PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Yrjo Puska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Armo Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Puska's entrance music is GWB -rap. A fine choice. Kuusela has chosen Promentory as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Puska
vs
Kuusela

183 cm
24
185 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

192 cm
22
197 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Yrjo Puska!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Armo Kuusela!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good leg kick by Kuusela there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Some wild striking there from Kuusela.
Kuusela misses with a straight left.
Kuusela lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Good standup being displayed there by Kuusela as he connects with a hook.
Puska throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Puska misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuusela.
Kuusela tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Puska was well out of range. Poor timing from Kuusela.
Kuusela moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Puska moves in looking to clinch but Kuusela pushes him off.

Kuusela lands a big head kick that sends Puska tumbling to the mat! Kuusela takes a step backwards and waves Puska back to his feet - he wants the finish!

Puska is rocked!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuusela tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Puska tests Kuusela's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Puska with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A leg kick checked by Puska.
A punch combination from Puska misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kuusela.
Puska scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kuusela doesn't seem bothered though.
Yrjo Puska seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Puska throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusela looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Kuusela scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Puska doesn't seem bothered though.
A jab from Puska finds it's way through Kuusela's defenses.
Puska misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuusela.
Puska fails to land with a series of punches.
Puska bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuusela throws a solid leg kick but Puska takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kuusela.
Kuusela keeps the fight on the outside.
Puska ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Puska takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Kuusela cracks Puska with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A big right from Kuusela misses.
Puska blocks a jab.
Puska is looking to clinch.
Crunch! Kuusela slams his shin into Puska's torso.
Kuusela throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Puska shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuusela desperately trying to maintain half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Puska seems to be looking for submissions.
Kuusela trying to control but Puska postures up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Puska sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kuusela defending well though.
Puska is looking to stall here but Kuusela recovers full guard.
Kuusela looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puska working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kuusela looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Kuusela looking to hit a scissor sweep but Puska is one step ahead there.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Puska takes a swing at Kuusela's ribcage but misses.
Puska throws a body punch but Kuusela moves out of range.
Kuusela throws a quick inside leg kick.
Puska shoots in for a double leg but Kuusela sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Kuusela lands a jab to Puska's midsection.
Kuusela throws a head kick but Puska moves out of range.
Kuusela lands a head kick. Puska smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Puska moves in looking to clinch but Kuusela pushes him off.
Puska doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuusela circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela scores with a spinning back kick!
Puska throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kuusela connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Puska stalks Kuusela and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kuusela's face. Kuusela staggers backwards, shaken.
Kuusela walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Puska checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Puska.
Kuusela throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Puska tries for a takedown but Kuusela sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yrjo Puska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Puska is breathing heavily.
Puska misses with a looping right.
Kuusela fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Puska wants to clinch
and Puska takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Puska is looking to wear down Kuusela with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
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!
Nice cross by Kuusela.
Puska takes a shot right to the bread basket.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuusela swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Puska counters with a straight right hand.
Kuusela scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Kuusela cracks the inside of Puska's front leg.
Kuusela connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Puska's hands.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armo Kuusela dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Puska tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kuusela moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Puska wants to clinch
and Kuusela counters with a nice leg kick.
Puska ducks right into an uppercut from Kuusela.
Kuusela misses with a body shot.
Kuusela uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Puska.
Armo Kuusela seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kuusela swings for the body but Puska moves out of range.
Kuusela getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Kuusela looks to score with a jab to the body but Puska is just out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Puska. Kuusela does a little dance to reset his feet.
Puska takes a kick to the side of the head.
Oh Puska is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Kuusela moves out of range of the strikes.
Puska seems to have got his legs back now.

