PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Juha Kuivanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Almeida (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Kuivanen
vs
Almeida

183 cm
26
195 lbs
5 - 7 - 0

191 cm
27
195 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Kuivanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Almeida!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuivanen fails with the takedown

and Almeida counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Almeida.

Kuivanen is fighting off a takedown attempt but Almeida is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kuivanen to the mat. Kuivanen regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kuivanen keeping full guard, as Almeida tries to pass.
Kuivanen throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Almeida postures up in Kuivanen's guard and throws a big left but Kuivanen blocks it.
Almeida postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Almeida looking to pass the guard.
Almeida preventing the sweep.
Almeida trying to move into half guard but instead Kuivanen has managed to sweep!
Kuivanen trying to control but Almeida is working from the bottom.
Kuivanen preventing the sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kuivanen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Almeida manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kuivanen manages to get himself to full guard.
Kuivanen keeping moving, preventing Almeida from controlling successfully.
Almeida might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kuivanen haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuivanen trying to strike off his back.
Almeida content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Almeida preventing the sweep.

Almeida stands up and waves to Kuivanen to follow him.
Almeida tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kuivanen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kuivanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen wants to get back to striking at distance but Almeida won't allow it.
Kuivanen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Almeida tightens his grip and picks Kuivanen up, before dumping him to the ground. Kuivanen manages to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Almeida forces his way into half guard.
Kuivanen is trying to get back to full guard.

Almeida is looking for a kimura here.
Kuivanen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Almeida is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen is looking to get back to full guard here but Almeida has managed to pass to side control instead.
Almeida lands a decent elbow from side control.
Almeida trying to control the position but Kuivanen is working away.
Kuivanen is letting Almeida control him for a moment.
Kuivanen is not content to let Almeida control the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Kuivanen regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen is not content to let Almeida control the position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Rafael Almeida hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Almeida darts in trying to clinch

and Kuivanen moves into the clinch.

Almeida has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kuivanen is trying to keep an underhook but Almeida manages to get the takedown into half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuivanen is staying active underneath Almeida, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Kuivanen throws a sloppy strike from the bottom. He's now off balance and Almeida manages to pass to side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuivanen struggling a bit here.
Kuivanen is trying to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kuivanen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Almeida looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Almeida trying to control but Kuivanen is working from the bottom.

Almeida drops back looking for a leg! Kuivanen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Kuivanen manages to kick Almeida off! Almeida jumps back into Kuivanen's guard.
Kuivanen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Almeida is one step ahead there.

Almeida decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuivanen shoots in looking for a takedown but Almeida manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kuivanen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
A combination from Kuivanen does no damage.
Almeida tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Kuivanen counters by clinching up.
Kuivanen is trying to push Almeida away but Almeida has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Almeida has hold of one of Kuivanen's legs. Kuivanen is fighting the takedown attempt but Almeida gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Kuivanen throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

Almeida stands up and waves to Kuivanen to follow him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Almeida gets the takedown into side control.
Almeida moves into full mount!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Almeida tries to control but Kuivanen wriggling away.
Almeida prevents Kuivanen from getting the reversal.

Almeida jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Kuivanen manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Almeida throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuivanen tries to improve position but can't.
Kuivanen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kuivanen wants to control but Almeida is keeping busy.
Kuivanen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Almeida seems to be working for a kimura but Kuivanen defends the submission attempt.

Almeida is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kuivanen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Almeida seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kuivanen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almeida seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Almeida is looking for a kimura but Kuivanen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Almeida to get the leverage.
Kuivanen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Almeida is working away from the top position though.
Almeida is trying to control the action in half guard but Kuivanen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kuivanen wants to get back to full guard but Almeida has passed into side control.

Almeida tries for a kimura but Kuivanen is defending well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuivanen struggling a bit here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Almeida showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kuivanen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Almeida keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Almeida closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kuivanen did well to prevent Almeida getting side control.

Almeida is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kuivanen defends it well.
Almeida scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Kuivanen is trying to stand up here but Almeida is controlling him well.

Almeida is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kuivanen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Almeida.
Almeida prevents Kuivanen from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuivanen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Almeida's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Almeida's back!
Kuivanen is not going to allow Almeida to sit and survive in this position.
Almeida covering up well under a series of strikes from Kuivanen.
Almeida has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Kuivanen.
Almeida turns into Kuivanen and is now in his guard.

Almeida thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Almeida wants to control from the top but Kuivanen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Almeida preventing the sweep.
Almeida passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Almeida wants to stand but Kuivanen is controlling his arm.
Almeida takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuivanen tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Kuivanen tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Almeida looking for a guillotine from mount but Kuivanen is having none of it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Almeida is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!
Kuivanen avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Almeida changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Kuivanen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Kuivanen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Almeida is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kuivanen defends it well.
Almeida thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rafael Almeida has got the better of the ground game so far.
Almeida wants to pass to mount but Kuivanen is defending the position.
Kuivanen wants to improve his position but Almeida is controlling well.
Almeida thows a huge punch but Kuivanen dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Almeida seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Almeida is pressing down on Kuivanen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kuivanen is holding on for now.
Kuivanen gets back to full guard.
Kuivanen keeping full guard, as Almeida tries to pass.
Kuivanen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Juha Kuivanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Almeida trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rafael Almeida is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kuivanen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Almeida is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Almeida comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Almeida winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Almeida!