PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Lusmu Kutvonen (ranked 397 p4p, 893 weight class) and Samak Ruenroeng (ranked 21 p4p, 50 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kutvonen
vs
Ruenroeng

170 cm
29
141
16 - 9 - 1

170 cm
38
146
33 - 18 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
Carnage Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Lusmu Kutvonen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 33 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Samak Ruenroeng!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Paulsen Ambrosius and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruenroeng lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kutvonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A countering left hand to the body from Ruenroeng misses.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick but Kutvonen moves out of range.
Kutvonen throws a combination that misses
and Ruenroeng cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Good leg kick by Ruenroeng.
Kutvonen shoots in but Ruenroeng avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Ruenroeng scores with a sloppy right hand. Kutvonen should have avoided that one.
Kutvonen looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ruenroeng. That's going to slow Kutvonen down.
Ruenroeng scores with a leg kick.
Ruenroeng wants to land a leg kick but Kutvonen is out of range.
Kutvonen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Ruenroeng misses with a body punch
and Kutvonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ruenroeng slips a jab from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen throws a jab but it's blocked by Ruenroeng.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Ruenroeng misses.
Kutvonen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Ruenroeng swings widly with a right hand

and Kutvonen counters with a shoot takedown. Ruenroeng fights it but they end up in guard.
Kutvonen postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kutvonen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Ruenroeng has control of Kutvonen's left arm, preventing Kutvonen from doing any damage.
Kutvonen passes Ruenroeng's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Kutvonen wants to control but Ruenroeng is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng trying to control here.
Ruenroeng tries to roll over but Kutvonen keeps him under control.
Ruenroeng gets full guard.
Kutvonen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Kutvonen wants to pass the guard but Ruenroeng is keeping the position.
Ruenroeng wants to sweep here but Kutvonen controlling him for the moment.
Kutvonen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kutvonen preventing the sweep.
Ruenroeng controlling Kutvonen's posture.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng keeping moving, preventing Kutvonen from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Kutvonen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ruenroeng.
Kutvonen moves forwards but Ruenroeng connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ruenroeng misses with a body shot.
Kutvonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ruenroeng.
A big left from Kutvonen misses.
Ruenroeng throws a big shot that misses.
Kutvonen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
A lazy left from Ruenroeng finds it's target.

Kutvonen drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kutvonen won't allow Ruenroeng to sweep him here.
Kutvonen throws a big elbow that misses.
Kutvonen wants to pass the guard but Ruenroeng is keeping the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen trying to control but Ruenroeng is working from the bottom.

Ruenroeng throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Ruenroeng tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ruenroeng working a defensive guard but Kutvonen passes into half guard.
Ruenroeng is looking to get back to full guard here but Kutvonen has managed to pass to side control instead.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ruenroeng tries to bench press Kutvonen off him but Kutvonen keeps the position.
Kutvonen lands an elbow.
Ruenroeng sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ruenroeng wants to improve his position but Kutvonen is controlling well.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Lusmu Kutvonen will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Kutvonen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kutvonen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kutvonen looks to throw the jab but Ruenroeng is out of range.
Ruenroeng swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick that misses.
A shot to the liver by Kutvonen. Beautiful body shot.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick but Kutvonen moves out of range.
Kutvonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Ruenroeng.
Kutvonen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kutvonen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Ruenroeng throws the left hand but Kutvonen avoids the punch easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kutvonen tries to clinch up.
Ruenroeng throws a right hand that misses
and Kutvonen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kutvonen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruenroeng looks to score with a jab to the body but Kutvonen is just out of range.
Ruenroeng pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kutvonen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ruenroeng throws a jab when Kutvonen was well out of range.
Kutvonen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng is looking to score with low kicks.
Kutvonen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ruenroeng digs a good hook to Kutvonen's body.
Ruenroeng on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kutvonen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Ruenroeng lands a leg kick that knocks Kutvonen off balance momentarily.
Kutvonen takes a swing at Ruenroeng's ribcage but misses.
Kutvonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kutvonen swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Ruenroeng changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ruenroeng keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ruenroeng throws a head kick that misses
and Kutvonen counters with a nice uppercut.
Kutvonen missing with a left hand there. Ruenroeng was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ruenroeng tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kutvonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruenroeng.
A low kick from Ruenroeng is predictable there

