PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matto Monni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pera Kuukkeli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Monni might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to The Minutemen - Corona. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Monni
vs
Kuukkeli

188 cm
24
225 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

188 cm
19
250 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matto Monni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pera Kuukkeli!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuukkeli shoots in for a takedown but Monni shows good takedown defense.
Monni tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kuukkeli avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Monni wants to clinch up but Kuukkeli keeps it at a distance.
Kuukkeli misses with a few strikes there.
Kuukkeli is trying hard to land a takedown here. Monni sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Monni tries to clinch but Kuukkeli is having none of it.
Monni lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Monni feints and as Kuukkeli raises his hands in defense, Monni changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kuukkeli is trying to control the position but Monni postures up.
Kuukkeli looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuukkeli, not yet.
Monni would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuukkeli is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kuukkeli keeping full guard, as Monni tries to pass.

Monni thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Monni stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuukkeli swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Monni tries to clinch there but Kuukkeli circles away.
Nice takedown defense from Monni. No joy for Kuukkeli on that attempt.
Matto Monni has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pera Kuukkeli.
Monni is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Kuukkeli with a lazy takedown attempt
and Monni cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Monni tries to close the distance and clinch but Kuukkeli swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Monni moves into range and clinches up with Kuukkeli.
Monni has Kuukkeli pressed against the cage.

Monni turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Monni is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kuukkeli knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Monni looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kuukkeli is trying to control Monni's posture but Monni avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Monni works to advance to full mount. Kuukkeli defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Kuukkeli is squirming around, avoiding Monni's attempts to control the action.
Kuukkeli tries to lock up and control but Monni gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Monni has control of Kuukkeli's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Kuukkeli regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Monni is standing up, even though he is in mount.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Monni throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kuukkeli was covering up waiting for the punch and Monni finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuukkeli controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuukkeli tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Monni wants to pass the guard but Kuukkeli is keeping the position.

Monni drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kuukkeli looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kuukkeli looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kuukkeli!
Kuukkeli working the head with strikes.
Kuukkeli lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Monni is looking to regain half guard here but Kuukkeli keeps moving and retains side control.
Monni on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Monni is looking to regain half guard here but Kuukkeli keeps moving and retains side control.
Monni is working hard here to advance position.
Monni is breathing heavily.
Kuukkeli controlling the position from side mount.
Monni is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kuukkeli off and has taken his back!

Monni patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Monni not allowing Kuukkeli to control his hands.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Monni is trying to stick to Kuukkeli's back but Kuukkeli is turning into Monni. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Monni's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kuukkeli.
Kuukkeli seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kuukkeli working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Monni's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matto Monni dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Monni looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kuukkeli swings for the body but Monni moves out of range.
Kuukkeli will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Monni looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Matto Monni overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Monni being controlled here momentarily.
Monni looking to pass the guard.

Monni got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kuukkeli has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Monni has managed to get both his arms back between Kuukkeli's legs - danger averted.
Monni stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuukkeli swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Monni drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kuukkeli dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Monni is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuukkeli lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Monni has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kuukkeli can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kuukkeli postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Monni looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kuukkeli passes into half guard.
Monni has hold of Kuukkeli's hands but Kuukkeli slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Kuukkeli seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Monni does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Monni won't allow Kuukkeli to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuukkeli is nestled in close to Monni, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Monni is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kuukkeli scores with a couple of nice shots.
Monni is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Monni actively working from the bottom here.
Kuukkeli scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Monni is refusing to be controlled, as Kuukkeli sits in half guard.
Monni regains full guard. Nicely done.

Monni working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kuukkeli doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kuukkeli manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Monni has momentary wrist control but Kuukkeli slips an elbow through the middle.
Kuukkeli wants to control from the top but Monni keeps moving.
Kuukkeli postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Monni escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuukkeli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kuukkeli wants to control from the top but Monni keeps moving.
Kuukkeli lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Monni looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kuukkeli passes into side control.
Kuukkeli is looking to take a break and control but Monni is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Monni is working to avoid the ground and pound but Kuukkeli connects with a decent elbow.
Monni regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuukkeli is trying to control. Monni wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Monni works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kuukkeli stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Monni swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Monni escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuukkeli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kuukkeli working some strikes from top position.
Kuukkeli won't allow Monni to sweep him here.

Monni escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuukkeli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kuukkeli trying to control but Monni is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Pera Kuukkeli will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Monni closes the distance and pushes Kuukkeli back into the cage.
Kuukkeli tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Monni changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kuukkeli fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Monni dodges the punch combination from Kuukkeli.
Matto Monni seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Monni gets caught flat footed, as Kuukkeli shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kuukkeli preventing the sweep.

Monni working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Kuukkeli has passed into half guard!
Kuukkeli controlling the action here.

Monni looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kuukkeli winds up and cracks Monni with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuukkeli perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kuukkeli looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kuukkeli trying to control from half guard but Monni is working away.
Monni wants to improve his position but Kuukkeli is controlling well.

Monni looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Monni is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuukkeli pulls his head out easily.

Monni with the active half guard here but Kuukkeli passes nicely into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kuukkeli trying to control the action but Monni is working from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Kuukkeli shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Monni is looking to improve his position but Kuukkeli isn't that keen on the idea.
Kuukkeli raining down shots from the mount!
Kuukkeli postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Monni looks a forlorn figure.
Kuukkeli raining down shots from the mount!

Kuukkeli is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Monni is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Monni flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Kuukkeli anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Monni and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Kuukkeli slips an arm under Monni chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Kuukkeli has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Kuukkeli is squeezing on Monni like an anaconda would it's prey. Monni fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Pera Kuukkeli!