PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Isbrand Gustav (ranked 5505 p4p, 490 weight class) and Tori Kankunnen (ranked 4570 p4p, 437 weight class). Tori Kankunnen will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Gustav
vs
Kankunnen

180 cm
27
170 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

195 cm
27
170 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Urban Fighter

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 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Isbrand Gustav!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tori Kankunnen!
The judges for this bout are Skip Squint, Damien Edna and Hugh Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gustav misses with a right hand

and Kankunnen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Gustav is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kankunnen pulls his head out easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Gustav gets back to full guard.
Kankunnen content to stall in guard here.
Kankunnen scoring with punches to the head and body.

Kankunnen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Gustav has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kankunnen has managed to get both his arms back between Gustav's legs - danger averted.
Gustav looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Gustav has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kankunnen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kankunnen scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kankunnen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gustav might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kankunnen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kankunnen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.

Gustav has his foot on Kankunnen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kankunnen works his way back into a safe position though.
Kankunnen cracks Gustav with a solid left hand.

Gustav has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kankunnen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gustav can't keep his opponent in guard - Kankunnen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Kankunnen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Kankunnen has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Cozad MMA Helsinki. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.
Gustav regains full guard. Nicely done.

Gustav has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kankunnen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Gustav keeping full guard, as Kankunnen tries to pass.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Gustav looking for subs off his back but Kankunnen has passed one foot through into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kankunnen working the head and body with strikes.

Gustav actively working from the bottom here.

Gustav looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kankunnen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Kankunnen sitting and controlling from the half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gustav manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Kankunnen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kankunnen's corner is telling him to maintain position.

Gustav has his foot on Kankunnen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Kankunnen works his way back into a safe position though.
Kankunnen wants to pass the guard but Gustav is keeping the position.
Kankunnen wants to stand but Gustav is controlling his posture from full guard.
Gustav can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Kankunnen controls the pace.

Gustav has his feet on Kankunnen's thighs here. He's pushed Kankunnen off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Kankunnen screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:47 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Isbrand Gustav!
Isbrand Gustav took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.