PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Neil Nucombe (ranked 3379 p4p, 2706 weight class) and Lusmu Kutvonen (ranked 0 p4p, 326 weight class). Lusmu Kutvonen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nucombe
vs
Kutvonen

166 cm
38
166
24 - 12 - 0

170 cm
23
162
5 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Neil Nucombe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Lusmu Kutvonen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kutvonen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nucombe is fending him off so far but Kutvonen persists. Nope, Nucombe circles away and we're back to standing.
Nucombe checks the leg kick.
Nucombe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nucombe avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nucombe tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kutvonen manages to circle out of the way.
Kutvonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nucombe manages to avoid it.
Kutvonen misses with the combination.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.
Nucombe misses with a hook. Kutvonen ducked under it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kutvonen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nucombe's head.
Kutvonen misses with a head kick.
Nucombe connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen connects with a solid leg kick.
Nucombe looks to land a right hand but Kutvonen moved out of range.
Kutvonen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nucombe is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Kutvonen.
And Kutvonen tries to counter it with a takedown but Nucombe pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kutvonen looks to land a body kick but Nucombe moved away.
Nucombe connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kutvonen's hands.
Nucombe keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Horrible takedown attempt by Kutvonen or perhaps it was just good defense by Nucombe, which made it look bad.
Nucombe wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Neil Nucombe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lusmu Kutvonen.
Nucombe tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kutvonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Nucombe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen motions for Nucombe to come forward. Kutvonen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.
Lusmu Kutvonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Kutvonen drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kutvonen working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Kutvonen in side control, throwing shots but Nucombe defends.
Nucombe defending against the ground and pound.
Kutvonen working the ground and pound but Nucombe is defending the strikes.
Nucombe tries to bench press Kutvonen off him but Kutvonen keeps the position.
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!
Kutvonen throws an elbow but Nucombe slips to the side and avoids it well.
You can see the frustration on Nucombe's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kutvonen fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Nucombe is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Nucombe taking punishment in the form of punches.
Kutvonen lands some shots froms side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kutvonen wants to control but Nucombe is keeping him busy.
Kutvonen working the ground and pound but Nucombe is defending the strikes.
Kutvonen wants to control but Nucombe is keeping him busy.
Kutvonen misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Nucombe wants to control but Kutvonen postures up.
Nucombe is looking for a sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen wants to control but Nucombe is keeping him busy.
Kutvonen creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Nucombe sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nucombe has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kutvonen.
Kutvonen throws a leg kick

and Nucombe counters by clinching up.
A nice left hand lands by Kutvonen.
A head punch on the inside from Nucombe fails to land.
Nucombe tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nucombe has a couple of punches blocked by Kutvonen.
Kutvonen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Still in the clinch, Nucombe scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nucombe doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kutvonen.
Nucombe misses with the head strike.
Kutvonen just leaning against Nucombe, taking a breather.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nucombe.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Lusmu Kutvonen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kutvonen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A slow jab from Nucombe misses its intended target.
Nucombe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nucombe seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Kutvonen is looking to chop away at Nucombe's legs.
Kutvonen throws a leg kick which misses Nucombe's front leg but catches the back leg as Nucombe tries to avoid it.
Kutvonen thumps Nucombe with a low kick.
Nucombe looks to score with a jab to the body but Kutvonen is just out of range.
Kutvonen steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kutvonen tries to land a leg kick but Nucombe saw it coming and moves away.
Kutvonen throws a leg kick that misses.
Kutvonen moves out of range of the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kutvonen feints the counter takedown.
A lazy left from Nucombe finds it's target.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kutvonen.
Kutvonen connects with a leg kick.
Nucombe stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nucombe tries to counter by clinching up but Kutvonen breaks away and moves out of range.
Kutvonen tries a head kick but it misses.
As Kutvonen tries to get set, Nucombe tries to push him back and clinch up but Kutvonen manages to avoid the attempt.

Kutvonen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kutvonen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen throws a strike but Nucombe avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Nucombe looking to control.
Kutvonen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nucombe works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kutvonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kutvonen postures up.
Nucombe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kutvonen throwing strikes from guard but Nucombe blocks nicely.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kutvonen staying out of range there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kutvonen misses with a body kick.
Nucombe throws a hook but Kutvonen avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nucombe stuffs the takedown.
Nucombe tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kutvonen manages to circle out of the way.
Kutvonen throws a wild body kick that Nucombe sees coming a mile off.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.
Kutvonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nucombe.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nucombe checks a leg kick.
As Kutvonen tries to get set, Nucombe tries to push him back and clinch up but Kutvonen manages to avoid the attempt.
Nucombe scores with a nice right hand.
Nucombe blocks a jab.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.
Kutvonen throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kutvonen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kutvonen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nucombe avoids the head kick by Kutvonen.
Nucombe tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kutvonen manages to circle out of the way.
Nucombe scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Nucombe checks a leg kick nicely.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.
Kutvonen moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kutvonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Donk. Kutvonen catches Nucombe right on the button with a cross.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kutvonen.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kutvonen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nucombe checks it well.
Nucombe is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen blocks a jab.
Kutvonen is looking for the big counter here.
Nucombe is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nucombe throws a jab when Kutvonen was well out of range.
Kutvonen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lusmu Kutvonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kutvonen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nucombe throws a right hand that misses
and Kutvonen counters with a straight right hand.
Nucombe blocks a leg kick.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.
Kutvonen throws a head kick but Nucombe moves out of range.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.
Kutvonen throws a leg kick but Nucombe checks it.
Nucombe wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nucombe avoids a kick to the body.
Nucombe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nucombe is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Kutvonen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nucombe scores with a shot to the body.
Kutvonen scores with a three punch combo!
Nucombe takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen thumps Nucombe with a low kick.
Kutvonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nucombe.
Kutvonen with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nucombe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kutvonen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kutvonen tests Nucombe's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kutvonen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nucombe tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Kutvonen manages to circle out of the way.
Nucombe lands with a nice body punch.
Kutvonen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nucombe.
Kutvonen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Neil Nucombe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen throws a low kick but Nucombe avoids it.
Kutvonen connects with a leg kick.
Kutvonen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.
Nucombe checks a leg kick nicely.
Kutvonen fails with a takedown attempt.
Kutvonen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nucombe checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nucombe misses with a looping left.
Kutvonen throws a chopping leg kick but Nucombe manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nucombe is looking to counter the offense by Kutvonen and move into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kutvonen slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Nucombe is out of range.
Kutvonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nucombe checks the leg kick nicely there.
Lusmu Kutvonen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kutvonen throws a sloppy head kick and Nucombe moves out of range easily.
Lusmu Kutvonen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kutvonen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kutvonen lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kutvonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nucombe as he avoids it easily.
Nucombe blocks a leg kick.
Nucombe swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Neil Nucombe has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nucombe fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kutvonen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kutvonen misses with a low kick.
Nucombe wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nice cross by Nucombe.
Nucombe scores with a nice head shot.
Kutvonen scoring well with a low kick there.
Kutvonen throws a good cross that connects.
Nucombe checks a leg kick.
Nucombe seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nucombe waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kutvonen.
Kutvonen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Kutvonen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lusmu Kutvonen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kutvonen 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lusmu Kutvonen!