PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thirsty Thurston (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tuomo Koivisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thirsty Thurston has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Thurston
vs
Koivisto

190 cm
22
212 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

188 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thirsty Thurston!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tuomo Koivisto!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Koivisto closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Thurston to the mat! Thurston manages to get full guard.
Thurston tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Thurston has his foot on Koivisto's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Koivisto works his way back into a safe position though.
Koivisto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Thurston is looking for a triangle but Koivisto pushes his legs off easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Thurston escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Koivisto gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Koivisto trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Thurston wants to stand but Koivisto is controlling the position.
Thurston is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Thurston is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Thurston wants to pass the guard but Koivisto is defending well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Koivisto can do anything to dispel that myth.
Thurston wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koivisto keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koivisto wants to control but Thurston is keeping busy.
Koivisto is looking to improve his position.
Koivisto wants to control but Thurston is keeping busy.
Thurston wants to control but Koivisto is keeping him busy.
Thurston works his way into side control.
Thurston wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koivisto keeps working.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Thurston throws a nice looking combination but Koivisto bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Koivisto gets the takedown into side control.

Koivisto working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Koivisto looks gassed!
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Koivisto trying to control the action but Thurston is working from the bottom.
Koivisto might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Thurston kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Thurston is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Koivisto off and has taken his back!
Thurston has the hooks in. Koivisto is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Thurston is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Koivisto knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Koivisto for a finish.

Thurston has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Koivisto has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koivisto defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Thurston's arms.
Koivisto looking very determined here, making life difficult for Thurston.
Koivisto is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Thurston is working hard for the rear naked choke here.

Koivisto is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Thurston gets his way!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Koivisto trying to control the action but Thurston just sinks the hooks in.

Thurston is working the back position looking for the choke. Oh, he's slid into an armbar! Beautiful transition and Koivisto taps out! Fantastic Jiu Jitsu from Thurston.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Thirsty Thurston!