PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juhani Jarvela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jakub Kowalewski II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Jarvela
vs
Kowalewski II

180 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

199 cm
24
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juhani Jarvela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jakub Kowalewski II!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kowalewski II.

Jarvela shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Jarvela showed some decent athleticism there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Jarvela wants to pass to mount but Kowalewski II is defending the position.
Jarvela thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kowalewski II's head.
Kowalewski II misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Jarvela seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kowalewski II is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Jarvela trying to control from half guard but Kowalewski II is working away.
Jarvela knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kowalewski II on the ground.
Jarvela missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Jarvela keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Kowalewski II keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Jarvela is taking a breather. Kowalewski II says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Jarvela winds up and cracks Kowalewski II with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kowalewski II trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kowalewski II gets back to full guard.
Kowalewski II has a closed guard, preventing Jarvela from standing up.
Kowalewski II throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Kowalewski II is trying to keep Jarvela in close.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kowalewski II looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jarvela is one step ahead there.
Kowalewski II is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Jarvela drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kowalewski II looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kowalewski II looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kowalewski II!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

No joy there for Jarvela, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kowalewski II tries for a takedown but Jarvela circles away easily

and Jarvela counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Jarvela.
Kowalewski II has Jarvela pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Jarvela manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kowalewski II trying to control the position but instead, Jarvela has worked for underhooks and has pushed Kowalewski II into the cage.
Kowalewski II stalling.

Kowalewski II successfully pulls guard.
Jarvela is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Jarvela trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarvela would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Jarvela drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kowalewski II dives on top into guard.
Kowalewski II throws and elbow that misses. Jarvela uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kowalewski II's guard. Nice move by Jarvela!
Jarvela wants to get up but he can't break Kowalewski II's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

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.
Kowalewski II looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kowalewski II looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Jarvela sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kowalewski II is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jarvela looking to sit in guard and control but Kowalewski II gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Kowalewski II stops Jarvela from standing up.

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.
Kowalewski II trying to control but Jarvela is working from the bottom.
Kowalewski II throws a big right hand that misses.
Jarvela keeping moving, preventing Kowalewski II from controlling successfully.
Jarvela throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Kowalewski II scores a takedown into full mount!
Jarvela is in a horrible position here. Kowalewski II smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kowalewski II thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jakub Kowalewski II showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kowalewski II is looking to clinch but Jarvela is avoiding it.
Jarvela stuffs the takedown.
Jarvela throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kowalewski II fails with a takedown attempt.
Kowalewski II circles away from the clinch attempt

and Kowalewski II counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Jarvela is staying active underneath Kowalewski II, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kowalewski II is thwarting Jarvela's attempts to control the position.
Kowalewski II is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kowalewski II seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Jarvela does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Jarvela avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kowalewski II.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jarvela is trying to control but can't.
Jarvela wants to get back to full guard.
Jarvela is trying to stand up here but Kowalewski II is controlling him well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Jarvela swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Kowalewski II counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Jarvela's guard now.
Kowalewski II loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kowalewski II accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kowalewski II postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Jarvela might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kowalewski II throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Jarvela works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kowalewski II throwing strikes but missing.
Kowalewski II throwing strikes but missing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kowalewski II in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kowalewski II cracks Jarvela with a solid left hand.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kowalewski II shoots for a double leg takedown but Jarvela sprawls well. He's pushed Kowalewski II's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Juhani Jarvela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jakub Kowalewski II.
Kowalewski II misses with a takedown attempt
and Jarvela counters with a left and a right that stings Kowalewski II.
Jarvela misses with a body punch

and Kowalewski II counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jarvela is trying to stand back up but Kowalewski II is controlling him
Kowalewski II prevents Jarvela from improving his position.
Jarvela is trying to stand back up but Kowalewski II is controlling him
Kowalewski II takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jarvela trying to control from the bottom.
Jarvela is staying active underneath Kowalewski II, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kowalewski II looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Jarvela with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kowalewski II drops an elbow to the side of Jarvela's head.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kowalewski II fails with the takedown
and Jarvela makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Jarvela throws a body punch but Kowalewski II moves out of range.
Kowalewski II closes this distance looking for a takedown but Jarvela circles away.
Kowalewski II with a lazy takedown attempt

and Jarvela counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Jarvela trying to advance position but Kowalewski II counters by regaining guard.
Kowalewski II is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Jakub Kowalewski II has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jarvela controlling from the top position.
Kowalewski II lands with a heel strike from the guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jakub Kowalewski II.
I think Kowalewski II 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jakub Kowalewski II!