PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Test Ninja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jarni Kutsoo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ninja comes into the arena with Super Bon Bon - Soul Coughing blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Kutsoo's choice of entrance music: Enter Sandman. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Ninja
vs
Kutsoo

150 cm
26
130 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

169 cm
29
132 lbs
19 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Brawler
Insanely flexible

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

Kore Fight Nutrition [TG]

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Test Ninja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jarni Kutsoo!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Lombardi, Alyssa Summers and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kutsoo forces Ninja back against the cage and clinches.

Kutsoo gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Ninja looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kutsoo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ninja being controlled here, momentarily.
We've been hearing good reports from Ninja's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Ninja trying to keep a closed guard but Kutsoo is proving a slippery customer.
Kutsoo with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Ninja controlling Kutsoo's posture.
Ninja keeping moving, preventing Kutsoo from controlling successfully.

Jarni Kutsoo has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Kutsoo pushes Ninja up against the cage in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ninja on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ninja has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kutsoo regains guard immediately.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ninja tries to free his leg and advance position but Kutsoo is retaining full guard.
Kutsoo keeping moving, preventing Ninja from controlling successfully.
Ninja controlling from the top position.
Ninja wants to control from the top but Kutsoo keeps moving.
Kutsoo working a defensive guard here.
Ninja controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Test Ninja has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Kutsoo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Kutsoo is keen to just control but Ninja is a slippery customer.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kutsoo lands a nice short elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja tries to get to full guard but Kutsoo has control of the leg.
Ninja might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kutsoo trying to pass the guard but Ninja defending well.
Ninja is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ninja keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kutsoo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kutsoo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kutsoo is pressing down on Ninja's thigh, looking to free his foot. Ninja is holding on for now.
Ninja manages to get to full guard.
Ninja controls Kutsoo momentarily but Kutsoo frees himself.
Kutsoo loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Ninja preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ninja has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kutsoo can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kutsoo preventing the sweep.
Kutsoo scoring with some ground and pound.
Kutsoo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Ninja controls Kutsoo momentarily but Kutsoo frees himself.
Kutsoo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kutsoo wants to control from the top but Ninja keeps moving.
Ninja working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kutsoo.
Kutsoo won't allow Ninja to sweep him here.
Ninja looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Ninja is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kutsoo has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Ninja is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ninja closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kutsoo to the mat! Kutsoo manages to get full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kutsoo tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ninja trying to control but Kutsoo is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ninja is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Kutsoo is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

We're going to have a standup here because Test Ninja wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Ninja throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Kutsoo tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Ninja is in Kutsoo's guard.
Kutsoo keeping full guard, as Ninja tries to pass.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
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 Test Ninja 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.

Kutsoo gets caught flat footed, as Ninja shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kutsoo is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Ninja passes into half guard.
Kutsoo looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Ninja in particular looking to stall.
Kutsoo gets full guard.

Kutsoo looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ninja trying to control the position from guard on top but Kutsoo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kutsoo throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Kutsoo controls Ninja momentarily but Ninja frees himself.
Ninja stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kutsoo swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ninja trying to control but Kutsoo is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ninja advances position into side control!
Ninja trying to control the position but Kutsoo is working away.
Kutsoo tries to strike from the bottom but misses.
Kutsoo is letting Ninja control him for a moment.
Ninja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kutsoo keeps working.
Ninja working away.
Kutsoo pushes Ninja away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ninja gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Ninja controls the position.
You can see the frustration on Kutsoo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Ninja controlling from side mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Kutsoo has taken the fight to the clinch.

Kutsoo gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ninja moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Kutsoo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kutsoo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ninja's head.
Kutsoo trying to control but Ninja is working from the bottom.
Kutsoo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ninja swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ninja tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kutsoo tries to stand but Ninja is controlling from the bottom.
Ninja avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Kutsoo postures up in Ninja's guard and throws a big left but Ninja blocks it.
Ninja bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kutsoo's guard.
Ninja trying to control the position from guard on top but Kutsoo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kutsoo keeping full guard, as Ninja tries to pass.

Kutsoo working for submissions but it's allowed Ninja to get to half guard.
Kutsoo trying to control but Ninja postures up.
Kutsoo is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Ninja is staying active.
Ninja works his way into side control.
Ninja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kutsoo keeps working.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ninja wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Kutsoo, who protects the arm well.
Kutsoo tries to improve position but can't.
Ninja wants to control but Kutsoo is keeping him busy.

Ninja thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Kutsoo wants to control but Ninja postures up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kutsoo might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Ninja haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kutsoo manages to get back to half guard.
Ninja is trying to control the action in half guard but Kutsoo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kutsoo wants to get back to his feet.
Ninja is looking to take a break and control but Kutsoo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
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 Test Ninja will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kutsoo fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Ninja sprawls well initially but Kutsoo persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Ninja works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ninja trying to control the position.
Ninja keeping moving, preventing Kutsoo from controlling successfully.
Ninja pulls Kutsoo in close to his closed guard and prevents Kutsoo from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kutsoo throwing strikes from guard but Ninja blocks nicely.

Ninja looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Ninja is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Kutsoo content to stall in guard here.

Kutsoo avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutsoo wants to control from the top but Ninja keeps moving.
Ninja looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kutsoo is one step ahead there.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jarni Kutsoo hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Kutsoo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Kutsoo ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kutsoo no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Ninja not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Kutsoo 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.
Ninja won't allow Kutsoo to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ninja is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kutsoo controls Ninja momentarily but Ninja frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Ninja shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Kutsoo trying to keep a closed guard but Ninja is proving a slippery customer.
Kutsoo keeping moving, preventing Ninja from controlling successfully.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kutsoo thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Ninja pushing down on Kutsoo's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Ninja works his way into side control.
Kutsoo struggling a bit here.
Kutsoo regains half guard.
Ninja content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutsoo desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Jarni Kutsoo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ninja is trying to control the action in half guard but Kutsoo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kutsoo is looking to control Ninja's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kutsoo avoid being mounted?
Kutsoo wants to get back to his feet.

Kutsoo is defending against the submission attempts here by Ninja.
Kutsoo pushes Ninja off looking to stand but Ninja dives back in and keeps control.
Kutsoo tries to get to full guard but Ninja has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ninja wants to pass to mount but Kutsoo is defending the position.
Ninja prevents Kutsoo from improving his position.
Ninja seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kutsoo does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Ninja misses the shot to the body.

Kutsoo decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Kutsoo throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Ninja manages to get to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kutsoo postures up and lands a big shot to Ninja's brow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Ninja had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kutsoo defends it easily.
Kutsoo scoring with punches to the head and body.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Test Ninja.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ninja, 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 Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:28
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:28
Judge John Roberts scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Test Ninja!
After winning the bout, Test Ninja thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
In defeat, Jarni Kutsoo stepped up to the mic, saying 'my fault my fault i`m week...'.