PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sami Kuristaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Adrian James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kuristaja
vs
James

189 cm
19
195 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
185 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Prefers standup

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Kuristaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Adrian James!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Kuristaja takes the fight into the clinch.
Kuristaja lands a nice knee to the body.
Kuristaja working James over with knees to the body.
Kuristaja stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
James jumps guard but Kuristaja stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kuristaja has James pressed against the cage.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuristaja is working James over against the cage.
James letting Kuristaja take a breather here.
James's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
James takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja taking a breather.
James drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kuristaja pulls his leg out and moves away.

Kuristaja closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuristaja tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
James is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Kuristaja pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sami Kuristaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adrian James.
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
Kuristaja pressing his opponent against the cage.
Kuristaja looking to throw knees to the head but James is blocking nicely.
James goes for a takedown attempt but Kuristaja pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Kuristaja gets a clinch.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kuristaja stalling in the clinch.
Kuristaja landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Kuristaja tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Kuristaja putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
James takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuristaja avoiding damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James tries to break the clinch but Kuristaja is controlling the position.
James jumps guard but Kuristaja stands there with James around his waist. James gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

James has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kuristaja regains guard immediately.
James trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuristaja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuristaja is pulling down on James's head to control his posture.
James postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James stopping the sweep attempt from Kuristaja.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

James drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kuristaja looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kuristaja looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kuristaja!
James is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Kuristaja decides to stand back up. Kuristaja steps back and let's James get back to his feet.

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.
Kuristaja connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Kuristaja closes the distance and clinches.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
James looks gassed!
Kuristaja putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja connects with a nasty looking knee right to James's face.
Kuristaja landing knees to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.

Kuristaja escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
James blocks a head kick by Kuristaja.
James fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Kuristaja has managed to clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuristaja leaning against his opponent.
Kuristaja landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Kuristaja lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Kuristaja's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Kuristaja dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

James tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kuristaja swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kuristaja keeps James at a distance using the push kick.
James looks to land a combination but Kuristaja avoids it well.
Sami Kuristaja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuristaja tries a head kick but it misses.
James has a takedown stuffed.
An inside leg kick lands from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Kuristaja connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Kuristaja drops James with a beautiful combination! James stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Kuristaja is looking for the KO!

James is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuristaja throws a nice outside leg kick.
James is still on wobbly legs! Can Kuristaja finish him?
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kuristaja.
James is breathing heavily.
Kuristaja dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on James. That did some damage!
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuristaja.
James takes a shot right to the bread basket.
James seems to have recovered his senses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuristaja lands with a kick to the temple. James shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kuristaja digs a good body shot into James's ribs.
Kuristaja misses with a jab, cross combination.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kuristaja - that will leave a mark!

Kuristaja fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with James, pushing him back against the cage.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
James tries for a takedown but Kuristaja manages to get underhooks.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head.

Kuristaja breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A left and a right from Kuristaja both land. Nice combination.
Sami Kuristaja is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuristaja goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
James takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kuristaja lands a nice looking body kick.
Kuristaja lands a head kick. James smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
James stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kuristaja.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kuristaja stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuristaja wants it to stay on the feet.
Sami Kuristaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adrian James.
Kuristaja scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
James on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuristaja. Kuristaja obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuristaja moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kuristaja scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kuristaja throws a right and a left that James avoids nicely.
Kuristaja goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kuristaja goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
James fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kuristaja avoids it really well and circles away.
Kuristaja throws a nice looking combination but James bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuristaja is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that James can do to turn this around?
A solid leg kick lands there for Kuristaja.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuristaja.
Sami Kuristaja is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuristaja lands a nice leg kick that just misses James's sensitive parts.
Kuristaja lands with a nice body kick.
Kuristaja thumps James with a low kick.
Kuristaja with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kuristaja lands with a nice combination. James backs away looking to recover.
Kuristaja throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
A solid body kick from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja lands with a slapping head kick.
James's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Danga de danga de dang - Kuristaja scores with a four punch combination!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuristaja throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent James stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kuristaja with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A punch combination from Kuristaja misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
James fails with a takedown attempt.
Kuristaja closes the distance and lands a one-two.
James takes a kick to the side of the head.
Kuristaja misses with a few strikes there.
Kuristaja connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
James will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kuristaja throws a leg kick which misses James's front leg but catches the back leg as James tries to avoid it.
Kuristaja connects with a high kick.
Kuristaja works over James's head and body with a nice combination.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
James takes a head kick and keeps coming.
James takes a head kick and keeps coming.
James takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Horrible takedown by James or perhaps it was just good defense by Kuristaja which made him look bad.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Kuristaja dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

James has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kuristaja.
James has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja throws a sloppy head kick and James moves out of range easily.
Sami Kuristaja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja lands with an overhand left.

Kuristaja clinches.
Knees to the body from Kuristaja.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
Kuristaja is pushing James up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
James is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kuristaja gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
James takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kuristaja tries to land a knee to the head but James blocks with his arms.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuristaja working James over with knees to the body.
James drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kuristaja pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja misses with a low kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuristaja.
Kuristaja stuffs the takedown.
Sami Kuristaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Adrian James.
Kuristaja scores with a spinning back kick!
Kuristaja keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Kuristaja closes the distance and pushes James back into the cage.
Kuristaja with a knee to the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
James takes an elbow to the forehead.
James wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kuristaja landing knees to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head.
James drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuristaja.
James is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kuristaja gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
James has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kuristaja is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
James is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
James drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuristaja lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Kuristaja utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
James drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.
The referee calls for Kuristaja to work.
Kuristaja working James over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja looking to stall.
James wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kuristaja has him pressed against the cage.
James is working for takedown but Kuristaja is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kuristaja lands a nice elbow.
Knees in the clinch landing for Kuristaja.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from James.
Stalling in the clinch from Kuristaja.
Adrian James has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Sami Kuristaja is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuristaja using the Thai plumb to throw knees but James has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
James jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Kuristaja walks away with a smile on his face. James gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
James takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kuristaja scores with a leg kick.
Kuristaja looks to land a combination. James sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kuristaja scores with a kick to the midsection.
Nice takedown defense from Kuristaja. No joy for James on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuristaja goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
James takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kuristaja lands a nice leg kick that just misses James's sensitive parts.

Kuristaja closes the distance and clinches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuristaja obliges.
James changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kuristaja fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Kuristaja takes the fight into the clinch.
Kuristaja putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has James in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
James has a couple of punches blocked by Kuristaja.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Kuristaja.
A knee to the head by Kuristaja.
Kuristaja lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuristaja with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Kuristaja connects with a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Kuristaja showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kuristaja 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:25
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:25
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:25

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Kuristaja!