PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Anssi Kukkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Milo Kolacic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kolacic has chosen Nermina Golubovic - Kolacic as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kukkonen
vs
Kolacic

188 cm
24
195 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

168 cm
20
186 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Determined

Syndicate Drugs
Win Nutritional - proof of quality

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Anssi Kukkonen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Milo Kolacic!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukkonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kolacic uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kukkonen.
Kukkonen connects with a right hand. Kolacic shakes it off.
Kukkonen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Kolacic takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.

It looks like Milo Kolacic has been cut.
Kukkonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kolacic.
Decent striking displayed by Kukkonen there.
Kolacic ducks under a wild hook from Kukkonen.
Kolacic walks into a jab.
Kolacic closes the distance and clinches up with Kukkonen, looking for a takedown. Kolacic pushes Kukkonen against the cage but Kukkonen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Anssi Kukkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kukkonen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kukkonen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kolacic fails in his attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kukkonen throws a looping overhand right but Kolacic ducks down to avoid it.
Kukkonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kolacic takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kukkonen misses with the combination.
Kukkonen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Nice uppercut there from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen tries to bum rush Kolacic with a series of wild strikes but Kolacic uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A jab from Kukkonen misses.
Kukkonen misses with a straight right.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Kukkonen.
Kolacic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kukkonen lands with a nice body punch.
Kukkonen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kolacic doesn't seem bothered though.
Kukkonen throws a body punch but Kolacic moves out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Kukkonen as he connects with a hook.
Kukkonen misses with a series of wild punches.
Kukkonen scores with a hook to the body. Kolacic takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kukkonen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kolacic sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kukkonen throws the left hand but Kolacic avoids the punch easily.
Kukkonen is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen missing with a left hand there. Kolacic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kolacic moves out of range of the strikes.
Kolacic takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nice body punch from Kukkonen.
Kolacic moves out of range as Kukkonen strikes.
Anssi Kukkonen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kolacic falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kukkonen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kukkonen lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kukkonen misses with a hook.
Kolacic slips a jab from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen throws a series of punches but Kolacic avoids them all with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen cracks Kolacic with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kukkonen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kukkonen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kolacic was well out of range. Poor timing from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen misses with a hook. Kolacic ducked under it nicely.
Kolacic avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kolacic gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Kukkonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kolacic tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kukkonen was well out of range. Poor timing from Kolacic.
Kolacic bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anssi Kukkonen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Milo Kolacic's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kukkonen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kukkonen fails to land with a series of punches.
Kukkonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kukkonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kukkonen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kukkonen stuffs the takedown attempt from Kolacic. Kolacic gets slowly back to his feet.
Kukkonen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kolacic. Kolacic circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Kukkonen throws a jab but it's blocked by Kolacic.
Kukkonen misses with a double jab.
Good standup being displayed there by Kukkonen as he connects with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen missing with a left hand there. Kolacic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A jab from Kukkonen misses.
Good standup being displayed there by Kukkonen as he connects with a hook.
Kukkonen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Some wild striking there from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Kolacic.
Kolacic steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kukkonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kukkonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kukkonen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Kolacic circles away quickly and effectively.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kukkonen lands a jab to the head.
Kolacic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kukkonen with a nice cross.
Kolacic tries to move into range but Kukkonen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kukkonen misses with a two punch combination.
Kukkonen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kukkonen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kolacic fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kolacic misses with a combination
and Kukkonen counters with a nice body shot.
Kolacic drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Kolacic slips a straight right by Kukkonen.
Kukkonen throws an overhand right that lands on Kolacic's shoulder, as Kolacic tries to avoid the shot.
Kukkonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kukkonen lands a glancing blow to the side of Kolacic's head.
Kukkonen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kolacic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kukkonen scores with a nice right hand.
A big right from Kukkonen misses.
Anssi Kukkonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Kolacic keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen fails to land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen throws out a powerful jab.
Kukkonen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kukkonen lands an overhand right.
Kukkonen fails to land with a series of punches.
Anssi Kukkonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kukkonen lands with a cross.
Kukkonen misses with a looping left.
Kukkonen cracks Kolacic with a good jab.
Kukkonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kolacic ducks right into an uppercut from Kukkonen.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kukkonen lands with a hook. Kolacic tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A big left from Kukkonen misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anssi Kukkonen dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Milo Kolacic's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Kolacic tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kukkonen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
A nice combination there by Kukkonen.
A swing and a miss from Kukkonen.
Kolacic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Kukkonen scores with a decent looking hook.
Kolacic slips under a jab from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen misses with a double jab.
Kukkonen looks to land a combination. Kolacic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kukkonen thows a body shot but no joy.
Kukkonen misses with a wild body shot.
Kukkonen throws out a loose jab but Kolacic uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen looks to land a combination but Kolacic avoids it well.
Kukkonen misses with a few strikes there.
Kukkonen looks to land a right hand but Kolacic moved out of range.
Kukkonen lands a really nice looking cross but Kolacic seems unphased.
Kukkonen misses with a hook. Kolacic ducked under it nicely.
Kukkonen connects with a nice looking jab.
Kukkonen's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Kukkonen duly obliges.
The fighters circling - Kukkonen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kukkonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kukkonen throws a combination that misses
and Kolacic counters with a stiff right hand.
Kukkonen misses with a two punch combination.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Kolacic might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Kukkonen has got the better of the exchanges.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kolacic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kolacic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kukkonen is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Kukkonen throws a hook to the side of Kolacic's head but Kolacic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kolacic takes one on the button.
Kukkonen lands a really nice looking cross but Kolacic seems unphased.
Kolacic ducks under a wild hook from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen throws the left hand but Kolacic avoids the punch easily.
Kukkonen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kukkonen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kolacic looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kukkonen scores with the left hand. Kolacic knows he should have avoided that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen throws a sloppy body shot
and Kolacic makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kolacic blocks a jab.
Kolacic uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kukkonen.
Kolacic scores with a shot to the body.
Kolacic ducks under a wild hook from Kukkonen.
Kolacic takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kukkonen fails to land with a series of punches.
A big right from Kukkonen misses.
Kukkonen lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Kukkonen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kolacic can do to turn this around?
Kolacic slips a jab from Kukkonen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kolacic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kukkonen missing with a left hand there. Kolacic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kukkonen throws a series of punches but Kolacic avoids them all with ease.
Kukkonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kukkonen missing with a left hand there. Kolacic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kukkonen throws a body punch but Kolacic moves out of range.
Kukkonen with a hook.
Kukkonen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kolacic manages to avoid it.
Kukkonen misses with a hook to the body

