PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kimmo Kallio (ranked 229 p4p, 990 weight class) and Robert Helpmann (ranked 27 p4p, 135 weight class). Robert Helpmann has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Kimmo Kallio's chin.

Kallio
vs
Helpmann

177 cm
42
175
27 - 13 - 1

184 cm
33
180
12 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Bondi MMA 🏝️
NARCOS

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NARCOS

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 27 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kimmo Kallio!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Robert Helpmann!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, Paul Tew and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kallio misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Helpmann counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Helpmann closes the distance and clinches.
Helpmann has Kallio pressed against the cage, preventing Kallio from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Kallio misses with a hook from the clinch.
Helpmann throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kallios head.
Kallio is trying to break the clinch but Helpmann has him pressed against the cage.
Helpmann scores with a shot to the side of Kallio's head.

Kallio pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Helpmann waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kallio.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kallio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Helpmann! But no joy.
Helpmann scores with a shot to the body.
Helpmann slips a jab and a cross from Kallio.
Helpmann lands with a straight right. Kallio didn't see that one coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kallio throws a head kick that misses
and Helpmann counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Kallio.
Helpmann pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kallio is looking for a counter combo.
Helpmann walks into a jab.
Decent striking displayed by Helpmann there.
Kallio lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Kallio misses with a combination
letting Helpmann counter with a right hand.
Kallio jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kallio takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Helpmann defending well as Kallio loads up on a big left hand.
Helpmann slips a jab and a cross from Kallio.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Helpmann tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kallio swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kallio tries a head kick but it misses.
A cross from Helpmann lands.
Kallio will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Helpmann throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kallio throws a right hand that misses
and Helpmann counters with a nice uppercut.
Kallio looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Helpmann tries to clinch up but Kallio circles away and keeps his distance.
Kallio fires out a quick counter leg kick but Helpmann just manages to avoid it.
Kallio throws a leg kick that is checked
and Helpmann counters with a stiff right hand.
Kallio takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Helpmann waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kallio.
Kallio appears to be looking for a big counter.
Helpmann keeps Kallio at a distance using the push kick.
Kallio avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann misses with an uppercut. Kallio saw that one coming.
Helpmann connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Helpmann throws a body punch but Kallio moves out of range.
Kallio misses the jab.
Helpmann steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Kallio lands with a thumping leg kick.
Helpmann throws a body shot but no joy.
Kallio tries to work over Helpmann's front leg with a kick but Helpmann checks it.
Kallio throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kallio moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Helpmann dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Kallio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Helpmann.
Helpmann has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Helpmann lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Kallio staying out of range there.
Kallio walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Helpmann throws a front kick aimed at Kallio's knee but Kallio avoids it well.
Helpmann scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kallio slips a jab from Helpmann.
Helpmann lands with a nice body kick.
Helpmann motions for Kallio to come forward. Helpmann throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
It looked like Kallio was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Helpmann.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kallio thows a leg kick but Helpmann checks it
and Helpmann counters with a nice body kick.
Kallio swats away the attempt to clinch by Helpmann.
Kallio walks into a stiff left hand from Helpmann.
Kallio moves forwards but Helpmann connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Helpmann is looking to chop away at Kallio's legs.
Helpmann throws a body punch but Kallio moves out of range.
Helpmann scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann 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.
Helpmann scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kallio doesn't seem bothered though.
Kallio lands a nice hook to Helpmann's body. Helpmann takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Kallio displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Helpmann tries to clinch but Kallio moves out of range.
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!
Kallio rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Helpmann moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Helpmann ducks under a wild hook from Kallio.
Kallio looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Helpmann jabs Kallio right on the nose. Kallio blinks but takes it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kallio throws a head kick that misses.
Helpmann looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Robert Helpmann seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kallio gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Helpmann tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kallio manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kallio throws a leg kick but Helpmann checks it.
Helpmann's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kallio under the eye.
Kallio throws a low kick, looking for Helpmann's leg but Helpmann calmly moves out of range.
Kallio throws a looping overhand right but Helpmann ducks down to avoid it.
Helpmann follows through with a counter body kick but it doesn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kallio takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Helpmann throws a shot to the body.
Helpmann waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kallio.
Helpmann has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kallio blocks a low kick nicely.
Helpmann scores with a shot to the body.
Helpmann blocks a jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Helpmann. Kallio does a little dance to reset his feet.
Helpmann misses with a left hand
and Kallio counters with a stiff right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Helpmann wants to clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Helpmann showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Helpmann fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kallio.
Helpmann keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Helpmann with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kallio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Helpmann.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helpmann with the inside leg kick.
Kallio lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Helpmann circles away quickly and effectively.
Helpmann swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Helpmann connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpmann 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.
Kimmo Kallio is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Helpmann throws a nice inside leg kick.
Helpmann thuds his shin into the meat of Kallio's side.
Kallio throws a looping overhand right but Helpmann ducks down to avoid it.
Kallio misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Helpmann buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kallio is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.

