PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Torsti Karjala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Torvald Gunnarsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Karjala kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is George Baker- Little green bag. Torsti Karjala has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Karjala
vs
Gunnarsson

183 cm
22
205 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

173 cm
19
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
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 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Torsti Karjala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Torvald Gunnarsson!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Karjala jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Karjala throws a sloppy head kick and Gunnarsson moves out of range easily.
Karjala throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Karjala shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Gunnarsson regains half guard.
Gunnarsson moves into full guard.
Karjala content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Gunnarsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karjala accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Karjala accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Karjala would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Karjala stopping the sweep attempt from Gunnarsson.
Karjala wants to get up but he can't break Gunnarsson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Karjala won't allow Gunnarsson to get back to his feet.
Karjala is looking to work some ground and pound but Gunnarsson has wrist control.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Karjala tries to work over Gunnarsson's front leg with a kick but Gunnarsson checks it.
Gunnarsson lands a head kick. Karjala smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The fight stays on the outside here - Gunnarsson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Gunnarsson dives in and grabs Karjala's left leg, looking for a takedown. Karjala pushes down on Gunnarsson's head and hops out.
Gunnarsson with a lazy takedown attempt

so Karjala counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Karjala is breathing heavily.

Karjala gets to his feet. Gunnarsson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Karjala as he avoids it easily.
Torsti Karjala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Torvald Gunnarsson.
Gunnarsson shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Karjala but Karjala pushes him off and we're back to square one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A left and a right from Karjala both land. Nice combination.
Karjala scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Karjala swinging wilding here.
A left and a right from Karjala both land. Nice combination.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick by Karjala misses
and Gunnarsson cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Gunnarsson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Torsti Karjala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Karjala swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gunnarsson counters with a straight right hand.
Karjala throws a right and a left that Gunnarsson avoids nicely.
Karjala lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Karjala's corner calls for a 1-2. Karjala obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Karjala jabs Gunnarsson right on the nose. Gunnarsson blinks but takes it well.
Karjala will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gunnarsson tries for a takedown but Karjala circles away easily

and Karjala moves into the clinch.
Gunnarsson should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Karjala has had enough of the clinch but Gunnarsson keeps him there for the moment.
Gunnarsson has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Karjala avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Gunnarsson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Karjala stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Karjala is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Karjala tries to circle away but Gunnarsson has him pinned against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson fails to pull guard.
Gunnarsson can't break the clinch.
Karjala lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Gunnarsson goes for a takedown attempt but Karjala pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Gunnarsson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Karjala defends it nicely.
Karjala lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gunnarsson ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Karjala scores with a shot to the body.
Karjala lands a two punch combo.
Gunnarsson tries to bum rush Karjala with a series of wild strikes but Karjala uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Karjala misses with a two punch combination.
Gunnarsson fails with the takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Gunnarsson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Karjala lands a nice looking body shot.
Gunnarsson dodges the punch combination from Karjala.
Gunnarsson will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Karjala closes the distance and clinches.
Karjala wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Gunnarsson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Karjala pulls his leg out and moves away.
Gunnarsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Karjala circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Karjala throws a series of punches but Gunnarsson avoids them all with ease.
Karjala misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gunnarsson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Karjala sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Gunnarsson somewhat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Torsti Karjala dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gunnarsson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Karjala scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Karjala closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Gunnarsson to the mat! Gunnarsson manages to get full guard.
Karjala cracks Gunnarsson with a solid left hand.

Karjala avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Gunnarsson is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Karjala is controlling him.
Karjala scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Karjala lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Gunnarsson is trying to control the position but Karjala postures up.

Karjala gets to his feet. Gunnarsson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gunnarsson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Karjala scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Gunnarsson shoots in looking for a takedown. Karjala tries to sprawl out of it but Gunnarsson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Karjala manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Karjala lands a really nice looking cross but Gunnarsson seems unphased.
Gunnarsson shoots in and drives through. Karjala sprawls well.
Torsti Karjala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Torvald Gunnarsson.

Gunnarsson closes the distance and clinches.
Gunnarsson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Karjala lands a nice shot to the body.
Gunnarsson prevents Karjala from breaking the clinch.
Gunnarsson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Karjala manages to break the clinch.
Nice sprawl there from Karjala as Gunnarsson shoots in.
Karjala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Karjala wants it to stay on the feet.

