PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Karl Kunnas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pena Trasseli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Trasseli has chosen Look at my horse! as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kunnas
vs
Trasseli

157 cm
28
150 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

177 cm
24
150 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Karl Kunnas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pena Trasseli!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kunnas looks to land a combination. Trasseli sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Trasseli showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kunnas.
A slapping body kick lands there for Trasseli.
Kunnas cracks Trasseli with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Trasseli fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kunnas manages to avoid it.
Trasseli throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Trasseli changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kunnas tries to avoid it but Trasseli manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kunnas to the ground. Kunnas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kunnas throws an overhand right that lands on Trasseli's shoulder, as Trasseli tries to avoid the shot.
Trasseli tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Trasseli throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Trasseli tries to close the distance and clinch but Kunnas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Trasseli closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kunnas quickly recovers to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kunnas tries to get to full guard but Trasseli has control of the leg.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Trasseli thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunnas is looking to control Trasseli's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kunnas avoid being mounted?
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kunnas is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kunnas throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Trasseli on the side of the head.
Trasseli slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kunnas slaps away a takedown attempt from Trasseli, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pena Trasseli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kunnas throws the left hand but Trasseli avoids the punch easily.
Kunnas takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Trasseli keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kunnas looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Horrible takedown by Trasseli or perhaps it was just good defense by Kunnas which made him look bad.
Karl Kunnas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pena Trasseli.
Kunnas tries to close the distance and clinch but Trasseli swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trasseli with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Kunnas to score with a decent uppercut.
Trasseli jabs at Kunnas's body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kunnas stuns Trasseli with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Kunnas throws a right hand that Trasseli ducks under and follows up with a left that Trasseli also avoids with ease.
Kunnas scores with a nice head shot.
Kunnas misses with a low kick as Trasseli jumps back.
Trasseli tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kunnas lands a jab to the nose.

Trasseli instigates a clinch.

Trasseli breaks the clinch.
Kunnas takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Kunnas takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Trasseli's corner calls for a 1-2. Trasseli obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Trasseli uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kunnas.
Kunnas avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Trasseli misses with a wild body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trasseli defending well as Kunnas loads up on a big left hand.
No joy there for Kunnas, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Trasseli scores with a jab to the body.
Trasseli throws an overhand right that lands on Kunnas's shoulder, as Kunnas tries to avoid the shot.
Kunnas misses the shot to the body.
Kunnas fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kunnas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Trasseli paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kunnas on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Trasseli looks to clinch
and Kunnas counters with a right hand to the body.
Trasseli swings for the body but Kunnas moves out of range.
Good work by Trasseli as he checks the leg kick.
Trasseli thows a body shot but no joy.
Kunnas misses with a looping right.
Trasseli lands a nice looking body shot.
Trasseli throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kunnas fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A slow jab from Kunnas misses its intended target.
Kunnas takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Kunnas wants to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Trasseli or perhaps it was just good defense by Kunnas which made him look bad.
Kunnas tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
A swing and a miss from Kunnas.
Trasseli looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kunnas scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A slow jab from Kunnas misses its intended target.
Good work by Trasseli as he checks the leg kick.

Trasseli takes the fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pena Trasseli will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Trasseli avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kunnas, as that shot connected.
Nice takedown defense from Kunnas. No joy for Trasseli on that attempt.
Trasseli bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kunnas blocks a head kick by Trasseli.
Trasseli shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kunnas but Kunnas pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Sloppy strikes from Kunnas. Those never looked like landing.
Trasseli scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kunnas throws an overhand right that lands on Trasseli's shoulder, as Trasseli tries to avoid the shot.
Trasseli tries to clinch up.
Trasseli walks into a straight right hand from Kunnas.
Trasseli with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kunnas counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Karl Kunnas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pena Trasseli.
Trasseli ducks right into an uppercut from Kunnas.
Karl Kunnas is winning the standup battle so far.
Kunnas throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good shot there by Kunnas.
Kunnas drops his hands momentarily and Trasseli takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Trasseli fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Trasseli changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kunnas tries to avoid it but Trasseli manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kunnas to the ground. Kunnas escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Trasseli shoots in looking for a takedown but Kunnas manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Trasseli's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Trasseli doesn't manage to clinch there - Kunnas circles away.
Trasseli throws a half hearted mid kick.

Trasseli scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Trasseli goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kunnas has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Trasseli but great work by Kunnas.
You can see the frustration on Trasseli's face as Kunnas controls the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kunnas's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

Trasseli throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kunnas stuffs the takedown attempt from Trasseli. Trasseli gets slowly back to his feet.
Trasseli tests Kunnas's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Trasseli misses with a series of wild punches.
Kunnas looking to land some kicks to the body here.
A swing and a miss from Trasseli.
Kunnas takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Trasseli has a takedown stuffed.
Trasseli blocks a jab.
Kunnas throws out a loose jab but Trasseli uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Trasseli fails with a takedown attempt.
Kunnas catches Trasseli with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Trasseli fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kunnas avoids it really well and circles away.
Trasseli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kunnas.
Kunnas lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kunnas throws a low kick, looking for Trasseli's leg but Trasseli calmly moves out of range.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kunnas crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Trasseli - the referee stops the clock and Kunnas gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Trasseli. Kunnas manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kunnas stuffs the takedown attempt from Trasseli. Trasseli gets slowly back to his feet.
Karl Kunnas is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kunnas defending well as Trasseli loads up on a big left hand.
Kunnas moves in looking to clinch but Trasseli pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kunnas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Trasseli slips a straight right by Kunnas.
Trasseli misses with a takedown attempt - Kunnas sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Trasseli fails with the takedown.
Trasseli is breathing heavily.
Nice uppercut there from Kunnas.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kunnas.
Trasseli throws a body kick that misses.
Trasseli bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kunnas's head backwards.
Trasseli doesn't manage to clinch there - Kunnas circles away.
Trasseli is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kunnas rather than just go for the knockout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kunnas thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice defenses there by Trasseli.
Kunnas scoring well with a low kick there.
Sloppy strikes from Kunnas. Those never looked like landing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Karl Kunnas will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kunnas circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kunnas connects with a leg kick. Trasseli looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Trasseli jabs Kunnas to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Trasseli tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kunnas sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Trasseli somewhat.
Trasseli throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Trasseli throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kunnas tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Trasseli is in Kunnas's guard.
Kunnas on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kunnas tries to get out of the position.
Kunnas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kunnas can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Trasseli is looking to escape.
Trasseli is looking to improve his position but Kunnas isn't that keen on the idea.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Trasseli wants to control but Kunnas is having none of it.
Trasseli might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kunnas kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kunnas sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Trasseli is trying to escape the mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Trasseli tries to hold on but Kunnas pushes him away.
Pena Trasseli has got the better of the ground game so far.
Trasseli regains half guard.
Trasseli moves into full guard.

Trasseli is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kunnas has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kunnas preventing the sweep.

Trasseli isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kunnas stacks Trasseli on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kunnas!
Trasseli can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunnas postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Trasseli gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kunnas wants to stand up but Trasseli manages to regain full guard.

Trasseli looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Kunnas stands and throws Trasseli's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Trasseli manages to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kunnas wants to stand up but Trasseli has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Kunnas perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Trasseli makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Trasseli.
Kunnas trying to control the position from guard on top but Trasseli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Trasseli is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Kunnas might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Trasseli escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kunnas gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pena Trasseli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Trasseli 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Pena Trasseli!
A very excited looking Pena Trasseli made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.