PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Balagot Liu (ranked 117 p4p, 152 weight class) and Lusmu Kutvonen (ranked 9 p4p, 11 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Liu
vs
Kutvonen

173 cm
34
138
31 - 11 - 1

170 cm
33
140
24 - 14 - 2

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
SynCity Fightwear

SynCity Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Balagot Liu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 24 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Lusmu Kutvonen!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Jack Bonds and Percy O'Donnell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Liu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kutvonen feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Lius jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kutvonen misses the jab.
Kutvonen looks to throw the jab but Liu is out of range.
Kutvonen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Kutvonen has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Liu tests Kutvonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kutvonen moves out of range of the strikes.
Liu lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kutvonen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
The fighters circling - Liu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
And Kutvonen tries to counter it with a takedown but Liu pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Liu throws a hook but Kutvonen avoids it easily.
Kutvonen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Liu throws a shot from downtown. Kutvonen moves away and avoids it.
Kutvonen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Liu looks to land a right hand but Kutvonen moved out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liu throws a good cross that connects.
Balagot Liu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kutvonen moves out of range as Liu strikes.

Kutvonen gets a double leg takedown into Liu's guard.
Kutvonen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kutvonen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kutvonen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen with a nice head shot there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Liu has momentary wrist control but Kutvonen slips an elbow through the middle.
Kutvonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kutvonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kutvonen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kutvonen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kutvonen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Kutvonen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Kutvonen postures up and lands a big shot to Liu's brow.
Kutvonen controls from within his opponent's guard.
Kutvonen wants to control from the top but Liu keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen throwing strikes but missing.
Kutvonen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kutvonen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Liu knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kutvonen on the ground.
Kutvonen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
A low kick from Liu is predictable there

so Kutvonen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Kutvonen with a flurry of punches that miss.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Kutvonen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kutvonen wants to control from the top but Liu keeps moving.
Kutvonen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kutvonen distracts Liu with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kutvonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kutvonen trying to control but Liu is working from the bottom.
Kutvonen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

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.
Kutvonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kutvonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Liu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Liu misses with a hook.

Liu gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kutvonen to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Liu pushes Kutvonen off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Liu looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Kutvonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Liu.
Kutvonen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Liu backs up against the cage.
Liu lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Liu misses with a looping left.
Balagot Liu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kutvonen lands with a right hand.
Kutvonen throws a jab but it's blocked by Liu.
Kutvonen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kutvonen slips a jab from Liu.
Liu with a hook.
And that is 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!

Liu throws a jab but it's blocked by Kutvonen.
Liu missing with a left hand there. Kutvonen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kutvonen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Liu throws a hook to the side of Kutvonen's head but Kutvonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A swing and a miss from Liu.
Kutvonen fails with a takedown attempt.
Liu throws out a powerful jab.
Liu lands an overhand right.
A big left from Liu misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kutvonen misses with a series of wild punches.
Kutvonen lands a jab to the nose.
Kutvonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Liu.
Kutvonen slips a straight right by Liu.
Kutvonen misses with a straight right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen lands with a shot to the body.
Kutvonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Kutvonen.
Liu throws a right hand that misses

and Kutvonen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kutvonen.
Kutvonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Liu is retaining full guard.
Kutvonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Liu is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kutvonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kutvonen trying to control but Liu is working from the bottom.
Kutvonen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Liu keeping moving, preventing Kutvonen from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Liu is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kutvonen throws a hook to the side of Liu's head but Liu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kutvonen misses the shot to the body.
Kutvonen avoids the body shot from Liu.
Kutvonen pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Liu back to the cage. Kutvonen follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Liu looks to score with a jab to the body but Kutvonen is just out of range.
Kutvonen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Balagot Liu is winning the standup battle so far.
Kutvonen slips a jab from Liu.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kutvonen throws a body shot but no joy.
Kutvonen slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Liu takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kutvonen lands an overhand right.
Liu throws a hook but Kutvonen blocks it.
Kutvonen slips a jab from Liu.
Liu fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Kutvonen is out of range.
Kutvonen misses with a low kick.
Liu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kutvonen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kutvonen misses with a body shot.
A jab from Liu misses.
Liu misses with a looping right.
Liu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Liu moves out of range as Kutvonen strikes.
Kutvonen takes one to the side of the head.

