PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikko Kuustonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marko Lazar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lazar is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Daddy Cool. Mikko Kuustonen looks tired to me. Hopefully he has got enough gas left in the tank to put in a good performance.

Kuustonen
vs
Lazar

200 cm
24
160 lbs
0 - 4 - 0

180 cm
18
166 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mikko Kuustonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Marko Lazar!
The judges for this bout are Aafke Stam, Paul Aken and Radbod Blank.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuustonen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Lazar manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Kuustonen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Kuustonen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Lazar looking to control.
Kuustonen stays in close to Lazar's body and controls the position.
Kuustonen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kuustonen 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.
Lazar is looking to stand up but Kuustonen isn't so interested in that idea.
Kuustonen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Kuustonen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Kuustonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Lazar is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lazar is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Mikko Kuustonen has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Kuustonen closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuustonen tries to pull guard but Lazar holds him up against the cage and eventually Kuustonen drops back down to his feet.
Kuustonen tries to pull guard but Lazar won't allow it.
Kuustonen tries to pull guard but Lazar won't allow it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikko Kuustonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lazar tries a knee to the head but Kuustonen blocks it.
Lazar tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Kuustonen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Kuustonen jumps guard but Lazar stands there with Kuustonen around his waist. Kuustonen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Lazar's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Kuustonen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuustonen tries to pull guard but Lazar holds him up against the cage and eventually Kuustonen drops back down to his feet.

Lazar breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Kuustonen scores with a takedown into Lazar's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lazar keeping moving, preventing Kuustonen from controlling successfully.
Kuustonen won't allow Lazar to sweep him here.
Lazar seems keen to control Kuustonen's posture.
Kuustonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Lazar is retaining full guard.
Lazar keeping moving, preventing Kuustonen from controlling successfully.
Kuustonen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Mikko Kuustonen has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Kuustonen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Lazar's half guard.
Kuustonen is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuustonen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kuustonen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Lazar does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Lazar is looking to improve his position.
Kuustonen trying to control the pace.
Kuustonen is trying to control the action in half guard but Lazar is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

We're going to have a standup here because Mikko Kuustonen wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kuustonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Lazar shoots and misses

and Kuustonen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Kuustonen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Lazar uses from the top position.

Kuustonen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Lazar doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Kuustonen is tightening it up a little... Lazar has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Lazar reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Lazar taps out! nice BJJ there by Kuustonen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Mikko Kuustonen!