PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Leo Sarsola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sami Kuristaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sarsola comes into the arena with Mono - 16.12 blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Sarsola
vs
Kuristaja

180 cm
24
197 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

189 cm
23
195 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Leo Sarsola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Kuristaja!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuristaja just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuristaja throws a hook but Sarsola avoids it easily.
Kuristaja moves out of range of the leg kick from Sarsola.
Leo Sarsola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sarsola misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuristaja.
Sarsola fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kuristaja manages to avoid it.
Sarsola throws a hook to the side of Kuristaja's head but Kuristaja sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A bone on bone clash there as Sarsola blocks the leg kick.
Sarsola darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Kuristaja throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A slapping body kick lands there for Kuristaja.
Kuristaja cracks Sarsola with an open hand slap.
Sarsola keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Sarsola throws a hook but Kuristaja blocks it.
Kuristaja moves out of range as Sarsola strikes.
Kuristaja avoids the body shot from Sarsola.

That's one minute gone in the round.
That kick from Kuristaja tenderised Sarsola's leg. Sarsola is trying to keep his angry face on.
Sarsola dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kuristaja. That did some damage!
Sarsola lands a body shot.
Kuristaja defending well as Sarsola loads up on a big left hand.
Sami Kuristaja is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Sarsola blocks the body kick.
Sarsola moves out of range of the leg kick from Kuristaja.
A shot to the liver by Sarsola. Beautiful body shot.
Kuristaja tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Sarsola paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kuristaja lands a head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sarsola pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Sarsola lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Sarsola thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kuristaja.
Sarsola looks for a takedown but Kuristaja sprawls well.
Decent striking displayed by Kuristaja there.
Kuristaja misses with a head kick.
Sarsola fails with a takedown attempt.
Kuristaja tries a head kick but it misses.
A slow jab from Sarsola misses its intended target.
Kuristaja takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Sarsola closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Sarsola lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kuristaja keeping moving, preventing Sarsola from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kuristaja is keeping the position for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sarsola lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kuristaja trying to keep a closed guard but Sarsola is proving a slippery customer.
Sarsola 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.
Kuristaja might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Sarsola kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Sarsola landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sarsola pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kuristaja is keeping the position for now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kuristaja can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kuristaja wants to control but Sarsola passes easily into half guard.
Kuristaja is looking for a sweep. Sarsola is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Sarsola is trying to work for a kimura but Kuristaja is defending well.
Sarsola stalling.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sarsola in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Kuristaja tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Sarsola!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Leo Sarsola!