PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mursu Valkoinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Larry OConner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Valkoinen
vs
OConner

195 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Mursu Valkoinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of New York, Larry OConner!
The judges for this bout are Franklyn Lucas, Bruno Lombardi and Columbo Gatti.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Valkoinen swats away the attempt to clinch by OConner.

Valkoinen clinches.
Valkoinen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. OConner is defending well for now.
OConner on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
OConner has Valkoinen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Valkoinen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
OConner working hard to break the clinch.
OConner working hard to break the clinch.
Valkoinen trying to land knees to the body.
OConner blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Valkoinen wants to break free but OConner has control.
OConner unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A body shot lands from OConner.
OConner looking to slow down the pace here.
Valkoinen wants to break free but OConner has control.
OConner jumps guard but Valkoinen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Valkoinen tries to land knees in the clinch but OConner avoids the damage to the body.

Valkoinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
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!
OConner is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
OConner fails with the takedown.
Mursu Valkoinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Larry OConner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConner takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
That kick from Valkoinen tenderised OConner's leg. OConner is trying to keep his angry face on.

Valkoinen clinches with his opponent.
Valkoinen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and OConner avoids it.
Valkoinen tries to land knees in the clinch but OConner avoids the damage to the body.
OConner blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Valkoinen stops a takedown attempt from OConner.
OConner is trying to break the clinch but Valkoinen is controlling him.
OConner blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
OConner avoiding damage as Valkoinen throws knees to the body.
OConner managing to block the knees to the body from Valkoinen.
Valkoinen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from OConner.
Valkoinen is breathing heavily.
OConner lands a left hand.
OConner landing knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
OConner keeps control of Valkoinen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Valkoinen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. OConner is defending well for now.
OConner is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

OConner decides to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Valkoinen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but OConner manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Valkoinen has OConner in his guard.
OConner works over Valkoinen with some ground and pound from guard.
OConner trying to control the position from guard on top but Valkoinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
OConner scoring with punches to the head and body.
OConner wants to stand but Valkoinen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
OConner with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
OConner wants to control from the top but Valkoinen keeps moving.
Valkoinen is looking to sweep but instead, OConner has passed into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConner thows a huge punch but Valkoinen dodges it nicely.
OConner working Valkoinen over with strikes.
OConner prevents Valkoinen from improving his position.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
OConner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Valkoinen keeps working.
Valkoinen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Valkoinen punching from the bottom.
OConner slips a nice elbow through Valkoinen's hands, connecting with Valkoinen's forehead.
OConner is trying to control. Valkoinen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
OConner tries to stand but can't do so whilst Valkoinen controls his leg.
OConner wants to lay and pray for a moment but Valkoinen keeps working.
It looks like OConner is going to stand back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OConner prevents Valkoinen from standing back up.
Valkoinen is refusing to be controlled, as OConner sits in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Larry OConner was stalling too much, according to the referee.
OConner misses with a head kick.
Valkoinen throws a sloppy head kick and OConner moves out of range easily.
OConner looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Valkoinen is fending him off so far but OConner persists. Nope, Valkoinen circles away and we're back to standing.

Valkoinen forces OConner back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
OConner tries to land knees in the clinch but Valkoinen avoids the damage to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Valkoinen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown by OConner or perhaps it was just good defense by Valkoinen which made him look bad.
Valkoinen lands with a kick to the temple. OConner shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Valkoinen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt OConner.
OConner tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mursu Valkoinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valkoinen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from OConner.

Valkoinen instigates a clinch.

Valkoinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Valkoinen clinches with his opponent.
Valkoinen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and OConner avoids it.
OConner misses with an elbow strike.
OConner blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
OConner managing to block the knees to the body from Valkoinen.
Valkoinen has had enough of the clinch but OConner keeps him there for the moment.
Mursu Valkoinen has scored more points in the clinch so far.

OConner lands a takedown into guard.
OConner preventing the sweep.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Valkoinen has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes OConner off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - OConner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
OConner lands a front kick.
OConner has a takedown stuffed.
No luck with that takedown attempt from OConner.
Mursu Valkoinen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Larry OConner.
Valkoinen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Horrible takedown by OConner or perhaps it was just good defense by Valkoinen which made him look bad.
OConner lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valkoinen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A shot to the liver by OConner. Beautiful body shot.
OConner tries to clinch up.
OConner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Valkoinen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
OConner tries to clinch up.
OConner tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Valkoinen moves into the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from OConner.
Valkoinen missing with knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Valkoinen as OConner tries to tie him up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Valkoinen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and OConner avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valkoinen avoids the elbow strike from OConner, against the cage.

Valkoinen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
The fight stays on the outside here - OConner looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
OConner shoots in but Valkoinen avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Valkoinen moves into the clinch.
Valkoinen looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
OConner managing to block the knees to the body from Valkoinen.
Valkoinen missing with knees to the body.
OConner tries to score a body lock takedown but Valkoinen shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Valkoinen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Valkoinen prevents OConner from breaking the clinch.
OConner is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
OConner fails to pull guard.
Knees in the clinch landing for Valkoinen.
OConner blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Valkoinen trying to land knees to the body.
OConner looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

Valkoinen breaks from the clinch.
Valkoinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
OConner misses with a hook.
OConner throws a sloppy head kick and Valkoinen moves out of range easily.

Valkoinen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Valkoinen trying to land knees to the body.
OConner has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Valkoinen after a bit of a struggle.
OConner avoiding damage as Valkoinen throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Mursu Valkoinen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

OConner closes the distance looking to clinch
and Valkoinen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

Valkoinen clinches with his opponent.
OConner tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Valkoinen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from OConner.
OConner with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Valkoinen obliges.

Valkoinen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
OConner closes the distance looking to clinch

and Valkoinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Valkoinen stands up over OConner, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Valkoinen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valkoinen drops back, looking for a kneebar! OConner looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. OConner looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from OConner!
Valkoinen is trying to improve his position.
OConner tries to stand but Valkoinen is controlling his head.

OConner is working to tighten is grip on Valkoinen's neck. He's isolated an arm and is working for an arm triangle. Valkoinen has recognised the danger and is trying to turn with the submission but OConner is really squeezing tight and eventually Valkoinen passes out! OConner breaks the hold and jumps onto the cage to celebrate! Submission of the night, I'd say!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:48 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Arm Triangle). Larry OConner!