PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Matti Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sehertaui Intef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Intef's choice of entrance music: Solitaire Unraveling . 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
Intef

187 cm
25
190 lbs
14 - 6 - 1

188 cm
22
221 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hades ®
Hades ®

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 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 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Sehertaui Intef!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Leandro Rodrigues and Edson Gomes.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Intef throws a poor cross that misses
and Kuusela counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Intef throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kuusela counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Sehertaui Intef seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Intef swings away with a body shot that misses
and Kuusela cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Intef misses with a hook to the body
and Kuusela counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Intef misses with a hook
enabling Kuusela to counter with a crisp jab.
Intef listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Intef throws a lazy uppercut
and Intef takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Intef lands with a right hand.
Intef throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Kuusela counter with a right hand.
Intef misses with a jab to the body
and Kuusela counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Intef throws a poor cross that misses
and Kuusela counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Intef throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Intef takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Intef connects with a good right hand that stumbles Kuusela. Kuusela circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Intef misses with a shot to the body
and Kuusela counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Intef just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuusela is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Intef misses with a lunging right hand
and Kuusela counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela misses with a takedown
and Intef connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Intef throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuusela is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Intef throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kuusela stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Intef throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Kuusela counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Intef's guard now.
Kuusela throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela throws a strike but Intef rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Intef trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuusela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuusela 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.

Intef is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Kuusela looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Intef has picked Kuusela up and slammed him! Kuusela can't keep hold of the triangle and Intef manages to pass to side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Matti Kuusela will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Intef throws a poor cross that misses

and Kuusela counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kuusela in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kuusela slips nicely into half guard.
Intef blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kuusela.
Intef regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kuusela.
Intef is pulling down on Kuusela's head. It's preventing any offense from Kuusela, at least for the moment.
Kuusela throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusela throws a big right hand that misses.
Kuusela won't allow Intef to sweep him here.
Kuusela throws a strike but Intef rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Intef trying to control but Kuusela is working from the bottom.
Intef is pushing down on Kuusela's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kuusela is fighting to maintain full guard but Intef has managed to sneak the leg through.

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.

Kuusela looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Intef pushes past his half guard into mount!
Kuusela manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Intef 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.
Intef's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Sehertaui Intef.
Kuusela shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Intef makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Intef throws an off balance right hand

and Kuusela decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Intef's guard.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Kuusela here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Intef has Kuusela pulled in close to control his posture.
Kuusela looking to pass the guard.
Kuusela stops Intef from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Intef misses with a lunging right hand

and Kuusela counters with a nice double leg into side control. Intef won't be happy with that.
Kuusela working the ground and pound but Intef is defending the strikes.
Intef is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Kuusela has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Kuusela working the ground and pound from side control.
Kuusela tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kuusela working the ground and pound but Intef is defending the strikes.
Intef gets back to half guard.
Intef is trying to stand.
Kuusela throws a strike but Intef avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Intef manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Kuusela tries to clinch up but Intef circles away and keeps his distance.
Intef throws an off balance right hand

and Kuusela counters with a takedown into side control.
Intef managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kuusela.
Intef avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kuusela.
Kuusela throws a strike aimed at the side of Intef's head but Intef avoids it well.
Kuusela working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Intef is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kuusela thows a huge punch but Intef dodges it nicely.
Kuusela thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Intef's head.
Intef avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kuusela.
Kuusela throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kuusela missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Intef wants to stand back up but Kuusela manages to pass into side control.
Kuusela misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Kuusela prevents Intef from escaping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Intef manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Intef is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Kuusela scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kuusela stops Intef from getting back to his feet.
Kuusela sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Intef defending well though.

Kuusela is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Intef as he works his way to full guard.
Intef looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kuusela won't allow Intef to sweep him here.
Kuusela postures up.
Kuusela prevents Intef from getting back to his feet.
Intef is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Sehertaui Intef.
Intef throws a leg kick but Kuusela sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Kuusela clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

A decent looking cross lands there for Intef.
Kuusela keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Intef looks to score with a jab to the body but Kuusela is just out of range.
Intef misses with a hook

and Kuusela counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Intef looking to control.
Intef is looking to stand back up... there's a bit of a scramble and Kuusela dives into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusela landing strikes.
Intef is looking for a sweep.

Kuusela tries for a kimura but Intef is defending well.

Kuusela looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Kuusela landing strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Intef tries to bench press Kuusela off him but Kuusela keeps the position.
Kuusela advances to full mount.
Kuusela lands with some strikes.
Kuusela landing strikes, looking to finish!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Intef tries to buck Kuusela off but he can't manage it.
Intef is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Kuusela is working for a guillotine from mount but Intef frees his head quite easily.
Kuusela throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Intef blocking the ground and pound.
Intef tries to hold on but Kuusela postures up.
Matti Kuusela overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Intef regains half guard.
Kuusela works his way into side control.
Kuusela working the head with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Intef is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Kuusela is controlling him well.
Intef regains half guard.
Intef scrambles, trying to get to his feet, but Kuusela manages to mount him!
Intef is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Intef is trying to escape the mount.
Kuusela punching from mount but Intef doing a good job of avoiding damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Intef blocking the ground and pound.
Kuusela avoids the attempt from Intef to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Kuusela had his way with Sehertaui Intef in that 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.

Kuusela tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Intef manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Intef throws a poor cross that misses

and Kuusela counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Kuusela thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Intef's head.
Intef keeping control of the position.

Kuusela is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Intef is just riding it out for now. Kuusela eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusela missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kuusela passes to full mount!
Kuusela working Intef over with strikes here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Intef can't escape the position.
Intef doing his best to control the position. Can he escape?
Intef is working to get back to half guard.
Sehertaui Intef has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuusela with good strikes from the mount here!
Kuusela throwing strikes here but Intef is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Kuusela prevents Intef from getting the reversal.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela lands a big shot there that rocks Intef but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Intef is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kuusela throwing strikes but Intef recovers to half guard. A much better position.
Kuusela throwing shots but Intef is blocking nicely.
Kuusela thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Intef's head.
Kuusela lands with a punch from half guard.
Intef wants to get back to his feet.
Kuusela looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Intef with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Kuusela missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Kuusela is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Intef has managed to free his arm - good work.
Matti Kuusela is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Intef is trying to stand up here but Kuusela is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Intef has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Kuusela is working away from the top position though.
Kuusela trying to control from half guard but Intef is working away.
Kuusela slows the pace down in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matti Kuusela showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuusela, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Emerson Jorge scores the fight 50:45
Judge Leandro Rodrigues scores the fight 50:45
Judge Edson Gomes scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matti Kuusela!