PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fedor Mclovin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matti Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mclovin's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Sandstorm by Darude. Matti Kuusela has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Mclovin
vs
Kuusela

186 cm
24
190 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

187 cm
20
190 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fedor Mclovin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matti Kuusela!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mclovin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuusela shoots for a takedown but Mclovin saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Mclovin throws a head kick but Kuusela moves out of range.
Kuusela fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Kuusela shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Mclovin but Mclovin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Fedor Mclovin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matti Kuusela.

Mclovin forces Kuusela back against the cage and clinches.

Mclovin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Kuusela fails with a takedown attempt.
Kuusela shoots in for a takedown but Mclovin shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kuusela fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kuusela.
Nice body kick from Mclovin.
Kuusela looks gassed!
Mclovin looks to land a combination but Kuusela avoids it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Mclovin lands but Kuusela takes it in his stride.
Kuusela will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kuusela shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Mclovin pinned against the cage. Mclovin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Mclovin throws a head kick but Kuusela moves out of range.
Kuusela shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mclovin as he avoids it easily.

Mclovin closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kuusela did well to prevent Mclovin getting side control.
Kuusela tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Mclovin content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Mclovin decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.
Kuusela takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Mclovin.
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!

Mclovin drives through and clinches with Kuusela against the cage.

Mclovin pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Mclovin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Mclovin wants to stand but Kuusela is controlling his posture from full guard.
Kuusela wants to sweep but no luck.
Kuusela is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mclovin trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kuusela's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mclovin trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Kuusela is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Mclovin defends well.
Mclovin tries to stand but Kuusela is controlling from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Mclovin fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kuusela sprawls well initially but Mclovin persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kuusela is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mclovin's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mclovin's back!
Well, with Kuusela on his back, surely it's only a matter of time before Mclovin is tapping out... Can he escape the position?
You can see the frustration on Mclovin's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Kuusela is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kuusela is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Mclovin has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Kuusela has got his arm under Mclovin's chin working for the choke… has he got it? It looks pretty tight! Oh! Mclovin has spun round into Kuusela's guard beautifully! Well done that man!
Mclovin stopping the sweep attempt from Kuusela.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kuusela looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Mclovin passes into side control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor Mclovin dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Kuusela swings for the body but Mclovin moves out of range.

Mclovin drives through and clinches with Kuusela against the cage.
Kuusela is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Mclovin gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Kuusela wants a takedown but no success here.

Mclovin manages to break the clinch.
A head kick by Kuusela misses
and Mclovin counters with a nice body kick.

Mclovin rushes Kuusela and presses him up against the cage.

Mclovin escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kuusela shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mclovin counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Fedor Mclovin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matti Kuusela.
Kuusela is breathing heavily.

Mclovin stands up and waves to Kuusela to follow him.
Mclovin moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mclovin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mclovin fails to land with a series of punches.
Kuusela misses with a takedown

and Mclovin decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kuusela's guard.

Kuusela isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Mclovin stacks Kuusela on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Mclovin!

Mclovin decides to stand back up.
Matti Kuusela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuusela moves forwards but Mclovin connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kuusela doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mclovin counters with a nice kick to the body.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Mclovin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mclovin tries to advance to mount but can't.
Kuusela is being controlled here.
Kuusela tries to buck Mclovin off but Mclovin is having none of it.

Mclovin decides to stand back up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuusela just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuusela has his takedown stuffed

and Mclovin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kuusela's guard now.

Mclovin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mclovin sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Mclovin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Mclovin stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuusela swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kuusela lands some strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kuusela manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Mclovin manages to get himself to full guard.
Kuusela slips nicely into half guard.

Mclovin is defending against the submission attempts here by Kuusela.

Kuusela seems to be looking for submissions.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuusela is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Mclovin reverses the position - he's now on top in Kuusela's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fedor Mclovin dominated that second round.
That's time! Mclovin's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kuusela tries a head kick but it misses.
Mclovin with a jab.
Mclovin rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kuusela moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mclovin misses with a few strikes there.
Mclovin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuusela gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Mclovin.
Kuusela throws a big shot that misses.
Kuusela tries to bum rush Mclovin with a series of wild strikes but Mclovin uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuusela tries for a takedown but Mclovin circles away easily

and Mclovin counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Kuusela takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Mclovin breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuusela shoots and misses

and Mclovin counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mclovin.
Mclovin is pressed up against the cage. Kuusela has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mclovin down to the mat. Mclovin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Fedor Mclovin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matti Kuusela.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mclovin lands a head kick!
Mclovin is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kuusela can do to turn this around?

Mclovin looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Kuusela!

Mclovin is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Mclovin misses with the combination.
Kuusela on the wrong end of a kick to the body.

Mclovin moves into the clinch.
Kuusela tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Mclovin manages to break the clinch.
Kuusela has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Mclovin.
Kuusela misses with a double jab
and Mclovin counters with a big head kick but Kuusela shrugs it off.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mclovin lands a two punch combo.
Kuusela avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kuusela misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuusela with a lazy takedown attempt

and Mclovin counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Mclovin.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mclovin wanted to stand there but Kuusela had control of the position.

Kuusela has his foot on Mclovin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mclovin works his way back into a safe position though.
Kuusela looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Mclovin puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Kuusela tries to get to full guard but Mclovin has control of the leg.

Mclovin stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Kuusela to get to his feet.
Matti Kuusela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Decent striking displayed by Mclovin there.
Kuusela fails with the takedown
and Mclovin counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
A combination from Kuusela does no damage.
Mclovin throws a head kick that Kuusela semi-blocks.
Mclovin misses with a double jab.
Kuusela on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Mclovin defending well as Kuusela loads up on a big left hand.
Kuusela showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mclovin.
Mclovin moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela has his takedown stuffed
and Mclovin counters with a three punch combo that has Kuusela backing up. Kuusela nods at Mclovin to acknowledge the strikes.
Kuusela gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Mclovin counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kuusela's guard now.

Kuusela has his foot on Mclovin's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mclovin works his way back into a safe position though.

Mclovin stands up and waves to Kuusela to follow him.
Mclovin lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kuusela backs up against the cage.
Fedor Mclovin is winning the standup battle so far.
Mclovin digs a good body shot into Kuusela's ribs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuusela shoots and misses
and Mclovin counters with a three punch combo that has Kuusela backing up. Kuusela nods at Mclovin to acknowledge the strikes.
Mclovin's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Mclovin duly obliges.
Fedor Mclovin is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body kick from Mclovin.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fedor Mclovin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Mclovin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:26
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 30:26
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fedor Mclovin!