PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Leka Vasara (ranked 2158 p4p, 230 weight class) and Kane Swift Jr (ranked 3499 p4p, 338 weight class). Leka Vasara has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Vasara
vs
Swift Jr

168 cm
20
151 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

175 cm
20
152 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Urban Fighter

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Leka Vasara!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Kane Swift Jr!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Swift Jr shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Swift Jr showed some decent athleticism there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vasara makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Vasara.

Vasara looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Vasara has Swift Jr pulled in close to control his posture.
Vasara wants to sweep but no luck.
Swift Jr trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Vasara is trying to control the position but Swift Jr postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swift Jr trying to control the position from guard on top but Vasara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Swift Jr postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Swift Jr throws a big elbow that misses.

Swift Jr avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasara wants to sweep here but Swift Jr controlling him for the moment.
Vasara controls Swift Jr momentarily but Swift Jr frees himself.
Swift Jr wants to stand but Vasara is controlling his posture from full guard.
Swift Jr won't allow Vasara to sweep him here.
We've been hearing good reports from Vasara's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Vasara is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Swift Jr wants to get back to full guard.
Swift Jr is looking to control Vasara's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Swift Jr avoid being mounted?
Swift Jr wants to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vasara is trying to control. Swift Jr wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Swift Jr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Swift Jr.
Vasara won't allow Swift Jr to get back to his feet.
Vasara trying to control the position from guard on top but Swift Jr is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Vasara thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vasara is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Vasara wants to control from the top but Swift Jr keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasara looking to pass the guard.
Swift Jr keeping moving, preventing Vasara from controlling successfully.
Vasara sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Swift Jr manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vasara manages to get himself to full guard.

Swift Jr trying to control but Vasara is working from the bottom.
Vasara pulls Swift Jr in to control the position.

Vasara is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Swift Jr defends well.
Vasara working a defensive guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vasara is pulling down on Swift Jr's head to control his posture.
Swift Jr slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Vasara is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Swift Jr tries to stand but Vasara is controlling his head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kane Swift Jr dominated that round.
That's time! Vasara's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vasara feints and as Swift Jr raises his hands in defense, Vasara changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Swift Jr lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Swift Jr works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Vasara is trying to maintain the position but Swift Jr is very close to passing his half guard.
Swift Jr is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

Swift Jr seems to be working for a kimura but Vasara defends the submission attempt.
Vasara desperately trying to maintain half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasara is looking for a sweep. Swift Jr is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Swift Jr winds up and cracks Vasara with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Vasara is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Swift Jr is controlling the pace.
Swift Jr thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Vasara's head.
Vasara moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Swift Jr is looking to stand up but Vasara won't let him.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Swift Jr working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasara trying to keep a closed guard but Swift Jr is proving a slippery customer.

Vasara working for a triangle but Swift Jr defends it easily.
Swift Jr wanted to stand there but Vasara had control of the position.
Swift Jr stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vasara swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Vasara working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
No luck for Vasara with that takedown attempt.
Swift Jr throws a counter combo.

Vasara decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasara is nestled in close to Swift Jr, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Swift Jr wants to control but Vasara is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Swift Jr gets full guard.
Swift Jr is looking to stand up but Vasara isn't so interested in that idea.
Vasara wants to control from the top but Swift Jr keeps moving.
Vasara lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Swift Jr is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Vasara trying to control but Swift Jr is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Vasara pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Swift Jr is keeping the position for now.
Swift Jr keeping moving, preventing Vasara from controlling successfully.
Kane Swift Jr has got the better of the ground game so far.
Vasara forces his way into half guard.
Swift Jr is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Vasara's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Vasara's back!
Vasara tries to roll but Swift Jr sticks to his back.
Swift Jr is not going to allow Vasara to sit and survive in this position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Vasara is defending well here and trying to improve his position.

Swift Jr looking for the choke from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kane Swift Jr showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vasara feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Swift Jr is trying to keep Vasara in close.
Vasara advances position into side control!
Vasara wants to take a breather but Swift Jr manages to regain guard - a lesson learnt for Vasara.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Vasara's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Vasara stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Swift Jr swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Swift Jr looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vasara is one step ahead there.
Swift Jr scores with a nice shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasara prevents Swift Jr from getting back to his feet.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Swift Jr is on top in guard.

Vasara looking for a guillotine here but Swift Jr defends easily.
Swift Jr wants to pass the guard but Vasara is keeping the position.
Vasara looking to hit a scissor sweep but Swift Jr is one step ahead there.

