PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kasper Kessler (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kjartan Isaksen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kessler comes to the cage accompanied by Black Eyed Peas - I Got A Feeling. Isaksen has chosen SHUT UP WOMAN, GET ON MY HORSE! as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Kessler
vs
Isaksen

185 cm
23
180 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

163 cm
23
177 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
KO power

Powerful takedowns
Counter striker
Powerful

Mundo Green - World Verde
Hellbent, Inc.

TFP Graphics - Pit Inc
TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kasper Kessler!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Kjartan Isaksen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kessler lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Kjartan Isaksen has been cut.
Kessler misses with the combination.
Isaksen misses with a takedown attempt - Kessler sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Isaksen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kessler misses with a hook.
Isaksen uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Kessler has time to react.
Isaksen misses the shot to the body.
Kessler misses with a straight right.
Kasper Kessler seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kessler tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Isaksen was well out of range. Poor timing from Kessler.
Kessler uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Isaksen.
A slow jab from Kessler misses its intended target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler takes a swing at Isaksen's ribcage but misses.
Kessler throws a right and a left that Isaksen avoids nicely.
Isaksen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
A jab from Kessler misses.
Kessler tries to bum rush Isaksen with a series of wild strikes but Isaksen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Isaksen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kessler.
Kessler is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Isaksen.
No luck for Isaksen with that takedown attempt.
Isaksen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kasper Kessler has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kjartan Isaksen.
Kessler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Isaksen works Kessler's body with a nice hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Isaksen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kessler is fending him off so far but Isaksen persists. Nope, Kessler circles away and we're back to standing.
Isaksen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kessler throws a hook but Isaksen avoids it easily.
Isaksen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kessler pinned against the cage. Kessler gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Isaksen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kessler manages to avoid it.
Isaksen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Kessler dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kessler throws a lazy right hand but Isaksen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isaksen digs a good body shot into Kessler's ribs.
Isaksen shoots in and drives through. Kessler sprawls well.
Isaksen misses with a hook to the body
and Kessler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kessler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Isaksen manages to avoid it.
Kessler scores with a crisp jab that stopped Isaksen in his tracks.
Isaksen staying out of range there.
Isaksen misses with a hook to the body
and Kessler counters with a nice uppercut.
Kessler throws out a loose jab but Isaksen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Isaksen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kessler misses the body punch
and Isaksen counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kessler lands with a nice body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Isaksen misses with a jab to the body
and Kessler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kessler swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kessler fails to land with a series of punches.
Kessler throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Isaksen misses with a series of wild punches.
Isaksen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kessler rather than just go for the knockout.
Isaksen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Kessler misses with a combination
and Isaksen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Kessler thinking.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kessler lands with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasper Kessler dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kjartan Isaksen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kessler works over Isaksen's head and body with a nice combination.
Kessler throws a jab when Isaksen was well out of range.
Isaksen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kessler counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Isaksen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Isaksen scores with a hook to the body. Kessler takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Isaksen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kessler.

Isaksen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kessler to the mat! Kessler manages to get full guard.
Kessler trying to strike off his back.
Isaksen stops Kessler from standing up.
Isaksen trying to control but Kessler is working from the bottom.
Kessler will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Isaksen tries to free his leg and advance position but Kessler is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler being controlled here, momentarily.
Kessler wants to sweep but no luck.
Isaksen wants to control from the top but Kessler keeps moving.
Isaksen won't allow Kessler to sweep him here.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A big left from Isaksen misses.
Kessler throws a series of punches but Isaksen avoids them all with ease.

Isaksen scores a takedown into full mount!
Isaksen with a couple of short strikes.
Kessler swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kessler working to try and regain half guard.
Kessler wants to hold on but Isaksen pushes him away.
Isaksen cracks Kessler with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

Isaksen has hold of Kessler's left arm, perhaps looking for a submission. The two fighters tussle over control of the isolated limb and Kessler manages to get his arm back to his side and away from danger.
Kessler is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Isaksen is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Kessler can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Isaksen breaks from Kessler's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Isaksen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Kessler is looking to escape.
Isaksen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kessler regains half guard.
Isaksen is pressing down on Kessler's thigh, looking to free his foot. Kessler is holding on for now.
Isaksen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kessler tries to get to full guard but Isaksen has control of the leg.

Isaksen is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Kessler is trying to get back to full guard.
Isaksen is keen to just control but Kessler is a slippery customer.

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.
Ground and pound from Isaksen.
Isaksen tries to pass to full mount but Kessler defends it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kessler throws a combination that misses

and Isaksen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Kessler is trying to keep Isaksen in close.
Isaksen stopping the sweep attempt from Kessler.
Kessler is trying to control the position but Isaksen postures up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Isaksen throws a big right hand that misses.
Kessler is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kessler keeping full guard, as Isaksen tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kjartan Isaksen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kjartan Isaksen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Kessler will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kessler keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kessler keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Isaksen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kessler sprawls well initially but Isaksen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kessler wants to control but Isaksen is keeping busy.
Isaksen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Kessler does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kessler is looking to improve his position.

Isaksen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Kessler doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Isaksen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kessler trying to control from the bottom.
Isaksen prevents Kessler from improving his position.
Kessler is positioning himself well to prevent Isaksen advancing to mount.
Kessler wants to improve his position but Isaksen is controlling well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Isaksen misses with a hook.
Kessler looks to land a right hand but Isaksen moved out of range.

