PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Christian Kane (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Karri Koira (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Kane
vs
Koira

185 cm
27
190 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
180 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Christian Kane!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Karri Koira!
The judges for this bout are William Peck, Gregory Folan and Steve Smith.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koira scores with a jab. Kane acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Koira misses with a few strikes there.
The fighters circle momentarily. Kane darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Koira blocks a head kick by Kane.
Koira throws out a powerful jab.
Koira checks a leg kick.
Koira checks a leg kick nicely.
Koira works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Koira throws a big shot that misses.
Koira loads up on a big right hand but Kane slips the punch.

Koira moves into range and clinches up with Kane.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Koira is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Kane breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A clash of legs there as Koira blocks the low kick.
Koira chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kane can pounce on him.
Koira looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Koira throws out a powerful jab.
Koira connects with a crisp jab.
Kane moves out of range as Koira strikes.
Nice defenses there by Kane.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kane slips under a jab.
Koira takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kane throws a head kick that misses.
Kane takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Koira connects with a body shot.
Koira looks to land a left hand but Kane moved out of range nicely.
Kane will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kane tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Koira is able to avoid easily.
A slow jab from Koira misses its intended target.
Koira throws a lazy right hand but Kane sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Koira fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Koira takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Kane with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Koira stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kane.
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!
Koira misses with a looping left.
Kane looks to land a right hand but Koira moved out of range.
Koira jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kane tries to land a front kick but Koira steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Koira is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kane had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kane looks to land a combination. Koira sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Koira looks to land a combination. Kane sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kane blocks a jab.
Koira connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Koira moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Kane is rocked!
Kane slips a jab and a cross from Koira.
Kane walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Koira checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Koira feints with a jab and clips Kane right behind the ear with a massive overhand right! Kane is sent crashing into the canvas and Koira leaps in for the kill! Kane tries to get to his feet but Koira is just battering him from every conceivable angle. The ref decides that Kane is in need of a savior and steps in!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:30 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Karri Koira!
An out of breath Karri Koira thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.