PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Fejha Kurko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akseli Hammar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hammar comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Matti ja Teppo - Näitä Polkuja Tallaan kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kurko
vs
Hammar

182 cm
25
210 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

199 cm
26
216 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Fejha Kurko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Akseli Hammar!
The judges for this bout are Luis Engracia, Paulo Santos and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kurko clinches with his opponent.
Hammar wants to break free but Kurko has control.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hammar.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kurko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Hammar missing with knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Kurko fails to land.
Kurko missing with knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hammar.
Kurko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hammar takes a shot to the head.
Hammar takes an elbow to the forehead.
Kurko dodges an elbow strike from Hammar.
Kurko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hammar lands an uppercut.
Kurko lands a body shot.
Kurko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Kurko for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
A head punch on the inside from Kurko fails to land.
Kurko lands with a light punch inside.
Kurko working aggressively here.
Hammar misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hammar.

It looks like Fejha Kurko has been cut.
Kurko lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hammar backwards.
Kurko crunches a lovely knee into Hammar's ribcage.
Hammar has a couple of punches blocked by Kurko.
Hammar lands a body shot in the clinch.
Hammar prevents a body shot from Kurko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurko pushes Hammar back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kurko tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hammar scores with a shoulder strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hammar as Kurko tries to tie him up.
Kurko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hammar creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Hammar is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Kurko throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hammars head.
A short right from Kurko on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kurko.
Kurko cracks Hammar with a nice body shot.
Kurko works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Kurko stalls.
Kurko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hammar backwards.
Kurko lands a shoulder strike.
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!
Kurko lands a shot to the body.
Hammar misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Kurko fails to land.
Hammar being controlled against the cage.
Hammar blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurko prevents a body shot from Hammar.
Hammar swings wildly with an uppercut but Kurko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kurko lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A short right from Kurko on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Kurko.
A bit of stalling here from Kurko.
Kurko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kurko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hammar is defending well for now.
Kurko lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hammar backwards.
Kurko lands with a light punch inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurko.
Kurko misses with some punches.
Kurko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Hammar misses with the head strike.
Hammar presses Kurko against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hammar blocks the elbow strike.
Kurko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kurko wants to stall.
Hammar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A left hand lands to the body for Kurko.
Kurko lands a nice uppercut.
Hammar tries for a takedown but Kurko manages to get underhooks.
Kurko is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hammar is defending well for now.
Hammar lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammar tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hammar's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kurko on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kurko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Kurko leaning against his opponent.
Kurko misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hammar struggles to land a body shot inside as Kurko controls his hands.
The referee calls for Kurko to work.
Kurko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hammar blocks an uppercut.
Kurko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Hammar can't find room to land a body shot as Kurko controls the action.
Kurko fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hammar on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hammar works on Kurko's body with a couple of short punches.
Hammar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kurko crunches a lovely knee into Hammar's ribcage.
Kurko is breathing heavily.
Hammar swings wildly with an uppercut but Kurko uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kurko prevents Hammar from breaking the clinch.
Kurko lands a body punch.
Come on Kurko - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Kurko looking to slow down the pace here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hammar digs a right hand underneath Kurko's ribcage. Kurko let out a lung full of air as it connected.
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!
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Hammar with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Hammar lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kurko or not.
Hammar throws a head punch that misses.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kurko.
Kurko lands with a right to the head.
Hammar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hammar tries to stall but Kurko uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kurko.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kurko keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hammar's efforts to push away.
Hammar tries a body shot but Kurko blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hammar tries to throw a body punch but Kurko avoids it by throwing Hammar back against the cage.
Hammar misses with an elbow strike.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Kurko lands with a left to the head.
Kurko lands a body punch.
Kurko lands a body shot.
Hammar tries to work over Kurko's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fejha Kurko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Fejha Kurko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Hammar.

