PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nikolai Putin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nalle Karhunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nalle Karhunen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Putin
vs
Karhunen

179 cm
22
182 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

175 cm
19
178 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikolai Putin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nalle Karhunen!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Putin blocks a head kick by Karhunen.
Karhunen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Karhunen throws a right hand that Putin ducks under and follows up with a left that Putin also avoids with ease.

Putin closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Putin lands in his opponent's guard.
Karhunen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Putin manages to get himself to full guard.
Karhunen is looking to stand up but Putin won't let him.

Putin is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Putin is on top in guard.
Putin trying to control the position from guard on top but Karhunen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Putin looking to pass the guard.
Putin trying to control but Karhunen is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhunen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Putin is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Karhunen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Karhunen has escaped and now he's on top!
Karhunen won't allow Putin to sweep him here.
Karhunen has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Putin is proving hard to escape from.

Karhunen stands up and waves to Putin to follow him.
Putin tries a head kick but it misses.

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.
Putin throws a right and a left that Karhunen avoids nicely.

Putin rushes Karhunen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Karhunen breaks from the clinch.

Putin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Karhunen wants to get back to his feet but Putin is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Karhunen looks gassed!
Karhunen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Putin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Karhunen is keeping the position for now.
Putin controlling from the top position.

Putin is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Putin wants to control from the top but Karhunen keeps moving.
Putin is really struggling to control Karhunen but he's trying to hold on to the position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Karhunen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Karhunen throws a lazy head kick

and Putin counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Putin works his foot free and advances to mount.
Putin trying to control but Karhunen is having none of it.
Putin takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Putin working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Karhunen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Karhunen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Karhunen is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

Karhunen defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Putin.
Karhunen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Karhunen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Putin tries to control but Karhunen wriggling away.
Putin thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Karhunen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Putin counters with a stiff right hand.
Putin swats away the attempt to clinch by Karhunen.

Karhunen moves into the clinch.

Karhunen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Karhunen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Putin prevents Karhunen from getting back to his feet.
Karhunen wants to sweep here but Putin controlling him for the moment.
Karhunen wants to stand up but Putin is controlling him.
Putin sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Karhunen's guard.
Putin trying to mount his opponent but Karhunen defends it.
Putin throwing shots but Karhunen is blocking nicely.
Putin controlling the action here.
Karhunen is breathing heavily.
Karhunen makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Karhunen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karhunen keeping moving, preventing Putin from controlling successfully.
Putin sitting in guard here, content to control.
Putin trying to control the position from guard on top but Karhunen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Karhunen keeping full guard, as Putin tries to pass.
Putin passes Karhunen's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Karhunen is trying to get back to full guard.

Putin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Putin is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Karhunen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Putin pulls his head out easily.

Putin in half guard on the top. He's looking for a kimura... He's got it locked and he's managed to free his trapped foot. Karhunen tries to escape but it's on too tight and he has to tap! Great BJJ skills there from Putin!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:45 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Nikolai Putin!