PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Verneri Kynaniska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Erik Steiner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Kynaniska
vs
Steiner

189 cm
20
208 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

195 cm
22
210 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Verneri Kynaniska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Erik Steiner!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Steiner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kynaniska tries to avoid it but Steiner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kynaniska to the ground. Kynaniska escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Kynaniska instigates a clinch.
Steiner is working Kynaniska over against the cage.

Steiner successfully pulls guard.
Steiner bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kynaniska's guard.
Steiner's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Kynaniska is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Kynaniska is breathing heavily.
Steiner advances position into side control!
Steiner in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Steiner cracks Kynaniska with a big right hand but Kynaniska just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Steiner landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.

Steiner looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Steiner decides to stand back up.
Kynaniska shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Steiner but Steiner pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A thudding body kick lands there by Steiner!
No joy there for Kynaniska, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Steiner fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Steiner throws a nice outside leg kick.

Steiner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Steiner changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Kynaniska fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Verneri Kynaniska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Steiner.
Steiner fails to land the takedown.
Steiner doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kynaniska counters with a good low kick that Steiner was not able to check.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Steiner fails with a takedown attempt.
Steiner shoots in but no luck this time.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Steiner.
Nice uppercut there from Kynaniska.
Kynaniska throws a series of strikes that have Steiner backpedaling.

Steiner scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Kynaniska taking some punishment here, with Steiner in his half guard.
Kynaniska is trying to stand back up but Steiner is controlling him
Steiner is trying to control the action in half guard but Kynaniska is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Steiner drops an elbow to the side of Kynaniska's head.
Steiner wants to control but Kynaniska is keeping him busy.
Steiner missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kynaniska regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Steiner.
Kynaniska keeping moving, preventing Steiner from controlling successfully.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Kynaniska changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Steiner tries to avoid it but Kynaniska manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Steiner to the ground. Steiner escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kynaniska tries to clinch there but Steiner circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Steiner.
Kynaniska avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Steiner will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kynaniska will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Steiner tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kynaniska tries to bum rush Steiner with a series of wild strikes but Steiner uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Kynaniska defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Steiner.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kynaniska misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kynaniska gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Steiner.
Some wild striking there from Kynaniska.
Kynaniska rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Steiner moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Steiner gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Steiner escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kynaniska throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Steiner.
Steiner shoots in for a takedown but Kynaniska shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A punch combination from Kynaniska misses.
Steiner fails to land the takedown.
Steiner checks a leg kick.
Kynaniska fails to land with a series of punches.

Steiner looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Steiner is controlling the pace.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Steiner dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kynaniska lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Kynaniska misses with a hook.
Kynaniska closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Steiner to counter with a crisp jab.
Steiner is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kynaniska sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Steiner lands a body shot.

Steiner moves into the clinch.
Steiner wants a takedown.

Steiner breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No joy there for Kynaniska, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kynaniska circles away from the clinch attempt.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kynaniska swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Steiner is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kynaniska sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Verneri Kynaniska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Steiner.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A left and a right from Kynaniska both land. Nice combination.
Steiner is looking to clinch but Kynaniska is avoiding it.
Steiner shoots in but Kynaniska avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Kynaniska drops his hands momentarily and Steiner takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Verneri Kynaniska seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Steiner gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kynaniska.
Nice takedown defense from Kynaniska. No joy for Steiner on that attempt.
Steiner tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Kynaniska counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Steiner fails with the takedown.
Steiner looks to land a combination but Kynaniska avoids it well.
Kynaniska throws a body kick that misses.
Steiner fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kynaniska avoids it really well and circles away.
Kynaniska cracks Steiner with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

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.

Steiner shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Steiner scoring with some ground and pound.
Steiner is stalling in the full guard.
Kynaniska wants to stand but Steiner is controlling the position.
Steiner throwing strikes but missing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Steiner won't allow Kynaniska to get back to his feet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Steiner's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Steiner duly obliges.
Steiner closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Kynaniska lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Steiner backs up against the cage.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Steiner.
Horrible takedown by Steiner or perhaps it was just good defense by Kynaniska which made him look bad.
Steiner shoots for a takedown but Kynaniska saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kynaniska fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Steiner shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Kynaniska is trying to defend but Steiner finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Steiner stands up from half guard.
Steiner tries for a takedown but Kynaniska sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kynaniska throws a combination that misses

and Steiner counters with a takedown into side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Steiner stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Kynaniska misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Steiner shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Kynaniska manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kynaniska uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Kynaniska bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Erik Steiner 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. This is the final round!

Kynaniska swats away the attempt to clinch by Steiner.
Steiner misses with a takedown
and Steiner takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
A combination from Kynaniska does no damage.
Kynaniska scores with a shot to the body.
Steiner changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kynaniska tries to avoid it but Steiner manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kynaniska to the ground. Kynaniska escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Kynaniska shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Steiner gets full guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Steiner holds on and takes a little breather.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Steiner not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Kynaniska stands up and waves to Steiner to follow him.
Kynaniska fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kynaniska throws a series of punches but Steiner moves out of range.
Steiner will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Verneri Kynaniska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Erik Steiner.
Steiner looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kynaniska.
Steiner tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kynaniska paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Steiner tries for a takedown but Kynaniska circles away easily

and Kynaniska moves into the clinch.
Steiner tries to score a body lock takedown but Kynaniska shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Kynaniska is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Steiner breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kynaniska ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Steiner closes the distance and clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kynaniska breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Steiner closes the distance and clinches.
Kynaniska wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Steiner has him pressed against the cage.
Kynaniska has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Steiner landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Steiner tries to pull guard but Kynaniska won't allow it.

Steiner has Kynaniska pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Steiner pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kynaniska tumbling to the mat - Steiner dives into Kynaniska's guard.
Steiner won't allow Kynaniska to get back to his feet.
Steiner advances to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kynaniska is trying to stand.

Steiner postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Kynaniska to stand up.

Steiner closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kynaniska did well to prevent Steiner getting side control.
Steiner wants to take a breather but Kynaniska is having none of it.

Kynaniska kicks off Steiner and gets to his feet.
Kynaniska is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Steiner.
Verneri Kynaniska has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steiner moves in looking to clinch but Kynaniska pushes him off.
Steiner misses with a combination
and Kynaniska connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Steiner throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Kynaniska was covering up waiting for the punch and Steiner finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Kynaniska is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Steiner with a flurry of punches that miss.
Erik Steiner has got the better of the ground game so far.
Steiner trying to control but Kynaniska is working from the bottom.
Steiner must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Steiner landing some decent shots from guard.
Steiner trying to control but Kynaniska is working from the bottom.

Kynaniska scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Erik Steiner is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Kynaniska rushes Steiner and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Erik Steiner.
Well Steiner 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Erik Steiner!