PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kauno Kaalikorva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eliézer Machado (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaalikorva's entrance music is Usher ft Pitbull - DJ Got Us Fallin' in Love Again. A fine choice. Machado is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kim Carnes - Bette Davis Eyes. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kaalikorva
vs
Machado

180 cm
34
186 lbs
31 - 17 - 0

184 cm
28
177 lbs
15 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Master Lee's One Stop
FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kauno Kaalikorva!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eliézer Machado!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
We've got one fighter who appears to only be looking to counter and the other not looking particularly aggressive either, so we could be in for a dull fight.

Kaalikorva closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Machado quickly recovers to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Machado trying to control but Kaalikorva postures up.
Kaalikorva thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Machado's head.
Kaalikorva thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kaalikorva missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Machado keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kaalikorva is keen to just control but Machado is a slippery customer.
Kaalikorva controlling the action here.
Machado is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva throwing shots but Machado is blocking nicely.
Kaalikorva trying to mount his opponent but Machado defends it.
Machado is looking to improve his position.
Kaalikorva thows a huge punch but Machado dodges it nicely.
Kaalikorva lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Machado regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kaalikorva.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva throwing strikes but missing.
Kaalikorva throws a big right hand that misses.
Kaalikorva content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kaalikorva throwing strikes from guard but Machado blocks nicely.
Kaalikorva trying to control the position from guard on top but Machado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Machado is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Machado utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kaalikorva throws a big right hand that misses.
Kaalikorva with a flurry of punches that miss.
Machado utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kaalikorva trying to control but Machado is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Machado keeping full guard, as Kaalikorva tries to pass.
Kaalikorva content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kaalikorva forces his way into half guard.
Machado regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Kaalikorva.
Machado lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kaalikorva!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Machado looking to control but Kaalikorva is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Machado slips under a jab.
Kaalikorva feints and then cracks Machado's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Machado down.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Machado enables Kaalikorva to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Machado manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Kauno Kaalikorva overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Machado looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kaalikorva is one step ahead there.
Kaalikorva loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Machado is controlling Kaalikorva's posture.
Kaalikorva postures up in Machado's guard and throws a big left but Machado blocks it.
Kaalikorva postures up and lands a big shot to Machado's brow.
Kaalikorva throwing strikes but missing.
Kaalikorva in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Machado keeping moving, preventing Kaalikorva from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva is looking to work some ground and pound but Machado has wrist control.
Kaalikorva trying to control the position from guard on top but Machado is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kaalikorva throws a strike but Machado rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Machado wants to get up but he can't break Kaalikorva's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kauno Kaalikorva just wasn't active enough.
Kaalikorva throws the left hand but Machado avoids the punch easily.
Machado takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kaalikorva has a takedown stuffed.
Machado avoids a kick to the body.
Kaalikorva misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Machado.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva misses with a low kick.
Kaalikorva fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Machado manages to avoid it.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Machado takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kaalikorva waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Machado.
Kaalikorva's corner calls for a 1-2. Kaalikorva obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Eliézer Machado is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kaalikorva tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Machado is able to avoid easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kaalikorva misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kaalikorva fails with a takedown attempt.
Kaalikorva's corner calls for a 1-2. Kaalikorva obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaalikorva misses with a low kick.
Eliézer Machado is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva misses with an attempted mid kick.
A jab from Kaalikorva misses.
Machado stuffs the takedown.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kaalikorva. That's going to slow Machado down.
Kaalikorva smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A left lands for Kaalikorva.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Kaalikorva finds it's way through Machado's defenses.
Kaalikorva fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Machado is out of range.
Kaalikorva punishes Machado's body with a nice straight punch.
Kaalikorva fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Machado.
Machado avoids the head kick by Kaalikorva.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva tries a low kick but Machado avoids it.
Kaalikorva looks to land a right hand but Machado moved out of range.

Kaalikorva closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Kaalikorva lands in his opponent's guard.
Machado preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Machado lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kaalikorva!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Machado tries to control but Kaalikorva wriggling away.
Machado controlling from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva clearly takes that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

That kick from Kaalikorva tenderised Machado's leg. Machado is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice uppercut lands for Kaalikorva. That snapped Machado's head back.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaalikorva misses with a hook to the body
and Machado counters with a one-two to the body.
Kaalikorva dives in and grabs Machado's left leg, looking for a takedown. Machado pushes down on Kaalikorva's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva looks to score with a jab to the body but Machado is just out of range.
Machado tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kaalikorva motions for Machado to come forward. Kaalikorva throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kaalikorva lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kaalikorva fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Machado's waist but Machado gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kaalikorva off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kauno Kaalikorva. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaalikorva tries to work over Machado's front leg with a kick but Machado checks it.
Kaalikorva lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Machado closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Kaalikorva connects with a leg kick. Machado looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Machado uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva looks to land a left hand but Machado moved out of range nicely.
Kaalikorva misses with a looping left.
Kaalikorva throws a hook but Machado blocks it.
Kaalikorva shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Machado as he jumps to the side.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kaalikorva throws a nice head kick!
Kaalikorva throws a right hand that Machado ducks under and follows up with a left that Machado also avoids with ease.
Kaalikorva throws a leg kick which misses Machado's front leg but catches the back leg as Machado tries to avoid it.

Kaalikorva closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Kaalikorva not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauno Kaalikorva had his way with Eliézer Machado in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Kaalikorva throws a lazy head kick
and Kaalikorva takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Machado ducks right into an uppercut from Kaalikorva.
Kaalikorva looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Kaalikorva shoots in for a takedown but Machado shows good takedown defense.
Horrible takedown by Kaalikorva or perhaps it was just good defense by Machado which made him look bad.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kauno Kaalikorva. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalikorva throws a leg kick that misses.
Kaalikorva is trying hard to land a takedown here. Machado sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kauno Kaalikorva is winning the standup battle so far.
Kaalikorva scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kaalikorva tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Machado is able to avoid easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Kaalikorva throws a hook but Machado blocks it.
Kaalikorva misses with a low kick.
Kaalikorva scores with a hook.
Kaalikorva throws a head kick but Machado moves out of range.
Horrible takedown by Kaalikorva or perhaps it was just good defense by Machado which made him look bad.
Kaalikorva scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Machado gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Kaalikorva throws a hook but Machado blocks it.
Machado avoids a kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kaalikorva swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Kaalikorva shoots in and bounces Machado off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kaalikorva won't allow Machado to sweep him here.
Eliézer Machado has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kaalikorva trying to control but Machado is working from the bottom.
Kaalikorva wants to pass the guard but Machado is keeping the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kauno Kaalikorva showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kaalikorva has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 50:45
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kauno Kaalikorva!
Kauno Kaalikorva is the new welterweight champion!
Kauno Kaalikorva decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.