PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gootti Kustaa (ranked 1753 p4p, 267 weight class) and Atreyu Nakamotto (ranked 2584 p4p, 371 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kustaa
vs
Nakamotto

187 cm
26
215 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
28
213 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gootti Kustaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Atreyu Nakamotto!
The judges for this bout are Winston Howard, Ben Watson and Ron Honeybunn.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Nakamotto misses the target.
A swing and a miss from Nakamotto.
Nakamotto cracks Kustaa with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nakamotto throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nakamotto throws a hook to the side of Kustaa's head but Kustaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nakamotto throws a right and a left that Kustaa avoids nicely.
Nakamotto throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Kustaa counters with a shoot takedown. Nakamotto fights it but they end up in guard.
Nakamotto really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kustaa. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kustaa slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Kustaa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nakamotto preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kustaa postures up in Nakamotto's guard and throws a big left but Nakamotto blocks it.
Kustaa is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nakamotto keeping full guard, as Kustaa tries to pass.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kustaa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kustaa loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Nakamotto can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kustaa trying to control but Nakamotto is working from the bottom.
Kustaa scoring with some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nakamotto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nakamotto is looking to stand up but Kustaa isn't so interested in that idea.
Kustaa throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Nakamotto is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Kustaa in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kustaa throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A head kick misses from Nakamotto.
Kustaa changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nakamotto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kustaa.
Nakamotto misses with a left hand

and Kustaa counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nakamotto is looking to stand back up but Kustaa counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Nakamotto.

Kustaa throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kustaa seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Kustaa lands with a punch from half guard.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kustaa in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamotto wants to get back to his feet.
Nakamotto is not content to let Kustaa control the position.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kustaa connects with a nice short shot to Nakamotto's temple.
Kustaa is looking to advance position but Nakamotto won't allow it.
Kustaa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nakamotto defending well though.
Kustaa drops an elbow to the side of Nakamotto's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Kustaa not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kustaa takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Kustaa not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Kustaa thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nakamotto tries to kick Kustaa off but Kustaa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Nice strikes from Kustaa there.
Kustaa missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nakamotto tries to kick Kustaa off but Kustaa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Kustaa has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kustaa in particular looking to stall.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nakamotto tries to kick Kustaa off but Kustaa keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nakamotto takes one to the chin there.
Nakamotto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kustaa manages to avoid it.
Nakamotto tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kustaa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nakamotto misses with an uppercut

and Kustaa counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Nakamotto!
A lull in the action here.
Kustaa in side control lands a decent elbow.
Kustaa tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kustaa throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Kustaa in side control, throwing shots but Nakamotto defends.
Kustaa controls the position.
Kustaa landing strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kustaa scores with punches from side control.
Kustaa taking a breather here.
Kustaa working the ground and pound.
Nakamotto taking punishment in the form of punches.
Nakamotto is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Kustaa lands a decent elbow from side control.
Nakamotto takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kustaa working the ground and pound from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Check out the look on Kustaa's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Nakamotto taking a bit of punishment here - Kustaa scoring with strikes.
Nakamotto avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Kustaa.
Kustaa is chipping away with strikes.
Kustaa works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Kustaa throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Nakamotto is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kustaa in side control lands a decent elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kustaa tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Kustaa slows the pace down.
Kustaa lands an elbow.
Kustaa landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
A lull in the action here.
Kustaa is working Nakamotto over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kustaa wants to control but Nakamotto is keeping him busy.
Kustaa scoring with punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kustaa is chipping away with strikes.

Nakamotto is rocked!
Kustaa prevents Nakamotto from escaping the position.
Kustaa taking a breather here.
Nakamotto tries to escape but Kustaa is in control.
Kustaa taking a breather here.
Kustaa has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gootti Kustaa dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Nakamotto lands with an uppercut that bounces Kustaa off the cage and back into range.
Kustaa keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nakamotto throws a hook to the side of Kustaa's head but Kustaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nakamotto throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Kustaa's head.
Nakamotto throws a jab when Kustaa was well out of range.
Nakamotto connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nakamotto feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kustaas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kustaa misses with a looping left.
Kustaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Gootti Kustaa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice defenses there by Nakamotto.
Nakamotto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kustaa misses with an uppercut. Nakamotto saw that one coming.
Kustaa moves out of range of the strikes.
Nakamotto throws a shot from downtown. Kustaa moves away and avoids it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kustaa throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Nakamotto tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kustaa is in Nakamotto's guard.
Kustaa is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nakamotto can do to turn this around?
Kustaa tries to free his leg and advance position but Nakamotto is retaining full guard.
Kustaa sitting in guard here, content to control.
Nakamotto utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Kustaa cracks Nakamotto with a solid left hand.
Kustaa showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kustaa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Kustaa landing with the ground and pound.
Kustaa scoring with some ground and pound.
Kustaa makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Kustaa working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Nakamotto's head.
Nakamotto is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamotto being controlled here, momentarily.
Kustaa is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Gootti Kustaa is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kustaa is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nakamotto throws a hook but Kustaa blocks it.
Kustaa defending well as Nakamotto loads up on a big left hand.
Kustaa takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nakamotto throws an off balance right hand

and Kustaa counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kustaa.
Kustaa with a flurry of punches that miss.
Gootti Kustaa overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kustaa distracts Nakamotto with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Kustaa sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kustaa trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Atreyu Nakamotto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nakamotto is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kustaa defends well.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Gootti Kustaa.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kustaa, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Winston Howard scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Watson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ron Honeybunn scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gootti Kustaa!