PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kia Turunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steven Joseph (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Turunen comes to the cage accompanied by Requiem for a Dream. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Turunen
vs
Joseph

185 cm
19
185 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

185 cm
23
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kia Turunen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Steven Joseph!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Joseph keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Joseph moves into range and connects with a jab.
Turunen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Joseph as he avoids it easily.
Joseph jabs Turunen to the body, keeping him at a distance.

Turunen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Joseph looking to pass the guard.
Turunen is trying to control the position but Joseph postures up.
Joseph is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Joseph trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Joseph throws an elbow that misses. Turunen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Joseph's guard. Nice move by Turunen!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Turunen wants to control from the top but Joseph keeps moving.

Turunen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Joseph decides to stand up, so the ref orders Turunen to his feet.
Joseph throws a nice looking combination but Turunen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Joseph bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Nice takedown defense from Joseph. No joy for Turunen on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kia Turunen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Joseph shoots in and gets a takedown into Turunen's guard.
Joseph trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Turunen manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Turunen drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Turunen as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Joseph screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Turunen! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Kia Turunen!