PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jake Harris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Olli Kuhta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuhta has chosen Break Out as his entrance music. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Harris
vs
Kuhta

170 cm
23
155 lbs
11 - 4 - 0

170 cm
27
160 lbs
8 - 13 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Insanely flexible

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jake Harris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Olli Kuhta!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kuhta moves into range and clinches up with Harris.

Harris ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Harris no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Harris working for a triangle but Kuhta defends it easily.
Harris keeping moving, preventing Kuhta from controlling successfully.
Kuhta is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Harris looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Kuhta has picked Harris up and slammed him! Harris can't keep hold of the triangle and Kuhta manages to pass to side control!
Harris tries to bench press Kuhta off him but Kuhta keeps the position.

Kuhta tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Harris is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Kuhta's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris is trying to get back to full guard.
Kuhta is thwarting Harris's attempts to control the position.

Harris looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kuhta wants to lay and pray for a moment but Harris keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Harris actively working from the bottom here.
Kuhta is keen to just control but Harris is a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Harris looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Kuhta is trying to control the action in half guard but Harris is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kuhta is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Harris has managed to free his arm - good work.

Harris is defending against the submission attempts here by Kuhta.
Harris is staying active underneath Kuhta, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Harris tries to get to full guard but Kuhta has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuhta is thwarting Harris's attempts to control the position.

Harris looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kuhta is trying to control. Harris wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Harris is pressing down on Kuhta's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kuhta wants to control from the top but Harris keeps moving.

Harris is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kuhta is aware though and is defending well.
Kuhta wants to pass the guard but Harris is keeping the position.

Harris looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harris working for submissions but it's allowed Kuhta to get to half guard.

Harris looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Harris looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kuhta seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Harris does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuhta seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuhta is figuring out what he wants to do next.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuhta tries to pass to full mount but Harris defends it.
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 Jake Harris will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kuhta loads up on a big right hand but Harris slips the punch.
Kuhta tries to close the distance and clinch but Harris swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Jake Harris is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuhta misses with a wild combination.
Kuhta tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Harris slips a jab and a cross from Kuhta.
Kuhta moves in looking to clinch but Harris pushes him off.
Kuhta tries to clinch

and Harris counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harris prevents Kuhta from improving his position.
Kuhta trying to control from the bottom.

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

Kuhta is defending against the submission attempts here by Harris.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kuhta manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Harris drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Harris jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Harris 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.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harris stopping the sweep attempt from Kuhta.

Harris drops back, looking for a kneebar! Kuhta looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Kuhta looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Kuhta!
Kuhta is looking to take a break and control but Harris is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kuhta might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Harris kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kuhta working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kuhta wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kuhta working away.
Harris manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Jake Harris overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kuhta is trying to control. Harris wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Harris tries to get to full guard but Kuhta has control of the leg.

Harris looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Harris looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuhta not doing much here.
Harris wants to control but Kuhta is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kuhta is trying to control the action in half guard but Harris is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Olli Kuhta hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Harris keeps the fight on the outside.
Kuhta tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Harris counters with a nice double leg into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Harris dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Harris bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Harris wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kuhta, who protects the arm well.
Kuhta can't do much from the bottom here.

Harris is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Kuhta knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Harris tries for a kimura but Kuhta is defending well.
Kuhta manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Harris is looking to improve his position.

Harris is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuhta pulls his head out easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harris looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuhta frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Kuhta wants to take Harris's back but he can't do it this time.
Kuhta looking to control but Harris is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Harris tries to control the position but Kuhta now has his back.

Kuhta looking for the RNC.
Harris can't escape the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuhta is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Harris defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Kuhta working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Kuhta patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Harris showing good submission defense here.
Harris trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harris is trying to break free.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Kuhta's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Harris trying to control but not successfully.

Kuhta looking for the RNC.

Kuhta is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Harris is really stuck here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harris manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kuhta's guard. Nice work there by Harris.
Kuhta is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Harris looking to pass the guard.
Kuhta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Harris stopping the sweep attempt from Kuhta.
Kuhta lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Harris!
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.
Harris wants to hold on but Kuhta pushes him away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Olli Kuhta comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Harris has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jake Harris!