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.
Isaksen misses with a double jab
and Kessler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Isaksen misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Kessler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Isaksen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kasper Kessler is winning the standup battle so far.
Isaksen defending well as Kessler loads up on a big left hand.
Isaksen throws a lazy right hand but Kessler sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Isaksen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Isaksen misses with a takedown attempt
and Kessler counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Isaksen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kessler throws a predictable looking body shot

and Isaksen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Isaksen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isaksen slips nicely into half guard.
Isaksen trying to pass the guard but Kessler defending well.
Isaksen prevents Kessler from standing back up.
Isaksen wants to take a breather but Kessler is having none of it.
Kessler trying to control from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Isaksen trying to control the action but Kessler is working from the bottom.

Isaksen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kessler is just riding it out for now. Isaksen eventually gives up the hold.
Isaksen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kessler wants to improve his position but Isaksen is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kessler lands a nice shot to the body.
Kessler misses with a few strikes there.
Kessler takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Isaksen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Isaksen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kessler.
Isaksen throws a combination that misses
and Kessler cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kessler fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Kjartan Isaksen just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Kjartan Isaksen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kessler throws a body punch but Isaksen moves out of range.
Kessler connects with a body shot.
Isaksen lands a nice shot to the body.
Kessler lands a nice looking body shot.

Isaksen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Kessler to the mat! Kessler manages to get full guard.
Kessler is looking to stand up but Isaksen isn't so interested in that idea.
Kessler keeping moving, preventing Isaksen from controlling successfully.
Kessler wants to sweep but no luck.
Isaksen wants to control from the top but Kessler keeps moving.
Kessler looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isaksen advances position into side control!

Isaksen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Isaksen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Kessler tries to escape but Isaksen is in control.
Isaksen working away.
Kessler takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.

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

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.
Kessler being controlled for a moment.
Isaksen taking a break here but Kessler is having none of it and regains half guard.
Isaksen is just content to waste time from the top position. Kessler takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Kessler keeping full guard, as Isaksen tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Isaksen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kessler is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kessler wants to stand but Isaksen is controlling the position.
Kjartan Isaksen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kessler working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Isaksen.
Isaksen trying to control but Kessler is working from the bottom.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Kessler scores with a body shot.
Kessler stuns Isaksen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Isaksen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kasper Kessler is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kessler lands a nice hook to Isaksen's body. Isaksen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Isaksen walks into a straight right hand from Kessler.
Kessler throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kessler takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Kessler works over Isaksen's head and body with a nice combination.
Kessler fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Isaksen manages to avoid it.
Isaksen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kessler is fending him off so far but Isaksen persists. Nope, Kessler circles away and we're back to standing.
Isaksen misses with a body punch
and Kessler counters with a stiff right hand.
Isaksen misses with an uppercut.
Kessler throws a body punch but Isaksen moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kasper Kessler had his way with Kjartan Isaksen in that round.
The cut man is working on Kjartan Isaksen's cut.
That's time! Kessler's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Kessler throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Isaksen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kessler throws a jab but it's blocked by Isaksen.
Isaksen misses with a body punch
and Kessler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kessler misses with a looping left.
Isaksen throws a sloppy body shot
and Kessler counters with a series of strikes. Isaksen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Isaksen stuns Kessler with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Isaksen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Isaksen showed some decent athleticism there.
Kessler misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Kessler is trying to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Isaksen is trying to control the action in half guard but Kessler is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Isaksen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kessler is trying to maintain the position but Isaksen is very close to passing his half guard.
Isaksen stops Kessler from getting back to his feet.
Kessler is trying to maintain the position but Isaksen is very close to passing his half guard.
Kessler is looking to improve his position.
Kessler won't allow Isaksen to pass to mount.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kessler looks to land a right hand but Isaksen moved out of range.
Isaksen slips a jab and a cross from Kessler.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Isaksen throws a jab when Kessler was well out of range.
Isaksen misses with a takedown attempt
and Kessler connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Isaksen throws a series of punches but Kessler moves out of range.
Isaksen misses with a hook to the body
and Kessler counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Isaksen misses with a takedown attempt
and Kessler counters with a series of strikes. Isaksen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Kessler just misses with a punch to the body.

Isaksen gets a takedown into half guard.
Kessler moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kessler looking for a sweep. Not yet Kessler, not yet.
Isaksen throws and elbow that misses. Kessler uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Isaksen's guard. Nice move by Kessler!
Kessler trying to control the position from guard on top but Isaksen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kessler wants to stand but Isaksen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Isaksen wants to sweep but no luck.
Kessler wanted to stand there but Isaksen had control of the position.
Isaksen bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kessler's guard.

That's four 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.
Isaksen tries to free his leg and advance position but Kessler is retaining full guard.
Kessler looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Isaksen looking to sit in guard and control but Kessler gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Isaksen 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.
Isaksen striking off his back.
Isaksen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kessler is one step ahead there.
Isaksen trying to keep a closed guard but Kessler is proving a slippery customer.

Isaksen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Kessler can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kasper Kessler showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Kessler has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Kasper Kessler!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Kjartan Isaksen!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Kasper Kessler!

Kasper Kessler wins by split decision!
Kasper Kessler retains his welterweight title!