PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jorma Sulkava (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kobus Venter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kobus Venter is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Sulkava
vs
Venter

170 cm
18
152 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

173 cm
25
150 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Big heart

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jorma Sulkava!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kobus Venter!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Patrick Alders and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Venter gets a double leg takedown into Sulkava's guard.
Venter is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Sulkava working for submissions but it's allowed Venter to get to half guard.
Sulkava's coaches at Gangsterdamage have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Venter controlling the pace.
Sulkava is not content to let Venter control the position.
Sulkava keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Sulkava is looking to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sulkava is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Venter pulls his head out easily.

Sulkava looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sulkava is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Venter scores with a couple of nice shots.

Venter is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sulkava doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Venter.
Sulkava is looking for a sweep. Venter is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sulkava moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Venter lands a couple of elbows.
Sulkava wants to control the position but Venter says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.

Sulkava looking for submissions off his back.
Venter wants to control but Sulkava is keeping him busy.
Sulkava taking some punishment here, with Venter in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Venter is trying to work for a kimura but Sulkava is defending well.
Sulkava trying to control here.
Sulkava is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Venter scores with a couple of nice shots.

Venter is working for a kimura but Sulkava is defending it quite comfortably.

Sulkava is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Venter pulls his head out easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Venter wants to control but Sulkava is keeping him busy.
Venter looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sulkava is trying to get back to full guard.
Sulkava is working hard here to advance position.
Venter is nestled in close to Sulkava, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Sulkava wants to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sulkava wants to get back to full guard but Venter has passed into side control.
Venter trying to control the position but Sulkava is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kobus Venter dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Venter drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Sulkava manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Venter drops an elbow to the side of Sulkava's head.
Sulkava manages to get to full guard.
Venter content to stall in guard here.
Venter wants to stand but Sulkava has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sulkava 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.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sulkava is on top in guard.
Sulkava trying to control but Venter is working from the bottom.
Venter wants to sweep but no luck.
Kobus Venter has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sulkava trying to control but Venter is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sulkava pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Venter is keeping the position for now.
Sulkava trying to control but Venter is working from the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jorma Sulkava.
Venter avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jab, jab by Sulkava - just one landing.

Venter looking to score a takedown here. Sulkava is defending well but Venter drives through and ends up in Sulkava's guard.

Sulkava is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Venter is aware though and is defending well.
Venter must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Venter is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Venter pushes down on Sulkava's leg and manages to get into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Venter is looking for a kimura here.

Sulkava looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Sulkava looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Sulkava looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sulkava trying to hold on to Venter's head to control him but Venter postures up.
Venter wants to free his trapped foot but Sulkava is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Sulkava avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Venter.
Sulkava tries to get to full guard but Venter has control of the leg.
Sulkava makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sulkava.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Sulkava utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kobus Venter will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Venter blocks a jab.
Sulkava throws a hook but Venter avoids it easily.

Venter moves into the clinch.

Venter lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Sulkava tries to roll over but Venter keeps him under control.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sulkava manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sulkava wants to sweep here but Venter controlling him for the moment.

Sulkava is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Venter looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sulkava working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Venter.
Sulkava tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Venter scoring with punches to the head and body.

Sulkava looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Venter lands a couple of digs.
Venter trying to control the position from guard on top but Sulkava is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jorma Sulkava has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Venter lands a couple of digs.

Sulkava had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Venter defends it easily.
Venter wants to control from the top but Sulkava keeps moving.
Venter preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Venter forces his way into half guard.

Venter is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Sulkava looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are battling for position here. Sulkava manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Sulkava is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Venter is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sulkava working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Venter doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Venter manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Venter works over Sulkava with some ground and pound from guard.
Venter stopping the sweep attempt from Sulkava.
Venter postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kobus Venter comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Venter winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Nard Betker scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kobus Venter!