PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Kastinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Petter Krustev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Krustev is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Hubava si moya goro.. Seppo Kastinen could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Petter Krustev's chin.

Kastinen
vs
Krustev

180 cm
24
205 lbs
13 - 5 - 1

189 cm
21
215 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Seppo Kastinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Petter Krustev!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kastinen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Krustev counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Krustev scores with a body shot.
Kastinen misses with a jab to the body
letting Krustev counter with a right hand.
A big right from Krustev misses.
Kastinen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Krustev swivels and escapes.
Krustev lands with a right hand.

Krustev gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Kastinen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kastinen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kastinen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Krustev really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kastinen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kastinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Krustev swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kastinen won't allow Krustev to get back to his feet.
Kastinen trying to control but Krustev is working from the bottom.
Kastinen wants to pass the guard but Krustev is keeping the position.

Kastinen drops back looking for a leg! Krustev is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Krustev manages to kick Kastinen off! Kastinen jumps back into Krustev's guard.
Kastinen passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Kastinen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Krustev is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krustev is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Krustev tries to buck Kastinen off but Kastinen is having none of it.
Krustev dodges the ground and pound from Kastinen.

Kastinen is trying to get an arm triangle but Krustev is defending well.

Kastinen tries for a kimura but Krustev is defending well.

Kastinen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Krustev has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kastinen is looking to take a break and control but Krustev is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krustev is looking to regain half guard here but Kastinen keeps moving and retains side control.
Krustev manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kastinen's best efforts.

Kastinen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kastinen works his way into side control.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kastinen is trying to get an arm triangle but Krustev is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Kastinen dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Krustev will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Krustev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Krustev scores with a nice strike.
Kastinen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Krustev sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kastinen misses with a series of wild punches.
Kastinen slips under a jab from Krustev.
Krustev getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kastinen shoots for a takedown but Krustev saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kastinen closes the distance and clinches up with Krustev, looking for a takedown. Kastinen pushes Krustev against the cage but Krustev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seppo Kastinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Krustev dodges the punch combination from Kastinen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kastinen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Krustev counters with a one-two to the body.
Krustev throws a lazy right hand but Kastinen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Krustev keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Krustev fails to land with a series of punches.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Krustev, as that shot connected.
Kastinen throws a nice looking combination but Krustev bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Krustev has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kastinen looks for a takedown but Krustev sprawls well.
Kastinen scores with a body shot.
Kastinen staying out of range there.
Kastinen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Krustev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kastinen somewhat.
Krustev moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krustev lands a jab-cross combination.
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!
Kastinen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Krustev throws a right and a left that Kastinen avoids nicely.
Kastinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kastinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Krustev moves away.
Seppo Kastinen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kastinen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Krustev makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Kastinen defending well as Krustev loads up on a big left hand.
Krustev avoids the body shot from Kastinen.
Kastinen dives in and grabs Krustev's left leg, looking for a takedown. Krustev pushes down on Kastinen's head and hops out.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kastinen fails to land the takedown.
Kastinen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Krustev might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Kastinen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kastinen throws a low kick but Krustev avoids it.
Kastinen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Krustev tries to avoid it but Kastinen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Krustev to the ground. Krustev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Krustev slips a jab and a cross from Kastinen.
A swing and a miss from Krustev.
Kastinen swinging wildly here.
Krustev throws a nice looking combination but Kastinen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kastinen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Petter Krustev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kastinen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Krustev sprawls well. Krustev wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kastinen gets slowly back to his feet.
Petter Krustev seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kastinen scores with a shot to the body.
Kastinen is looking to wear down Krustev with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Krustev avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Krustev throws a right and a left that both miss.
Krustev stuffs the takedown attempt from Kastinen. Kastinen gets slowly back to his feet.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kastinen. Krustev does a little dance to reset his feet.
Krustev looks to throw the jab but Kastinen is out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Krustev misses with a looping right.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kastinen moves away from the strike by Krustev.
Kastinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petter Krustev showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kastinen.
Kastinen in side control, throwing shots but Krustev defends.

Kastinen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Krustev rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Kastinen's guard! Nice work there by Krustev!
Krustev forces his way into half guard.
Kastinen is looking to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kastinen is trying to control but can't.
Kastinen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Krustev preventing the sweep.