and Kutvonen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kutvonen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ruenroeng is looking to control Kutvonen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Ruenroeng avoid being mounted?
Ruenroeng is looking for a sweep. Kutvonen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ruenroeng is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ruenroeng is looking to get back to full guard here but Kutvonen has managed to pass to side control instead.
You can see the frustration on Ruenroeng's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen grinds an elbow into Ruenroeng's temple.
Kutvonen throws an elbow but Ruenroeng slips to the side and avoids it well.
Ruenroeng tries to improve position but can't.
Kutvonen throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Kutvonen throws an elbow but Ruenroeng slips to the side and avoids it well.
Kutvonen working away.
Kutvonen trying to control the action but Ruenroeng is working from the bottom.
Ruenroeng is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Ruenroeng wants to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Kutvonen working the head and body with strikes.
Kutvonen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kutvonen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kutvonen trying to control the action but Ruenroeng is working from the bottom.
Ruenroeng is looking for a sweep. Kutvonen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kutvonen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Lusmu Kutvonen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ruenroeng tries to roll over but Kutvonen keeps him under control.
Ruenroeng regains full guard. Nicely done.
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 Lusmu Kutvonen will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kutvonen misses with an uppercut
and Ruenroeng counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Ruenroeng ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kutvonen moves away.
Kutvonen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kutvonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruenroeng is just out of range.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Ruenroeng. Kutvonen shrugs it off though.
Ruenroeng cracks a nice hook into Kutvonen's ribs.
Ruenroeng does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Ruenroeng misses with a body kick.
Kutvonen tries to counter with a takedown but Ruenroeng is quick to defend against it.
Kutvonen ducks under a wild hook from Ruenroeng.
Samak Ruenroeng seems to be getting the better of the standup.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ruenroeng thumps Kutvonen with a low kick.
Ruenroeng wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ruenroeng fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kutvonen.
Kutvonen tries a low kick but Ruenroeng avoids it.
A countering left hand to the body from Ruenroeng misses.
Ruenroeng scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen blocks a jab.
Samak Ruenroeng is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kutvonen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ruenroeng misses with a takedown attempt - Kutvonen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kutvonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ruenroeng looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Ruenroeng takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kutvonen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ruenroeng takes one on the button.
Kutvonen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ruenroeng slips under a jab from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen scores with a decent looking hook.
Kutvonen throws a body punch but Ruenroeng moves out of range.
Ruenroeng moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 a shot from downtown. Ruenroeng moves away and avoids it.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Ruenroeng! But no joy.
Ruenroeng lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Ruenroeng on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kutvonen misses with a body shot.
It seemed like Ruenroeng was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ruenroeng stuffs the takedown.
Ruenroeng throws a hook but Kutvonen blocks it.
Kutvonen is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nice jab there from Kutvonen.

Ruenroeng is rocked!
Ruenroeng ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kutvonen takes a swing at Ruenroeng's ribcage but misses.
Kutvonen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kutvonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ruenroeng was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Kutvonen misses with a straight right.
Kutvonen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen throws an overhand right that lands on Ruenroeng's shoulder, as Ruenroeng tries to avoid the shot.
Ruenroeng fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ruenroeng circles away from the clinch attempt
and Ruenroeng counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kutvonen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nice cross by Ruenroeng.

Kutvonen shoots in and gets a takedown into Ruenroeng's guard.
Kutvonen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ruenroeng trying to keep a closed guard but Kutvonen is proving a slippery customer.
Kutvonen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kutvonen passes Ruenroeng's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kutvonen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Ruenroeng is refusing to be controlled, as Kutvonen sits in half guard.
Kutvonen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ruenroeng regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kutvonen.
Ruenroeng bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kutvonen's guard.

