PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ari Kantola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Fritz Bollmann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kantola
vs
Bollmann

185 cm
20
250 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
21
240 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent elbows
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Kantola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Fritz Bollmann!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kantola tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Bollmann manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bollmann shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kantola sprawls well. Kantola wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Bollmann gets slowly back to his feet.
Kantola misses with a double jab.
Kantola fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kantola moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Bollmann bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Bollmann tries to advance to mount but Kantola instead regains half guard.
Kantola trying to control here.
Kantola is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Bollmann is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kantola looking for submissions off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bollmann is trying to control the action in half guard but Kantola is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kantola is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Bollmann scores with a couple of nice shots.
Bollmann seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kantola does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Bollmann seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kantola wants to control but Bollmann is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantola misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Bollmann is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kantola is trying to get back to full guard.

Kantola looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Kantola actively working from the bottom here.
Bollmann stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Bollmann's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Kantola tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Bollmann thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kantola's head.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kantola manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kantola throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Kantola keeping moving, preventing Bollmann from controlling successfully.

Kantola is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Kantola looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bollmann stands and steps away. Kantola gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Kantola looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Bollmann tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bollmann tries to clinch but Kantola moves out of range.
Kantola wants to clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kantola misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ari Kantola will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Bollmann stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kantola.
Ari Kantola is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
That kick from Kantola tenderised Bollmann's leg. Bollmann is trying to keep his angry face on.
Bollmann wants to clinch.
Kantola is looking to clinch but Bollmann is avoiding it.
Kantola misses with a head kick.
Kantola stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kantola wants it to stay on the feet.
Bollmann showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kantola.
Kantola throws a head kick that misses.
Bollmann throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kantola stuffs the takedown attempt from Bollmann. Bollmann gets slowly back to his feet.
Kantola lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kantola thuds a left hand into Bollmann's body.
Bollmann is breathing heavily.

Bollmann moves into the clinch.
Bollmann wants to break the clinch but can't.
Bollmann is looking to take this one to the mat.
Ari Kantola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fritz Bollmann.

Kantola pulls guard successfully.
Kantola tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Bollmann postures up and lands a big shot to Kantola's brow.
Kantola manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Bollmann manages to get himself to full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kantola trying to control but Bollmann is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantola wanted to stand there but Bollmann had control of the position.
Bollmann keeping moving, preventing Kantola from controlling successfully.
Kantola throws a big elbow that misses.
Bollmann not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kantola throwing strikes but missing.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Kantola slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Kantola gets to his feet. Bollmann looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bollmann thows a body shot but no joy.
Bollmann tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kantola sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bollmann somewhat.
Bollmann on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kantola. Kantola obviously looking to wear him down.
Kantola misses with a wild combination.
Kantola lands with a good body shot.
Bollmann looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kantola is fending him off so far but Bollmann persists. Nope, Kantola circles away and we're back to standing.
Kantola with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kantola shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Kantola decides to stand up.
Kantola lands a high kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bollmann is looking to clinch but Kantola is avoiding it.

Bollmann pushes Kantola up against the cage in a clinch.
Kantola unloads a knee to the mid-section. Bollmann lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Kantola.

Kantola has picked Bollmann up - he's going for a ride! Kantola dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Kantola is looking for a kimura but Bollmann is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kantola to get the leverage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kantola misses with a series of wild punches.
Bollmann tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kantola swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kantola misses with a head kick.
Kantola comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bollmann closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kantola circles away.
Kantola displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Bollmann.
Bollmann takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Bollmann tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kantola paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bollmann takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bollmann misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Bollmann slaps away a takedown attempt from Kantola, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bollmann fails with the takedown
and Kantola counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Ari Kantola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Fritz Bollmann.

Bollmann gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kantola to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kantola postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kantola postures up in Bollmann's guard and throws a big left but Bollmann blocks it.
Bollmann looking to control.
Kantola stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bollmann swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kantola passes Bollmann's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Ari Kantola is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kantola working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kantola frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kantola scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Bollmann?
Kantola lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Oooooh, big shot lands for Kantola! Bollmann is hurt baaadly! Kantola is firing away with more strikes - Bollmann 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 2:58 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ari Kantola!