PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mort Kulig (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Locke II (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kulig
vs
Locke II

189 cm
18
205 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

200 cm
20
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kulig tries to clinch up.

Kulig gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Locke II to score an easy takedown into full 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.
Locke II loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Locke II postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kulig is trying to control the position but Locke II postures up.
Locke II wants to control from the top but Kulig keeps moving.

Locke II decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Mort Kulig seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kulig is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Locke II has managed to clinch.
Locke II wants to break free but Kulig has control.
Locke II can't break the clinch.
Kulig prevents Locke II from breaking the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Locke II's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Kulig working Locke II over with knees to the body.
Locke II wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Locke II is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kulig lands a damaging elbow.
Locke II looking to slow down the pace here.
Locke II goes for a takedown attempt but Kulig pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Locke II moves into range and clinches up with Kulig.
Locke II wants a takedown but no success here.
Kulig keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Locke II's efforts to push away.
Locke II can't break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Locke II is trying to drag Kulig to the mat but Kulig just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mort Kulig has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Locke II.
Locke II pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Locke II wants to break the clinch but can't.
Locke II wants to get back to striking at distance but Kulig won't allow it.
Kulig with a knee to the head.
Locke II looks gassed!
Kulig lands an elbow inside.
Locke II wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Kulig throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Locke II manages to break the clinch.
Mort Kulig is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kulig darts in trying to clinch

and Locke II counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kulig keeping full guard, as Locke II tries to pass.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kulig has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Kulig knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Locke II on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulig keeping moving, preventing Locke II from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kulig wants to sweep here but Locke II controlling him for the moment.
Locke II trying to control but Kulig is working from the bottom.
Locke II lands a couple of digs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Locke II dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kulig tries to clinch

and Locke II counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Locke II.
Locke II preventing the sweep.
Kulig keeping moving, preventing Locke II from controlling successfully.
Locke II is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Locke II tries to free his leg and advance position but Kulig is retaining full guard.
Locke II controls from within his opponent's guard.
Locke II wants to get up but he can't break Kulig's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Locke II with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kulig keeping moving, preventing Locke II from controlling successfully.
Kulig pulls Locke II in close to his closed guard and prevents Locke II from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Locke II wanted to stand there but Kulig had control of the position.
Locke II postures up and lands a big shot to Kulig's brow.
Locke II would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Locke II stands up from Kulig's guard - Locke II perhaps looking for a knockout.
Kulig stuffs the takedown.
Kulig closes the distance looking to clinch

and Locke II counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kulig!
Locke II moves to back control.
Will Locke II go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?
Locke II is breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Locke II is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Locke II lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
John Locke II has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kulig can't escape the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Locke II showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kulig's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kulig throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Kulig clinches up with Locke II and pushes him back against the cage.
Kulig tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Locke II avoids it.
Locke II takes an elbow to the temple.
Kulig throws a knee to the head but misses.

Locke II's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kulig tries to clinch up

and Locke II counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Locke II.
Locke II is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Kulig gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Locke II wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Locke II goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kulig prevents it.
Nice elbow from Kulig.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Locke II.
Kulig looking to slow down the pace here.
Locke II is trying to drag Kulig to the mat but Kulig just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Mort Kulig has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Locke II.
Kulig lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Locke II takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Locke II takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kulig throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Locke II blocks it with crossed arms.
Locke II wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kulig gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Locke II creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Kulig's defenses.
Kulig creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Locke II's defenses.
Locke II is trying to break the clinch but Kulig has him pressed against the cage.
Kulig landing knees to the head.
Kulig keeps control of Locke II as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Locke II blocks an elbow strike from Kulig.
Kulig has Locke II pressed against the cage, preventing Locke II from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kulig is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Locke II being controlled against the cage.

Locke II breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Mort Kulig is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kulig tries to clinch but Locke II moves away

and Locke II moves into the clinch.
Locke II has Kulig pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kulig manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kulig lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Locke II can't get the takedown.
Kulig is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kulig gets underhooks to prevent Locke II's takedown attempt.
Kulig looking to throw knees to the head but Locke II is blocking nicely.
Locke II has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kulig is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulig lands a knee to the head.
Kulig creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Locke II's defenses.
Kulig scores with a knee to the head.
Locke II takes an elbow to the temple.
Locke II is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Kulig lands a nice elbow.
Kulig lands an elbow just above Locke II 's eye.
Kulig dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Kulig stalling in the clinch but Locke II improves position.
Kulig looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Locke II lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Locke II trying to control the action but Kulig is working from the bottom.
Locke II perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Locke II working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
John Locke II is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Locke II wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kulig keeps working.
Locke II content to control rather than advance.
Kulig might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Locke II wants to take a breather but Kulig is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by John Locke II.
Locke II shoots in but no luck this time.
Mort Kulig has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kulig throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kulig throws the kick towards the body but Locke II avoids it.
Kulig displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Locke II.
Kulig tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Locke II counters with a shoot takedown. Kulig fights it but they end up in guard.
Locke II passes Kulig's left leg - he's now in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Locke II comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Locke II winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Locke II!