PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nakuka Kunaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikko Vantinnen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kunaka
vs
Vantinnen

190 cm
22
210 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

189 cm
18
205 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nakuka Kunaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Vantinnen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kunaka lands a head kick!
Vantinnen throws a sloppy head kick
and Kunaka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Kunaka misses with a head kick.
Vantinnen lands with a slapping head kick.
Kunaka throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Vantinnen's head.
Kunaka throws a lazy head kick
and Vantinnen makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Kunaka connects with a high kick.
Vantinnen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kunaka swings for the body but Vantinnen moves out of range.
Kunaka lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Vantinnen on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Donk. Kunaka catches Vantinnen right on the button with a cross.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kunaka scores with a spinning back kick!
A head kick by Kunaka misses
and Vantinnen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kunaka throws a head kick that half lands.

It looks like Mikko Vantinnen has been cut.
Nice cross by Kunaka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunaka tries to land a body kick
and Vantinnen counters with a big head kick but Kunaka shrugs it off.
Vantinnen blocks a low kick nicely.
Kunaka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kunaka connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kunaka tries a head kick but it misses.
Kunaka circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kunaka takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kunaka is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kunaka.
Kunaka tries a head kick but it misses.
Kunaka falls off balance throwing a combination
and Vantinnen makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kunaka really felt that one!
Kunaka lands a head kick. Vantinnen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kunaka tries to land a body kick
and Vantinnen counters with a body kick that stops Kunaka in his tracks momentarily.
Kunaka is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head kick misses from Kunaka.
Vantinnen misses with a head kick.
Vantinnen misses with the body kick
and Kunaka counters with a thumping low kick.
Vantinnen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Vantinnen avoids the head kick by Kunaka.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick

and Vantinnen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Kunaka manages to break the clinch.
Kunaka swats away the attempt to clinch by Vantinnen.
Vantinnen avoids the head kick by Kunaka.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with a good low kick that Kunaka was not able to check.
Vantinnen connects with a high kick.
A head kick by Kunaka misses
and Vantinnen counters with a head kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunaka blocks a head kick by Vantinnen.
Kunaka swinging wildly here.
A head kick by Kunaka misses
and Vantinnen counters with a head kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vantinnen. Kunaka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kunaka, right into the meat.
Vantinnen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kunaka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kunaka misses with a head kick.
A lazy body kick from Kunaka
and Vantinnen makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Kunaka really felt that one!
Kunaka lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Kunaka connects with the punch.
Kunaka looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Kunaka tries to land a body kick
and Vantinnen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vantinnen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kunaka throws a head kick that misses.
Kunaka throws a head kick that misses
and Vantinnen counters with a low kick, right behind Kunaka 's knee.
Vantinnen throws a head kick that misses
and Kunaka counters with an inside leg kick.
Kunaka throws a head kick that misses
and Vantinnen counters with a good, hard body kick but Kunaka shrugs it off.
Vantinnen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vantinnen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Vantinnen throws a head kick that misses
and Kunaka counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Vantinnen is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Vantinnen doesn't manage to clinch there - Kunaka circles away.
Kunaka misses with a kick to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kunaka throws a lazy head kick

and Vantinnen counters by moving into the clinch.
Kunaka wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kunaka is trying to force a seperation but Vantinnen has the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Vantinnen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mikko Vantinnen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kunaka throws a leg kick
and Vantinnen counters with a nice leg kick.
Vantinnen avoids the head kick by Kunaka.
Vantinnen tries a head kick but it misses.
Vantinnen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kunaka's head.
Kunaka throws a head kick that misses
and Vantinnen counters with a good, hard body kick but Kunaka shrugs it off.
Vantinnen throws a head kick but Kunaka moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen tries a head kick but it misses.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with a good low kick that Kunaka was not able to check.
Vantinnen blocks a head kick by Kunaka.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Vantinnen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Kunaka wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Vantinnen with a knee to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Vantinnen.
Vantinnen lands an elbow inside that Kunaka shrugs off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunaka wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Vantinnen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kunaka thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Vantinnen if he has to take too many more of those.
Kunaka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vantinnen was well out of range. Poor timing from Kunaka.
Kunaka throws a big shot that misses.
Kunaka throws a head kick that Vantinnen semi-blocks.
Vantinnen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with a low kick, right behind Kunaka 's knee.
Kunaka misses with a kick to the body
and Vantinnen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Vantinnen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mikko Vantinnen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A low kick from Kunaka is predictable there
and Vantinnen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kunaka is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kunaka throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Vantinnen's head.
Vantinnen throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kunaka scoring well with a low kick there.
Kunaka cracks Vantinnen with a good jab.
Kunaka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Vantinnen. Vantinnen obviously looking to wear him down.
Vantinnen checks the leg kick nicely there.
A head kick misses from Vantinnen.
Kunaka misses with a body shot
and Vantinnen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kunaka is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Vantinnen takes a kick to the side of the head.
Vantinnen lands with a kick to the temple. Kunaka shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Vantinnen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kunaka rather than just go for the knockout.
Vantinnen keeps Kunaka at a distance using the push kick.
A head kick by Vantinnen misses
and Kunaka counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Vantinnen is lucky that one didn't land flush.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Vantinnen has managed to clinch.
Kunaka wants to get back to striking at distance but Vantinnen won't allow it.
Vantinnen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kunaka wants to break free but Vantinnen has control.
Kunaka avoids a wild elbow strike from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Vantinnen prevents Kunaka from breaking the clinch.