Puska instigates a clinch.
Puska is trying to maintain a safe position but Kuusela gets an underhook and turns Puska into the cage.
Puska misses with a hook to the ribs.
Kuusela digs a right hand underneath Puska's ribcage. Puska let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Puska throws a punch but it's blocked by Kuusela.
Puska is trying to stall.
Puska tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puska takes a knee right on the jaw!
Puska digs a right hand underneath Kuusela's ribcage. Kuusela let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Kuusela using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Puska has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kuusela misses with a knee to the head.
Puska lands with a left to the head.
Kuusela tries a knee to the head but Puska blocks it.
Puska blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Kuusela missing with knees to the body.
Kuusela connects with a knee to the head.
Kuusela lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Kuusela.
Kuusela being controlled against the cage.
Kuusela is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Puska is defending well for now.
Kuusela tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Puska avoids it.
Puska is working for takedown but Kuusela is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kuusela has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Kuusela misses with a knee strike.
Puska wants a takedown but no success here.
Kuusela is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A short right from Puska on the inside.
Kuusela misses with a hook from the clinch.
Puska working aggressively here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Puska is defending well for now.
Puska lands a body shot.
A short uppercut from Puska.
Kuusela misses with a body punch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Kuusela.
Kuusela stalling against the cage.
Puska lands a body shot.
Kuusela is breathing heavily.
Kuusela tries to stall but Puska uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kuusela prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Yrjo Puska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Puska fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Puska misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Puska fails to land.
Kuusela trying to land knees to the body.
Puska lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Puska managing to block the knees to the body from Kuusela.
Kuusela throws a head punch that misses.
Nice body punch from Puska.
Puska goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Puska tries for a takedown but Kuusela manages to get underhooks.
Puska misses with the head strike.
A body shot lands from Kuusela.
Puska blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Kuusela landing knees to the body.
Kuusela tries to land a knee to the head but Puska blocks with his arms.
Kuusela tries to land a knee to the head but Puska blocks with his arms.
Puska has Kuusela pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kuusela manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kuusela tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kuusela using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Puska throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Kuuselas head.
Kuusela leaning his opponent against the cage.
Kuusela is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

Puska has Kuusela pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Puska pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Kuusela tumbling to the mat - Puska dives into Kuusela's guard.
Kuusela wants to sweep but no luck.
Puska throws a strike but Kuusela rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kuusela wants to control from the top but Puska keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Puska is trying to hold Kuusela in close to prevent damage but Kuusela has managed to pass into half guard.
Puska keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
Puska wants to improve his position but Kuusela is controlling well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuusela is taking a breather. Puska says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
The fighters are battling for position here. Puska manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armo Kuusela showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Puska's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Kuusela fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Puska.
Kuusela is looking to score with low kicks.
Kuusela feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Puska's calf.
Puska listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kuusela displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Puska.
Puska swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuusela pushes Puska away with a front kick.
Kuusela throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Puska misses the shot to the body.
Puska shoots for a takedown but Kuusela saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kuusela ducks under a wild hook from Puska.
Puska throws an overhand right that lands on Kuusela's shoulder, as Kuusela tries to avoid the shot.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kuusela.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuusela wants to slow Puska down by chopping away at his legs.
Kuusela scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kuusela jabs Puska right on the nose. Puska blinks but takes it well.
Puska tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kuusela swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kuusela has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Puska drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Kuusela sneaks back into half guard.
Kuusela gets back to full guard.
Puska stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuusela swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kuusela is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Puska tries to roll over but Kuusela keeps him under control.
Kuusela trying to control the action but Puska is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Kuusela trying to control the action but Puska is working from the bottom.
Kuusela prevents Puska from improving his position.
Kuusela performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kuusela trying to control from Puska's half guard. Puska has other ideas though and has regained full guard.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela wants to control from the top but Puska keeps moving.
Puska is trying to control the position but Kuusela postures up.

Puska looking to try and escape his hips here, looking for a submission. It looks like he's going for a triangle but Kuusela is defending well. Puska quickly switches to an armbar and extends the arm! Kuusela has no choice but to tap, to a very quick submission! Wow, that was lightning fast! Puska celebrates on the cage, with the crowd.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Yrjo Puska!
Yrjo Puska retains his middleweight title!