PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kari Keskisarja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and ZaZa Mutombo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Mutombo's choice of entrance music: Wyclef Jean - 911. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Keskisarja
vs
Mutombo

187 cm
27
201 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

185 cm
29
190 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite 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 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Keskisarja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of New York, ZaZa Mutombo!
The judges for this bout are Paul Aken, Aafke Stam and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Keskisarja wants to clinch

and Mutombo counters with a single leg into guard. Keskisarja didn't expect that.
Keskisarja 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.
Mutombo controlling from the top position.
Mutombo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Keskisarja is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mutombo trying to control the position from guard on top but Keskisarja is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Keskisarja knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Mutombo on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutombo throwing strikes from guard but Keskisarja blocks nicely.
Keskisarja avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Mutombo slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Mutombo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Keskisarja was well out of range. Poor timing from Mutombo.
Keskisarja lands with a kick to the ribs.
Mutombo connects with a crisp jab.
Mutombo throws an overhand right that lands on Keskisarja's shoulder, as Keskisarja tries to avoid the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Keskisarja slips under a jab.
Keskisarja misses with a head kick.
Mutombo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Mutombo catches Keskisarja with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Keskisarja will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Mutombo takes a swing at Keskisarja's ribcage but misses.
A good leg kick by Mutombo.
Keskisarja takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Keskisarja catches Mutombo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mutombo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mutombo throws a solid leg kick but Keskisarja takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Mutombo.
It looked like Keskisarja wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Keskisarja checks the leg kick nicely there.
Keskisarja went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Keskisarja tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Mutombo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Keskisarja keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mutombo throws a front kick that sends Keskisarja stumbling back into the cage.
Mutombo looks to land a left hand but Keskisarja moved out of range nicely.
Some bone on bone action there as Keskisarja checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Mutombo tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Mutombo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Keskisarja stuffs the takedown attempt from Mutombo. Mutombo gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo slips a jab from Keskisarja.
Mutombo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Keskisarja keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
An attempted straight right counter from Keskisarja misses the target.
Mutombo moves out of range as Keskisarja throws a body kick.
Mutombo tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Keskisarja lands a right hook to the body.
We've been told by Keskisarja's head coaches at KO Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Keskisarja.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Mutombo slips a jab from Keskisarja.

Keskisarja moves into the clinch.
Keskisarja misses with the head strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

ZaZa Mutombo dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Mutombo cracks a nice hook into Keskisarja's ribs.
Keskisarja displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Keskisarja misses with a leg kick.
Keskisarja fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Mutombo throws a half hearted mid kick.
Keskisarja fires out a quick counter leg kick but Mutombo just manages to avoid it.
A jab from Mutombo misses.
Keskisarja throws a poor cross that misses
and Mutombo counters with a good low kick that Keskisarja was not able to check.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mutombo. Keskisarja does a little dance to reset his feet.
Keskisarja feinted there with a counter leg kick.
No luck for Mutombo with that takedown attempt.
Mutombo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mutombo throws a low kick but it's checked well by Keskisarja.
Mutombo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Keskisarja moves away.
Keskisarja throws a head kick that misses.
Mutombo drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Keskisarja defends it well.
Mutombo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Keskisarja avoids it really well and circles away.
Nice body kick there by Keskisarja.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo is looking to slow Keskisarja down with leg kicks.
Mutombo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Keskisarja is looking for a counter combo.
Kari Keskisarja is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Keskisarja looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Mutombo bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

It looks like Kari Keskisarja has been cut.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Mutombo.
Mutombo moves out of range of the strikes.
Keskisarja takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Mutombo keeps the fight on the outside.
Keskisarja avoids a kick to the body.
Nice straight punches there by Mutombo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Mutombo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Keskisarja checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Keskisarja is looking to counter with head kicks.
Mutombo throws a poor cross that misses
and Keskisarja cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Keskisarja moves into range and connects with a jab.
ZaZa Mutombo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mutombo scores with a kick to the body.
Mutombo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Keskisarja.
Keskisarja looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Keskisarja on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
ZaZa Mutombo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Keskisarja fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mutombo has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Keskisarja uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Mutombo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keskisarja connects with a right hand. Mutombo shakes it off.
Mutombo ducks right into an uppercut from Keskisarja.
Keskisarja throws a head kick but Mutombo moves out of range.
It seemed like Mutombo was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Keskisarja defending well as Mutombo loads up on a big left hand.
It looked like Keskisarja was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A solid leg kick lands there for Mutombo.
Mutombo punishes Keskisarja's body with a nice straight punch.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Keskisarja.
Mutombo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Keskisarja has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Keskisarja takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Keskisarja looks to score with a jab to the body but Mutombo is just out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but ZaZa Mutombo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kari Keskisarja's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Mutombo connects with an inside leg kick.
Keskisarja goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Mutombo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Keskisarja has time to react.
A clash of legs there as Keskisarja blocks the low kick.
A head kick misses from Keskisarja.
And Mutombo tries to counter it with a takedown but Keskisarja pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Mutombo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Keskisarja has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Keskisarja connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Mutombo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Keskisarja walks into a left hand.
Keskisarja looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Keskisarja with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Mutombo to score with a decent uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A chopping leg kick lands by Mutombo.
Keskisarja throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mutombo misses with a looping right.
Keskisarja is looking to counter with a body kick.
Mutombo fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Keskisarja takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Mutombo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Keskisarja momentarily.
Mutombo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Keskisarja jinks towards his opponent looking like he wants to counter with a mid kick but doesn't commit.
A nice leg kick lands there from Keskisarja.
Mutombo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Mutombo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo walks into a stiff left hand from Keskisarja.
Keskisarja throws a solid leg kick but Mutombo takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Keskisarja.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mutombo misses with a body shot.
Keskisarja looks to land a body kick but Mutombo moved away.
Keskisarja is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Keskisarja looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kari Keskisarja has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mutombo lands a jab to the nose.
Mutombo throws a push kick but Keskisarja slaps the foot to one side.
Keskisarja feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Mutombo connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Mutombo.
Keskisarja tries to clinch but Mutombo is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mutombo lands with a nice combination. Keskisarja backs away looking to recover.
Keskisarja tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Mutombo counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Mutombo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mutombo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Mutombo looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Keskisarja preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Keskisarja keeping full guard, as Mutombo tries to pass.
Keskisarja looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mutombo is one step ahead there.
ZaZa Mutombo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Keskisarja being controlled here, momentarily.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Jab from Mutombo.

And that's the end of the fight!
ZaZa Mutombo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mutombo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Paul Aken scores the fight 27:30
Judge Aafke Stam scores the fight 27:30
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... ZaZa Mutombo!
During a confident post fight interview, ZaZa Mutombo thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.