Kunaka pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Vantinnen throws a head kick that misses.
Vantinnen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kunaka. Kunaka obviously looking to wear him down.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kunaka, right into the meat.
Kunaka misses with a looping right.
A head kick by Kunaka misses

and Vantinnen moves into the clinch.
Kunaka tries to break the clinch but Vantinnen is controlling the position.

Kunaka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kunaka digs a good hook to Vantinnen's body.
Kunaka throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kunaka throws a head kick but Vantinnen moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vantinnen throws a sloppy head kick
and Kunaka counters with a body kick that stops Vantinnen in his tracks momentarily.
Kunaka throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Vantinnen.
Kunaka throws a head kick that Vantinnen semi-blocks.
Kunaka throws a head kick but Vantinnen moves out of range.
Kunaka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vantinnen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Vantinnen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Vantinnen throws a lazy head kick
and Kunaka counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Vantinnen is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kunaka throws a head kick that misses
and Vantinnen counters with a head kick.
Vantinnen lands with a kick to the ribs.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kunaka misses with a kick to the body
and Vantinnen counters with a head kick.
Kunaka lands a head kick. Vantinnen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick

and Vantinnen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mikko Vantinnen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mikko Vantinnen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick

and Vantinnen moves into the clinch.

Kunaka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nakuka Kunaka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vantinnen scores with a head kick.

Vantinnen takes the fight into the clinch.
Kunaka is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Kunaka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kunaka will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kunaka looks for the body kick but Vantinnen saw that one coming.
Nakuka Kunaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kunaka goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kunaka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kunaka lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kunaka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Vantinnen misses with a body kick.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with a body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vantinnen throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kunaka throws a lazy body kick
and Vantinnen counters with a head kick.
Kunaka throws a lazy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with an outside leg kick.
Vantinnen avoids a kick to the body.
Kunaka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Vantinnen moves out of range of the body kick.
Vantinnen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick and Vantinnen moves out of range easily.
Vantinnen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Vantinnen tries a head kick but it misses.
Kunaka looks to land a combination but Vantinnen avoids it well.
Vantinnen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kunaka.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vantinnen misses with a double jab
and Kunaka counters with a stiff right hand.
Kunaka is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kunaka lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Vantinnen throws a push kick but Kunaka slaps the foot to one side.
Kunaka pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kunaka thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Vantinnen if he has to take too many more of those.
Kunaka throws a sloppy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with a head kick.
An inside leg kick from Kunaka misses.
Nakuka Kunaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kunaka tries to land a body kick
and Vantinnen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Kunaka is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Kunaka throws a lazy head kick

and Vantinnen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Vantinnen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kunaka is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Kunaka breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A low kick from Kunaka is predictable there

and Vantinnen counters by clinching up.
Kunaka working hard to break the clinch.
Vantinnen scores with a shoulder strike.
Vantinnen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kunaka has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Vantinnen misses with a punch on the inside.
Kunaka wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kunaka is trying to break the clinch but Vantinnen is controlling him.
Vantinnen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kunaka's efforts to push away.
Kunaka tries to break free but Vantinnen pushes him back against the cage.
Kunaka tries to break the clinch but Vantinnen is controlling the position.
Kunaka blocks an elbow strike from Vantinnen.
Vantinnen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kunaka's efforts to push away.
Vantinnen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kunaka is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vantinnen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kunaka's efforts to push away.

Vantinnen breaks the clinch.
Vantinnen scores with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kunaka goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kunaka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Vantinnen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Vantinnen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Vantinnen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Vantinnen throws a head kick but Kunaka moves out of range.
Kunaka connects with the punch.
Kunaka wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kunaka throws a lazy right hand but Vantinnen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kunaka throws a lazy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with a head kick. That will keep Kunaka thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vantinnen tries a head kick but it misses.
Kunaka throws a lazy head kick
and Vantinnen counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Kunaka lands with a kick to the temple. Vantinnen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

And that's the end of the fight!
Mikko Vantinnen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Vantinnen 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight for Mikko Vantinnen!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Mikko Vantinnen!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Mikko Vantinnen!

Mikko Vantinnen wins by unanimous decision!