PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Turo Naama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matti Koskela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Naama
vs
Koskela

200 cm
23
265 lbs
7 - 7 - 1

188 cm
25
220 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Turo Naama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matti Koskela!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Naama gets a clinch.
Koskela prevents the takedown attempt.

Koskela pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Naama misses with a wild combination.
A head kick misses from Koskela.
Koskela is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Naama.
Koskela clinches but Naama breaks the clinch

and Naama counters by moving into the clinch.
Koskela working hard to break the clinch.

Koskela's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Naama checks the leg kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Naama drops down looking for an ankle pick but Koskela pulls his leg out and moves away.
Koskela swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Naama moves into the clinch.
Naama has Koskela pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Koskela manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Turo Naama. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Koskela wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Koskela escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Naama fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Naama tries to keep at a distance but Koskela has taken the fight into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A head punch on the inside from Naama fails to land.
Koskela is trying to break free.
Naama is leaning against Koskela and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Koskela breaks the clinch.

Koskela gets caught flat footed, as Naama shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Naama in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naama throws a big right hand that misses.
Naama is breathing heavily.
Naama thows a big elbow that misses.
Naama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Naama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Naama throws a big right hand that misses.
Naama throwing strikes from guard but Koskela blocks nicely.
Naama postures up in Koskela's guard and throws a big left but Koskela blocks it.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Koskela lands with a slapping head kick.
Naama throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Koskela.
Koskela misses with a jab to the body
and Naama counters with a series of strikes. Koskela will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naama shoots in looking for a takedown. Koskela tries to sprawl out of it but Naama keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Koskela manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Koskela scores with a head kick.
A head kick from Koskela lands but Naama takes it in his stride.
Naama throws a series of strikes that have Koskela backpedaling.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Koskela wants to clinch but Naama slips to the side

and Naama moves into the clinch.
Koskela is pressed up against the cage. Naama has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Koskela down to the mat. Koskela avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Koskela throws a head kick that misses.
Koskela darts in trying to clinch

and Naama counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Koskela breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Naama misses with a leg kick.
Koskela throws a sloppy head kick

and Naama holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Koskela wants to break the clinch but can't.

Naama wants the takedown. Koskela is fighting it off but Naama persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Koskela's guard against the cage.
Naama throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Koskela works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naama is looking to work some ground and pound but Koskela has wrist control.
Naama lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Naama cracks Koskela with a solid left hand.
Naama trying to control the position from guard on top but Koskela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naama loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Naama will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Naama postures up and lands a big shot to Koskela's brow.
Naama stands and throws Koskela's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Sloppy strikes there by Naama.

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.
Naama scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Koskela to see if he's OK.
Naama wants to control but Koskela is keeping him busy.
Naama lands a nice forearm strike.
Koskela taking a bit of punishment here - Naama scoring with strikes.
Naama landing strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Naama creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Koskela sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koskela is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Naama shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Naama was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Koskela really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Naama. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Koskela bucks Naama off and manages to get back to his feet!
Koskela looks to land a left hand but Naama moved out of range nicely.
Koskela tries to clinch

so Naama counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Naama lands a couple of digs.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Naama's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Naama trying to control but Koskela is working from the bottom.
Naama is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Naama has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Koskela wants to stand but Naama is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naama trying to control the position from guard on top but Koskela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Naama makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Naama is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Naama seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Naama works over Koskela with some ground and pound from guard.
Koskela avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

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.
Naama lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Naama throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Naama chips away with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Naama working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Koskela's head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Naama's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Naama throws a big right hand that misses.
Naama chips away with some ground and pound.
Naama throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Naama throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naama working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Koskela can do anything to dispel that myth.
Naama lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Naama stands up over Koskela, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Naama lands a couple of elbows.
Naama landing some decent shots from guard.
Naama missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Naama with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Naama postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Naama forces his way into half guard.
Naama missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Koskela wants to get back to his feet.
Naama slips a nice elbow through Koskela's hands, connecting with Koskela's forehead.
Koskela taking some punishment here, with Naama in his half guard.
Koskela wants to get back to his feet.
Naama seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Naama trying to control from half guard but Koskela is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Turo Naama dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Koskela dodges the punch combination from Naama.
Koskela throws a sloppy head kick

and Naama counters by clinching up.
Koskela connects with a nasty looking knee right to Naama's face.

Koskela breaks from the clinch.
Koskela clinches but Naama breaks the clinch
and Naama counters with a low kick, right behind Koskela 's knee.

Naama moves into the clinch successfully.
Naama changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Koskela fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Naama throws a leg kick that misses.

Naama fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Koskela sprawls well initially but Naama persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Koskela taking some punishment here, with Naama in his half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Naama sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Koskela defending well though.
Naama is pressing down on Koskela's thigh, looking to free his foot. Koskela is holding on for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naama thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Naama throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Naama thows a huge punch but Koskela dodges it nicely.
Naama missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Koskela looks like he's trying to stand up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Naama misses with a two punch combination.
Koskela throws a head kick but Naama moves out of range.
Naama looks to land a combination. Koskela sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Koskela tries to clinch but Naama moves away

and Naama counters by moving into the clinch.
Koskela lands an elbow inside.

That's two 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.

Koskela breaks from the clinch.
Matti Koskela is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Naama stalks Koskela and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Koskela's face. Koskela staggers backwards, shaken.
Naama tries to clinch there but Koskela circles away.
Naama tries to clinch but Koskela moves out of range.
Koskela showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Naama.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Naama.

Koskela tries to keep at a distance but Naama has taken the fight into the clinch.

Naama works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Naama postures up in Koskela's guard and throws a big left but Koskela blocks it.
Koskela avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Naama is working Koskela over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Naama stands up over Koskela, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Naama throwing strikes from guard but Koskela blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naama is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Naama trying to control the position from guard on top but Koskela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koskela wants to stand up but Naama is controlling him.
Naama scoring with punches to the head and body.
Matti Koskela has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Naama trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Koskela keeping moving, preventing Naama from controlling successfully.
Naama is working Koskela over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Koskela utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Naama postures up in Koskela's guard and throws a big left but Koskela blocks it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Naama misses with a jab, cross combination.
Naama throws out a leg kick but Koskela moves out of range and Naama only half commits.
Good leg kick by Koskela there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Koskela tries to clinch but Naama moves away

and Naama counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Naama changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Koskela fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Matti Koskela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Naama has closed the distance and engaged Koskela in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Turo Naama showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Naama 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Turo Naama!
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight for Turo Naama!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Turo Naama!

Turo Naama wins by unanimous decision!