PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rambo Kalervo Kukkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Sunderland (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sunderland has chosen Placebo - Running up that hill as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Kalervo Kukkonen
vs
Sunderland

175 cm
23
191 lbs
11 - 3 - 1

186 cm
23
193 lbs
10 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!

DJs Locker

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Rambo Kalervo Kukkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, James Sunderland!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukkonen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Sunderland looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Sunderland with a nice cross.
Sunderland throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Kukkonen throws a front kick that sends Sunderland stumbling back into the cage.
Kukkonen just misses with a punch to the body.
Kukkonen tries to land a front kick but Sunderland steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Sunderland throws a wild body kick that Kukkonen sees coming a mile off.
Kukkonen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Sunderland manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Sunderland displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kukkonen.
A solid leg kick lands there for Sunderland.

Kukkonen decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kukkonen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
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!
Sunderland is trying to maintain the position but Kukkonen is very close to passing his half guard.
Sunderland is not content to let Kukkonen control the position.
Sunderland is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Kukkonen.
Kukkonen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sunderland's head.
Kukkonen lands with a punch from half guard.
Kukkonen controlling the action here.
Kukkonen 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.
Kukkonen is looking to advance position but Sunderland won't allow it.
Kukkonen throwing shots but Sunderland is blocking nicely.
Kukkonen is trying to control the action in half guard but Sunderland is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Sunderland won't allow Kukkonen to pass to mount.
Sunderland wants to get back to full guard.
Kukkonen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kukkonen connects with a nice short shot to Sunderland's temple.
Kukkonen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen prevents Sunderland from improving his position.
Kukkonen trying to control from Sunderland's half guard. Sunderland has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kukkonen forces his way into half guard.
Sunderland is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kukkonen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kukkonen's back!
Kukkonen tries to roll but Sunderland sticks to his back.
Kukkonen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Sunderland is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Kukkonen defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Kukkonen trying to control the action but Sunderland just sinks the hooks in.
Sunderland struggling to land strikes to the head as Kukkonen covers up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sunderland is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Sunderland tries to get the hooks in deep but Kukkonen pushed the leg off.
Kukkonen manages to reverse the position and now he's in Sunderland's guard. Nice work there by Kukkonen.
Kukkonen connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kukkonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kukkonen preventing the sweep.
Kukkonen looking to pass the guard.
Sunderland tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kukkonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sunderland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kukkonen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kukkonen trying to control but Sunderland is working from the bottom.
Kukkonen scoring with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen scoring with some ground and pound.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sunderland wants to get back to his feet but Kukkonen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kukkonen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Kukkonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sunderland is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kukkonen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kukkonen works over Sunderland with some ground and pound from guard.
Kukkonen tries to free his leg and advance position but Sunderland is retaining full guard.
Kukkonen trying to control but Sunderland is working from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sunderland is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Kukkonen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Sunderland throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Sunderland tried to score with a low kick but Kukkonen checks it.
Sunderland checks the leg kick.
Sunderland keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kukkonen misses with a body kick.
Kukkonen throws a jab when Sunderland was well out of range.
Kukkonen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Sunderland throws out the jab.
Kukkonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kukkonen tries to clinch but Sunderland is having none of it.
Kukkonen moves out of range as Sunderland throws a body kick.
Sunderland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kukkonen.
Sunderland throws a leg kick which misses Kukkonen's front leg but catches the back leg as Kukkonen tries to avoid it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Kukkonen checks a leg kick.
Sunderland slips under a jab from Kukkonen.
Sunderland lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sunderland moves out of range as Kukkonen throws a body kick.
Kukkonen scores with a hook.
Sunderland buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Sunderland.
Sunderland misses with a leg kick.
Kukkonen loads up on a big right hand but Sunderland slips the punch.
Sunderland moves away from the strike by Kukkonen.
Kukkonen throws a body punch but Sunderland moves out of range.
Sunderland lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Kukkonen stuns Sunderland with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Sunderland uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kukkonen has time to react.
Kukkonen throws a hook but Sunderland avoids it easily.
Kukkonen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Sunderland counters with a left and a right that stings Kukkonen.
Sunderland throws a body punch but Kukkonen moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sunderland scores with a sloppy right hand. Kukkonen should have avoided that one.
A slow jab from Kukkonen misses its intended target.
Sunderland throws a leg kick but Kukkonen checks it.
Sunderland changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Kukkonen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Sunderland.
Kukkonen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Sunderland counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Some bone on bone action there as Kukkonen checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kukkonen swings for the body but Sunderland moves out of range.
James Sunderland seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kukkonen misses with an attempted mid kick.

Kukkonen clinches.
Sunderland looking to slow down the pace here.
Sunderland prevents a takedown attempt there.
A short right from Kukkonen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sunderland looking to stall.

Kukkonen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Rambo Kalervo Kukkonen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kukkonen is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Kukkonen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Sunderland passes into side control.
Kukkonen is not content to let Sunderland control the position.
Sunderland is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Kukkonen is looking to regain half guard here but Sunderland keeps moving and retains side control.
Sunderland in side control, just content to control the action for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sunderland wants to control but Kukkonen is keeping him busy.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by James Sunderland.
Sunderland pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kukkonen is out of range and Sunderland settles back down.
Sunderland waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kukkonen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kukkonen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kukkonen throws a shot from downtown. Sunderland moves away and avoids it.
Sunderland takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Sunderland throws out a leg kick but Kukkonen moves out of range and Sunderland only half commits.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Sunderland showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kukkonen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sunderland connects with a leg kick. Kukkonen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kukkonen scores with a punch to the head.
Sunderland uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kukkonen.
Kukkonen misses with a looping right.
Sunderland keeps the fight on the outside.
Sunderland attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Sunderland lands a nice shot to the body.
Sunderland jabs Kukkonen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kukkonen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Sunderland misses with a wild body shot.
Sunderland throws a front kick that sends Kukkonen stumbling back into the cage.
A low kick from Sunderland misses

and Kukkonen counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sunderland is trying to control Kukkonen's posture but Kukkonen avoids it.
Sunderland is not content to let Kukkonen control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sunderland takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Kukkonen in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kukkonen throwing strikes but Sunderland manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Sunderland trying to control the position but Kukkonen is working away.
Kukkonen is trying to control Sunderland's posture but Sunderland avoids it.
Kukkonen tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Sunderland presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Sunderland unloads with some shots from mount but Kukkonen bucks and avoids them well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sunderland throws some wild stikes that Kukkonen manages to avoid easily.
Sunderland controlling the position easily from mount.
Kukkonen sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Sunderland throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Kukkonen is defending against the submission attempts here by Sunderland.
Kukkonen trying to hold on to Sunderland's head to control him but Sunderland postures up.
Kukkonen is looking for a sweep. Sunderland is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukkonen is trying to maintain the position but Sunderland is very close to passing his half guard.
Kukkonen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sunderland trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukkonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Sunderland got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kukkonen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Sunderland has managed to get both his arms back between Kukkonen's legs - danger averted.
Kukkonen trying to control the position here.
Sunderland sitting in guard here, content to control.

Kukkonen working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sunderland has passed into half guard!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sunderland content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kukkonen is trying is best to control the position here.
Kukkonen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sunderland throws a head kick that misses.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kukkonen shoots in for a takedown but Sunderland shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kukkonen checks a low kick from Sunderland.
Sunderland shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kukkonen closes the distance and clinches up with Sunderland, looking for a takedown. Kukkonen pushes Sunderland against the cage but Sunderland circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rambo Kalervo Kukkonen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kukkonen 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rambo Kalervo Kukkonen!
Rambo Kalervo Kukkonen seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.