PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikola Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jenkka Kahva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Kahva's choice of entrance music: The Prodigy - Firestarter . Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Veljanovski
vs
Kahva

182 cm
30
222 lbs
27 - 19 - 0

173 cm
28
280 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Veljanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jenkka Kahva!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kahva stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kahva wants it to stay on the feet.
And Kahva tries to counter it with a takedown but Veljanovski pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Kahva shoots in for a takedown but Veljanovski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
The fighters circling - Veljanovski throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

Kahva drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kahva must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Veljanovski tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kahva with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Veljanovski keeping moving, preventing Kahva from controlling successfully.
Kahva working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kahva sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kahva lands a couple of digs.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahva throws a big right hand that misses.
Kahva looking to pass the guard.
Kahva throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahva postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kahva trying to control but Veljanovski is working from the bottom.
Veljanovski has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

Kahva decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Kahva 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.
Kahva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kahva is looking to work some ground and pound but Veljanovski has wrist control.
Kahva keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Veljanovski's head.
Kahva trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Veljanovski avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kahva in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Veljanovski has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Kahva should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Veljanovski has tightened it up now! Kahva should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Nikola Veljanovski!
Jenkka Kahva spoke after the fight, saying 'Now I'm hungry'.