PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Zaid Al Balushi (ranked 80 p4p, 441 weight class) and Ultima Koivisto (ranked 14 p4p, 72 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Al Balushi
vs
Koivisto

180 cm
34
155
21 - 7 - 1

173 cm
35
158
30 - 16 - 1

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

Voodoo Nutrition
Urban Fighter

HELLBENT
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Zaid Al Balushi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 30 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ultima Koivisto!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Shigeki Fujiwara and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Koivisto.
Al Balushi slips under a jab.
Al Balushi ducks under a wild hook from Koivisto.
Koivisto shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Al Balushi as he jumps to the side.
Koivisto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Al Balushi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Koivisto throws a leg kick which misses Al Balushi's front leg but catches the back leg as Al Balushi tries to avoid it.
Koivisto paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Koivisto checks a leg kick nicely.
Al Balushi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koivisto connects with an inside leg kick.
The fighters circling - Koivisto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Al Balushi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Koivisto.
A low kick from Koivisto is predictable there
and Al Balushi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Koivisto swings away with a body shot that misses
and Al Balushi counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koivisto is trying hard to land a takedown here. Al Balushi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Al Balushi lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Al Balushi pivots, looking for a leg kick but Koivisto is out of range and Al Balushi settles back down.
Koivisto tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Koivisto misses with a leg kick
and Al Balushi counters with a good, hard body kick but Koivisto shrugs it off.
Koivisto throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Al Balushi to counter with a crisp jab.
Koivisto has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Koivisto rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Al Balushi counters with a nice uppercut.
A good leg kick by Koivisto.
Koivisto scores with a nice body kick.
Koivisto misses with a low kick.
Al Balushi throwing a counter right hand but Koivisto manages to avoid it.
Al Balushi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Koivisto tries to move into range but Al Balushi moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Al Balushi on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Koivisto misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Al Balushi counters with a leg kick.
Koivisto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Koivisto moves out of range of the strikes.
Koivisto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Al Balushi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Koivisto is out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koivisto misses with a kick to the body.
Koivisto looks to land a right hand but Al Balushi moved out of range.
Koivisto stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Al Balushi.
Koivisto shoots in but Al Balushi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Al Balushi is looking to counter punch.
Zaid Al Balushi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ultima Koivisto.
A big left from Koivisto misses.
Al Balushi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A punch lands to the side of Al Balushi 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Koivisto scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Al Balushi avoids the head kick by Koivisto.
Al Balushi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Al Balushi dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Koivisto. That did some damage!
Koivisto throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Koivisto throws a leg kick but Al Balushi sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koivisto throws a body shot but no joy.
Al Balushi staying out of range there.
Koivisto scores with a jab to the body.

Koivisto changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Al Balushi looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
You can see the frustration on Al Balushi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Koivisto working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Al Balushi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Koivisto working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
Koivisto controls the position from side control.
Koivisto with the ground and pound but Al Balushi regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Koivisto.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koivisto lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Koivisto is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Al Balushi keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Koivisto missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Koivisto scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Al Balushi has hold of Koivisto's hands but Koivisto slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Koivisto throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Al Balushi is looking for a sweep. Koivisto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ultima Koivisto dominated that round.
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.

