PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lasse Lukottaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riku Noitalahti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Lukottaja
vs
Noitalahti

190 cm
23
239 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

192 cm
20
262 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lasse Lukottaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riku Noitalahti!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lukottaja lands a nice leg kick that just misses Noitalahti's sensitive parts.
Noitalahti fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Noitalahti throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lukottaja.
Lukottaja slips a jab and a cross from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Lukottaja was well out of range. Poor timing from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti misses with a two punch combination.
Noitalahti misses with a series of wild punches.
Lukottaja moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Noitalahti looks gassed!

Lukottaja decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Lukottaja landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Lukottaja escapes and gets back to his feet.
Lukottaja throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Lukottaja shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Noitalahti pinned against the cage. Noitalahti gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lukottaja connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Lukottaja shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Lukottaja trying to control the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lukottaja is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Noitalahti defends it well.
Lukottaja takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Lukottaja is looking to advance position but Noitalahti won't allow it.
Lukottaja has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lukottaja trying to control from half guard but Noitalahti is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Noitalahti won't allow Lukottaja to pass to mount.
Lukottaja moves nicely into side control.

Lukottaja thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Lukottaja trying to control the action but Noitalahti is working from the bottom.
Noitalahti tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Lukottaja wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noitalahti is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Noitalahti tries to buck Lukottaja off but Lukottaja is having none of it.
Noitalahti tries to escape but Lukottaja is in control.
Noitalahti tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Lukottaja wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Lukottaja is looking to take a break and control but Noitalahti is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Lukottaja decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Lukottaja tries to pass to full mount but Noitalahti defends it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukottaja lands with a punch from half guard.
Noitalahti is looking for a sweep. Lukottaja is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lukottaja trying to control the pace.
Lukottaja thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lukottaja trying to control the action but Noitalahti is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lukottaja missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Lukottaja misses with a straight left.
Lukottaja dodges the punch combination from Noitalahti.
Lukottaja turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Noitalahti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Lukottaja shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Noitalahti's guard.
Lukottaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Noitalahti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Noitalahti wants to get back to his feet but Lukottaja is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Lukottaja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lukottaja prevents Noitalahti from getting back to his feet.
Noitalahti is breathing heavily.
Lukottaja trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lukottaja works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Lukottaja wants to control but Noitalahti is keeping him busy.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lukottaja.

Lukottaja decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Lukottaja trying to control the action but Noitalahti is working from the bottom.
Noitalahti tries to get to full guard but Lukottaja has control of the leg.
Noitalahti makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Noitalahti.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lukottaja tries to free his leg and advance position but Noitalahti is retaining full guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Noitalahti can do anything to dispel that myth.
Lukottaja wants to control from the top but Noitalahti keeps moving.
Lukottaja in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lukottaja trying to stand up but can't free himself from Noitalahti's guard.
Lukottaja wants to control from the top but Noitalahti keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Noitalahti fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Lukottaja has a takedown stuffed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Lukottaja is defended easily by Noitalahti.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lasse Lukottaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Noitalahti works over Lukottaja's head and body with a nice combination.

It looks like Lasse Lukottaja has been cut.
Noitalahti misses with a jab, cross combination.
Noitalahti throws a right hand that Lukottaja ducks under and follows up with a left that Lukottaja also avoids with ease.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Lukottaja.
A punch combination from Noitalahti misses.
Noitalahti throws a nice looking combination but Lukottaja bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Lukottaja slips a jab and a cross from Noitalahti.
Lukottaja moves out of range of the strikes.
Lukottaja shoots in and drives through. Noitalahti sprawls well.
Noitalahti throws a right hand that Lukottaja ducks under and follows up with a left that Lukottaja also avoids with ease.

Lukottaja gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lukottaja drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Noitalahti wants to get back to striking at distance but Lukottaja won't allow it.
Noitalahti wants to get back to striking at distance but Lukottaja won't allow it.
Noitalahti has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A hook to the body from Lukottaja.
Lukottaja tries to pull guard but Noitalahti holds him up against the cage and eventually Lukottaja drops back down to his feet.

Noitalahti escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Noitalahti misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Lukottaja avoids a punch combination nicely.

Lukottaja shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Noitalahti is trying to maintain the position but Lukottaja is very close to passing his half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Lasse Lukottaja will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Lasse Lukottaja's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Lukottaja fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Lukottaja clinches.
Lukottaja fails to pull guard.
Lukottaja keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Noitalahti's efforts to push away.
Noitalahti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Noitalahti is trying to force a seperation but Lukottaja has the dominant position.

Lukottaja turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Lukottaja tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Noitalahti wants to get back to his feet but Lukottaja drags him back down.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Lukottaja working the ground and pound but Noitalahti is defending the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lukottaja tries for a kimura but Noitalahti is defending well.
Lukottaja trying to control the position but Noitalahti is working away.
Noitalahti can't do much from the bottom here.
Noitalahti is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Lukottaja asserts his dominance and retains side control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Lukottaja throws a head kick that misses.

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.
No joy there for Lukottaja, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Lasse Lukottaja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Noitalahti throws a left and a right that both miss

and Lukottaja counters by moving into the clinch.

Lukottaja has hold of one of Noitalahti's legs. Noitalahti is fighting the takedown attempt but Lukottaja gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Lukottaja wants to control from the top but Noitalahti keeps moving.
Noitalahti wants to stand and escape but Lukottaja is having none of it.

Lukottaja stands up from Noitalahti's guard - Lukottaja perhaps looking for a knockout.
Noitalahti swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Lukottaja decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Noitalahti's guard.
Lukottaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Noitalahti works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Lukottaja trying to control but Noitalahti is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noitalahti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Lukottaja is one step ahead there.
Noitalahti pulls Lukottaja in close to prevent any damage.
Lukottaja slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

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.

Noitalahti manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Lukottaja tries to bum rush Noitalahti with a series of wild strikes but Noitalahti uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Lukottaja has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Lukottaja there as he acknowledges the shot.
Noitalahti falls off balance throwing a combination

and Lukottaja counters with a shoot takedown. Noitalahti fights it but they end up in guard.
Lukottaja content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Riku Noitalahti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lukottaja looking to pass the guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lasse Lukottaja is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Noitalahti had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lukottaja defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lasse Lukottaja showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Lukottaja, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:26
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lasse Lukottaja!