Karjala changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Gunnarsson looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karjala lands a decent elbow from side control.
You can see the frustration on Gunnarsson's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Karjala has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Karjala throws a combination that misses
and Gunnarsson counters with a head kick. That will keep Karjala thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Karjala swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Gunnarsson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Karjala at a distance.
Karjala circles away from the clinch attempt.

Karjala drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Karjala cracks Gunnarsson with a big elbow.
Gunnarsson is looking for a sweep.
Karjala lands an elbow.
Karjala grinds an elbow into Gunnarsson's temple.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson taking punishment in the form of punches.
Gunnarsson struggling a bit here.
Gunnarsson is trying to get back to half guard.
Gunnarsson can't do much from the bottom here.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Karjala lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gunnarsson circles away quickly and effectively.
Gunnarsson gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Karjala counters by clinching up.
Karjala is trying to break the clinch but Gunnarsson has him pressed against the cage.

Karjala breaks from the clinch.
Gunnarsson throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

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.
Gunnarsson with a lazy takedown attempt

and Karjala holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Gunnarsson is trying to drag Karjala to the mat but Karjala just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Gunnarsson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Karjala prevents Gunnarsson from breaking the clinch.
Karjala gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Gunnarsson.
Karjala is working Gunnarsson over against the cage.
Gunnarsson is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Karjala gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Karjala breaks the clinch.
Gunnarsson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Karjala swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Karjala throws a leg kick that misses.
Gunnarsson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Karjala shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
Gunnarsson sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Karjala lands a nice short elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Torsti Karjala dominated that second round.
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!

Karjala misses with the combination.

Karjala feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Karjala content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Karjala wants to get up but he can't break Gunnarsson's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Gunnarsson throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Karjala postures up and lands a big shot to Gunnarsson's brow.
Karjala scoring with punches to the head and body.
Gunnarsson 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.
Karjala throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Gunnarsson works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Gunnarsson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Torsti Karjala overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Karjala lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Karjala scores with a three punch combo!

Gunnarsson changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Karjala looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Karjala tries to escape but Gunnarsson is in control.
Gunnarsson tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.

Karjala sneaks out the side door and pushes Gunnarsson away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Karjala slaps away a takedown attempt from Gunnarsson, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Karjala throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Gunnarsson was covering up waiting for the punch and Karjala finishes the takedown easily into guard.

Karjala stands up and waves to Gunnarsson to follow him.
Gunnarsson shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Karjala counters with a series of strikes. Gunnarsson will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karjala lands a two punch combo.
Gunnarsson plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Karjala tries to bum rush Gunnarsson with a series of wild strikes but Gunnarsson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Karjala slaps away a takedown attempt from Gunnarsson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Torsti Karjala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Torvald Gunnarsson.

Karjala moves into range and clinches up with Gunnarsson.
Karjala wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Gunnarsson has him pressed against the cage.

Karjala's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Karjala clinches.
Gunnarsson tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Gunnarsson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gunnarsson doesn't manage to clinch there - Karjala circles away.

Karjala shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The fighters are battling for position here. Gunnarsson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson trying to keep a closed guard but Karjala is proving a slippery customer.
Gunnarsson is looking to stand up but Karjala isn't so interested in that idea.
Karjala landing some decent shots from guard.

Karjala stands up and waves to Gunnarsson to follow him.

Karjala drives through and clinches with Gunnarsson against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Karjala.
Karjala digs a right hand underneath Gunnarsson's ribcage. Gunnarsson let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Karjala lands a body punch in the clinch.

Gunnarsson pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gunnarsson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Karjala lands a couple of elbows.
Karjala throwing strikes from guard but Gunnarsson blocks nicely.
Karjala connects with a couple of short punches.
Karjala postures up and lands a big shot to Gunnarsson's brow.
Gunnarsson trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Karjala landing some decent shots from guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Karjala moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Torvald Gunnarsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Torsti Karjala is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Karjala lands a two punch combo.

And that's the end of the fight!
Torsti Karjala showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Karjala has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Torsti Karjala!