And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Samak Ruenroeng just about did enough to take it.
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 takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Kutvonen scores with a jab to the body.
Kutvonen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kutvonen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kutvonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kutvonen thumps Ruenroeng with a low kick.
Ruenroeng works Kutvonen's body with a nice hook.
Ruenroeng tries to land a front kick but Kutvonen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kutvonen throws a leg kick that misses.
Ruenroeng lands with a thumping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kutvonen swings for the body but Ruenroeng moves out of range.
Kutvonen tests Ruenroeng's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kutvonen digs a good body shot into Ruenroeng's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruenroeng uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ruenroeng throws a right hand that misses
letting Kutvonen counter with a right hand.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ruenroeng lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Kutvonen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kutvonen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kutvonen throws a shot from downtown. Ruenroeng moves away and avoids it.
Ruenroeng throws a body punch but Kutvonen moves out of range.
Kutvonen lands with a cross.
Kutvonen's corner calls for a 1-2. Kutvonen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Ruenroeng lands with a hook. Kutvonen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kutvonen throws a lazy right hand but Ruenroeng sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ruenroeng looks to throw the jab but Kutvonen is out of range.
Ruenroeng moves in looking to clinch but Kutvonen pushes him off.
Ruenroeng throws a leg kick
enabling Kutvonen to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Ruenroeng.
Kutvonen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ruenroeng tries a low kick but Kutvonen avoids it.
Kutvonen misses with an uppercut.
Kutvonen misses with a right hand
and Ruenroeng counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Ruenroeng moves out of range of the leg kick from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen misses the shot to the body.
Nice body punch from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen tries to score with a low kick but Ruenroeng moves his leg out of the way.
Kutvonen ducks under a wild hook from Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kutvonen's head backwards.
A telegraphed right hand from Ruenroeng misses the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kutvonen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A swing and a miss from Kutvonen.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kutvonen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ruenroeng replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Kutvonen blocks it well.
Kutvonen misses with a takedown attempt - Ruenroeng sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ruenroeng throws out a counter right but Kutvonen avoids it with no problem.
Ruenroeng 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.
Kutvonen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Ruenroeng throws a hook to the side of Kutvonen's head but Kutvonen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Ruenroeng throws a poor cross that misses
and Kutvonen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruenroeng is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Ruenroeng is still on wobbly legs! Can Kutvonen finish him?
Kutvonen misses with a straight right.
Ruenroeng seems to have recovered his senses.
Kutvonen moves forwards but Ruenroeng connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kutvonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruenroeng swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ruenroeng swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kutvonen looks to land a body kick but Ruenroeng moved away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ruenroeng scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A slow jab from Kutvonen misses its intended target.
Ruenroeng thinks about the counter body kick.
Ruenroeng walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kutvonen blocks the body kick.
Kutvonen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kutvonen takes one to the chin there.
A jab from Ruenroeng does it's job there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Lusmu Kutvonen had his way with Samak Ruenroeng in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kutvonen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Ruenroeng throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Ruenroeng throws a nice outside leg kick.

Kutvonen closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ruenroeng quickly recovers to half guard.
Ruenroeng preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Ruenroeng is trying to control but can't.
Ruenroeng is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kutvonen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kutvonen's back!
Ruenroeng tries to get the hooks in deep but Kutvonen pushed the leg off.
Ruenroeng has good solid back control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen trying to survive by controlling the hands.
Ruenroeng just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kutvonen wants to escape the position.
Ruenroeng has the hooks sunk in and you can see the will to fight slowly draining out of Kutvonen's body.
Ruenroeng trying to control momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ruenroeng keeps control of the position as Kutvonen tries to break free.
Ruenroeng tries to get the hooks in deep but Kutvonen pushed the leg off.
Kutvonen rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Ruenroeng prevents Kutvonen from improving his position.
Ruenroeng trying to control the pace.
Kutvonen holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen tries to roll over but Ruenroeng keeps him under control.
Ruenroeng takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kutvonen wants to get back to full guard.
Samak Ruenroeng has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lusmu Kutvonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Ruenroeng wants to free his trapped foot but Kutvonen is holding on for dear life with his legs.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ruenroeng in particular looking to stall.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kutvonen ducks under a wild hook from Ruenroeng.
Ruenroeng looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Ruenroeng throws a shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kutvonen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kutvonen tests Ruenroeng's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A bone on bone clash there as Kutvonen blocks the leg kick.
Ruenroeng connects with a jab.
Ruenroeng lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Ruenroeng throws a sloppy body shot
and Kutvonen counters with a left to the body.
Ruenroeng takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
A punch combination from Ruenroeng misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kutvonen misses with a wild body shot.
Ruenroeng misses with a jab to the body
and Kutvonen counters with a stiff right hand.
A clash of legs there as Kutvonen blocks the low kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Samak Ruenroeng.
I think Kutvonen has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 48:47
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 49:47
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Lusmu Kutvonen!
Lusmu Kutvonen retains his bantamweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Lusmu Kutvonen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.