PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kasperi Kahkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Edward Stark (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Stark has chosen Bungy's gunna tap!! as his entrance music. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Kahkonen
vs
Stark

186 cm
19
196 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

179 cm
26
197 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Voodoo Nutrition
Mohito Fightwear

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kasperi Kahkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Edward Stark!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Donatello Bradman and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stark looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
As Stark looks to move away, Kahkonen throws a big counter combo bu Stark just gets out of the way.
Stark chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kahkonen can pounce on him.
Kahkonen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Stark.
Kahkonen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Stark.
Kahkonen throws a shot from downtown. Stark moves away and avoids it.
Stark tries to counter by closing the distance.
Kahkonen throws a chopping leg kick but Stark manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Stark fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kahkonen manages to avoid it.
Kahkonen tried to counter with a leg kick but Stark avoided it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kahkonen connects with a good right hand that stumbles Stark. Stark circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Stark tries to clinch but Kahkonen moves out of range.
Kahkonen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kahkonen scores with a push kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stark shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Stark showed some decent athleticism there.
Stark looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kahkonen's coaches at The Million Dollar Performance Center have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.
Stark with the ground and pound but Kahkonen uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Stark working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Stark throwing strikes but missing.
Stark is looking to work some ground and pound but Kahkonen has wrist control.
Stark wants to control from the top but Kahkonen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stark postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stark trying to control the position from guard on top but Kahkonen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stark passes into half guard.
Kahkonen is trying to stand up here but Stark is controlling him well.
Stark seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Stark thows a huge punch but Kahkonen dodges it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stark is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Kahkonen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Stark is keen to just control but Kahkonen is a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Stark shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Kahkonen as he avoids it easily.
A head kick by Kahkonen misses

and Stark counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Kahkonen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Stark throws a strike but Kahkonen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kahkonen trying to control but Stark is working from the bottom.
Stark throwing short punches from the bottom.
Stark has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Stark working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kahkonen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kahkonen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Stark has his foot on Kahkonen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kahkonen works his way back into a safe position though.
Kahkonen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

Kahkonen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Stark trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Edward Stark will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kahkonen throws a nice head kick!

Stark clinches with his opponent.
A head punch on the inside from Kahkonen fails to land.
Stark with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kahkonen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stark misses with a short punch on the inside.
Kahkonen scores with a shoulder strike.
Stark struggles to land a body shot inside as Kahkonen controls his hands.
Kahkonen presses Stark against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kahkonen lands with a short shot to the head.
Kahkonen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A shot in the inside from Kahkonen.
Kahkonen is struggling to control the position.
Stark manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Stark tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kahkonen manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kahkonen throws a punch but it's blocked by Stark.
Stark's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Stark stalling in the clinch but Kahkonen improves position.
Stark lands a right hand.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Kahkonen takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Kahkonen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Stark misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kahkonen lands a shoulder strike.
Kahkonen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Stark.
Kahkonen scores with a shoulder strike.
Stark blocks a body shot from Kahkonen.
Stark tries to work over Kahkonen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Stark struggles to land a body shot inside as Kahkonen controls his hands.
Good body shot from Kahkonen.
Stark is breathing heavily.
Kahkonen is looking to control Stark's arms but Stark gets an underhook and turns him. Now Kahkonen has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kahkonen pushes Stark back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Stark misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kahkonen blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Kahkonen breaks the clinch.
Stark needs to keep his hands up - Kahkonen had a free shot at his head there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A cross from Kahkonen lands.
Kahkonen looks to land a combination. Stark sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Kahkonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kasperi Kahkonen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Stark looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kahkonen is fending him off so far but Stark persists. Nope, Kahkonen circles away and we're back to standing.
Kahkonen scores with a hook.

Kahkonen clinches up against the cage.
Stark avoids a wild elbow strike from Kahkonen.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Kahkonen as Stark tries to tie him up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kahkonen lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Stark has Kahkonen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kahkonen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nice body punch from Kahkonen.
Kahkonen is working Stark over against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Kahkonen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Stark throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kahkonen blocks it with crossed arms.
Kahkonen gets through Stark's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stark misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Kahkonen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Stark can do to turn this around?

Kahkonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A cross from Kahkonen lands.

Kahkonen pushes Stark up against the cage in a clinch.
Kahkonen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Stark backwards.

Kahkonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kahkonen throws a sloppy head kick and Stark moves out of range easily.
Kahkonen is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kahkonen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kahkonen cracks Stark with a big right hand that sees him stumbling back against the cage! Stark falls to his knees and Kahkonen doesn't need a second invitatation - he rushes in and fires off several unanswered shots that force the referee to stop the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:09 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kasperi Kahkonen!
Kasperi Kahkonen seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.