Hammar closes the distance and clinches.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kurko takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Fejha Kurko has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kurko lands a body punch.
Kurko pushes Hammar back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hammar letting Kurko take a breather here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kurko misses with a hook from the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kurko lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hammar backwards.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Kurko lands a body punch in the clinch.
Kurko pushes Hammar back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Kurko scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hammar blocks an uppercut.
Kurko lands a left hand.
Kurko blocks an uppercut.
Kurko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hammar misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Hammar fails to land.
Kurko lands a shoulder strike.
Kurko lands a shot to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kurko presses Hammar against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hammar is breathing heavily.
A head punch on the inside from Hammar fails to land.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hammar as Kurko tries to tie him up.
A right handed body shot lands from Kurko.
Kurko stalling.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kurko blocks an uppercut.
Kurko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kurko is trying to maintain a safe position but Hammar gets an underhook and turns Kurko into the cage.
Kurko lands with a left to the head.
Hammar throws a head punch that misses.
Kurko softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hammar misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kurko lands a left hand.
Kurko gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Hammar tries a knee to the head but Kurko blocks it.
Kurko lands with a right to the head.
Hammar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kurko lands with a left to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurko scores with a shot to the side of Hammar's head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hammar lands a body shot.
Kurko throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Kurko throws an elbow that misses.
Hammar tries to break the clinch but Kurko is controlling the position.
Kurko taking a breather.
Kurko lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Kurko doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kurko lands with a right to the head.
Kurko blocking some punches.
Kurko takes a shot to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kurko.
Hammar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kurko lands a hook that snaps the head of Hammar backwards.
Kurko trying to land knees to the body.
Hammar has a couple of punches blocked by Kurko.
Kurko scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kurko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kurko digs a right hand into Hammar's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hammar's gas tank.
Hammar misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kurko.
Kurko lands a knee to the head.
A head punch on the inside from Hammar fails to land.
Kurko lands a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammar blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kurko avoiding damage.
Kurko lands a nice shot to the body.
Hammar swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Hammar tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kurko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hammar misses with the head strike.
Hammar tries to land a knee to the head but Kurko blocks with his arms.
Hammar is trying to break free.
Kurko content to slow the pace in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Kurko.
Kurko is working Hammar over against the cage.
Kurko lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kurko gets underhooks to prevent Hammar's takedown attempt.
Kurko swings wildly with an uppercut but Hammar uses good head movement to avoid it.
A body shot lands from Kurko.
Hammar blocks an elbow strike from Kurko.
Hammar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kurko is pushing Hammar up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Kurko is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hammar can do to turn this around?
Kurko lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Kurko.
Hammar fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kurko is trying to stall.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Kurko.
A right hand to the body from Kurko.
Kurko slows down the pace here.
Hammar tries to pull guard but Kurko holds him up against the cage and eventually Hammar drops back down to his feet.
Fejha Kurko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akseli Hammar.
Hammar pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Hammar blocks an uppercut.
Kurko lands with a right to the head.
Kurko digs a right hand underneath Hammar's ribcage. Hammar let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Hammar misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Hammar goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kurko lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kurko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Hammar is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Kurko lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kurko is leaning against Hammar and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Fejha Kurko dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Fejha Kurko'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. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Kurko fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hammar circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hammar shoots in for a takedown but Kurko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hammar fails with the takedown.
Hammar on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Hammar circles away from the clinch attempt.
Hammar is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kurko sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Fejha Kurko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Akseli Hammar.

Kurko closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kurko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hammar stalling in the clinch but Kurko improves position.
Hammar takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kurko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Kurko gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
A head punch on the inside from Kurko fails to land.
Kurko is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kurko looking to slow down the pace here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurko lands a hook that snaps the head of Hammar backwards.
The referee calls for Kurko to work.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Fejha Kurko.
Hammar keeps the fight on the outside.
Hammar fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kurko avoids it really well and circles away.

Kurko clinches up against the cage.
Kurko prevents a body shot from Hammar.
Kurko blocking some punches.
Hammar working aggressively here.
Hammar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short right from Kurko.
Kurko lands a body punch in the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kurko - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurko is looking to control Hammar's arms but Hammar gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kurko has his back to the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Hammar fails to land.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hammar.
Kurko is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kurko lands an elbow that stopped Hammar in his tracks for a moment.
Hammar working aggressively here.
Kurko lands with a light punch inside.
Kurko stalling in the clinch.
Kurko works on Hammar's body with a couple of short punches.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Kurko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Kurko.
Kurko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kurko misses with the head strike.
Hammar doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Hammar digs a right hand underneath Kurko's ribcage. Kurko let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurko.
Stalling in the clinch from Kurko.
Hammar throws a head punch that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hammar is trying to break the clinch but Kurko has him pressed against the cage.
Hammar working aggressively here.
Hammar wants to get back to striking at distance but Kurko won't allow it.
A nice left hand lands by Kurko.
Hammar lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
The referee is keeping an eye on Kurko - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Kurko lands an uppercut.
Hammar pushes Kurko back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kurko scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Kurko on the inside.
Kurko misses with a body punch.
Kurko is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Akseli Hammar has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hammar throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurko.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Kurko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Kurko makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fejha Kurko is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hammar throws a punch but it's blocked by Kurko.
Kurko putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hammar in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kurko holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hammar's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kurko lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hammar backwards.
Kurko tries a body shot but Hammar blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Hammar fails to land.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kurko.
Hammar lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Hammar manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hammar blocks an uppercut.
A hook to the body from Kurko.
Kurko tries to throw a body punch but Hammar avoids it by throwing Kurko back against the cage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hammar has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kurko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kurko prevents a body shot from Hammar.
Kurko lands a hook to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kurko stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Kurko prevents a body shot from Hammar.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fejha Kurko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kurko has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Luis Engracia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 30:27
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fejha Kurko!