Kutvonen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Liu kicks Kutvonen off and gets back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Liu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Liu throws a body punch but Kutvonen moves out of range.
Jab, jab by Liu - just one landing.
Kutvonen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Liu is fending him off so far but Kutvonen persists. Nope, Liu circles away and we're back to standing.
Kutvonen scores with a jab.
Kutvonen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Liu scores with a decent looking hook.
Kutvonen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Liu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Liu throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kutvonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Liu misses with an uppercut. Kutvonen saw that one coming.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Kutvonen.
Liu thows a left - swing and a miss!
Liu lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kutvonen throws out a loose jab but Liu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Liu is looking to counter punch.
Liu throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kutvonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Liu.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Balagot Liu will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Liu tests Kutvonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Liu ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kutvonen throws a hook but Liu blocks it.
Nice defenses there by Liu.
A slow jab from Liu misses its intended target.
A telegraphed right hand from Kutvonen misses the target.
Liu throws a jab when Kutvonen was well out of range.
Nice defenses there by Kutvonen.
Liu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kutvonen.
Kutvonen with the counter takedown but Liu avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Kutvonen misses its intended target.
Kutvonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Liu.
Kutvonen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Liu.
Kutvonen defending well as Liu loads up on a big left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Liu gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Liu utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Liu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kutvonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kutvonen trying to control the position but Liu is working away.
Kutvonen throws an elbow but Liu slips to the side and avoids it well.
Kutvonen working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Kutvonen fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Kutvonen cracks Liu with a big elbow.
Liu avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kutvonen.
Kutvonen throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Liu avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kutvonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Kutvonen in side control, throwing shots but Liu defends.
Liu is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kutvonen connects with a decent elbow.
Kutvonen working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kutvonen looks up at the clock and then as Liu takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Kutvonen smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Kutvonen wants to control but Liu is keeping him busy.
The ground and pound from Kutvonen seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Kutvonen working the head with strikes.
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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen is looking to take a break and control but Liu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Liu is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kutvonen lands a nice forearm strike.
The strikes coming from Kutvonen are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Kutvonen trying to control the position but Liu is working away.
Kutvonen lands a nice forearm strike.
Liu avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kutvonen.
Kutvonen cracks Liu with a big right hand but Liu just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen working the strikes but Liu uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Kutvonen trying to control from Liu's half guard. Liu has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Kutvonen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kutvonen wants to control from the top but Liu keeps moving.
Kutvonen with a nice head shot there.
Lusmu Kutvonen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kutvonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Liu keeping moving, preventing Kutvonen from controlling successfully.
Kutvonen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lusmu Kutvonen really dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kutvonen misses with a wild body shot.
Kutvonen works over Liu's head and body with a nice combination.

Kutvonen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Liu kicks Kutvonen off and gets back to his feet.
Kutvonen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Liu.
Kutvonen misses with a combination
and Liu connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kutvonen scores with a sloppy right hand. Liu should have avoided that one.
Kutvonen throws a right and a left that Liu avoids nicely.
Liu connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kutvonen's hands.
Kutvonen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Liu is looking to counter punch.
Liu misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Liu throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kutvonen looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Kutvonen attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Kutvonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Liu.

