PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Lasi Kukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dennis Oppelaar (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kukko
vs
Oppelaar

185 cm
38
194 lbs
32 - 18 - 2

188 cm
31
192 lbs
18 - 13 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

HGH Nutrients Q160-Q158

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 32 - 18 - 2, fighting out of London, Lasi Kukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dennis Oppelaar!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Oppelaar blocks a low kick nicely.
Lasi Kukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oppelaar steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kukko.
Kukko throws a head kick but Oppelaar moves out of range.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kukko.
Kukko scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Oppelaar connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Kukko momentarily.

It looks like Lasi Kukko has been cut.
Oppelaar has a takedown stuffed.
Kukko cracks Oppelaar with a good jab.
Kukko fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Kukko throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A punch combination from Kukko misses.
Kukko feints a jab promting Oppelaar to slip. Kukko then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Oppelaar slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
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!
Oppelaar uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kukko.
We've been informed that Oppelaar has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Oppelaar looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Oppelaar fails with a takedown attempt.
Kukko pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Oppelaar back to the cage. Kukko follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Kukko finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Kukko connects with a looping right hand.
A combination from Oppelaar does no damage.
Kukko scores with a head kick.
Nice shot lands for Kukko.

Kukko scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Oppelaar throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Oppelaar wants to sweep but Kukko has passed to side control!
Oppelaar prevents Kukko from moving into mount.
Kukko trying to control the action but Oppelaar is working from the bottom.
Oppelaar struggling a bit here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oppelaar takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oppelaar tries to improve position but can't.
Kukko working the ground and pound from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Oppelaar defending against the ground and pound.
Oppelaar wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.
You can see the frustration on Oppelaar's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Oppelaar is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Kukko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Oppelaar keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Kukko landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kukko wants to lay and pray for a moment but Oppelaar keeps working.
Oppelaar tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Kukko avoids the strikes from the bottom by Oppelaar.
Kukko misses with the ground and pound.
Kukko lands a decent elbow from side control.
Oppelaar manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Oppelaar has hold of Kukko's hands but Kukko slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Oppelaar punching from the bottom.
Oppelaar landing strikes from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Oppelaar missing with punches from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukko blocks the strikes from Oppelaar.
Oppelaar regains full guard. Nicely done.
Oppelaar throws a nice elbow from the bottom.

Oppelaar escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kukko gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Oppelaar trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Oppelaar keeping moving, preventing Kukko from controlling successfully.
Kukko postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Kukko lands a couple of elbows.
Kukko is in a tricky position. We've heard reports from his gym mates at ~T~ Troid - Gym that he's been drilling escapes, so let's see if he can get back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Oppelaar is striking off his back. Kukko thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Kukko trying to control the pace.
Oppelaar is not content to let Kukko control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lasi Kukko dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Lasi Kukko's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kukko scores with a nice body kick.
Kukko lands a glancing blow to the side of Oppelaar's head.

Oppelaar scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Oppelaar goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Kukko has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Oppelaar but great work by Kukko.
Kukko takes a little break here. Oppelaar wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Kukko working away.
Oppelaar misses with a strike from the bottom.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oppelaar sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oppelaar is refusing to be controlled, as Kukko sits in half guard.
Oppelaar gets back to full guard.

Kukko thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Kukko is pushing down on Oppelaar's leg trying to pass to half guard. Oppelaar is fighting to maintain full guard but Kukko has managed to sneak the leg through.
Oppelaar makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Oppelaar.
Kukko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oppelaar swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Oppelaar is trying to keep Kukko in close.
Oppelaar tries to strike from the bottom.
Oppelaar is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Oppelaar keeping moving, preventing Kukko from controlling successfully.
Oppelaar throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Kukko 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.

Oppelaar working for a triangle but Kukko defends it easily.
Kukko stopping the sweep attempt from Oppelaar.
Kukko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Oppelaar lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kukko!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Oppelaar trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko manages to control the position for a moment.
Kukko is trying to escape the mount.
Kukko regains half guard.
Oppelaar lands with a punch from half guard.
Kukko keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kukko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Oppelaar.
Kukko is not content to let Oppelaar control the position.
Oppelaar sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kukko defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukko is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Oppelaar scores with a couple of nice shots.
Oppelaar misses with a head shot. Kukko uses the momentum to regain 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!
Kukko managing to control the position.
Kukko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Oppelaar trying to control the position from guard on top but Kukko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Oppelaar landing with the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kukko is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Oppelaar missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dennis Oppelaar showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lasi Kukko's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Sloppy strikes from Kukko. Those never looked like landing.
Oppelaar shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kukko sprawls well. Kukko wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Oppelaar gets slowly back to his feet.
Oppelaar changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kukko tries to avoid it but Oppelaar manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kukko to the ground. Kukko escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Kukko shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kukko showed some decent athleticism there.
Oppelaar is not content to let Kukko control the position.
Nice strikes from Kukko there.
Kukko trying to control from half guard but Oppelaar is working away.
Kukko slips a nice elbow through Oppelaar's hands, connecting with Oppelaar's forehead.
Oppelaar slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Kukko is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko trying to control but Oppelaar is working from the bottom.
Oppelaar 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.
Kukko trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Lasi Kukko.
Kukko throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Oppelaar on the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Oppelaar.
Kukko looks for a takedown but Oppelaar sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukko looks to land a left hand but Oppelaar moved out of range nicely.
Oppelaar shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kukko defends it nicely.
Lasi Kukko has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dennis Oppelaar.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kukko.
Kukko throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Oppelaar dives in and grabs Kukko's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kukko pushes down on Oppelaar's head and hops out.
A head kick misses from Kukko.
Kukko throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Oppelaar.
Kukko lands a jab.
Kukko rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Oppelaar counters with a nice kick to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oppelaar blocks a head kick by Kukko.
That kick from Kukko tenderised Oppelaar's leg. Oppelaar is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lasi Kukko is winning the standup battle so far.
Kukko swinging wildly here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Oppelaar as Kukko shoots in.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kukko bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Oppelaar fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kukko avoids it really well and circles away.
Oppelaar takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Kukko shoots in and bounces Oppelaar off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Kukko wants to control from the top but Oppelaar keeps moving.
Oppelaar not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Oppelaar doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Kukko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Oppelaar is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kukko is aware though and is defending well.

Oppelaar had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kukko defends it easily.
Kukko wants to control from the top but Oppelaar keeps moving.
Oppelaar 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.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Oppelaar is striking off his back. Kukko thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Oppelaar moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kukko accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lasi Kukko showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kukko 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 29:28
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lasi Kukko!