PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joonas Mustonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lee Kawasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joonas Mustonen could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Lee Kawasaki's chin.

Mustonen
vs
Kawasaki

167 cm
24
140 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

168 cm
25
140 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Good gas tank

DJs Locker

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Joonas Mustonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lee Kawasaki!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mustonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Kawasaki is just out of range.
Kawasaki shoots in for a double leg but Mustonen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kawasaki doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Mustonen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Mustonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kawasaki keeps working.
Kawasaki is looking for a sweep. Mustonen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Mustonen is trying to work for a kimura but Kawasaki is defending well.

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

Mustonen is looking for a kimura here.
Mustonen performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kawasaki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mustonen preventing the sweep.
Kawasaki manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mustonen regains half guard.
Kawasaki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Mustonen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kawasaki is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Mustonen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Mustonen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kawasaki lands a couple of decent looking shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawasaki trying to control but Mustonen is working from the bottom.
Mustonen trying to keep a closed guard but Kawasaki is proving a slippery customer.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kawasaki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Mustonen trying to control the position.
Kawasaki wants to pass the guard but Mustonen is keeping the position.
Kawasaki content to stall in guard here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Good leg kick by Mustonen there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Mustonen lands a jab to the head.
Mustonen misses with a series of wild punches.
Kawasaki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Joonas Mustonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Kawasaki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Mustonen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Kawasaki quickly recovers to half guard.
Kawasaki gets back to full guard.
Kawasaki not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Mustonen wants to control from the top but Kawasaki keeps moving.
Kawasaki is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kawasaki is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Kawasaki is on top in guard.

Mustonen is looking for a triangle but Kawasaki pushes his legs off easily.
Kawasaki distracts Mustonen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Kawasaki is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kawasaki looking to sit in guard and control but Mustonen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawasaki keeping moving, preventing Mustonen from controlling successfully.
Mustonen controls from within his opponent's guard.

Kawasaki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kawasaki tries to land a sweep but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mustonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawasaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kawasaki is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mustonen has hold of Kawasaki's hands but Kawasaki slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
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 Joonas Mustonen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Mustonen shoots in but Kawasaki avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kawasaki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mustonen but Mustonen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mustonen throws a shot to the body.
Kawasaki closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice shot lands for Mustonen.
Mustonen lands with a shot to the body.
Mustonen lands the left hand.
Mustonen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kawasaki shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mustonen but Mustonen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Mustonen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kawasaki backs up against the cage.
Kawasaki looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Joonas Mustonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Kawasaki.
Kawasaki shoots in but Mustonen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Mustonen thuds a left hand into Kawasaki's body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mustonen cracks Kawasaki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Mustonen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kawasaki doesn't seem bothered though.
Kawasaki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Horrible takedown by Kawasaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Mustonen which made him look bad.
Kawasaki on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kawasaki stuffs the takedown.
Kawasaki misses with a takedown
and Mustonen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kawasaki has his takedown stuffed

and Mustonen counters with a single leg into guard. Kawasaki didn't expect that.
Mustonen pushes down on Kawasaki's leg and manages to get into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mustonen seems to be looking for submissions.
Mustonen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kawasaki is working to get back to half guard.
Mustonen content just to control the position here.
Mustonen wants to control the pace but Kawasaki is squirming around nicely.
Kawasaki really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kawasaki is squirming around, avoiding Mustonen's attempts to control the action.
Mustonen prevents Kawasaki from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawasaki sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Kawasaki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Mustonen won't allow Kawasaki to sweep him here.
Kawasaki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Kawasaki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Mustonen is pushing down on Kawasaki's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kawasaki is fighting to maintain full guard but Mustonen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Mustonen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kawasaki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Mustonen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kawasaki doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Mustonen.
Kawasaki wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kawasaki is still trying to improve position.
Mustonen wants to control but Kawasaki is keeping him busy.

Mustonen seems to be looking for submissions.
Kawasaki tries to get to full guard but Mustonen has control of the leg.
Kawasaki wants to control but Mustonen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Mustonen seems to be looking for submissions.
Kawasaki is looking to control Mustonen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kawasaki avoid being mounted?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kawasaki is looking to improve his position.
Kawasaki moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonas Mustonen dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Mustonen looks to land a combination but Kawasaki avoids it well.
Mustonen lands a nice hook to Kawasaki's body. Kawasaki takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mustonen cracks Kawasaki with a good jab.
Kawasaki fails with the takedown
and Mustonen counters with a nice uppercut.
Mustonen shoots in for a takedown but Kawasaki shows good takedown defense.
Lee Kawasaki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mustonen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kawasaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Mustonen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Kawasaki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Mustonen as he jumps to the side.
Joonas Mustonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lee Kawasaki.
Mustonen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kawasaki fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mustonen thuds a left hand into Kawasaki's body.
Mustonen tests Kawasaki's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Kawasaki with that takedown attempt.
Kawasaki shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Mustonen sprawls well. Mustonen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kawasaki gets slowly back to his feet.
Mustonen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kawasaki doesn't seem bothered though.
Mustonen lands a nice hook to Kawasaki's body. Kawasaki takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Mustonen scores with the left hand. Kawasaki knows he should have avoided that one.
Kawasaki drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Mustonen cracks Kawasaki with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Mustonen drives through with a takedown into Kawasaki's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Kawasaki escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Mustonen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Mustonen forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mustonen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kawasaki is just riding it out for now. Mustonen eventually gives up the hold.
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!
Kawasaki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kawasaki.
Kawasaki 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.
Mustonen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Mustonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kawasaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Mustonen is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kawasaki is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kawasaki striking off his back but it's not causing Mustonen any problems.
Kawasaki wants to sweep here but Mustonen controlling him for the moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Kawasaki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Mustonen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Mustonen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Mustonen trying to control but Kawasaki is working from the bottom.
Kawasaki wants to hit a switch here but Mustonen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Kawasaki there!

Mustonen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Kawasaki turns into him and now he's in Mustonen's guard.
Mustonen controls Kawasaki momentarily but Kawasaki frees himself.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kawasaki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Mustonen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kawasaki has managed to get both his arms back between Mustonen's legs - danger averted.

Mustonen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kawasaki defends well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Mustonen working for a triangle but Kawasaki defends it easily.
Kawasaki scoring with some ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kawasaki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Lee Kawasaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mustonen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kawasaki connects with a couple of short punches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joonas Mustonen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mustonen 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 30:28
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:28
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joonas Mustonen!
Joonas Mustonen opened up his post fight interview with a scream to camera that he wants a title shot! Whether he deserves the shot will be up to the management of the organization, so I guess he'll have to wait and see.