Kutvonen gets a takedown into half guard.
Kutvonen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Liu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen throws a strike but Liu avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Kutvonen lands a couple of digs.
Kutvonen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kutvonen landing some decent shots from guard.
Kutvonen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kutvonen throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Kutvonen wants to control from the top but Liu keeps moving.
Liu avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kutvonen wants to pass the guard but Liu is keeping the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Liu throws the left hand but Kutvonen avoids the punch easily.
Kutvonen slips a jab from Liu.
Kutvonen cracks Liu with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nice defenses there by Liu.
Liu cracks Kutvonen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kutvonen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Liu jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Liu delivers a nice body kick.
Kutvonen scores with a body shot.
Liu ducks right into an uppercut from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Liu.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Liu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Liu throws a shot to the body.
Liu rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

so Kutvonen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Liu pushes Kutvonen off and gets back to his feet.
Kutvonen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Liu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A jab from Kutvonen misses.
Liu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kutvonen.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kutvonen is looking to score with low kicks.
Liu on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Liu dodges the punch combination from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen misses with a series of wild punches.
Liu is looking to counter punch.
Liu lands with an overhand left.
Liu throws a jab but it's blocked by Kutvonen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Liu throws out a loose jab but Kutvonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kutvonen lands with a shot to the body.
A telegraphed right hand from Kutvonen misses the target.
It looked like Liu wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Kutvonen scores with a decent looking hook.
A swing and a miss from Kutvonen.
Liu checks the leg kick nicely there.
Liu getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kutvonen slips under a jab from Liu.
Liu keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Liu is looking to counter punch.
Nice defenses there by Liu.
Liu throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kutvonen throws an overhand right that lands on Liu's shoulder, as Liu tries to avoid the shot.
Liu connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Liu misses with a straight right.
Kutvonen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Liu defends it well.
Liu misses with an uppercut
and Kutvonen counters with a nice body shot.
Liu throws a hook to the side of Kutvonen's head but Kutvonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A little jabbing left from Kutvonen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Lusmu Kutvonen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Liu cracks Kutvonen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Kutvonen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Liu lands a head shot.
Liu looks to land a left hand but Kutvonen moved out of range nicely.
Liu ducks under a wild hook from Kutvonen.
Liu is looking to score with low kicks.
Liu lands a lovely overhand right.
Liu throws a hook to the side of Kutvonen's head but Kutvonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Liu checks a low kick from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kutvonen blocks a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Liu.
Kutvonen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kutvonen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Liu looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kutvonen slips a jab from Liu.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Liu throws out a loose jab but Kutvonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Liu misses with an uppercut.
Kutvonen throws a leg kick but Liu moved away.
Liu is looking to counter with head kicks.
Liu fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kutvonen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Liu circles away quickly and effectively.
Kutvonen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Liu.
Kutvonen slips a jab from Liu.
Kutvonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Liu.
Kutvonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Liu as he avoids it easily.
Liu is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Liu walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Liu lands with an overhand left.
Liu throws out a loose jab but Kutvonen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kutvonen throws a hook to the side of Liu's head but Liu sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kutvonen slips under a jab.
Liu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kutvonen.
Kutvonen moves away from the strike by Liu.

Liu gets tackled into the cage by Kutvonen. Kutvonen maintains the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen blocking some punches.
Liu fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Liu wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kutvonen has him pressed against the cage.
Kutvonen misses with a punch to the body.
Kutvonen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Liu working aggressively here.
Kutvonen looking to slow down the pace here.
Liu tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Liu swings away with an uppercut that misses.
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!
Liu lands a shoulder strike.
Liu misses with some punches.
Kutvonen wants a takedown.
Kutvonen taking a breather.
Liu tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Liu as Kutvonen tries to tie him up.

Kutvonen has clasped his hands together around Liu's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
The ground and pound from Kutvonen seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Liu is not content to let Kutvonen control the position.
Kutvonen working the head with strikes.
Kutvonen lands a decent elbow from side control.
Liu defending against the ground and pound.
Kutvonen fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Kutvonen is looking to take a break and control but Liu is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kutvonen throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kutvonen is chipping away with strikes.
Kutvonen throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Liu is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kutvonen is controlling him well.
Liu takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kutvonen working the ground and pound.
Lusmu Kutvonen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kutvonen in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Let's hope that Kutvonen has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Balagot Liu.
I think Kutvonen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 45:50
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 45:50
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lusmu Kutvonen!
An out of breath Lusmu Kutvonen thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.