PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Roni Kultainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Verneri Viikate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Kultainen
vs
Viikate

160 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

160 cm
21
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roni Kultainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Verneri Viikate!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Viikate avoids a punch combination nicely.

Viikate scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Viikate working the ground and pound.

Viikate tries for a kimura but Kultainen is defending well.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Viikate wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kultainen, who protects the arm well.

Viikate is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kultainen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kultainen taking a bit of punishment here - Viikate scoring with strikes.
Kultainen manages to get back to half guard.
Viikate tries to pass to full mount but Kultainen defends it.
Kultainen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kultainen.

Kultainen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Viikate gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Viikate keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Kultainen's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kultainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Viikate stopping the sweep attempt from Kultainen.

Viikate drops back looking for a leg! Kultainen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kultainen manages to kick Viikate off! Viikate jumps back into Kultainen's guard.

Viikate thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Viikate looks gassed!
Kultainen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Viikate looking to pass the guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Viikate pushes down on Kultainen's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Kultainen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Viikate pulls his head out easily.
Kultainen gets full guard.
Viikate won't allow Kultainen to sweep him here.
Viikate advances to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viikate throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kultainen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kultainen trying to keep a closed guard but Viikate is proving a slippery customer.
Kultainen is really struggling to control Viikate but he's trying to hold on to the position.

Kultainen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Viikate drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Viikate jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kultainen wants to get back to his feet but Viikate is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Viikate preventing the sweep.

Viikate 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.
Kultainen controls Viikate momentarily but Viikate frees himself.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Kultainen gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Viikate darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Kultainen is looking for a sweep. Viikate is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Viikate is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Kultainen has managed to free his arm - good work.

Viikate is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kultainen wants to control but Viikate is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kultainen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Viikate lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Kultainen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Viikate gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kultainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Viikate wants to pass the guard but Kultainen is keeping the position.
Viikate passes Kultainen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Viikate is looking for a kimura but Kultainen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Viikate to get the leverage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Viikate is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kultainen regains full guard. Nicely done.

Viikate thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Viikate passes Kultainen's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Viikate trying to mount his opponent but Kultainen defends it.
Viikate passes to side control.
Viikate moves into full mount!

Viikate is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Kultainen is surviving well by controlling Viikate's body position as best he can.
Viikate punishing his opponent with strikes.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Oooooh, big shot lands for Viikate! Kultainen is hurt baaadly! Viikate is firing away with more strikes - Kultainen is covering up... the ref is warning him to do something. He's just covering up though still and the ref has to step in to end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Verneri Viikate!