PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Boy Dahlia (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Potkukelkka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Dahlia comes to the cage accompanied by For Everything A Reason by Carina Round. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Dahlia
vs
Potkukelkka

179 cm
21
165 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

170 cm
24
154 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Boy Dahlia!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, James Potkukelkka!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Aleksei Zolotukhin and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Potkukelkka will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dahlia misses with a left hand
enabling Potkukelkka to counter with a crisp jab.
Dahlia tries to land a front kick but Potkukelkka steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Dahlia wants to clinch.
Potkukelkka moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Sloppy strikes from Dahlia. Those never looked like landing.
Dahlia missing with a left hand there. Potkukelkka was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Potkukelkka tries a low kick but Dahlia avoids it.
No joy there for Dahlia, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Dahlia.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
You can see the frustration on Potkukelkka's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Potkukelkka is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Potkukelkka wants to control but Dahlia postures up.
Potkukelkka is looking to reverse the position.
Dahlia trying to control the action but Potkukelkka is working from the bottom.
Potkukelkka can't do much from the bottom here.
Potkukelkka is looking to reverse the position.
Potkukelkka regains half guard.
Dahlia prevents Potkukelkka from improving his position.
Potkukelkka wants to get back to full guard but Dahlia has mounted him!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dahlia throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Potkukelkka because Dahlia loaded up on that one.
Potkukelkka regains half guard.

Dahlia is working for a submission of some sort.
Dahlia is keen to just control but Potkukelkka is a slippery customer.

Dahlia is working for a kimura but Potkukelkka is defending it quite comfortably.
Potkukelkka is pressing down on Dahlia's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

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

Potkukelkka working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dahlia doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dahlia manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Dahlia is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Potkukelkka is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Potkukelkka has escaped and now he's on top!

Dahlia is looking for a triangle but Potkukelkka pushes his legs off easily.
Potkukelkka stands up over Dahlia, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Dahlia keeping moving, preventing Potkukelkka from controlling successfully.
Potkukelkka stays in close to Dahlia's body and controls the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dahlia works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Potkukelkka scoring with punches to the head and body.

Dahlia working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Potkukelkka doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Potkukelkka manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Dahlia looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Potkukelkka passes into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Dahlia is trying to escape the position but Potkukelkka is controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Potkukelkka is putting a hurting on Dahlia here, landing some big shots from side control.
Potkukelkka trying to control the action but Dahlia is working from the bottom.

Potkukelkka is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Dahlia has escaped the position, nice work there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Potkukelkka dominated that round.
That's time! Dahlia's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Potkukelkka closes the distance and clinches up with Dahlia, looking for a takedown. Potkukelkka pushes Dahlia against the cage but Dahlia circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Potkukelkka throws a shot from downtown. Dahlia moves away and avoids it.
Potkukelkka gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Boy Dahlia is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Potkukelkka with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dahlia swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Dahlia throws a nice looking combination but Potkukelkka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Potkukelkka throws a leg kick which misses Dahlia's front leg but catches the back leg as Dahlia tries to avoid it.
Dahlia connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Dahlia scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
A solid leg kick lands there for Dahlia.
Potkukelkka pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Potkukelkka. No joy for Dahlia on that attempt.
Potkukelkka throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka keeps the fight on the outside.
Potkukelkka is looking to chop away at Dahlia's legs.
Dahlia is looking to clinch.
Potkukelkka takes a swing at Dahlia's ribcage but misses.
Potkukelkka scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Potkukelkka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dahlia scores with the left hand. Potkukelkka knows he should have avoided that one.
Potkukelkka looks to land a right hand but Dahlia moved out of range.
Dahlia checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Potkukelkka throws a low kick, looking for Dahlia's leg but Dahlia calmly moves out of range.
Boy Dahlia seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka looks to land a body kick but Dahlia moved away.
Potkukelkka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Dahlia was well out of range. Poor timing from Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Potkukelkka throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Dahlia counters with a nice uppercut.
Potkukelkka swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Potkukelkka on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Potkukelkka throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Potkukelkka fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Dahlia checks it well.
Left hook, right uppercut from Dahlia.
Dahlia is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A big right from Dahlia misses.
Dahlia swings for the body but Potkukelkka moves out of range.
Potkukelkka avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Dahlia will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka misses with a leg kick.
Dahlia takes a swing at Potkukelkka's ribcage but misses.
Potkukelkka throws a low kick but Dahlia avoids it.
Dahlia misses with a leg kick
and Potkukelkka makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Dahlia moves out of range of the body kick.
Potkukelkka scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dahlia throws out a leg kick but Potkukelkka moves out of range and Dahlia only half commits.
Dahlia throws a head kick but Potkukelkka moves out of range.
Potkukelkka will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
A low kick from Dahlia misses
and Potkukelkka counters with a slapping leg kick.
Potkukelkka walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Dahlia checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Potkukelkka throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka throws a quick inside leg kick.
Potkukelkka throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A chopping leg kick lands by Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka scores with a body shot.
Dahlia blocks a head kick by Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka moves out of range as Dahlia strikes.
Dahlia moves in looking to clinch but Potkukelkka pushes him off.
Dahlia throws a body kick that misses.
Potkukelkka throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Dahlia looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Potkukelkka lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Potkukelkka dodges the punch combination from Dahlia.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Potkukelkka 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. This is the final round!

