PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Armo Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johnny Freedom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuusela's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Promentory. Freedom has chosen Johnny Freedom as his entrance music. Armo Kuusela has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Kuusela
vs
Freedom

192 cm
39
195 lbs
37 - 18 - 2

180 cm
28
194 lbs
19 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Perkele!

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 37 - 18 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Armo Kuusela!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johnny Freedom!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Freedom's corner calls for a 1-2. Freedom obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Kuusela. Those never looked like landing.
Kuusela is looking to land body kicks.
Freedom missing with a left hand there. Kuusela was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kuusela tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Freedom manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Freedom throws a leg kick which misses Kuusela's front leg but catches the back leg as Kuusela tries to avoid it.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kuusela crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Freedom - the referee stops the clock and Kuusela gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Freedom. Kuusela manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Freedom tries to land a front kick but Kuusela steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kuusela tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Freedom connects with an inside leg kick.
Freedom is looking to clinch but Kuusela is avoiding it.
Kuusela takes one on the button.
Kuusela doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot 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!
Kuusela moves out of range of the body kick from Freedom.
Freedom walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kuusela scores with a hook to the body. Freedom takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kuusela scores with a decent looking hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freedom lands a slapping body shot.
Kuusela ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Freedom lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A slapping leg kick lands for Freedom.
Kuusela dips to his left and cracks Freedom with an uppercut!

Freedom closes the distance and pushes Kuusela back into the cage.
Freedom scores with a shot to the side of Kuusela's head.
Freedom looking to throw knees to the head but Kuusela is blocking nicely.
Freedom lands a nice shot to the body.
Kuusela on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Kuusela struggles to land a body shot inside as Freedom controls his hands.
Freedom misses with a hook from the clinch.
Kuusela on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Freedom lands with a left to the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuusela presses Freedom against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Freedom pulls guard effortlessly.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Kuusela wants to control from the top but Freedom keeps moving.

Freedom escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kuusela gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuusela controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Freedom bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kuusela's guard.
Freedom wanted to stand there but Kuusela had control of the position.
Kuusela looking to hit a scissor sweep but Freedom is one step ahead there.
Kuusela will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Freedom trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuusela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela trying to keep a closed guard but Freedom is proving a slippery customer.
Freedom missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Freedom wants to control from the top but Kuusela keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Johnny Freedom was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Kuusela tries to land a body kick

and Freedom counters by clinching up.
Kuusela misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kuusela's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Freedom misses with the head strike.
Kuusela lands with a short punch from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Freedom.
Freedom is trying to break the clinch but Kuusela has him pressed against the cage.
Kuusela misses with a punch to the body.
Kuusela looking to throw knees to the head but Freedom is blocking nicely.
Kuusela looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kuusela scores with a shot to the side of Freedom's head.
Freedom stalling the fight.
Kuusela on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Freedom missing with knees to the body.
Kuusela lands a nice shot 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!
Freedom lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nice body punch from Freedom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kuusela lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Freedom backwards.
Kuusela is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Freedom is defending well for now.
Kuusela throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Freedom tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Kuusela avoids it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Johnny Freedom will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Freedom lands a right hook to the body.
Kuusela misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Freedom lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Freedom tried to score with a low kick but Kuusela checks it.
Kuusela has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Freedom finds it's way round the side to connect with Kuusela's head.
Kuusela avoids the head kick by Freedom.
A swing and a miss from Freedom.
Freedom blocks a leg kick.
Freedom uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kuusela.
Kuusela chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Freedom can pounce on him.
Kuusela lands a jab to Freedom's midsection.
Freedom circles away from the clinch attempt.
Freedom pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Freedom throws a right hand that misses
and Kuusela counters with a thumping low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Freedom keeps the fight on the outside.
Johnny Freedom seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freedom throws a shot from downtown. Kuusela moves away and avoids it.
A telegraphed right hand from Freedom misses the target.
Freedom pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kuusela back to the cage. Freedom follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Freedom loads up on a big right hand but Kuusela slips the punch.
Kuusela lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Freedom pivots, looking for a leg kick but Kuusela is out of range and Freedom settles back down.
Freedom tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kuusela manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Freedom dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Freedom misses with a wild combination.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuusela.
Kuusela tries to clinch but Freedom moves out of range.
Freedom keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kuusela lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuusela looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Freedom tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuusela was well out of range. Poor timing from Freedom.
A left lands for Kuusela.
Kuusela misses with the body kick

