PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jyrki Sukulaku (ranked 845 p4p, 761 weight class) and Francis Oosthuizen (ranked 118 p4p, 107 weight class). Francis Oosthuizen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Sukulaku
vs
Oosthuizen

178 cm
33
155
24 - 16 - 1

177 cm
32
166
25 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

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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 24 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Hilo, Jyrki Sukulaku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 25 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Francis Oosthuizen !
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, James Atkins and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sukulaku lands with a cross.

It looks like Francis Oosthuizen has been cut.
Sukulaku throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Oosthuizen appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Oosthuizen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sukulaku.
Sukulaku throws a head kick that misses
and Oosthuizen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Sukulaku bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Oosthuizen takes the fight into the clinch.
A short right from Oosthuizen .
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sukulaku.
Oosthuizen connects with a knee to the head.
Sukulaku changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Oosthuizen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Oosthuizen moves out of range of the leg kick from Sukulaku.
Sukulaku swinging wildly here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Oosthuizen throws a jab but it's blocked by Sukulaku.
Oosthuizen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Oosthuizen with a nice cross.
Sukulaku misses with an uppercut.
Oosthuizen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick from Sukulaku lands but Oosthuizen takes it in his stride.

A head kick lands from Sukulaku that sends Oosthuizen to the canvas. Oosthuizen tries to scramble back to his feet but Sukulaku brings him back down into side control.

Oosthuizen is rocked!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sukulaku tries for a kimura but Oosthuizen is defending well.
Oosthuizen is still in real trouble! Can Sukulaku finish him?
Sukulaku laying and praying for a moment but Oosthuizen takes advantage and regains half guard.
Oosthuizen seems to have recovered his senses.
Sukulaku trying to pass the guard but Oosthuizen defending well.
Sukulaku is looking to stall here but Oosthuizen recovers full guard.
Oosthuizen keeping moving, preventing Sukulaku from controlling successfully.

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.
Oosthuizen 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.
Sukulaku is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Sukulaku pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Oosthuizen is keeping the position for now.
Oosthuizen controlling Sukulaku's posture.
Sukulaku trying to control but Oosthuizen is working from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oosthuizen keeping full guard, as Sukulaku tries to pass.
Sukulaku trying to control but Oosthuizen is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Oosthuizen misses with a hook
and Sukulaku counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Sukulaku fails to pull guard.
Oosthuizen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sukulaku.
Sukulaku's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Oosthuizen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sukulaku drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jyrki Sukulaku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oosthuizen using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sukulaku has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sukulaku jumps guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

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

Oosthuizen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Sukulaku is trying to control the position but Oosthuizen postures up.
Sukulaku has a closed guard, preventing Oosthuizen from standing up.

Sukulaku looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Sukulaku is working an open guard so Oosthuizen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
The crowd cheers as Sukulaku lands an impressive looking overhand right. Oosthuizen doesn't seem phased though.

That has opened up Francis Oosthuizen 's cut even more.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Oosthuizen clinches with his opponent.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jyrki Sukulaku dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Francis Oosthuizen 's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Oosthuizen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Sukulaku sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Jyrki Sukulaku is winning the standup battle so far.
Oosthuizen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Sukulaku misses with a hook. Oosthuizen ducked under it nicely.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Oosthuizen , as that shot connected.
Sukulaku throws a sloppy head kick and Oosthuizen moves out of range easily.
Oosthuizen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Sukulaku.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Sukulaku drags the fight down to the ground.

Sukulaku looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Oosthuizen is looking to stand up but Sukulaku won't let him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sukulaku has his foot on Oosthuizen 's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Oosthuizen works his way back into a safe position though.

Sukulaku throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Sukulaku has a closed guard, preventing Oosthuizen from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Sukulaku working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Oosthuizen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oosthuizen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Oosthuizen is pushing down on Sukulaku's leg trying to pass to half guard. Sukulaku is fighting to maintain full guard but Oosthuizen has managed to sneak the leg through.

Oosthuizen decides to stand and escape the position.
Oosthuizen avoids the head kick by Sukulaku.
Sukulaku lands the left hand.
Oosthuizen blocks a head kick by Sukulaku.
Sukulaku connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Francis Oosthuizen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sukulaku takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Oosthuizen misses with a series of wild punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Sukulaku misses the target.
Sukulaku throws a big shot that misses.
Sukulaku is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Oosthuizen tries to clinch but Sukulaku moves away
and Oosthuizen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sukulaku misses with an uppercut.
Sukulaku rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
enabling Oosthuizen to counter with a crisp jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Sukulaku circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sukulaku throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sukulaku throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Oosthuizen on the side of the head.
Oosthuizen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Sukulaku moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.

Oosthuizen forces Sukulaku back against the cage and clinches.
Oosthuizen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Sukulaku drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sukulaku has a couple of punches blocked by Oosthuizen .

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Oosthuizen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Sukulaku breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Oosthuizen connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Sukulaku misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Oosthuizen throws an overhand right that lands on Sukulaku's shoulder, as Sukulaku tries to avoid the shot.

Oosthuizen clinches up against the cage.

Sukulaku gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Oosthuizen is refusing to be controlled, as Sukulaku sits in half guard.
Oosthuizen is looking for a sweep. Sukulaku is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Sukulaku wants to take a breather but Oosthuizen is having none of it.

Sukulaku looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Oosthuizen moves into full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sukulaku controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Oosthuizen is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sukulaku stays in close to Oosthuizen 's body and controls the position.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Sukulaku stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Oosthuizen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
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 Jyrki Sukulaku will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Francis Oosthuizen 's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Oosthuizen slips under a jab from Sukulaku.
Oosthuizen scores with a decent looking hook.
Oosthuizen defending well as Sukulaku loads up on a big left hand.
Oosthuizen lands with a shot to the body.

Oosthuizen has managed to clinch.
Francis Oosthuizen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

Sukulaku jumps guard.
Oosthuizen trying to control the position from guard on top but Sukulaku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sukulaku has a closed guard, preventing Oosthuizen from standing up.

Oosthuizen gets to his feet - Sukulaku follows without any prompting.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sukulaku takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Oosthuizen connects with a looping right hand.
Oosthuizen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Sukulaku misses with a few strikes there.
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!
Sukulaku throws a sloppy body shot
and Oosthuizen counters with a straight right hand.

Sukulaku is rocked!
Oosthuizen scores with a jab to the head.
Oh Sukulaku is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut there from Sukulaku.
Sukulaku walks into a straight right, dropping him to the canvas! Oosthuizen swarms him and finishes the fight with a hail of punches! What a brutal finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:09 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Francis Oosthuizen !
An out of breath Francis Oosthuizen thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.