Helpmann clinches with his opponent.
Helpmann lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Kallio's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Some bone on bone action there as Helpmann checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann slips a jab and a cross from Kallio.
Kallio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Helpmann.
Helpmann moves out of range of the body kick from Kallio.
Helpmann walks into a stiff left hand from Kallio.
Kallio 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!
Helpmann scores with a push kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kallio throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Helpmann counters with a thumping low kick.
Helpmann with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kallio misses with a two punch combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Helpmann misses the target.
Kallio moves away from the strike by Helpmann.
Helpmann avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Helpmann uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kallio.
A slow jab from Helpmann misses its intended target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kallio gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Helpmann.
Kallio throws a push kick but Helpmann slaps the foot to one side.
Helpmann scores with a sloppy right hand. Kallio should have avoided that one.
Kallio lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Helpmann circles away quickly and effectively.
Kallio slips a straight right by Helpmann.
No joy there for Kallio, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Helpmann moves out of range as Kallio throws a body kick.
Kallio throws a leg kick
and Helpmann counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A nice leg kick lands there from Helpmann.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Robert Helpmann really dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kallio keeps the fight on the outside.
Helpmann tries to clinch up but Kallio circles away and keeps his distance.
Kallio pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nice straight punches there by Helpmann. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Helpmann.
Helpmann throws a nice outside leg kick.

Oooooh!!! Kallio has knocked Helpmann down with a huge combo! Kallio steps away and waves a wobbly Helpmann back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!
Helpmann throws a right hand that misses
and Kallio counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Helpmann misses the shot to the body.
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!
Kallio misses with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helpmann ducks under a wild hook from Kallio.
Kallio misses with an uppercut.
Kallio on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Helpmann. Helpmann obviously looking to wear him down.
Helpmann misses the shot to the body.
Helpmann tries to bum rush Kallio with a series of wild strikes but Kallio uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Helpmann swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Kallio counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kallio pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Helpmann back to the cage. Kallio follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kallio throws a right hand that Helpmann ducks under and follows up with a left that Helpmann also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann looks to land a right hand but Kallio moved out of range.
Helpmann dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Helpmann tries to clinch but Kallio moves out of range.
Helpmann keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kallio.
Helpmann misses with a wild combination.
Kallio will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kallio tries to land a leg kick but Helpmann saw it coming and moves away.
Helpmann throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kallio is looking for a counter combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Helpmann.
Helpmann misses with a kick to the body.
Helpmann scores with a kick to the midsection.
Helpmann missing with a left hand there. Kallio was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Kallio is looking to counter punch.
Kallio throws a front kick aimed at Helpmann's knee but Helpmann avoids it well.
A jab from Helpmann finds it's way through Kallio's defenses.
Kallio swings for the body but Helpmann moves out of range.
Helpmann only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Kallio throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Helpmann.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann scores with a nice head shot.
Helpmann with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kallio throws a series of punches but Helpmann avoids them all with ease.
Kallio tries a head kick but it misses.
Helpmann lands with a nice body punch.
Kallio has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Helpmann tries to clinch up.
Kallio is looking to counter punch.
A slapping leg kick lands for Helpmann.
Helpmann thumps Kallio with a low kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Kimmo Kallio will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Kallio throws a leg kick
and Helpmann counters with a nice uppercut.
Helpmann cracks Kallio with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Helpmann lands with a right hand.
Kallio waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Helpmann.
A punch combination from Kallio misses.
Kallio throws a combination. Helpmann tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kallio ducks right into an uppercut from Helpmann.
Helpmann slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Helpmann fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kallio pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Helpmann swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Kallio uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Helpmann.
Kallio is looking for a counter combo.
Helpmann lands a nice shot to the body.
A left lands for Helpmann.
Kallio throws a leg kick but Helpmann sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kallio misses with a double jab.
Kallio takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.

Kallio tries to keep at a distance but Helpmann has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helpmann is looking to control Kallio's arms but Kallio gets an underhook and turns him. Now Helpmann has his back to the cage.
Helpmann tries to work over Kallio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Kallio looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Helpmann working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kallio is trying to break the clinch but Helpmann is controlling him.
Kallio blocks a punch to the side of the head.

Kallio breaks from the clinch.
A big left from Kallio misses.
Helpmann blocks a head kick by Kallio.
Helpmann looks to score with a jab to the body but Kallio is just out of range.
Kallio seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kallio thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Helpmann if he has to take too many more of those.
Kallio fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Helpmann on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Kallio on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Robert Helpmann is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kallio misses with the combination.
Helpmann scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kimmo Kallio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Helpmann clinches.
Helpmann blocks an uppercut.
Kallio misses with a punch on the inside.
Kallio working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kallio can't break the clinch.
Kallio wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kallio misses with a punch on the inside.
Kallio looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kallio tries to break the clinch but Helpmann is controlling the position.
Kallio misses with a hook from the clinch.

Kallio escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kallio throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Helpmann swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Robert Helpmann.
Well Helpmann has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Phil Schofield scores the fight 46:49
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 45:50
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Robert Helpmann!
Robert Helpmann is the new welterweight champion!
Robert Helpmann decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.