PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Timo Vilonainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Kulli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Steve Kulli struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 156.6lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. Timo Vilonainen has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Vilonainen
vs
Kulli

176 cm
21
158 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

155 cm
18
165 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Attliction

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 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Timo Vilonainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Steve Kulli!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vilonainen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Kulli shoots in and bounces Vilonainen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Vilonainen has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Kulli is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Vilonainen.
Vilonainen sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Vilonainen punching from the bottom.
Vilonainen tries to roll over but Kulli keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vilonainen wants to control but Kulli is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kulli lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Vilonainen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kulli looking to pass the guard.
Kulli postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.

Vilonainen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Vilonainen throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Kulli escapes and throws Vilonainen's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Vilonainen is looking for a sweep.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kulli is looking to take a break and control but Vilonainen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vilonainen gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Vilonainen wants to hold on but Kulli pushes him away.
Vilonainen is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Vilonainen is working hard here to advance position.
Vilonainen is breathing heavily.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Kulli dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kulli feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Vilonainen looking to control.

Vilonainen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Kulli passes into side control.
Kulli is looking to take a break and control but Vilonainen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Vilonainen manages to get back to half guard.
Kulli is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vilonainen is trying to get back to full guard.
Vilonainen wants to control but Kulli is keeping busy.

Kulli is looking for a kimura here.
Vilonainen works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Vilonainen has his foot on Kulli's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kulli works his way back into a safe position though.
Kulli trying to control the position from guard on top but Vilonainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vilonainen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Vilonainen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kulli is looking for a sweep. Vilonainen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulli is trying to maintain the position but Vilonainen is very close to passing his half guard.
Vilonainen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kulli does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Vilonainen is looking to advance position but Kulli won't allow it.
Vilonainen trying to control from half guard but Kulli is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Vilonainen seems to be looking for submissions.

Vilonainen is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Kulli has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kulli is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Vilonainen dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Kulli takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kulli looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kulli chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Vilonainen can pounce on him.

Kulli gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Vilonainen postures up.
Vilonainen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Vilonainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kulli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kulli takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vilonainen advances position into side control!

Vilonainen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Kulli dodges the ground and pound from Vilonainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vilonainen tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Vilonainen postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Vilonainen has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Kulli tries to hold on but Vilonainen postures up.

Vilonainen is controlling this nicely and is looking to make no mistakes. Kulli is trying to wiggle out of this horrible position. Kulli flips to his side and attempts to get a leg in for half guard. Vilonainen anticipates the leg and manages to get behind Kulli and secures both hooks! This could be bad! Vilonainen slips an arm under Kulli chin and tries to position for a rear naked choke. Vilonainen has worked the choke in now and it looks tight. Vilonainen is squeezing on Kulli like an anaconda would it's prey. Kulli fails to tap and has fallen unconscious! We've got ourselves a winner by way of a rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:02 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Timo Vilonainen!