PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Craig David (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hessu Suihkija (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). David comes to the cage accompanied by The Who - Baba O'Riley. Suihkija has chosen Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff as his entrance music. Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!

David
vs
Suihkija

190 cm
47
218 lbs
29 - 31 - 0

198 cm
31
209 lbs
3 - 8 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Experienced

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 31 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Craig David!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Hessu Suihkija!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Colin Fotheringham and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Suihkija keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Suihkija fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
David rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
letting Suihkija counter with a right hand.
Nice takedown defense from David. No joy for Suihkija on that attempt.
David takes a swing at Suihkija's ribcage but misses.
Suihkija is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
David goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

David clinches.
Suihkija changes levels and goes for a takedown here. David fights it off and pushes away nicely.
David misses with a head kick.
Suihkija checks a low kick from David.
Suihkija shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. David defends it nicely.
Craig David has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hessu Suihkija.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Suihkija closes the distance and clinches up with David, looking for a takedown. Suihkija pushes David against the cage but David circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
David appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Horrible takedown attempt by Suihkija or perhaps it was just good defense by David, which made it look bad.
David throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suihkija fails in his attempt to clinch.
David pivots, looking for a leg kick but Suihkija is out of range and David settles back down.
Suihkija dodges the punch combination from David.
Suihkija steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from David.
David wants to slow Suihkija down by chopping away at his legs.
Craig David seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Suihkija with a poor takedown
and David counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
David feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Suihkija's calf.
Suihkija tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but David defends well and Suihkija ends up having to push David into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Suihkija throws a quick inside leg kick.
David tries to bum rush Suihkija with a series of wild strikes but Suihkija uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Suihkija throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around David's waist but David gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Suihkija off to one side.
A jab lands there for David.

It looks like Hessu Suihkija has been cut.
David slaps away a takedown attempt from Suihkija, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Suihkija walks into a straight right hand from David.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suihkija tries for a takedown but David sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
David looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
David finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
David throws a low kick but Suihkija avoids it.
Suihkija looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
David half committed to a counter leg kick.
David connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Suihkija looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? David is fending him off so far but Suihkija persists. Nope, David circles away and we're back to standing.
David misses with a lunging right hand
and Suihkija counters with a lovely straight right hand!
David's corner calls for a 1-2. David obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Suihkija moves out of range of the leg kick from David.
Suihkija feints the counter takedown.
David feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Suihkija's calf.
A nice inside leg kick there by Suihkija. That's going to slow David down.

David has closed the distance and engaged Suihkija in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Suihkija turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Suihkija manages to end up in side control.
Suihkija working the ground and pound but David is defending the strikes.
David is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Suihkija's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Suihkija lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Suihkija looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
David trying to control but Suihkija postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David manages to get to full guard.
David preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Suihkija wants to pass the guard but David is keeping the position.
David is looking to sweep but instead, Suihkija has passed into half guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Suihkija thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Suihkija thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed David's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig David dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hessu Suihkija's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Suihkija avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Suihkija shoots in for a double leg but David sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hessu Suihkija is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
David throws a chopping leg kick but Suihkija manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
And Suihkija tries to counter it with a takedown but David pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Suihkija gets a clinch.
Suihkija has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by David after a bit of a struggle.

Suihkija breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
David misses with a kick to the body.
Suihkija checks the leg kick.
David throws out a powerful jab.
Suihkija tries to clinch up but David circles away and keeps his distance.

Suihkija moves into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Suihkija breaks from the clinch.
Suihkija takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from David lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Suihkija has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Suihkija and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Suihkija shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says David as he avoids it easily.
Craig David has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hessu Suihkija.
Suihkija throws a quick inside leg kick.
We've been informed that Suihkija has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
David throws the kick towards the body but Suihkija avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suihkija fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
David is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
David thumps Suihkija with a low kick.
Craig David is winning the standup battle so far.
That kick from David tenderised Suihkija's leg. Suihkija is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice sprawl there from David as Suihkija shoots in.

