PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kalob Ireland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Koijaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Ireland
vs
Koijaaja

189 cm
21
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

199 cm
22
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Akakabuto clothing
Akakabuto clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kalob Ireland!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kari Koijaaja!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Koijaaja moves into the clinch.
Ireland wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Koijaaja wants to get back to striking at distance but Ireland won't allow it.
Ireland can't break the clinch.
Ireland wants to get back to striking at distance but Koijaaja won't allow it.
Ireland wants to get back to striking at distance but Koijaaja won't allow it.
Ireland prevents a takedown attempt there.
Koijaaja wants to break free but Ireland has control.

Koijaaja gets control of Ireland's arms and successfully pulls guard. Koijaaja will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ireland is in close to Koijaaja's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Ireland working some strikes from top position.
Ireland is pushing down on Koijaaja's leg trying to pass to half guard. Koijaaja is fighting to maintain full guard but Ireland has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ireland missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Koijaaja can do anything to dispel that myth.

Ireland looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Ireland stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.

Ireland closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ireland throws a strike aimed at the side of Koijaaja's head but Koijaaja avoids it well.
Ireland throws a strike aimed at the side of Koijaaja's head but Koijaaja avoids it well.
Koijaaja is looking for a sweep.
Ireland tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koijaaja sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Ireland is thwarting Koijaaja's attempts to control the position.
Ireland thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Koijaaja's head.
Ireland not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ireland is breathing heavily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Koijaaja shoots in looking for a takedown. Ireland tries to sprawl out of it but Koijaaja keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Ireland manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Koijaaja takes the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ireland fails to pull guard.
Koijaaja can't get the takedown.
Kalob Ireland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Koijaaja.
Ireland prevents the takedown attempt.
Ireland misses with a knee strike.
Ireland working hard to break the clinch.

Koijaaja jumps guard.
Koijaaja will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Ireland working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ireland missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Koijaaja has his hands on Ireland's head, controlling the position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Koijaaja wants to stand and escape but Ireland is having none of it.
Ireland throwing strikes but missing.
Ireland has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Ireland throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ireland is looking to work some ground and pound but Koijaaja has wrist control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Koijaaja shoots in but Ireland avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Ireland closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Koijaaja did well to prevent Ireland getting side control.
Koijaaja is trying to maintain the position but Ireland is very close to passing his half guard.
Ireland lands strikes from half guard.
Koijaaja is trying to stand up here but Ireland is controlling him well.
Ireland not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Ireland throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Koijaaja wants to improve his position but Ireland is controlling well.
Koijaaja is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koijaaja trying to control but Ireland postures up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ireland shoots and misses

and Koijaaja counters by clinching up.
Ireland can't break the clinch.
Koijaaja is trying to break the clinch but Ireland has him pressed against the cage.
Ireland has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Koijaaja is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ireland is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Koijaaja pulls guard.
Koijaaja working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Ireland.
Ireland wants to control from the top but Koijaaja keeps moving.
Koijaaja looking to control.
Ireland working some strikes from top position.
Ireland throws a big right hand that misses.
Koijaaja controlling Ireland's posture.
Ireland throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalob Ireland dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Koijaaja shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Ireland sprawls well. Ireland wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Koijaaja gets slowly back to his feet.
Horrible takedown by Ireland or perhaps it was just good defense by Koijaaja which made him look bad.
Ireland shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Koijaaja as he jumps to the side.
Ireland closes this distance looking for a takedown but Koijaaja circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kalob Ireland. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice shot by Koijaaja.

Koijaaja gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Koijaaja holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Koijaaja has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Ireland uses from the top position.
Ireland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Koijaaja works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Koijaaja seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Koijaaja tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ireland throwing strikes but missing.

Ireland got a little sloppy there for a moment and Koijaaja has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ireland has managed to get both his arms back between Koijaaja's legs - danger averted.
Koijaaja really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Ireland. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Ireland looking to pass the guard.
Koijaaja looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Ireland throwing strikes but missing.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Ireland will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ireland.
Kalob Ireland is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Koijaaja is defended easily by Ireland.
Koijaaja shoots in but no luck this time.

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.
Koijaaja wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ireland gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Koijaaja counters with a one-two to the body.
Ireland misses with a takedown attempt - Koijaaja sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ireland shoots for a double leg takedown but Koijaaja sprawls well. He's pushed Ireland's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ireland looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
No luck for Koijaaja with that takedown attempt.

Koijaaja moves into the clinch successfully.
Koijaaja lands a left hand that snaps the head of Ireland backwards.
Ireland is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ireland has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ireland has Koijaaja pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Koijaaja manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ireland has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Koijaaja avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Koijaaja ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Koijaaja no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Koijaaja throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Koijaaja utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Koijaaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Koijaaja, not yet.
Ireland loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ireland throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Koijaaja works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Koijaaja trying to keep a closed guard but Ireland is proving a slippery customer.
Ireland postures up in Koijaaja's guard and throws a big left but Koijaaja blocks it.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ireland is trying hard to land a takedown here. Koijaaja sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Ireland has his takedown stuffed

and Koijaaja counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Koijaaja.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ireland throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Koijaaja controlling from the top position.
Koijaaja trying to control but Ireland is working from the bottom.

Ireland is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ireland manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Koijaaja wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Ireland.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kari Koijaaja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ireland fails with the takedown
and Ireland takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ireland slaps away a takedown attempt from Koijaaja, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Koijaaja.
Ireland shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Koijaaja counters by moving into the clinch.
Koijaaja can't get the takedown.
Kalob Ireland has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Koijaaja.
Koijaaja tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ireland just stands there and leans against the cage.
Ireland wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Koijaaja has him pressed against the cage.
Ireland is trying to drag Koijaaja to the mat but Koijaaja just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Koijaaja ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Koijaaja no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ireland in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ireland scoring with some ground and pound.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ireland with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ireland working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Koijaaja's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ireland postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ireland pushes down on Koijaaja's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Koijaaja blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ireland.
Koijaaja is trying to get back to full guard.
Koijaaja wants to control but Ireland is keeping busy.
Ireland thows a huge punch but Koijaaja dodges it nicely.
Ground and pound from Ireland.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Ireland connects with a nice short shot to Koijaaja's temple.
Ireland misses with a head shot. Koijaaja uses the momentum to regain guard.
Koijaaja avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Koijaaja closes the distance and clinches up with Ireland, looking for a takedown. Koijaaja pushes Ireland against the cage but Ireland circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ireland shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Koijaaja sprawls well. Koijaaja wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Ireland gets slowly back to his feet.
Koijaaja slaps away a takedown attempt from Ireland, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Koijaaja shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Koijaaja showed some decent athleticism there.

Ireland actively working from the bottom here.
Ireland is not content to let Koijaaja control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ireland connecting with a few gentle strikes.
Ireland is looking for a sweep. Koijaaja is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Ireland keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Koijaaja is looking to take a break and control but Ireland is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Koijaaja controlling the action here.
Ireland tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ireland with a lazy takedown attempt

and Koijaaja counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Koijaaja.
Ireland doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Ireland thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ireland thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Ireland is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Koijaaja is aware though and is defending well.

Koijaaja avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ireland throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Ireland will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Ireland keeping moving, preventing Koijaaja from controlling successfully.
Koijaaja tries to free his leg and advance position but Ireland is retaining full guard.
Koijaaja must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Koijaaja preventing the sweep.
Kari Koijaaja has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koijaaja has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ireland is proving hard to escape from.
Ireland trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

And that's the end of the fight!
Kari Koijaaja comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Koijaaja has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 28:29
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kari Koijaaja!