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kontiovaara fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kontiovaara fails with a takedown attempt.
Kontiovaara is breathing heavily.
Kontiovaara steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Fratibi. That one must have hurt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fratibi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Fratibi throws a series of punches but Kontiovaara avoids them all with ease.
Kontiovaara takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fratibi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd cheers as Fratibi lands an impressive looking overhand right. Kontiovaara doesn't seem phased though.
A jab from Fratibi finds it's way through Kontiovaara's defenses.
A punch combination from Fratibi misses.
Fratibi fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kontiovaara on the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kontiovaara has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kontiovaara there as he acknowledges the shot.
No joy there for Fratibi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Fratibi scores with a sloppy right hand. Kontiovaara should have avoided that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sicobo Fratibi dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Juhani Kontiovaara's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Fratibi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Fratibi lands a lovely overhand right.
Fratibi fails to land with a series of punches.
Fratibi misses with a two punch combination.
Kontiovaara closes the distance but Fratibi moves to the side
and Fratibi counters with a one-two to the body.
Fratibi lands a jab to Kontiovaara's midsection.
Fratibi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kontiovaara swings for the body but Fratibi moves out of range.
Kontiovaara throws a hook but Fratibi avoids it easily.
An inside leg kick lands from Fratibi.
Kontiovaara tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fratibi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kontiovaara.
Kontiovaara ducks under a wild hook from Fratibi.
Fratibi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Fratibi scores with a hook.
Fratibi looks to land a combination but Kontiovaara avoids it well.
Fratibi works over Kontiovaara's head and body with a nice combination.
Fratibi scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Fratibi is looking to slow Kontiovaara down with leg kicks.
Fratibi throws a looping overhand right but Kontiovaara ducks down to avoid it.
Some wild striking there from Kontiovaara.
Sicobo Fratibi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kontiovaara throws a right and a left that Fratibi avoids nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kontiovaara fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kontiovaara closes the distance and clinches up with Fratibi, looking for a takedown. Kontiovaara pushes Fratibi against the cage but Fratibi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juhani Kontiovaara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fratibi throws a one two combo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fratibi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kontiovaara.
Kontiovaara misses with a series of wild punches.
Fratibi lands the left hand.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kontiovaara.
The fighters circle momentarily. Fratibi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fratibi misses with a series of wild punches.
Fratibi swinging wildly here.
Kontiovaara fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Fratibi manages to avoid it.
Fratibi connects with a right hand. Kontiovaara shakes it off.
Kontiovaara lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Fratibi misses with a double jab.
Kontiovaara avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kontiovaara throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fratibi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Juhani Kontiovaara is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Fratibi swings for the body but Kontiovaara moves out of range.
Fratibi lands a nice looking body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kontiovaara shoots in but Fratibi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Fratibi swinging wildly here.
Fratibi takes a swing at Kontiovaara's ribcage but misses.
Kontiovaara shoots for a double leg takedown but Fratibi sprawls well. He's pushed Kontiovaara's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Fratibi lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kontiovaara shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Fratibi pinned against the cage. Fratibi gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Fratibi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kontiovaara.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sicobo Fratibi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Juhani Kontiovaara's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kontiovaara has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Fratibi finds it's way round the side to connect with Kontiovaara's head.
Sloppy strikes from Fratibi. Those never looked like landing.
Fratibi connects with an inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Fratibi.
Fratibi misses the shot to the body.
Kontiovaara looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kontiovaara doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Kontiovaara throws a nice looking combination but Fratibi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kontiovaara dodges the punch combination from Fratibi.
Fratibi scores with a nice strike.
Fratibi misses with a straight right.
Kontiovaara avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kontiovaara tries to clinch up but Fratibi circles away and keeps his distance.
Fratibi throws a series of punches but Kontiovaara moves out of range.
Kontiovaara fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fratibi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A right-left combo lands from Fratibi.
Kontiovaara scores with a nice right hand.
Kontiovaara shoots in looking for a takedown. Fratibi tries to sprawl out of it but Kontiovaara keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Fratibi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kontiovaara tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fratibi swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juhani Kontiovaara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fratibi misses with an uppercut

and Kontiovaara counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kontiovaara prevents Fratibi from getting back to his feet.
Kontiovaara is working Fratibi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kontiovaara throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fratibi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kontiovaara advances to half guard.
Kontiovaara looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kontiovaara stops Fratibi from getting back to his feet.

Kontiovaara seems to be working for a kimura but Fratibi defends the submission attempt.
Fratibi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Fratibi looks like he's trying to stand up.

Kontiovaara is looking for a kimura but Fratibi is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kontiovaara to get the leverage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fratibi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kontiovaara is working away from the top position though.

Kontiovaara 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.

Kontiovaara seems to be working for a kimura but Fratibi defends the submission attempt.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Fratibi can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kontiovaara thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fratibi's head.
Juhani Kontiovaara overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Fratibi won't allow Kontiovaara to pass to mount.
Fratibi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kontiovaara trying to mount his opponent but Fratibi defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Fratibi is defending against the submission attempts here by Kontiovaara.
Fratibi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kontiovaara's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kontiovaara's back!
Fratibi is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Sicobo Fratibi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Fratibi not allowing Kontiovaara to control his hands.
Kontiovaara is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Kontiovaara is really stuck here.
Juhani Kontiovaara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kontiovaara is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Fratibi.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Juhani Kontiovaara.
I think Fratibi has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sicobo Fratibi!