Vasara is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Swift Jr defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vasara is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Vasara working for a triangle but Swift Jr defends it easily.
Swift Jr pushing down on Vasara's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Vasara is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Swift Jr is looking for a kimura but Vasara is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Swift Jr to get the leverage.
Swift Jr tries to pass the half guard into mount. Vasara knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Swift Jr tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Vasara is trying to maintain the position but Swift Jr is very close to passing his half guard.
Swift Jr is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Swift Jr is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Vasara has managed to free his arm - good work.
Swift Jr wants to lay and pray for a moment but Vasara keeps working.
Swift Jr takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Swift Jr wants to stand up but Vasara is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Swift Jr is keen to just control but Vasara is a slippery customer.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Vasara trying to control from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Leka Vasara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Swift Jr shoots in and bounces Vasara off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Swift Jr is looking to stand up but Vasara won't let him.
Swift Jr has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Vasara working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Swift Jr doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Swift Jr manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Vasara is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Swift Jr is looking to stand up but Vasara won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kane Swift Jr really dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Vasara looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Vasara is looking to advance position but Swift Jr won't allow it.
Vasara lands with a punch from half guard.
Vasara lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Vasara seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Swift Jr is defending against the submission attempts here by Vasara.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Vasara is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vasara wants to free his trapped foot but Swift Jr is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Swift Jr wants to improve his position but Vasara is controlling well.
Swift Jr is not content to let Vasara control the position.

Vasara is working for a kimura but Swift Jr is defending it quite comfortably.
Swift Jr pushes Vasara off looking to stand but Vasara dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Vasara wants to control but Swift Jr is keeping him busy.
Vasara wants to free his trapped foot but Swift Jr is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Swift Jr is pressing down on Vasara's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Swift Jr is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vasara is controlling him.
Swift Jr has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Vasara has passed into side control.
Swift Jr is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Vasara has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Swift Jr is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

Vasara tries for a kimura but Swift Jr is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Swift Jr is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Vasara sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Vasara wants to lay and pray for a moment but Swift Jr keeps working.

Vasara is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Swift Jr has managed to free his arm - good work.

Vasara is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Swift Jr is just riding it out for now. Vasara eventually gives up the hold.
Swift Jr manages to get to full guard.

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.
Swift Jr is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Vasara preventing the sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vasara is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Vasara shoots in but Swift Jr avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Vasara keeps the fight on the outside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Leka Vasara had his way with Kane Swift Jr in that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Vasara looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Swift Jr utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Swift Jr wants to get back to his feet but Vasara is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Swift Jr wants to sweep but no luck.
Swift Jr keeping moving, preventing Vasara from controlling successfully.
Swift Jr wants to sweep here but Vasara controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vasara sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Swift Jr's guard.
Swift Jr is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Vasara tries to pass the half guard into mount. Swift Jr knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Vasara seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Swift Jr does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swift Jr is looking to improve his position.
Vasara prevents Swift Jr from standing back up.
Vasara trying to control from half guard but Swift Jr is working away.
Vasara takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Vasara is trying to work for a kimura but Swift Jr is defending well.

Vasara is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Swift Jr wants to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Vasara working Swift Jr over with strikes.
Swift Jr desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Swift Jr is trying to stand.
Swift Jr makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Swift Jr.

Swift Jr is looking for a triangle but Vasara pushes his legs off easily.
Vasara works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Vasara is nestled in close to Swift Jr, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Swift Jr tries to roll over but Vasara keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vasara is trying to control. Swift Jr wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Vasara is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Swift Jr wants to get back to full guard.
Vasara is keen to just control but Swift Jr is a slippery customer.

Swift Jr is defending against the submission attempts here by Vasara.

Vasara is trying to work for a kimura but Swift Jr is defending well.
Kane Swift Jr is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Swift Jr moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Vasara lands a couple of digs.
Vasara with a nice head shot there.
Swift Jr keeping full guard, as Vasara tries to pass.
Vasara trying to control but Swift Jr is working from the bottom.
Vasara working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Vasara wants to control from the top but Swift Jr keeps moving.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Leka Vasara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vasara stopping the sweep attempt from Swift Jr.

And that's the end of the fight!
Leka Vasara showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Swift Jr 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 47:48
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 47:48
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kane Swift Jr!
Kane Swift Jr is the new featherweight champion!
Kane Swift Jr decided to call for a title shot in his post fight interview, which was very strange given the fact this fight was for a title and he's already the champion. I guess that's what getting punched in the head does for you.