PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Niko Krankovoski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nalle Karhunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nalle Karhunen told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Krankovoski
vs
Karhunen

190 cm
22
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
179 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Improved boxing
Big right hand

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Krankovoski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nalle Karhunen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Krankovoski is looking to clinch.
Karhunen scores with a head kick.

It looks like Niko Krankovoski has been cut.
Karhunen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Karhunen pushes Krankovoski up against the cage in a clinch.

Karhunen manages to break the clinch.

Karhunen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Krankovoski looking for a guillotine here but Karhunen defends easily.
Karhunen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Karhunen trying to control the position from guard on top but Krankovoski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Krankovoski will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Krankovoski wants to stand but Karhunen is controlling the position.

Krankovoski has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Karhunen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krankovoski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Krankovoski wants to stand up but Karhunen is controlling him.

Karhunen gets to his feet - Krankovoski follows without any prompting.
Karhunen misses with a head kick.
Krankovoski tries for a takedown but Karhunen circles away easily

and Karhunen counters with a shoot takedown. Krankovoski fights it but they end up in guard.
Krankovoski is breathing heavily.
Karhunen trying to control the position from guard on top but Krankovoski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karhunen controlling from the top position.
Karhunen trying to control the position from guard on top but Krankovoski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krankovoski wants to sweep here but Karhunen controlling him for the moment.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Karhunen thows a big elbow that misses.

Krankovoski throws his legs up looking for a submission but Karhunen uses it to pass to side control.
Karhunen happy to just control the position for now.
Krankovoski is looking for a sweep.

Karhunen decides to stand back up. Karhunen steps back and let's Krankovoski get back to his feet.
Karhunen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Krankovoski manages to avoid it.
Krankovoski tries to clinch

and Karhunen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Krankovoski!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Krankovoski is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Karhunen is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Krankovoski with a lazy takedown attempt

and Karhunen counters by moving into the clinch.
Krankovoski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niko Krankovoski. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Karhunen breaks the clinch.
Krankovoski with a lazy takedown attempt

and Karhunen counters by moving into the clinch.
Karhunen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Krankovoski prevents it.
Krankovoski fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Karhunen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Krankovoski blocks a head kick by Karhunen.
Niko Krankovoski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Krankovoski with a lazy takedown attempt
and Karhunen counters with a nice leg kick.
Krankovoski with a lazy takedown attempt

so Karhunen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Karhunen trying to control but Krankovoski is working from the bottom.

Karhunen stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Karhunen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Krankovoski is not content to let Karhunen control the position.
Krankovoski looking for a sweep but Karhunen has passed into full mount! Oh no!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karhunen prevents Krankovoski from getting the reversal.
Krankovoski bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Krankovoski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karhunen is keeping the position for now.
Krankovoski slips nicely into half guard.
Krankovoski is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Karhunen!

Krankovoski working for a guillotine from mount but Karhunen is in no mood to give up.

Krankovoski looking to secure an arm triangle but Karhunen defends it well.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Krankovoski looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nalle Karhunen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Niko Krankovoski's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Krankovoski misses with a takedown
and Karhunen counters with a head kick.
Karhunen misses with a body kick.
Krankovoski tries for a takedown but Karhunen circles away easily

and Karhunen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Krankovoski tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Karhunen smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niko Krankovoski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Krankovoski tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Karhunen moves into the clinch.

Karhunen pulls Krankovoski into guard.
Krankovoski won't allow Karhunen to sweep him here.
Krankovoski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Krankovoski drops back, looking for a kneebar! Karhunen looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Karhunen looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Karhunen!
Krankovoski tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Karhunen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Krankovoski sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Karhunen is breathing heavily.

Krankovoski looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Krankovoski looks like he's trying to stand up.
Nalle Karhunen has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krankovoski slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Krankovoski tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Karhunen stands up from Krankovoski's guard - Karhunen perhaps looking for a knockout.
Krankovoski with a lazy takedown attempt

and Karhunen counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Krankovoski's guard now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

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

Karhunen decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Krankovoski, up you get!
No joy there for Karhunen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Niko Krankovoski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Karhunen throws a head kick that lands with a deafening thwack! The crowd roars as Krankovoski stumbles backwards and falls to the mat. Karhunen follows into mount!

Krankovoski is rocked!
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!

Karhunen is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Oh Krankovoski is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Krankovoski seems to have got his legs back now.

Karhunen manages to break the clinch.

Krankovoski drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Krankovoski thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Krankovoski tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Karhunen gets back to half guard.
Krankovoski uses his free foot to push down on Karhunen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Karhunen.

Krankovoski working for a guillotine from mount but Karhunen is in no mood to give up.

Krankovoski is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Karhunen can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karhunen wants to control but Krankovoski is having none of it.

Krankovoski wants to finish this one by submission but Karhunen is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Krankovoski.
Karhunen holds on for dear life, controlling Krankovoski's posture momentarily.

Krankovoski is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Karhunen is surviving well by controlling Krankovoski's body position as best he can.
Karhunen bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Krankovoski looking for a guillotine here but Karhunen defends easily.
Krankovoski wants to improve his position but instead Karhunen has moved into half guard.
Krankovoski wants to get back to full guard but Karhunen has passed into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karhunen controlling his opponent.
Karhunen tries to control but Krankovoski wriggling away.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Karhunen is standing up, even though he is in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nalle Karhunen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Niko Krankovoski's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Krankovoski misses with a takedown

and Karhunen counters by clinching up.
Krankovoski fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Karhunen lands a nice elbow.
Krankovoski is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Karhunen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niko Krankovoski. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Karhunen stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Karhunen breaks the clinch.
Krankovoski misses with a takedown

and Karhunen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Krankovoski won't be happy with that.
Krankovoski is not content to let Karhunen control the position.

Karhunen stands up and beckons Krankovoski to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Karhunen throws a right hand that Krankovoski ducks under and follows up with a left that Krankovoski also avoids with ease.
Krankovoski shoots and misses

and Karhunen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Krankovoski tries to roll over but Karhunen keeps him under control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Krankovoski gets back to full guard.

Krankovoski is looking for a triangle but Karhunen pushes his legs off easily.
Karhunen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Karhunen tries to stand but Krankovoski is controlling from the bottom.

Krankovoski is working an open guard so Karhunen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Karhunen misses with a head kick.
Karhunen throws a body punch but Krankovoski moves out of range.
Karhunen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Krankovoski doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Karhunen counters by clinching up.
Krankovoski drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Karhunen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Karhunen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Krankovoski tightens his grip and picks Karhunen up, before dumping him to the ground. Karhunen manages to land in guard.
Krankovoski has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Karhunen is proving hard to escape from.
Krankovoski slips nicely into half guard.

Krankovoski decides to stand up.
Krankovoski doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Karhunen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Karhunen works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Krankovoski is looking for a triangle but Karhunen pushes his legs off easily.

Karhunen gets to his feet - Krankovoski follows without any prompting.
Krankovoski has his takedown stuffed

and Karhunen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Karhunen.
Karhunen lands a right hand.
Krankovoski goes for a takedown attempt but Karhunen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Krankovoski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Karhunen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Krankovoski's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Krankovoski has an active guard here but Karhunen has managed to pass into half guard.
Karhunen trying to control the pace.
Karhunen uses his free foot to push down on Krankovoski's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Krankovoski.
Karhunen looking to control and managing it successfully.

Karhunen working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Krankovoski turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Karhunen off and cradles Krankovoski's limp body as Karhunen celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:01 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Nalle Karhunen!