PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jesse Kekkonen (ranked 6352 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gegard Shlemenko (ranked 7808 p4p, 0 weight class). Jesse Kekkonen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kekkonen
vs
Shlemenko

170 cm
18
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

169 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jesse Kekkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gegard Shlemenko!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Shlemenko has closed the distance and engaged Kekkonen in a clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shlemenko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shlemenko.
Kekkonen is trying to pull guard but Shlemenko has him pressed against the cage.
Shlemenko lands a shot to the body.
A short body shot lands from Shlemenko as the two fighters clinch.
Kekkonen looking to slow down the pace here.
Shlemenko pushes Kekkonen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Shlemenko softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Shlemenko lands an uppercut.
A short left from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko is leaning against Kekkonen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kekkonen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shlemenko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shlemenko scores with a nice hook to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shlemenko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shlemenko throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Shlemenko blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Shlemenko lands a body shot.
A nice left hand lands by Shlemenko.
Kekkonen is breathing heavily.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shlemenko.
Kekkonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Shlemenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shlemenko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Shlemenko scores with a shot to the side of Kekkonen's head.
Shlemenko working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Shlemenko is working Kekkonen over against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shlemenko.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko scores with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Shlemenko gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Shlemenko looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Shlemenko in particular looking to stall.
Shlemenko tries to stand but can't do so whilst Kekkonen controls his leg.
Shlemenko seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kekkonen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kekkonen taking some punishment here, with Shlemenko in his half guard.
Shlemenko is looking to advance position but Kekkonen won't allow it.
Shlemenko is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Kekkonen reverses the position - he's now on top in Shlemenko's guard.
Kekkonen is fighting to break Shlemenko's control of his arms but Shlemenko is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko keeping moving, preventing Kekkonen from controlling successfully.
Shlemenko 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gegard Shlemenko dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kekkonen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

It looks like Jesse Kekkonen has been cut.
Kekkonen misses with a takedown attempt - Shlemenko sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kekkonen tries to land a front kick but Shlemenko steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Shlemenko moves into range and connects with a jab.

Kekkonen is rocked!
Shlemenko scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kekkonen doesn't seem bothered though.
Oh Kekkonen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jesse Kekkonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Kekkonen gets tackled into the cage by Shlemenko. Shlemenko maintains the clinch.
Kekkonen seems to have got his legs back now.
Kekkonen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Shlemenko avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Shlemenko lands a left hand.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A right hook to the body lands for Shlemenko.
A short right from Shlemenko on the inside.
Shlemenko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kekkonen or not.
Shlemenko is leaning against Kekkonen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Shlemenko is leaning against Kekkonen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Shlemenko lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Shlemenko pushes Kekkonen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A left hand lands to the body for Shlemenko.
Nice body punch from Shlemenko - that landed with a thud.
Shlemenko lands a body punch.
Shlemenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Shlemenko is working Kekkonen over against the cage.
Shlemenko lands with a short shot to the head.

Shlemenko pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A left lands for Shlemenko.

Shlemenko closes the distance and clinches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shlemenko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shlemenko lands with a short punch from the clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A body shot lands from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Shlemenko lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Shlemenko lands an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A hook to the body from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kekkonen.
Shlemenko lands a shot to the body.
Shlemenko lands a nice shot to the body.
Shlemenko lands with a right to the head.
Shlemenko lands a left hand that snaps the head of Kekkonen backwards.
Shlemenko lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kekkonen backwards.
Shlemenko lands a hook that snaps the head of Kekkonen backwards.
Shlemenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Shlemenko scores with an uppercut up the middle.
A left hand lands to the body for Shlemenko.
A short body shot lands from Shlemenko as the two fighters clinch.
Good body shot from Shlemenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Shlemenko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kekkonen.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Shlemenko creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Gegard Shlemenko seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shlemenko.
A hook to the body from Shlemenko.
A nice right hand lands inside from Shlemenko.
Shlemenko lands a right hand that snaps the head of Kekkonen backwards.
Shlemenko lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Kekkonen.
Shlemenko lands with a light punch inside.
Shlemenko lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
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!
Shlemenko lands an uppercut.
Shlemenko scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right from Shlemenko on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Shlemenko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shlemenko lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Kekkonen or not.
Shlemenko is leaning against Kekkonen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Shlemenko lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Kekkonen backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Shlemenko.
A right hook to the body lands for Shlemenko.
Shlemenko creates some distance for himself and unleashes a massive uppercut that sends Kekkonen's eyes rolling into the back of his head! Kekkonen drops to his knees and Shlemenko pours it on with more strikes until the referee steps in to end the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Gegard Shlemenko!