That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Al Balushi crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Koivisto - the referee stops the clock and Al Balushi gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Koivisto. Al Balushi manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
A looping hook to the body misses from Koivisto. Al Balushi does a little dance to reset his feet.
It appears Al Balushi was looking to counter with a kick there.
Koivisto swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Al Balushi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Al Balushi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Koivisto.
Al Balushi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Koivisto throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Koivisto defending well as Al Balushi loads up on a big left hand.
Al Balushi is looking to score with low kicks.
A telegraphed right hand from Koivisto misses the target.
A big right from Koivisto misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koivisto throws a poor cross that misses
and Al Balushi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Good shot there by Al Balushi.
Al Balushi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Koivisto.
Koivisto lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Ultima Koivisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Al Balushi misses with a low kick.
Koivisto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Koivisto fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Al Balushi to the ground. Koivisto is now in Al Balushi's guard.
Al Balushi keeping moving, preventing Koivisto from controlling successfully.
Ultima Koivisto has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koivisto throwing strikes but missing.
Koivisto throws a strike but Al Balushi rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Koivisto throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Al Balushi escapes and throws Koivisto's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Koivisto has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Koivisto is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Koivisto is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koivisto is trying to get back to full guard.
Koivisto keeps trying to improve his position.
Koivisto wants to sweep but Al Balushi has passed to side control!
Koivisto is trying to control Al Balushi's posture but Al Balushi avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koivisto is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Al Balushi is staying active.
Koivisto manages to get back to half guard.
Al Balushi prevents Koivisto from improving his position.

Koivisto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Well, if Al Balushi is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Koivisto wants to improve his position but Al Balushi is controlling well.

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.
Koivisto trying to hold on to Al Balushi's head to control him but Al Balushi postures up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

Koivisto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Al Balushi moves into side control, avoiding a weak kimura attempt from Koivisto.
Koivisto tries to buck Al Balushi off but Al Balushi is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Koivisto is still trying to improve position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Zaid Al Balushi will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Koivisto throws a leg kick that is checked
and Al Balushi counters with a series of strikes. Koivisto will be more careful next time no doubt.
Koivisto fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Koivisto looks to throw a body kick
and Al Balushi counters with a nice uppercut.
Koivisto throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Al Balushi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Koivisto swings widly with a right hand
and Koivisto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Zaid Al Balushi is winning the standup battle so far.
Koivisto does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Koivisto thuds his shin into the meat of Al Balushi's side.
A low kick from Koivisto misses
and Koivisto takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Al Balushi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Koivisto sees it coming and avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Koivisto misses with a hook to the body
and Al Balushi counters with a slapping leg kick.
Koivisto throws a predictable looking body shot
and Al Balushi counters with a nice low kick that buckles Koivisto's knee momentarily.
Al Balushi throws out a leg kick but Koivisto moves out of range and Al Balushi only half commits.
Koivisto ducks under a wild hook from Al Balushi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koivisto misses with a straight left.
It looked like Al Balushi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Al Balushi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Koivisto has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
A low kick from Koivisto misses
and Al Balushi connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Koivisto shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Al Balushi is trying to defend but Koivisto finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Al Balushi is not content to let Koivisto control the position.
Koivisto thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Koivisto thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Al Balushi's head.
Koivisto prevents Al Balushi from improving his position.

Koivisto is looking for submissions but instead, Al Balushi has regained full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Al Balushi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Koivisto looking for a sweep. Not yet Koivisto, not yet.

Koivisto escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Al Balushi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koivisto wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koivisto has his foot on Al Balushi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Al Balushi works his way back into a safe position though.
Koivisto not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Koivisto keeping moving, preventing Al Balushi from controlling successfully.
Koivisto wants to sweep here but Al Balushi controlling him for the moment.

Koivisto has his foot on Al Balushi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Al Balushi works his way back into a safe position though.
Al Balushi stays in close to Koivisto's body and controls the position.

Koivisto had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Al Balushi defends it easily.
Al Balushi's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Zaid Al Balushi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

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.
Koivisto wants to slow Al Balushi down by chopping away at his legs.
Al Balushi throws a quick counter kick to the body but Koivisto avoids it.
Al Balushi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Al Balushi tries to work over Koivisto's front leg with a kick but Koivisto checks it.
A jab from Koivisto does it's job there.
Al Balushi takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Koivisto lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Koivisto looks to land a left hand but Al Balushi moved out of range nicely.
A low kick from Koivisto misses
and Al Balushi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Koivisto connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Al Balushi momentarily.
Koivisto takes one to the side of the head.

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 Zaid Al Balushi.
I think Al Balushi 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 29:29
Judge Shigeki Fujiwara scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Zaid Al Balushi!
An out of breath Zaid Al Balushi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.