Kastinen is working an open guard so Krustev takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kastinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Krustev moves away.
A nice combination there by Krustev.
Krustev thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kastinen with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Krustev as Kastinen shoots in.
Kastinen misses with a wild body shot.
Kastinen thumps Krustev with a low kick.
Kastinen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kastinen has his takedown stuffed
and Krustev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
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!

Kastinen scores with a takedown into Krustev's guard.
Kastinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Krustev swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Seppo Kastinen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kastinen trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Krustev manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kastinen has his hands on Krustev's head, controlling the position.
Kastinen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Krustev!
Kastinen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Krustev is looking to escape.

Kastinen wants to finish this one by submission but Krustev is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kastinen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Krustev is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Kastinen avoids the attempt from Krustev to control.
Krustev is squirming around, avoiding Kastinen's attempts to control the action.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Krustev wants to try and get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Kastinen clearly takes that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kastinen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Krustev tries to avoid it but Kastinen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Krustev to the ground. Krustev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Krustev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kastinen misses the shot to the body.
Kastinen moves forwards but Krustev connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kastinen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kastinen misses with a wild body shot.
Kastinen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Krustev swings for the body but Kastinen moves out of range.
Kastinen misses with a takedown attempt - Krustev sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kastinen shoots in and drives through. Krustev sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seppo Kastinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Krustev dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Krustev lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kastinen shoots in looking for a takedown. Krustev tries to sprawl out of it but Kastinen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Krustev manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Krustev with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Krustev stuffs the takedown.
Kastinen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Krustev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kastinen somewhat.
Seppo Kastinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kastinen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Krustev as he jumps to the side.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kastinen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Krustev pinned against the cage. Krustev gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kastinen misses with a hook to the body
and Krustev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krustev connects with a single shot there.
Kastinen throws a big shot that misses.
Krustev fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kastinen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kastinen has a takedown stuffed.
Krustev lands with a nice combination. Kastinen backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Seppo Kastinen has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kastinen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kastinen thows a body shot but no joy.
Kastinen fails to land with a series of punches.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kastinen.
Krustev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kastinen's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Krustev's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Krustev duly obliges.
Kastinen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Krustev circles away.
Krustev avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kastinen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kastinen looks to throw the jab but Krustev is out of range.
Kastinen misses the shot to the body.
Kastinen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Krustev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kastinen.
Krustev works over Kastinen's head and body with a nice combination.
Krustev fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kastinen works Krustev's body with a nice hook.
Krustev stuffs the takedown attempt from Kastinen. Kastinen gets slowly back to his feet.
Krustev throws a hook but Kastinen avoids it easily.
A left and a right from Krustev both land. Nice combination.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Donk. Krustev catches Kastinen right on the button with a cross.
Kastinen fails with the takedown.
Krustev has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kastinen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Krustev.
Kastinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Krustev was well out of range. Poor timing from Kastinen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Petter Krustev dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Seppo Kastinen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kastinen looks for a takedown but Krustev sprawls well.
Krustev throws out a loose jab but Kastinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kastinen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Krustev.
Krustev displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kastinen.
Krustev scores with a body shot.
Krustev defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kastinen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Seppo Kastinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice body punch from Krustev.
Kastinen takes a swing at Krustev's ribcage but misses.
Krustev avoids the body shot from Kastinen.
Kastinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Krustev moves away.
Kastinen tries for a takedown but Krustev circles away easily
and Krustev counters with a nice uppercut.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kastinen tries to bum rush Krustev with a series of wild strikes but Krustev uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kastinen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Krustev defends it nicely.

Kastinen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Krustev did well to prevent Kastinen getting side control.
Krustev gets back to full guard.
Krustev tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kastinen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kastinen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Krustev pulls Kastinen in close to prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Krustev manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Kastinen is wriggling around trying to escape.
Krustev trying to control but Kastinen is having none of it.
Kastinen has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Krustev's lack of action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kastinen is looking to improve his position.
Krustev wants to stand up but Kastinen is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kastinen is looking for a sweep. Krustev is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Krustev is controlling the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Petter Krustev.
Kastinen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Krustev.

Kastinen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Krustev looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

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

Kastinen tries for a kimura but Krustev is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Seppo Kastinen.
I think Kastinen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 47:48
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 48:47
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Seppo Kastinen!
During a confident post fight interview, Seppo Kastinen thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.