PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jola Kaalipaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bulgarian Grappler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kaalipaa's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Darude / Sandstorm. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kaalipaa
vs
Grappler

181 cm
20
193 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

180 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Experienced

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

King of Clothes
Fruit Fight Shop

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 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jola Kaalipaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Bulgarian Grappler!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, James Ackerman and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kaalipaa tries to keep at a distance but Grappler has taken the fight into the clinch.
Kaalipaa tries for a takedown but Grappler manages to get underhooks.
Kaalipaa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Grappler backwards.

Grappler has clasped his hands together around Kaalipaa's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Grappler lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.

Grappler tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Grappler has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Grappler is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kaalipaa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Kaalipaa gets back to half guard.

Kaalipaa has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Grappler escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Grappler!

Kaalipaa throws Grappler to one side and escapes!
Bulgarian Grappler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grappler closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kaalipaa circles away.
Kaalipaa looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
A nice combination there by Kaalipaa.
Kaalipaa swats away the attempt to clinch by Grappler.
Kaalipaa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Grappler fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kaalipaa throws a counter high kick but Grappler was just alert enough to avoid it.
Kaalipaa fails with a takedown attempt.
Grappler tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kaalipaa counters with a series of strikes. Grappler will be more careful next time no doubt.

Grappler shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Grappler is pressing down on Kaalipaa's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kaalipaa is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kaalipaa blocking the ground and pound attempt from Grappler.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Kaalipaa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Grappler pulls his head out easily.
Grappler landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kaalipaa trying to hold on to Grappler's head to control him but Grappler postures up.
Kaalipaa is looking to improve his position.
Kaalipaa is working hard here to advance position.

Grappler is trying to work for a kimura but Kaalipaa is defending well.

Grappler seems to be looking for submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaalipaa tries to get to full guard but Grappler has control of the leg.
Grappler is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Kaalipaa tries to get to full guard but Grappler has control of the leg.
Kaalipaa is looking to control Grappler's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kaalipaa avoid being mounted?

Grappler is trying to work for a kimura but Kaalipaa is defending well.
Grappler working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Kaalipaa manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Kaalipaa has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Grappler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Grappler lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Grappler got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kaalipaa has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Grappler has managed to get both his arms back between Kaalipaa's legs - danger averted.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kaalipaa is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Grappler forces his way into half guard.

Grappler is looking for a kimura here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Bulgarian Grappler will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Grappler shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Grappler was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Kaalipaa bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Grappler drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Grappler connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Kaalipaa some visible discomfort.
Grappler landing strikes.
Kaalipaa manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

Kaalipaa 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.

Grappler looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kaalipaa thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Grappler's head.
Kaalipaa prevents Grappler from improving his position.

Kaalipaa is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are battling for position here. Grappler manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kaalipaa pushes down on Grappler's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Grappler tries to get to full guard but Kaalipaa has control of the leg.
Grappler is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
We've been informed that Grappler has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Grappler keeps trying to improve his position.
Kaalipaa wants to lay and pray for a moment but Grappler keeps working.
Grappler is looking to improve his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kaalipaa 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.
Kaalipaa prevents Grappler from improving his position.
Kaalipaa wants to control but Grappler is keeping him busy.
Kaalipaa landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.

Grappler looking for submissions off his back.
Kaalipaa prevents Grappler from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Grappler is pressing down on Kaalipaa's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kaalipaa throws a big right hand that misses.

Grappler looking for a guillotine here but Kaalipaa defends easily.
Kaalipaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Grappler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Grappler looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jola Kaalipaa dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Kaalipaa is defended easily by Grappler.
Grappler displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kaalipaa.
Kaalipaa dives in for a single leg takedown but Grappler sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jola Kaalipaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kaalipaa fails with a takedown attempt.
Kaalipaa tries to clinch up but Grappler circles away and keeps his distance.

Grappler clinches up against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kaalipaa has had enough of the clinch but Grappler keeps him there for the moment.
Kaalipaa tries to pull guard but Grappler forces him back to his feet, against the cage.

Grappler has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Kaalipaa regains guard immediately.

Kaalipaa is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Grappler drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Kaalipaa dives on top into guard.

Kaalipaa drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kaalipaa jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kaalipaa stopping the sweep attempt from Grappler.
Grappler lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Kaalipaa is looking for a triangle here but Grappler uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

Grappler is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Kaalipaa is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Grappler in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Kaalipaa manages to work his way to half guard, despite Grappler's best efforts.

Grappler is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kaalipaa sees it coming and defends easily.
Nice strikes from Grappler there.

Grappler is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Kaalipaa actively working from the bottom here.

Grappler is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Kaalipaa sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kaalipaa wants to get back to full guard.

Kaalipaa actively working from the bottom here.

Kaalipaa looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Grappler is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Grappler frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kaalipaa gets back to half guard.
Grappler lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Grappler is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Kaalipaa defends it well.

Kaalipaa looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Grappler slips a nice elbow through Kaalipaa's hands, connecting with Kaalipaa's forehead.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bulgarian Grappler comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Grappler 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 William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Bulgarian Grappler!
Bulgarian Grappler was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.
Jola Kaalipaa was interviewed post fight and said 'Thank for all'.