PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ari Kantola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Cook (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kantola's entrance music is Teräskehä. A fine choice. Cook has chosen https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0qRYiBuywZU as his entrance music. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Kantola
vs
Cook

185 cm
30
250 lbs
20 - 6 - 1

205 cm
24
260 lbs
9 - 10 - 1

Dangerous GnP
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Good elbows
Knockout power

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 20 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ari Kantola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, John Cook!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kantola lands a head kick. Cook smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Cook throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kantola's waist but Kantola gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cook off to one side.
Kantola throws a sloppy head kick and Cook moves out of range easily.
Good exchange - Kantola coming out on top.
Kantola lands with a kick to the temple. Cook shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Kantola lands a head kick!

It looks like John Cook has been cut.
Cook moves forwards but Kantola connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kantola lands a nice leg kick that just misses Cook's sensitive parts.
Kantola looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Cook closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kantola did well to prevent Cook getting side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cook is keen to just control but Kantola is a slippery customer.

Kantola is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cook pulls his head out easily.
Cook seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kantola does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Cook not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Kantola actively working from the bottom here.

Cook is working for a submission of some sort.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Cook working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

Cook is looking for a kimura but Kantola is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Cook to get the leverage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cook slips a nice elbow through Kantola's hands, connecting with Kantola's forehead.

Kantola actively working from the bottom here.

Kantola actively working from the bottom here.
Cook has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Cook trying to pass the guard but Kantola defending well.
Cook prevents Kantola from improving his position.

Cook is working for a kimura but Kantola is defending it quite comfortably.
Kantola is in trouble now - Cook has advanced to mount!
Cook tries to control but Kantola wriggling away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cook with a couple of short strikes.
Kantola is bucking up trying to escape but Cook cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Kantola can't escape the position.
Cook has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kantola's face.
Kantola is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Kantola takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.

Cook looking to secure an arm triangle but Kantola defends it well.
Kantola sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kantola looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cook throwing shots but Kantola is blocking nicely.

Kantola is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Cook pulls his head out easily.

Cook is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Cook passes to full mount!
Kantola is in all sorts of trouble here.
Cook trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Kantola is looking to get to half guard.
Cook lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kantola hang on?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cook tries to control but Kantola wriggling away.
Kantola bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kantola lands a couple of digs.
Kantola keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Cook's head.

Cook is rocked!
Kantola postures up, still in guard. A huge hammer fist lands that bounces Cook's head off the mat! Cook is out! He's out! Kantola jumps to his feet and celebrates with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:42 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Ari Kantola!
A very excited looking Ari Kantola rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.
The defeated John Cook had this to say: 'Thank your for the great fight.'.