PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matti Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rogerio Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kuusela
vs
Gracie

187 cm
23
190 lbs
7 - 6 - 1

183 cm
20
206 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Solid 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 7 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Matti Kuusela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rogerio Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Alexandre Firmino and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuusela closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Gracie to the mat! Gracie manages to get full guard.
Gracie avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Kuusela drops back, looking for a kneebar! Gracie looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Gracie looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Gracie!
Kuusela gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kuusela makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kuusela.

Kuusela throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kuusela working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Gracie doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Gracie manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Kuusela manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Gracie is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie is bucking up trying to escape but Kuusela cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Gracie really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kuusela lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Gracie is in a horrible position here. Kuusela smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Gracie tries to reverse the position but Kuusela maintains control.
Gracie takes a big shot to the dome and his eyes have rolled back in his head! Kuusela's killer instinct has kicked in as he finishes the fight with more strikes. Impressive finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Matti Kuusela!