PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Scott Epstein (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Keijo Kuosmanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Epstein might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to One Hundred Songs. Scott Epstein has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Epstein
vs
Kuosmanen

175 cm
24
159 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

160 cm
26
167 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Scott Epstein!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Keijo Kuosmanen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Epstein throws a body punch but Kuosmanen moves out of range.
Keijo Kuosmanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Epstein sizes up Kuosmanen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Epstein slaps away a takedown attempt from Kuosmanen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kuosmanen tries to clinch up but Epstein circles away and keeps his distance.
Epstein swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Epstein leaves Kuosmanen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Epstein.

Kuosmanen closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Epstein on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Epstein tries to get out of the position.

Kuosmanen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Epstein has escaped the position, nice work there.

Kuosmanen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Epstein is not content to let Kuosmanen control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuosmanen sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Epstein is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Epstein is pushing Kuosmanen's head away, looking to escape. Kuosmanen manages to hold on to the position though.
Epstein regains half guard, as Kuosmanen was trying to land strikes.
Epstein knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kuosmanen on the ground.
Kuosmanen is pressing down on Epstein's thigh, looking to free his foot. Epstein is holding on for now.
Kuosmanen trying to control from half guard but Epstein is working away.
Epstein keeping control of the position.

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.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kuosmanen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Epstein defends it nicely.
Scott Epstein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keijo Kuosmanen.
Epstein misses the jab.
Kuosmanen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kuosmanen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Epstein sprawls well. Epstein wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kuosmanen gets slowly back to his feet.
Kuosmanen is looking to clinch.
Kuosmanen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Epstein throws out a loose jab but Kuosmanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Horrible takedown by Kuosmanen or perhaps it was just good defense by Epstein which made him look bad.
Kuosmanen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Epstein avoids it really well and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuosmanen ducks under a wild hook from Epstein.
Kuosmanen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Epstein, as that shot connected.
Epstein defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kuosmanen.
Kuosmanen looks gassed!
Epstein dips to his left and cracks Kuosmanen with an uppercut!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kuosmanen is defended easily by Epstein.
Kuosmanen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Epstein digs a good hook to Kuosmanen's body.
Epstein scores with a nice head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuosmanen ducks under a wild hook from Epstein.
Kuosmanen moves away from the strike by Epstein.

Kuosmanen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kuosmanen lands in his opponent's guard.
Kuosmanen prevents Epstein from getting back to his feet.
Epstein is controlling Kuosmanen's posture.
Epstein keeping moving, preventing Kuosmanen from controlling successfully.
Kuosmanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kuosmanen misses with a shot to the body
and Epstein cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Epstein is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Epstein with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kuosmanen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Epstein to counter with a crisp jab.
Epstein sizes up Kuosmanen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Epstein getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kuosmanen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Epstein counter with a right hand.
Kuosmanen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Epstein counters with a straight right hand.
Kuosmanen shoots and misses
enabling Epstein to counter with a crisp jab.
Kuosmanen doesn't succeed with the takedown
letting Epstein counter with a right hand.

Kuosmanen is rocked!
Scott Epstein has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Keijo Kuosmanen.
Kuosmanen is breathing heavily.
Kuosmanen ducks right into an uppercut from Epstein.
Kuosmanen is still on wobbly legs! Can Epstein finish him?
This has been an exciting period of action!
Epstein waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuosmanen.
Kuosmanen seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Epstein changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Epstein scores with a jab. Kuosmanen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Epstein throws a hook but Kuosmanen avoids it easily.
Kuosmanen slips a jab from Epstein.
Epstein misses with a straight right.
Epstein dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Epstein misses the jab.
Epstein's corner calls for a 1-2. Epstein obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Scott Epstein is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuosmanen misses with a takedown
letting Epstein counter with a right hand.
Epstein slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Epstein connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Epstein misses with a straight left.
Epstein lands with a right hand.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuosmanen has Epstein pressed against the cage, preventing Epstein from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Epstein manages to break the clinch.
Kuosmanen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Epstein steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kuosmanen.

Kuosmanen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Epstein did well to prevent Kuosmanen getting side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Epstein is trying to stand back up but Kuosmanen is controlling him
Epstein won't allow Kuosmanen to pass to mount.
Epstein tries to kick Kuosmanen off but Kuosmanen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Epstein desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Epstein wants to get back to his feet.
Kuosmanen moves into full mount! Epstein won't be happy about that!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuosmanen goes for an armbar but Epstein turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Epstein.
Epstein controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Epstein's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Kuosmanen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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.

Kuosmanen pushes a forearm under Epstein's chin to create some space. He's escaped his hips and pivoted quickly for an armbar! Can he extend the arm? Yes, Epstein is tapping out! Damn, that was fast!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:19 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Keijo Kuosmanen!