Suihkija clinches with his opponent.
David tries to land knees in the clinch but Suihkija avoids the damage to the body.
Suihkija has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by David after a bit of a struggle.
Suihkija drops to a knee looking for a takedown but David gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Suihkija takes an elbow to the forehead.
Suihkija blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

David is fighting off a takedown attempt but Suihkija is just too persistent for him and manages to trip David to the mat. David regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Suihkija trying to control the position from guard on top but David is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
David lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
David is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Suihkija can do to turn this around?
Suihkija has momentary wrist control but David slips an elbow through the middle.
Suihkija is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Suihkija wants to get back to his feet but David is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
David wants to control from the top but Suihkija keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as David accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Suihkija keeping full guard, as David tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
David throws a front kick aimed at Suihkija's knee but Suihkija avoids it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Suihkija drives through and clinches with David against the cage.
Suihkija is trying to pull guard but David has him pressed against the cage.
Suihkija tries to pull guard but David holds him up against the cage and eventually Suihkija drops back down to his feet.
David doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
David lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Suihkija.
Suihkija jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as David walks away with a smile on his face. Suihkija gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Suihkija shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with David but David pushes him off and we're back to square one.
David misses with a combination

and Suihkija counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
David is looking to improve his position.
David blocking the ground and pound attempt from Suihkija.
Suihkija thows a huge punch but David dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
David trying to hold on to Suihkija's head to control him but Suihkija postures up.
Suihkija throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Suihkija takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Suihkija stands up out of the half guard.
David swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
David does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Suihkija throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Suihkija blocks a jab.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A low kick from David misses
and Suihkija counters with a three punch combo that has David backing up. David nods at Suihkija to acknowledge the strikes.
Suihkija blocks a low kick nicely.
Suihkija shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says David as he avoids it easily.
David tries to clinch but Suihkija moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hessu Suihkija will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Hessu Suihkija's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

David pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
David lands with a kick to the temple. Suihkija shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
David falls off balance throwing a combination

and Suihkija counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
David is looking to control Suihkija's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can David avoid being mounted?
Suihkija seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
David is refusing to be controlled, as Suihkija sits in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ground and pound from Suihkija.

Suihkija is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so David is just riding it out for now. Suihkija eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suihkija seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
David is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
David tries to get to full guard but Suihkija has control of the leg.
Hessu Suihkija has got the better of the ground game so far.
David is positioning himself well to prevent Suihkija advancing to mount.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
David blocking the ground and pound attempt from Suihkija.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Suihkija scores with a nice right hand.
An inside leg kick lands from David.
David misses with a low kick.
Suihkija throws a front kick aimed at David's knee but David avoids it well.
David throws a sloppy head kick and Suihkija moves out of range easily.
Suihkija looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Suihkija is defended easily by David.

Suihkija drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Suihkija trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
David is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
David wants to control but Suihkija is keeping him busy.
Suihkija tries to roll over but David keeps him under control.
David not landing any meaningful shots this time.
David 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.
Suihkija keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
David missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
David wants to lay and pray for a moment but Suihkija keeps working.

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

Suihkija tries to keep at a distance but David has taken the fight into the clinch.

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.

Suihkija manages to break the clinch.
Suihkija is looking to clinch.
David throws a leg kick which misses Suihkija's front leg but catches the back leg as Suihkija tries to avoid it.
David throws a right hand that misses
and Suihkija counters with a nice uppercut.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from David, right into the meat.
David tries to close the distance and clinch up but Suihkija swats him away and circles back towards the center.
David lands a nice looking body shot.
David misses with a straight left.
David throws a leg kick
and Suihkija counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Suihkija shoots in looking for a takedown. David tries to sprawl out of it but Suihkija keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. David manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A low kick from David is predictable there

and Suihkija counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for David!

And that's the end of the fight!
Hessu Suihkija comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Suihkija has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Richard Clark scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hessu Suihkija!
Hessu Suihkija thanked the fans post fight for their support.