Dahlia will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Potkukelkka lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Dahlia has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Dahlia and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Dahlia throws a solid leg kick but Potkukelkka takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Dahlia.
Potkukelkka will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dahlia is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Potkukelkka misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Dahlia.
A swing and a miss from Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Dahlia.
Dahlia misses with a takedown attempt - Potkukelkka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Potkukelkka comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Potkukelkka shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Dahlia as he jumps to the side.
Potkukelkka scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dahlia takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Potkukelkka is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Dahlia rather than just go for the knockout.
Potkukelkka throws the kick towards the body but Dahlia avoids it.
Potkukelkka just misses with a punch to the body.
Dahlia misses with a straight right.
A slapping leg kick lands for Potkukelkka.
Potkukelkka just misses with a punch to the body.
Dahlia shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Potkukelkka as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Boy Dahlia. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Dahlia fails with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Dahlia will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dahlia tries to work over Potkukelkka's front leg with a kick but Potkukelkka checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Potkukelkka tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Dahlia throws a hook but Potkukelkka avoids it easily.
Nice body kick there by Dahlia.
Dahlia shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Potkukelkka as he avoids it easily.
James Potkukelkka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Potkukelkka tries to move into range but Dahlia moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Dahlia lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
A good leg kick by Potkukelkka.
A leg kick checked by Dahlia.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dahlia fails with an attempt to clinch.
Potkukelkka throws a head kick but Dahlia moves out of range.
Dahlia moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Dahlia misses with a combination
and Potkukelkka counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dahlia takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Potkukelkka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dahlia.
A thudding body kick lands there by Potkukelkka!
Potkukelkka cracks the inside of Dahlia's front leg.
Dahlia will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Potkukelkka lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

Dahlia forces Potkukelkka back against the cage and clinches.
Dahlia missing with knees to the body.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Potkukelkka manages to break the clinch.
James Potkukelkka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Potkukelkka fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Potkukelkka scores with a body shot.
Boy Dahlia has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Potkukelkka throws a head kick but Dahlia moves out of range.
Potkukelkka on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Potkukelkka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Dahlia on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Potkukelkka. Potkukelkka obviously looking to wear him down.
Dahlia misses with a body shot.
Potkukelkka steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Dahlia.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice body kick from Potkukelkka.

Dahlia closes the distance and pushes Potkukelkka back into the cage.
Potkukelkka dodges an elbow strike from Dahlia.

And that's the end of the fight!
James Potkukelkka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Potkukelkka winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aleksei Zolotukhin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Potkukelkka!
James Potkukelkka made sure to mention his sponsor, FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!) in his post fight interview.