PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Hecker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kalle Kula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hecker comes to the cage accompanied by The Ultimate Warrior. The crowd seem to be enjoying Kula's choice of entrance music: Bullet - Bite the Bullet. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hecker
vs
Kula

175 cm
33
135 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

158 cm
29
133 lbs
19 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
Basic striking
Powerful

Spartan Nutrition
BlackStar Athletics

Fury Nutrition Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of New York, Jeff Hecker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kalle Kula!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kula dives in and scores a takedown into Hecker's guard.

Kula drops back looking for a leg! Hecker is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Hecker manages to kick Kula off! Kula jumps back into Hecker's guard.
Hecker is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kula stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hecker swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hecker working a defensive guard here.
Kula looking to pass the guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hecker controls Kula momentarily but Kula frees himself.

Kula 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.
Kula is pushing down on Hecker's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hecker is fighting to maintain full guard but Kula has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kula is looking for a kimura here.
Hecker is concentrating on defense, preventing Kula from advancing position.

Kula is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hecker is just riding it out for now. Kula eventually gives up the hold.
Hecker trying to control from the bottom.

Kula is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Kula working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hecker is trying to get back to full guard.
Hecker tries to kick Kula off but Kula keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Hecker is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kula pulls his head out easily.

Kula is working for a kimura but Hecker is defending it quite comfortably.
Hecker tries to roll over but Kula keeps him under control.
Hecker gets full guard.

Kula has gone for a leg lock! Hecker slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kula's guard.

Kula bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hecker's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kula preventing the sweep.
Hecker wants to get back to his feet but Kula is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kula being controlled here momentarily.
Hecker is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hecker will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hecker looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hecker is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

Kula thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kula looking to pass the guard.
Hecker is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Hecker has his foot on Kula's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kula works his way back into a safe position though.

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

Hecker throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hecker looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Hecker is looking to take a break and control but Kula 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.

Kalle Kula dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Hecker feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hecker trying to control the position from guard on top but Kula is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Kula has his foot on Hecker's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hecker works his way back into a safe position though.
Kula keeping moving, preventing Hecker from controlling successfully.
Hecker wants to get up but he can't break Kula's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Kalle Kula has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Kula escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hecker gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hecker trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hecker trying to control but Kula is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kula is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hecker is aware though and is defending well.
Hecker seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Kula working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hecker.
Kula keeping full guard, as Hecker tries to pass.
We've been hearing that Hecker has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Kula utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kula wants to sweep here but Hecker controlling him for the moment.
Hecker trying to control the position from guard on top but Kula is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kula shoots in for a takedown but Hecker shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Hecker connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Kula gets caught napping as Hecker dives in and scores a takedown. Kula manages to retain guard.
Hecker trying to control but Kula is working from the bottom.
Kula working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hecker.
Hecker trying to control the position from guard on top but Kula is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hecker avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hecker wants to pass the guard but Kula is keeping the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kula keeping moving, preventing Hecker from controlling successfully.
Hecker throws a big right hand that misses.
Hecker chips away with some ground and pound.
Hecker won't allow Kula to sweep him here.

Kula is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hecker defends well.
Hecker throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kula works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hecker is in close to Kula's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Hecker wants to control from the top but Kula keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hecker accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hecker postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kula takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hecker closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Hecker scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!

Kula is rocked!
Hecker displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kula.
Hecker wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Kula is still on wobbly legs! Can Hecker finish him?
Kula shoots in for a double leg but Hecker sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kula seems to have recovered his senses.
Jeff Hecker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalle Kula.
Kula is breathing heavily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Hecker looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hecker trying to control the position from guard on top but Kula is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Hecker dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kula shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hecker as he jumps to the side.
Jeff Hecker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kula darts in looking for a takedown but Hecker gets double underhooks and turns Kula into the cage.
Hecker lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Hecker scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Hecker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Kula moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Hecker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hecker is looking to take a break and control but Kula is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kula is looking to improve his position.
Kula takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hecker not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hecker is keen to just control but Kula is a slippery customer.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hecker working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hecker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hecker scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Hecker is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kula can do to turn this around?
Hecker looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Hecker tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kula knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hecker is trying to control. Kula wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Kula is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hecker thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kula's head.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hecker stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hecker wants it to stay on the feet.
Jeff Hecker has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kalle Kula.
A combination from Hecker does no damage.

Hecker decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hecker is looking to take a break and control but Kula is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hecker with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Hecker throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kula is pressing down on Hecker's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hecker trying to control but Kula is working from the bottom.
Hecker throwing strikes from guard but Kula blocks nicely.
Hecker trying to control the position from guard on top but Kula is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

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

Hecker scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Hecker lands a decent elbow from side control.
Hecker misses with the ground and pound.
Hecker tries to advance to mount but Kula denies him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hecker wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kula keeps working.
Hecker scores with a couple of short elbows.
Kula tries to improve position but can't.

Hecker is trying to get an arm triangle but Kula is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hecker is looking to take a break and control but Kula is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jeff Hecker showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hecker has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jeff Hecker!
Jeff Hecker managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, BlackStar Athletics , into his post fight interview.
Kalle Kula spoke after the fight, saying 'Tonight he was stronger then me, but I'll come back, better and stronger then ever! Thanks to all my fans for showing your support!!'.