and Freedom counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Freedom tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuusela smiles and moves away.
Kuusela throws a solid leg kick but Freedom takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kuusela.
Freedom fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kuusela checks it well.
Kuusela is looking to land body kicks.
Freedom blocks a head kick by Kuusela.
Danga de danga de dang - Kuusela scores with a four punch combination!
Kuusela turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Freedom attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freedom throws a head kick but Kuusela moves out of range.
A bone on bone clash there as Freedom blocks the leg kick.
Nice cross by Freedom.
Kuusela cracks Freedom with a right hand to the side of the head.
Kuusela avoids a punch combination nicely.
Freedom circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuusela scores with a body shot.
Freedom throws a shot to the body.
Freedom tries to land a leg kick but Kuusela saw it coming and moves away.
Kuusela scores with a nice strike.
Kuusela wants to slow Freedom down by chopping away at his legs.
Freedom scores with a jab. Kuusela acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuusela cracks Freedom with an open hand slap.
A big left from Freedom misses.
Freedom lands a nice looking body shot.
Freedom staying out of range there.
Freedom thuds his shin into the meat of Kuusela's side.
Freedom throws a sloppy body shot

and Kuusela counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Kuusela.
Kuusela is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Freedom lands with a left to the head.
Kuusela trying to land knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Freedom prevents a body shot from Kuusela.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kuusela misses with a punch to the body.
Freedom lands a right hand.
Kuusela is leaning against Freedom and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Armo Kuusela will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

A thudding body kick lands there by Freedom!
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusela. That's going to slow Freedom down.
A solid body kick from Kuusela.
A looping hook to the body misses from Freedom. Kuusela does a little dance to reset his feet.
Freedom throws a hook but Kuusela avoids it easily.
Freedom is looking to slow Kuusela down with leg kicks.
Kuusela takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Freedom fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kuusela looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
A good leg kick by Freedom.
Freedom will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kuusela throws a front kick that sends Freedom stumbling back into the cage.
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!
Kuusela dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Freedom. That did some damage!
Freedom takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Freedom thuds his shin into the meat of Kuusela's side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusela misses the body punch
and Freedom counters with a nice uppercut.
Kuusela tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Freedom paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kuusela defending well as Freedom loads up on a big left hand.
Freedom takes one to the chin there.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusela. That's going to slow Freedom down.
Freedom comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Armo Kuusela is winning the standup battle so far.
Freedom tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kuusela paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kuusela walks into a straight right hand from Freedom.
Kuusela throws a quick inside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Kuusela misses the target.
Kuusela takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Freedom misses with an uppercut. Kuusela saw that one coming.
Kuusela keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A slow jab from Kuusela misses its intended target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Freedom scores with a crisp jab that stopped Kuusela in his tracks.
Kuusela just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuusela on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Freedom misses with a looping left.
Freedom tries to land a front kick but Kuusela steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kuusela punishes Freedom's body with a nice straight punch.
Freedom moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kuusela throws a front kick that sends Freedom stumbling back into the cage.
Freedom uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuusela.
Freedom has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kuusela.
Freedom lands a nice looking body kick.
Kuusela slips under a jab from Freedom.
Kuusela scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Kuusela will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela doesn't manage to clinch there - Freedom circles away.
Kuusela misses with a kick to the body.
Kuusela smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A telegraphed right hand from Freedom misses the target.
Freedom throws a front kick aimed at Kuusela's knee but Kuusela avoids it well.
Kuusela thows a left - swing and a miss!
Kuusela tries to clinch there but Freedom circles away.
Freedom throws a body punch but Kuusela moves out of range.
Freedom checks the leg kick nicely there.
A slow jab from Freedom misses its intended target.
A good leg kick by Kuusela.
Freedom misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuusela.
Freedom throws a lazy right hand but Kuusela sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Freedom.
Kuusela shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kuusela takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Freedom throws a combination that misses
and Kuusela counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuusela blocks a head kick by Freedom.
Freedom on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Freedom scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Freedom misses with a low kick.
Freedom takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kuusela scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kuusela scores with a leg kick.
Kuusela scores with a jab. Freedom acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nice jab there from Kuusela.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armo Kuusela clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kuusela lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Freedom tries to clinch up but Kuusela circles away and keeps his distance.
Freedom walks into a jab.
Kuusela is looking to clinch.
A solid body kick from Kuusela.
Freedom swings for the body but Kuusela moves out of range.
Freedom wants to slow Kuusela down by chopping away at his legs.
Kuusela tests Freedom's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Kuusela loads up on a big right hand but Freedom slips the punch.
Freedom lands with an uppercut that bounces Kuusela off the cage and back into range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A head kick misses from Freedom.
Freedom misses with a body kick.
Kuusela looks to land a left hand but Freedom moved out of range nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kuusela - that will leave a mark!
Freedom is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A good leg kick by Kuusela.
Kuusela cracks Freedom with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A bone on bone clash there as Freedom blocks the leg kick.
Kuusela lands a big head kick that sends Freedom to the canvas! Kuusela follows up with strikes from the mount that forces the ref to step in and stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:28 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Armo Kuusela!
Armo Kuusela retains his middleweight title!
Armo Kuusela gave a mention to CEC Nutrition Q160 in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).