PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kimmo Kinnunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and BJ Powers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kinnunen
vs
Powers

183 cm
20
160 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

175 cm
18
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kimmo Kinnunen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, BJ Powers!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Hirohito Nitta and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Powers dives in and grabs Kinnunen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kinnunen pushes down on Powers's head and hops out.

Powers drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Kinnunen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Kinnunen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Powers passes into side control.

Powers wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kinnunen, who protects the arm well.

Powers is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kinnunen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Kinnunen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Powers's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Kinnunen wants to get back to full guard.
Kinnunen trying to control but Powers postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kinnunen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Kinnunen slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kinnunen controls Powers momentarily but Powers frees himself.
Powers must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Powers drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Powers jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Powers preventing the sweep.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kinnunen misses with a takedown

and Powers counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kinnunen working a defensive guard here.

Kinnunen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kinnunen is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Powers stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kinnunen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Powers drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kinnunen dives on top into guard.
Powers keeping moving, preventing Kinnunen from controlling successfully.

Powers has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kinnunen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kinnunen forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kinnunen wants to free his trapped foot but Powers is holding on for dear life with his legs.

Powers looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kinnunen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Powers defends it well.
Powers is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kinnunen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kinnunen's back!
Kinnunen rolls, trying to escape but Powers keeps control of the position.

Powers has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Kinnunen is in real trouble here. Powers gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Kinnunen is tapping out! Powers wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). BJ Powers!
BJ Powers is the new lightweight champion!