PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jaari Kuukonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gang Starr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Kuukonen
vs
Starr

183 cm
22
204 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

186 cm
18
213 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
KO power

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Determined

FIGHT19: FIGHTWEAR

South Side Swagger

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jaari Kuukonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gang Starr!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Starr shoots in for a double leg but Kuukonen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kuukonen tries for a takedown but Starr circles away easily

and Starr counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Starr wants to pass the guard but Kuukonen is keeping the position.
Starr thows a big elbow that misses.
Starr throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kuukonen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Kuukonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Starr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Starr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Kuukonen is looking for a triangle but Starr pushes his legs off easily.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Starr accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kuukonen keeping full guard, as Starr tries to pass.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Kuukonen working for a triangle but Starr defends it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Starr drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kuukonen dives on top into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuukonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Starr is retaining full guard.
Kuukonen stands up out of Starr's guard for a moment - Starr manages to land a nice upkick.
Starr looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Starr striking off his back but it's not causing Kuukonen any problems.

Starr throws his legs up looking for a submission but Kuukonen uses it to pass to side control.
Kuukonen advances to full mount.
Kuukonen throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.

Kuukonen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Kuukonen is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Starr is surviving well by controlling Kuukonen's body position as best he can.
Kuukonen is breathing heavily.
Starr is looking to get to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Starr regains half guard.
Kuukonen wants to take a breather but Starr is having none of it.
Starr is looking to improve his position.
Starr really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuukonen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kuukonen is working for a submission of some sort.
Starr manages to get to full guard.

Starr throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kuukonen escapes and throws Starr's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Kuukonen throws an elbow but Starr slips to the side and avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuukonen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Starr is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Starr is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kuukonen off and has taken his back!
Kuukonen trying to control the hands but Starr breaks the grip.
Starr lands strikes to the head.
Kuukonen covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Starr looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Kuukonen trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.
Starr is working the ground and pound. Can Kuukonen escape?
Starr is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Kuukonen up.
Kuukonen tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Starr landing strikes from the mount.
Kuukonen gets back to half guard.
Kuukonen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Starr's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Starr's back!
Kuukonen is hanging on to Starr's back as he tries to escape.
Kuukonen is trying to stick to Starr's back but Starr is turning into Kuukonen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Kuukonen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Starr.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kuukonen has his foot on Starr's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Starr works his way back into a safe position though.
Starr working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Starr tries to free his leg and advance position but Kuukonen is retaining full guard.

Kuukonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Starr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Starr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Starr distracts Kuukonen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Starr sitting in guard doing not very much at all here. Kuukonen doesn't need a second invitation though! He's locked up a guillotine and he's squeezing tight! That is tiiiiiiiiight! Starr paying the price for stalling here - he's pushing hard on the arm trying to free himself but it's no use! He's tapped! WOW, quick submission from Kuukonen - great work!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Jaari Kuukonen!