PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Atte Kumpulainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benson Harlow (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.

Kumpulainen
vs
Harlow

175 cm
20
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

162 cm
21
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Inexperienced

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Atte Kumpulainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Benson Harlow!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kumpulainen tries for a takedown but Harlow sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Harlow stuffs the takedown attempt from Kumpulainen. Kumpulainen gets slowly back to his feet.
Kumpulainen shoots in and drives through. Harlow sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Atte Kumpulainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kumpulainen shoots in looking for a takedown. Harlow tries to sprawl out of it but Kumpulainen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Harlow manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
No joy there for Kumpulainen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kumpulainen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kumpulainen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Harlow is fending him off so far but Kumpulainen persists. Nope, Harlow circles away and we're back to standing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harlow dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kumpulainen. That did some damage!
Harlow misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kumpulainen shoots in but Harlow avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kumpulainen misses with a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlow throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kumpulainen's head.
Harlow scores with a push kick.
Kumpulainen is breathing heavily.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Harlow.
Kumpulainen fails to land with a series of punches.
Harlow chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Harlow moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Kumpulainen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A shot to de liver by Harlow. Beautiful body shot.
Harlow throws a low kick but Kumpulainen avoids it.
Harlow throws a push kick but Kumpulainen slaps the foot to one side.
Kumpulainen misses with a lunging right hand
and Harlow counters with a slapping leg kick.
Harlow throws a leg kick but Kumpulainen sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Harlow avoids the head kick by Kumpulainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harlow slips a jab and a cross from Kumpulainen.
A solid leg kick lands there for Harlow.

Kumpulainen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
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!
Harlow moves into full guard.
Harlow keeping moving, preventing Kumpulainen from controlling successfully.
Kumpulainen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Harlow has his foot on Kumpulainen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kumpulainen works his way back into a safe position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kumpulainen advances position into side control!
Harlow sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Harlow is pressing down on Kumpulainen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Harlow keeping moving, preventing Kumpulainen from controlling successfully.
Kumpulainen looking to sit in guard and control but Harlow gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Harlow preventing the sweep.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kumpulainen keeping full guard, as Harlow tries to pass.
Harlow preventing the sweep.
Harlow pushing down on Kumpulainen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Harlow tries to pass to full mount but Kumpulainen defends it.

Harlow is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Harlow throws a head kick but Kumpulainen moves out of range.
Kumpulainen is looking to clinch but Harlow is avoiding it.
Atte Kumpulainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Harlow dodges the punch combination from Kumpulainen.
Kumpulainen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Harlow tries to avoid it but Kumpulainen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Harlow to the ground. Harlow escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kumpulainen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Harlow has eaten all the pies!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harlow throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kumpulainen wants to clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Harlow scores with a nice body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harlow keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Harlow lands a nice looking kick to the body. Kumpulainen takes a step back to recover.
Kumpulainen throws a lazy body kick
and Harlow counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Harlow keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Atte Kumpulainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Harlow pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kumpulainen checks a leg kick.
Kumpulainen thuds his right hand into Harlow's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Harlow is rocked!
Kumpulainen throws a head kick that misses
and Harlow makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Harlow is still on wobbly legs! Can Kumpulainen finish him?

Kumpulainen moves into the clinch.
Harlow seems to have recovered his senses.

Kumpulainen tightens his grip and picks Harlow up, before dumping him to the ground. Harlow manages to land in guard.
Kumpulainen trying to control but Harlow is working from the bottom.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kumpulainen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Harlow is looking for a triangle here but Kumpulainen uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Kumpulainen looking to control but instead Harlow has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kumpulainen is tying to control. Harlow wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harlow looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The fighters are battling for position here. Harlow manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kumpulainen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Kumpulainen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kumpulainen wants to clinch.
Kumpulainen fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Atte Kumpulainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kumpulainen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Harlow's waist but Harlow gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kumpulainen off to one side.
Kumpulainen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Harlow as he jumps to the side.
Kumpulainen shoots for a takedown but Harlow saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kumpulainen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kumpulainen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Harlow swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Harlow shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kumpulainen as he avoids it easily.
Harlow stuffs the takedown attempt from Kumpulainen. Kumpulainen gets slowly back to his feet.
A good leg kick by Harlow.

Kumpulainen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Harlow's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Atte Kumpulainen will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A big right from Harlow misses.
Harlow swats away the attempt to clinch by Kumpulainen.
Kumpulainen looks for a takedown but Harlow sprawls well.
Harlow bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Harlow wants to land a leg kick but Kumpulainen is out of range.

Kumpulainen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kumpulainen showed some decent athleticism there.
Kumpulainen is just content to waste time from the top position. Harlow takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kumpulainen would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harlow working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kumpulainen has passed into half guard!
Harlow regains full guard. Nicely done.

Harlow escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kumpulainen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Harlow looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Harlow looking for a guillotine here but Kumpulainen defends easily.
Kumpulainen looking to pass the guard.
Kumpulainen with a flurry of punches that miss.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kumpulainen wants to control from the top but Harlow keeps moving.
Atte Kumpulainen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kumpulainen preventing the sweep.
Harlow working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kumpulainen.
Harlow wants to sweep but no luck.
Kumpulainen trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Harlow manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Harlow looking to pass the guard.
Kumpulainen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Kumpulainen swings for the body but Harlow moves out of range.
Benson Harlow seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Kumpulainen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kumpulainen manages to break the clinch.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kumpulainen.

Kumpulainen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Harlow knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Harlow avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kumpulainen.
Harlow manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Benson Harlow.
I think Harlow has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 27:30
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benson Harlow!