PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Kneeigeninen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jukka Emil Vanaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jukka Emil Vanaja has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kneeigeninen
vs
Emil Vanaja

195 cm
25
273 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

196 cm
31
300 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Very strong

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Seppo Kneeigeninen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Jukka Emil Vanaja!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paulsen Ambrosius and Paul Aken.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vanaja loads up on a big right hand but Kneeigeninen slips the punch.
A head kick misses from Kneeigeninen.
Kneeigeninen tries a head kick but it misses.
Kneeigeninen scores with a head kick.
Vanaja avoids the head kick by Kneeigeninen.
Kneeigeninen scores with a head kick.

It looks like Jukka Emil Vanaja has been cut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vanaja lands with a shot to the body.
Kneeigeninen misses with a body kick.

Vanaja feints and as Kneeigeninen raises his hands in defense, Vanaja changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Vanaja trying to control but Kneeigeninen is working from the bottom.
Kneeigeninen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vanaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Kneeigeninen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vanaja trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanaja throws a big right hand that misses.
Kneeigeninen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kneeigeninen keeping moving, preventing Vanaja from controlling successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kneeigeninen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Vanaja throwing strikes from guard but Kneeigeninen blocks nicely.
Kneeigeninen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vanaja.
Vanaja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vanaja throws a big right hand that misses.
Vanaja wants to pass the guard but Kneeigeninen is keeping the position.
Vanaja throwing strikes from guard but Kneeigeninen blocks nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeigeninen keeping full guard, as Vanaja tries to pass.
Vanaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Kneeigeninen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Vanaja throws an elbow that misses. Kneeigeninen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Vanaja's guard. Nice move by Kneeigeninen!
Vanaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Vanaja, not yet.
Vanaja not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kneeigeninen tries to free his leg and advance position but Vanaja is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Vanaja looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Vanaja working for a triangle but Kneeigeninen defends it easily.

Vanaja isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Kneeigeninen stacks Vanaja on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Kneeigeninen!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanaja is trying to get back to half guard.
Vanaja wants to control but Kneeigeninen postures up.
Vanaja gets back to half guard.

Vanaja actively working from the bottom here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Vanaja looking for subs from the bottom but Kneeigeninen mounts him!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kneeigeninen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Vanaja on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kneeigeninen. Kneeigeninen obviously looking to wear him down.

Vanaja shoots in and bounces Kneeigeninen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Vanaja trying to control but Kneeigeninen is working from the bottom.
Vanaja pushing down on Kneeigeninen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Kneeigeninen pushes Vanaja off looking to stand but Vanaja dives back in and keeps control.

Vanaja is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kneeigeninen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Vanaja is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vanaja throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kneeigeninen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Jukka Emil Vanaja has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kneeigeninen tries to get to full guard but Vanaja has control of the leg.
Kneeigeninen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Vanaja is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kneeigeninen is trying to control but Vanaja manages to pass to mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeigeninen tries to hold on but Vanaja pushes him away.

Vanaja goes for an armbar but Kneeigeninen turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Kneeigeninen.
Vanaja tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Kneeigeninen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Vanaja is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Kneeigeninen is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeigeninen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Vanaja throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Vanaja had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kneeigeninen defends it easily.
Kneeigeninen won't allow Vanaja to sweep him here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Vanaja looking for a guillotine here but Kneeigeninen defends easily.

Vanaja has his foot on Kneeigeninen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kneeigeninen works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kneeigeninen preventing the sweep.

Kneeigeninen decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Vanaja, up you get!
A bone on bone clash there as Vanaja blocks the leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jukka Emil Vanaja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jukka Emil Vanaja's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kneeigeninen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Kneeigeninen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vanaja.

Kneeigeninen lands a big head kick that sends Vanaja tumbling to the mat! Kneeigeninen takes a step backwards and waves Vanaja back to his feet - he wants the finish!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kneeigeninen scores with a leg kick.
Vanaja checks a leg kick nicely.
Vanaja blocks a head kick by Kneeigeninen.
Kneeigeninen connects with a solid leg kick.
Kneeigeninen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A jab from Kneeigeninen finds it's way through Vanaja's defenses.

Vanaja darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Vanaja is looking for a kimura here.
Vanaja takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeigeninen is trying to maintain the position but Vanaja is very close to passing his half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kneeigeninen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kneeigeninen seems keen to control Vanaja's posture.
Vanaja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vanaja passes easily into side control. Nice work.
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.
Vanaja is chipping away with strikes.

Vanaja tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Vanaja has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
You can see the frustration on Kneeigeninen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kneeigeninen is trying to buck Vanaja off.

Vanaja looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vanaja wants to take a breather but Kneeigeninen manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Vanaja.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanaja missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Vanaja stopping the sweep attempt from Kneeigeninen.
Kneeigeninen keeping moving, preventing Vanaja from controlling successfully.
Kneeigeninen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanaja trying to control but Kneeigeninen is working from the bottom.
Vanaja loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Vanaja throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kneeigeninen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Vanaja controls the pace.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Vanaja looking to pass the guard.
Seppo Kneeigeninen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vanaja postures up in Kneeigeninen's guard and throws a big left but Kneeigeninen blocks it.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Vanaja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kneeigeninen is keeping the position for now.
Jukka Emil Vanaja is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Vanaja working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kneeigeninen's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Kneeigeninen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Vanaja has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jukka Emil Vanaja!
Jukka Emil Vanaja tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.