PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Simon Kanitz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rokki Kukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kanitz
vs
Kukko

186 cm
31
181 lbs
24 - 3 - 0

176 cm
30
171 lbs
23 - 11 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conviction
KAISER

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Simon Kanitz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rokki Kukko!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Daniel Bishop and Phil Schofield.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kanitz moves away.
Kukko takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Kukko fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Kanitz to the ground. Kukko is now in Kanitz's guard.
Kukko works over Kanitz with some ground and pound from guard.
Kukko postures up in Kanitz's guard and throws a big left but Kanitz blocks it.
Kukko stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kanitz swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kukko is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Kanitz wants to get back to his feet but Kukko is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Kanitz knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kukko on the ground.
Kukko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kanitz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kukko missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Kukko throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Kanitz works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Kukko stops Kanitz from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kukko pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Kanitz is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kukko postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kanitz is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Kanitz throws a leg kick but Kukko moved away.
Kukko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kanitz appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Kanitz throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kukko on the side of the head.
Kukko avoids a kick to the body.
Kanitz throws a leg kick which misses Kukko's front leg but catches the back leg as Kukko tries to avoid it.
Kukko throws out a loose jab but Kanitz uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Kukko.
Kanitz seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Kukko misses with a low kick as Kanitz jumps back.
Kukko shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Kanitz counters with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz scores with a jab to the head.
Kukko tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kanitz sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kukko somewhat.
Kanitz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kanitz cracks Kukko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kanitz thumps Kukko with a low kick.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kanitz throws a hook but Kukko avoids it easily.
Rokki Kukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kukko throws a chopping leg kick but Kanitz manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kanitz clobbers Kukko with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kanitz throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kukko checks a leg kick.
Kukko tries a quick counter leg kick but Kanitz is wise to it.
Kukko shoots in and drives through. Kanitz sprawls well.
Simon Kanitz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rokki Kukko.
Kanitz cracks Kukko with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukko looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Kanitz!

Kukko thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Kanitz explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Simon Kanitz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kanitz scores with a hook.

Kukko feints and as Kanitz raises his hands in defense, Kukko changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kukko distracts Kanitz with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kukko throws a big right hand that misses.
Kanitz trying to keep a closed guard but Kukko is proving a slippery customer.
Kukko throwing strikes but missing.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kanitz manages to escape and get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz connects with a body shot that sends Kukko's belly button to the back.
Kanitz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kukko.
Kanitz appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
That kick from Kanitz tenderised Kukko's leg. Kukko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kukko checks a low kick from Kanitz.
Kanitz tries to land a front kick but Kukko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kanitz keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kukko.
Kanitz looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Kukko dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kukko takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kanitz lands with a slapping head kick.
Kukko shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kukko misses with a right hand
and Kanitz cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kanitz is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Kanitz connects with a body shot that sends Kukko's belly button to the back.
Kanitz throws a chopping leg kick but Kukko manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kanitz walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Kukko checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simon Kanitz dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kukko looks for a takedown but Kanitz sprawls well.
Kanitz tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kukko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Simon Kanitz is winning the standup battle so far.
Kanitz lands with an overhand left.
Kanitz is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kukko can do to turn this around?
Kukko takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kanitz tries to land a leg kick but Kukko saw it coming and moves away.
Kukko shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
A shot to the liver by Kanitz. Beautiful body shot.
Kanitz throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Kukko looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kanitz throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kukko with a poor takedown
and Kanitz counters with a stiff right hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanitz fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Kanitz walks into a left hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kanitz with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kukko moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Kukko drops Kanitz with a right and a left! Kukko comes rushing in but Kanitz regains his composure and manages to keep Kukko in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kanitz preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kukko throws a strike but Kanitz rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Kukko looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kukko working a defensive guard here.
Kukko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kukko not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Kukko has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Kukko is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Kukko trying to control the action but Kanitz is working from the bottom.
Kukko missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kukko sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kanitz defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kukko throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kanitz blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kukko.

Kukko is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Kukko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kukko lands with a punch from half guard.
Kanitz tries to kick Kukko off but Kukko keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kukko trying to control from half guard but Kanitz is working away.
Kukko missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kanitz on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kanitz tries to get out of the position.
Kukko lands with a punch from half guard.
Kanitz wants to control but Kukko is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kukko is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Kukko is trying to control the action in half guard but Kanitz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Kanitz avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kukko.
Kanitz tries to roll over but Kukko keeps him under control.
Nice strikes from Kukko there.

Kukko is working for a submission of some sort.
Kukko thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Kukko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kanitz keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kukko landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kukko not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kukko sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Ground and pound from Kukko.
Kanitz wants to get back to full guard.
Kukko working over Kanitz with some ground and pound. Kanitz looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Kukko sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rokki Kukko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Kanitz on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kukko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kanitz but Kanitz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kanitz tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kukko is able to avoid easily.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kukko.
Kanitz throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kukko throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kanitz's waist but Kanitz gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kukko off to one side.
Kukko throws a half hearted mid kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kanitz. That's going to slow Kukko down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kanitz scores with a hook to the body. Kukko takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kanitz tries to clinch but Kukko is having none of it.
Kukko blocks the body kick.
Kanitz looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kanitz drops his hands momentarily and Kukko takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko swats away the attempt to clinch by Kanitz.
A nice side step and Kukko releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Kanitz tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kukko was well out of range. Poor timing from Kanitz.
Kukko looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Kukko moves out of range of the body kick from Kanitz.
Kukko throws a body kick that misses.
Kukko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kukko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kanitz cracks Kukko with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kanitz on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kukko looks for a takedown but Kanitz sprawls well.
Simon Kanitz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rokki Kukko.
Kukko misses with a low kick.
Kanitz connects with a jab.
Kanitz throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kanitz stuffs the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jab by Kanitz.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kanitz.
Kanitz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kukko is defended easily by Kanitz.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kanitz lands with a kick to the ribs.
Kanitz getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kanitz throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kukko scores with a jab to the jaw.
Kukko takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kanitz connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kukko's hands.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kanitz lands a really nice looking cross but Kukko seems unphased.
Kukko looks to land a body kick but Kanitz moved away.
Kukko looks to score with a jab to the body but Kanitz is just out of range.
Kanitz bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kukko's head.
Kanitz digs a good hook to Kukko's body.
Kukko misses with a hook. Kanitz ducked under it nicely.
A head kick by Kukko misses
and Kanitz counters with a nice leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Kanitz. Beautiful body shot.
Kukko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kukko with a lazy takedown attempt
and Kukko takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kanitz lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kanitz feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kukko's calf.
Nice defenses there by Kanitz.
Kanitz catches Kukko with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kukko looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kanitz throws a quick inside leg kick.
Kanitz throws a hook to the side of Kukko's head but Kukko sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kukko pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kanitz is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Kukko throws a lazy right hand but Kanitz sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kanitz tried to counter with a leg kick but Kukko avoided it.
Kukko misses with a head kick.
Kanitz lunges at Kukko with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Kukko's hand.
Kanitz just misses with a punch to the body.
Kukko tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
That kick from Kanitz tenderised Kukko's leg. Kukko is trying to keep his angry face on.
Kukko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kanitz but Kanitz pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Kanitz moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Kanitz misses the jab.
Kukko takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

And that's the end of the fight!
Simon Kanitz showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kanitz has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 29:28
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Simon Kanitz!