PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kuku Xumusu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Ottway (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Xumusu
vs
Ottway

191 cm
27
215 lbs
9 - 7 - 0

189 cm
24
200 lbs
8 - 11 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 9 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kuku Xumusu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Ottway!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xumusu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Ottway clinches up against the cage.

Ottway has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Xumusu regains guard immediately.
Ottway postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Xumusu controlling Ottway's posture.
Ottway lands a couple of digs.
Xumusu not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Kuku Xumusu just wasn't active enough.
Xumusu throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Ottway tries to clinch but Xumusu moves out of range.
Xumusu fails with a takedown attempt.
Xumusu shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ottway but Ottway pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kuku Xumusu. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ottway shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ottway showed some decent athleticism there.
Xumusu tries to roll over but Ottway keeps him under control.
Ottway working Xumusu over with strikes.
Xumusu on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Xumusu keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Xumusu blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ottway.
Xumusu is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Ottway postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Xumusu to stand up.
Xumusu throws a lazy right hand but Ottway sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
John Ottway seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xumusu misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ottway fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Ottway fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Xumusu sprawls well initially but Ottway persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ottway missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Xumusu slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Xumusu is on top in guard.
Xumusu controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ottway 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.

Ottway has his foot on Xumusu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Xumusu works his way back into a safe position though.
Xumusu wants to control from the top but Ottway keeps moving.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Xumusu slips nicely into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ottway gets full guard.

Ottway looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ottway looks winded!

Ottway looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Xumusu has picked Ottway up and slammed him! Ottway can't keep hold of the triangle and Xumusu manages to pass to side control!
Xumusu passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Ottway!
Xumusu with the ground and pound from mount.
Xumusu cracks Ottway with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Xumusu with the ground and pound from mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Xumusu working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Xumusu takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Xumusu punishing his opponent with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ottway slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

Ottway is defending against the submission attempts here by Xumusu.
Ottway manages to get to full guard.
Xumusu showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ottway wants to improve his position but instead Xumusu has moved into half guard.
Xumusu is nestled in close to Ottway, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Kuku Xumusu will probably get the nod.
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.

Xumusu avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Xumusu shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Xumusu was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
A lull in the action here.

Xumusu has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Xumusu moves in looking to clinch but Ottway pushes him off.

Ottway feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ottway preventing the sweep.
Xumusu manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Xumusu landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ottway bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Ottway postures up.
Xumusu keeping full guard, as Ottway tries to pass.

Xumusu working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ottway doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ottway manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Xumusu looking for a sweep. Not yet Xumusu, not yet.
Ottway is in close to Xumusu's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Xumusu is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xumusu tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Ottway.
Ottway slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Ottway has his foot on Xumusu's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Xumusu works his way back into a safe position though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Xumusu trying to control but Ottway is working from the bottom.
Xumusu won't allow Ottway to sweep him here.
Xumusu content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Xumusu stopping the sweep attempt from Ottway.
Xumusu has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ottway is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ottway working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Xumusu doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Xumusu manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Ottway is breathing heavily.

Ottway working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Xumusu has passed into half guard!
Xumusu performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

Ottway is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Xumusu pulls his head out easily.

Xumusu is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Ottway defends it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xumusu performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Ottway pushes Xumusu off looking to stand but Xumusu dives back in and keeps control.
Ottway won't allow Xumusu to pass to mount.

Xumusu wants to work for an arm triangle but Ottway is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Kuku Xumusu overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Xumusu trying to control the action but Ottway is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xumusu controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuku Xumusu dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ottway shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Xumusu as he avoids it easily.
Xumusu closes the distance and clinches up with Ottway, looking for a takedown. Xumusu pushes Ottway against the cage but Ottway circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Ottway shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Xumusu manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ottway must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ottway throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Xumusu works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ottway pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Xumusu is keeping the position for now.
Xumusu is looking to stand up but Ottway isn't so interested in that idea.
Xumusu working a defensive guard here.
Xumusu controlling the position.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ottway accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ottway throws a strike but Xumusu rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ottway is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Xumusu defends well.
Ottway takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Xumusu stands up from Ottway's guard - Xumusu perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ottway tries to score a power double leg takedown but Xumusu sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ottway somewhat.

Xumusu looking to score a takedown here. Ottway is defending well but Xumusu drives through and ends up in Ottway's guard.
Xumusu's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xumusu wants to control from the top but Ottway keeps moving.

Ottway has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Xumusu is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Ottway.
Xumusu lands a decent elbow from side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ottway tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Xumusu is looking to take a break and control but Ottway is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Ottway throws Xumusu to one side and escapes!
Ottway dives in for a single leg takedown but Xumusu sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kuku Xumusu has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Ottway.

Xumusu drags the fight down to the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xumusu 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.
Xumusu seems keen to control Ottway's posture.
Xumusu bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Ottway's guard.

Xumusu gets to his feet. Ottway looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Xumusu doesn't manage to clinch there - Ottway circles away.
Ottway circles away from the clinch attempt

and Ottway counters by clinching up.

Ottway breaks from the clinch.
Xumusu misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Ottway closes the distance and pushes Xumusu back into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xumusu wants to break the clinch but can't.
Xumusu tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Ottway just stands there and leans against the cage.

Ottway breaks from the clinch.
Ottway is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Xumusu swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Xumusu fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ottway moves in looking to clinch but Xumusu pushes him off.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Ottway clinches with his opponent.
Ottway stalling in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Xumusu can't break the clinch.

Ottway pulls Xumusu into guard.
Xumusu stands and throws Ottway's legs to the side, diving into side control.
John Ottway has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuku Xumusu is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Xumusu decides to stand up, so the ref orders Ottway to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kuku Xumusu showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Xumusu, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kuku Xumusu!