PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jacinto Koutras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Buster McCluster (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buster McCluster will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Koutras
vs
McCluster

180 cm
21
210 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

198 cm
25
219 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jacinto Koutras!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Buster McCluster!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCluster looks to score with a jab to the body but Koutras is just out of range.
McCluster jabs at Koutras's body.
Horrible takedown by Koutras or perhaps it was just good defense by McCluster which made him look bad.
McCluster waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Koutras.
McCluster lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
McCluster digs a good body shot into Koutras's ribs.
McCluster misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Koutras.
McCluster scores with a jab to the jaw.
McCluster misses with a wild combination.

Koutras has McCluster up against the cage in a clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koutras is trying to work for a single leg takedown but McCluster pulls him back up using the underhooks.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koutras escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
McCluster connects with a good right hand that stumbles Koutras. Koutras circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
McCluster throws a leg kick but Koutras moved away.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Koutras is defended easily by McCluster.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacinto Koutras. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McCluster lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Koutras circles away quickly and effectively.
Koutras tries to close the distance and clinch up but McCluster swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McCluster stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and McCluster wants it to stay on the feet.
McCluster fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Koutras keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Koutras closes the distance and clinches.
Koutras jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as McCluster walks away with a smile on his face. Koutras gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Koutras looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Buster McCluster is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Koutras closes this distance looking for a takedown but McCluster circles away.
Koutras tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McCluster swivels and escapes.
McCluster throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Koutras moves into the clinch.

Koutras is trying to trip McCluster. He has hold of a leg but McCluster is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Koutras persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koutras sitting in guard here, content to control.
McCluster wants to stand and escape but Koutras is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koutras looking to pass the guard.
McCluster working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Koutras.
McCluster is trying to control the position but Koutras postures up.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
McCluster ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Koutras moves away.
McCluster throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
McCluster throws a hook but Koutras blocks it.
Koutras doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

McCluster gets caught flat footed, as Koutras shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if McCluster can do anything to dispel that myth.

Koutras drops back looking for a leg! McCluster is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and McCluster manages to kick Koutras off! Koutras jumps back into McCluster's guard.
Koutras sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCluster trying to control the position.
Koutras pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. McCluster is keeping the position for now.
Koutras controlling from the top position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
McCluster controls Koutras momentarily but Koutras frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jacinto Koutras wasn't doing enough on the ground.
McCluster throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Koutras has closed the distance and engaged McCluster in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Buster McCluster will probably get the nod.
That's time! Koutras's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

McCluster tests Koutras's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Koutras avoids the body shot from McCluster.
Jacinto Koutras is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Koutras shoots for a double leg takedown but McCluster sprawls well. He's pushed Koutras's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A shot to the body from McCluster misses

and Koutras counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Koutras.
Koutras stalling against the cage.
Koutras could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Koutras breaks from the clinch.
McCluster just misses with a punch to the body.
Koutras misses with a few strikes there.
McCluster throws a body punch but Koutras moves out of range.
McCluster attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCluster throws the left hand but Koutras avoids the punch easily.
McCluster thows a body shot but no joy.
McCluster has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Koutras closes the distance and pushes McCluster back into the cage.
Koutras is working for takedown but McCluster is calmly controlling the position for now.
McCluster can't find room to land a body shot as Koutras controls the action.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Koutras wants a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacinto Koutras. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McCluster is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Koutras is keeping busy.
Koutras tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McCluster's elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on McCluster's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Koutras is trying to drag McCluster to the mat but McCluster just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
McCluster tries to break free but Koutras pushes him back against the cage.
McCluster wants to stall.
Koutras changes levels and goes for a takedown here. McCluster fights it off and pushes away nicely.
McCluster swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Koutras counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCluster controlling the position for now.
Koutras passes to full mount!
McCluster is desperately trying to improve his position but Koutras has a good base and remains in mount.
McCluster wants to control but Koutras is having none of it.
Koutras thowing shots but they're missing.

Koutras working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Koutras tries to control but McCluster wriggling away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCluster wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Koutras gets his hands free as McCluster looks to control.
What can McCluster do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Koutras is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Koutras controlling from the back.
McCluster looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacinto Koutras dominated that second 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.

Koutras lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but McCluster circles away quickly and effectively.
Koutras pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
McCluster misses with a straight left.
McCluster misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Koutras.
Koutras tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but McCluster swivels and escapes.
McCluster lands a slapping body shot.
McCluster uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.

It looks like Jacinto Koutras has been cut.
McCluster scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Koutras shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as McCluster sprawls well. McCluster wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Koutras gets slowly back to his feet.
McCluster is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
McCluster throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Koutras stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koutras slips a jab and a cross from McCluster.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Koutras moves in looking to clinch but McCluster pushes him off.
McCluster misses the body punch

and Koutras counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Koutras breaks the clinch.
McCluster thows a body shot but no joy.
McCluster misses the body punch

and Koutras holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Koutras pressing his opponent against the cage.

Koutras jumps guard and drags McCluster to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McCluster trying to control but Koutras is working from the bottom.
McCluster preventing the sweep.
McCluster tries to stand but Koutras is controlling from the bottom.
Jacinto Koutras overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
McCluster looking to pass the guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Koutras is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McCluster misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McCluster thows a body shot but no joy.
Koutras is on the wrong end of a nice combination from McCluster.
Koutras blocks a low kick nicely.
McCluster swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Koutras takes the fight into the clinch.
Koutras is working for takedown but McCluster is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jacinto Koutras. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Koutras has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. McCluster avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
McCluster looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Koutras breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCluster cracks Koutras with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
McCluster swings for the body but Koutras moves out of range.
McCluster misses with a body shot.
McCluster misses with a hook. Koutras ducked under it nicely.
Koutras fails with a takedown attempt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
McCluster misses with a wild body shot.
McCluster throws a body punch but Koutras moves out of range.
Koutras fails to land the takedown.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Horrible takedown by Koutras or perhaps it was just good defense by McCluster which made him look bad.
McCluster misses with a few strikes there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Buster McCluster comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think McCluster has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Buster McCluster!