PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jarni Kutsoo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Epeli Nailatikau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kutsoo might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Enter Sandman. Nailatikau has chosen Number of the Bollywood as his entrance music. Epeli Nailatikau has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Kutsoo
vs
Nailatikau

169 cm
25
143 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

172 cm
21
154 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Basic striking
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

Reaper Combatwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jarni Kutsoo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Epeli Nailatikau!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nailatikau jabs Kutsoo to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kutsoo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nailatikau. Nailatikau obviously looking to wear him down.
Kutsoo takes a shot right to the bread basket.

Nailatikau gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Kutsoo to score an easy takedown into full guard.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kutsoo throws a big elbow that misses.
Kutsoo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kutsoo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Kutsoo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kutsoo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kutsoo slips nicely into half guard.
Kutsoo scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nailatikau is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kutsoo is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kutsoo lands with a punch from half guard.
Kutsoo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kutsoo is thwarting Nailatikau's attempts to control the position.
Kutsoo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kutsoo wants to pass to mount but Nailatikau is defending the position.

Kutsoo seems to be working for a kimura but Nailatikau defends the submission attempt.
Kutsoo trying to control from half guard but Nailatikau is working away.
Kutsoo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kutsoo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Kutsoo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kutsoo tries to pass to full mount but Nailatikau defends it.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kutsoo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nailatikau has managed to free his arm - good work.
Kutsoo wants to pass the guard but Nailatikau is defending well.
Nailatikau trying to control here.
Nailatikau might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kutsoo haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Kutsoo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nice strikes from Kutsoo there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nailatikau is defending against the submission attempts here by Kutsoo.

Nailatikau looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kutsoo trying to control from Nailatikau's half guard. Nailatikau has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

Kutsoo postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nailatikau is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Kutsoo, into his guard.

Kutsoo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nailatikau gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kutsoo looking for a guillotine here but Nailatikau defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarni Kutsoo dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kutsoo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nailatikau as he avoids it easily.
Nailatikau lands a leg kick that knocks Kutsoo off balance momentarily.
Kutsoo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nailatikau.
Nailatikau cracks Kutsoo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nailatikau feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kutsoo's calf.
Jarni Kutsoo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kutsoo looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nailatikau is fending him off so far but Kutsoo persists. Nope, Nailatikau circles away and we're back to standing.
Nailatikau lands with a straight right. Kutsoo didn't see that one coming.
Kutsoo shoots for a takedown but Nailatikau saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jarni Kutsoo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nailatikau throws a chopping leg kick but Kutsoo manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nailatikau stops a takedown attempt from Kutsoo.
Kutsoo avoiding damage as Nailatikau throws knees to the body.
Kutsoo is looking to take this one to the mat.
Still in the clinch, Nailatikau scores with a nice short uppercut.
Nailatikau using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutsoo letting Nailatikau take a breather here.
Kutsoo tries to pull guard but Nailatikau holds him up against the cage and eventually Kutsoo drops back down to his feet.
Nailatikau using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kutsoo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nailatikau with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kutsoo wants a takedown but no success here.
Nailatikau connects with a knee to the head.
Nailatikau blocks the elbow strike.
Nailatikau working Kutsoo over with knees to the body.
Nailatikau is looking to control Kutsoo's arms but Kutsoo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nailatikau has his back to the cage.
Kutsoo is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nailatikau lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nailatikau gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kutsoo.
A knee to the head by Nailatikau.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kutsoo up against the cage.
Nailatikau with a knee to the head.
Nailatikau content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kutsoo is trying to drag Nailatikau to the mat but Nailatikau just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Nailatikau lands a knee to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kutsoo has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nailatikau avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
A short uppercut from Nailatikau.
Kutsoo pushes off an throws an elbow but Nailatikau leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nailatikau is pressed up against the cage. Kutsoo has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nailatikau down to the mat. Nailatikau avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nailatikau scores with a leg kick.
Epeli Nailatikau is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kutsoo scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Kutsoo is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nailatikau knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Kutsoo off and has taken his back!
Kutsoo rolls, trying to escape but Nailatikau keeps control of the position.
Kutsoo is working hard here to advance position.

Nailatikau looking to break Kutsoo's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Kutsoo remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Nailatikau will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Kutsoo is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Kutsoo fending off the submission attempt from Nailatikau.
Kutsoo can't escape the position.

Kutsoo is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Kutsoo rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kutsoo is looking to control Nailatikau's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kutsoo avoid being mounted?

Nailatikau is working for a kimura but Kutsoo is defending it quite comfortably.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nailatikau keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Nailatikau is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kutsoo wants to get back to full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Epeli Nailatikau showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kutsoo has a takedown stuffed.
Nailatikau cracks Kutsoo with a good jab.
Kutsoo shoots in for a takedown but Nailatikau shows good takedown defense.
Kutsoo tries for a takedown but Nailatikau sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jarni Kutsoo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kutsoo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nailatikau lands a head kick!
Kutsoo tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nailatikau sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kutsoo somewhat.
Nailatikau lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kutsoo's sensitive parts.
Nailatikau feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kutsoos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kutsoo is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kutsoo ducks right into an uppercut from Nailatikau.
Kutsoo shoots in but no luck this time.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nailatikau lands with a kick to the temple. Kutsoo shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Nailatikau lands with a good body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutsoo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nailatikau.
Kutsoo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kutsoo shoots for a double leg takedown but Nailatikau sprawls well. He's pushed Kutsoo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nailatikau cracks Kutsoo with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Nailatikau throws a head kick that half lands.
Nailatikau throws a sloppy head kick and Kutsoo moves out of range easily.
Kutsoo takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kutsoo takes a kick to the side of the head.

Kutsoo is rocked!
Nailatikau fakes a right and follows up with a big left that drops Kutsoo to one knee - oooooh, he's wobbly! Kutsoo looks to clinch but Nailatikau throws him off and pummels him into the canvas! Kutsoo taps out under the strikes! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Epeli Nailatikau!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Epeli Nailatikau waved his t-shirt featuring KAISER's logo in front of the cameras.