and Kolacic counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anssi Kukkonen clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Milo Kolacic's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A jab from Kukkonen misses.
Kolacic ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kukkonen swings for the body but Kolacic moves out of range.
No joy there for Kukkonen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A jab from Kukkonen misses.
Kolacic keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kolacic tries to clinch up
letting Kukkonen counter with a right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kukkonen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kolacic's hands.
Kukkonen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kukkonen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen throws a shot from downtown. Kolacic moves away and avoids it.
Kukkonen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kukkonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kukkonen throws the left hand but Kolacic avoids the punch easily.
Kolacic moves out of range as Kukkonen strikes.
Kukkonen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Jab, jab by Kukkonen - just one landing.
Kolacic showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kukkonen looks to land a combination. Kolacic sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kukkonen just misses with a punch to the body.
Kolacic has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kukkonen scores with a jab. Kolacic acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Kukkonen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kolacic counters with a shoot takedown. Kukkonen fights it but they end up in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kukkonen wants to get back to his feet but Kolacic is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kolacic looking to pass the guard.
Kukkonen wants to stand but Kolacic is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kolacic trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukkonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kolacic won't allow Kukkonen to get back to his feet.
Kolacic trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukkonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kukkonen works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A telegraphed right hand from Kukkonen misses the target.
Kukkonen misses with a double jab
and Kolacic counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kukkonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kolacic.
Kolacic moves out of range as Kukkonen strikes.
Kukkonen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kukkonen misses with a looping right.
Kukkonen takes a swing at Kolacic's ribcage but misses.
Kukkonen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kolacic throws a sloppy body shot
and Kukkonen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kukkonen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kukkonen looks to land a combination but Kolacic avoids it well.
Kukkonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Kolacic is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Anssi Kukkonen had his way with Milo Kolacic in that round.
The cut man is working on Milo Kolacic's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Kolacic displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kukkonen throws out the jab.

Kolacic feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kukkonen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kukkonen tries to get out of the position.
Kukkonen wants to stand up but Kolacic is controlling him.
Kolacic missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kukkonen wants to stand but Kolacic is controlling the position.
Kolacic slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Kolacic trying to control the position but Kukkonen is working away.
Kukkonen is trying to escape the position but Kolacic is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukkonen pushes Kolacic away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kolacic gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Kolacic decides to stand back up.
Kolacic moves out of range as Kukkonen strikes.
Kukkonen uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Kolacic is looking to clinch.
Kolacic ducks under a wild hook from Kukkonen.
Kolacic is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kukkonen throws a jab when Kolacic was well out of range.
Kukkonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kolacic.

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.
Kukkonen looks to score with a jab to the body but Kolacic is just out of range.
Kolacic throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kukkonen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kukkonen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kolacic loads up on a big right hand but Kukkonen slips the punch.
A punch combination from Kukkonen misses.
Kukkonen misses with a looping right.
Kukkonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Kukkonen misses with an uppercut.
Kolacic slips under a jab from Kukkonen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kukkonen looks to land a left hand but Kolacic moved out of range nicely.
The fighters circling - Kukkonen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kolacic tries to move into range but Kukkonen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Kolacic takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Kukkonen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kolacic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kukkonen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kukkonen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kolacic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
A left and a right from Kukkonen both land. Nice combination.
Kukkonen looks to land a right hand but Kolacic moved out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen looks to land a left hand but Kolacic moved out of range nicely.
Kukkonen takes a swing at Kolacic's ribcage but misses.
Anssi Kukkonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kukkonen missing with a left hand there. Kolacic was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kolacic moves forwards but Kukkonen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kukkonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kukkonen lands a jab to Kolacic's midsection.
Kolacic swings for the body but Kukkonen moves out of range.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kukkonen misses with an uppercut. Kolacic saw that one coming.
Nice defenses there by Kolacic.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Milo Kolacic.
I think Kukkonen 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:43
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 49:44
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Anssi Kukkonen!
Anssi Kukkonen retains his middleweight title!