PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ville Kuukkeli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Salvadore Spectra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuukkeli comes to the cage accompanied by a-ha - Take On Me. Salvadore Spectra has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Ville Kuukkeli's chin.

Kuukkeli
vs
Spectra

187 cm
22
197 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

193 cm
20
190 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Murder Inc.

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ville Kuukkeli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Salvadore Spectra!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spectra dives in and grabs Kuukkeli's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kuukkeli pushes down on Spectra's head and hops out.
Kuukkeli misses with a few strikes there.
Kuukkeli is looking to slow Spectra down with leg kicks.
Spectra fails with a takedown attempt.
Kuukkeli takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Spectra connects with a crisp jab.
Kuukkeli looks for the body kick but Spectra saw that one coming.
Spectra thows a body shot but no joy.
Spectra just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuukkeli takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Spectra throws a leg kick that is checked
and Kuukkeli counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Spectra takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Spectra throws a head kick but Kuukkeli moves out of range.
Spectra swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Spectra throws a body punch but Kuukkeli moves out of range.
Spectra misses with a takedown attempt
and Kuukkeli counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ville Kuukkeli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Salvadore Spectra.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuukkeli misses with an attempted mid kick.
Spectra connects with a high kick.
Kuukkeli defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Spectra.
Kuukkeli tries a head kick but it misses.
Kuukkeli lands with a straight right. Spectra didn't see that one coming.
Kuukkeli throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuukkeli misses with a body punch
and Spectra makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kuukkeli. Spectra does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spectra wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Spectra gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kuukkeli.
Spectra gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Kuukkeli counters with a nice kick to the body.
Spectra looks gassed!
A looping hook to the body misses from Spectra. Kuukkeli does a little dance to reset his feet.
Spectra pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Spectra sizes up Kuukkeli with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuukkeli throws a front kick that sends Spectra stumbling back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuukkeli jabs Spectra right on the nose. Spectra blinks but takes it well.
Kuukkeli scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kuukkeli throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kuukkeli misses with a body shot.
Kuukkeli lands with a hook. Spectra tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Kuukkeli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Kuukkeli shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Kuukkeli working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Kuukkeli 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.
Still in half guard, Kuukkeli seems content to control.
Spectra is trying to stand back up but Kuukkeli is controlling him
Kuukkeli wants to pass to mount but Spectra is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Kuukkeli in particular looking to stall.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Spectra is trying to get back to full guard.
Spectra is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Spectra is refusing to be controlled, as Kuukkeli sits in half guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Kuukkeli moves into the clinch.
Spectra takes a shot to the head.
Spectra has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Kuukkeli displaying some good clinch control by pressing Spectra up against the cage.

That's four 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.
Spectra wants a takedown but no success here.
Kuukkeli creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Spectra's defenses.
Kuukkeli displaying some good clinch control by pressing Spectra up against the cage.
Kuukkeli lands an elbow inside.
Kuukkeli lands an elbow inside that Spectra shrugs off.
Spectra looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Kuukkeli pushes Spectra back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Spectra blocks an elbow strike.

Kuukkeli is fighting off a takedown attempt but Spectra is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Kuukkeli to the mat. Kuukkeli regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Kuukkeli keeping moving, preventing Spectra from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuukkeli wants to sweep but no luck.

Spectra gets to his feet - Kuukkeli follows without any prompting.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Spectra misses with a shot to the body
and Kuukkeli counters with a leg kick.
Salvadore Spectra seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A looping hook to the body misses from Spectra. Kuukkeli does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuukkeli wants to clinch.
Spectra doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Kuukkeli counters with a nice leg kick.
Spectra shoots and misses
and Kuukkeli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Spectra takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kuukkeli throws a head kick but Spectra moves out of range.
Spectra misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuukkeli.
Spectra throws a lazy head kick
and Kuukkeli counters with a head kick. That will keep Spectra thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Kuukkeli fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Spectra scores with a shot to the body.
Spectra swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kuukkeli stuffs the takedown.
Ville Kuukkeli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Salvadore Spectra.
Spectra moves into range and connects with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Spectra decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Spectra is breathing heavily.
Spectra seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
Kuukkeli desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Spectra controlling the pace.
Kuukkeli manages to get to full guard.
Spectra won't allow Kuukkeli to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spectra would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Kuukkeli lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Spectra!
Kuukkeli looking to control but Spectra is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kuukkeli tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Kuukkeli wants to finish this one by submission but Spectra is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Kuukkeli.
Spectra is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spectra tries to lock up and control but Kuukkeli gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Kuukkeli controlling the pace for now.
Spectra is looking to improve his position but Kuukkeli isn't that keen on the idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spectra tries to hold on but Kuukkeli postures up.
Spectra really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's four 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.
Kuukkeli controlling from the full mount.
A nice elbow there by Kuukkeli.
Spectra regains half guard.
Spectra is trying to maintain the position but Kuukkeli is very close to passing his half guard.
Kuukkeli not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kuukkeli slows the pace down in half guard.
Kuukkeli's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ville Kuukkeli dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Spectra dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Kuukkeli is looking to clinch.
Ville Kuukkeli is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No luck for Spectra with that takedown attempt.
Kuukkeli keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Spectra.
Kuukkeli throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Spectra with a poor takedown
and Kuukkeli counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Ville Kuukkeli is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuukkeli thows a body kick. Spectra tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Kuukkeli throws a head kick that misses.
Spectra misses with a looping right.
Spectra throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Kuukkeli counters with an outside leg kick.
Spectra is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kuukkeli rather than just go for the knockout.
Kuukkeli throws a jab when Spectra was well out of range.
Kuukkeli just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuukkeli pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Spectra throws a lazy right hand but Kuukkeli sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Spectra tries for a takedown but Kuukkeli circles away easily
and Spectra takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ville Kuukkeli has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Salvadore Spectra.
Spectra throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kuukkeli counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Spectra thinking.
Spectra feints and then cracks Kuukkeli's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kuukkeli down.

Kuukkeli clinches up against the cage.
Kuukkeli lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Spectra.
Spectra avoids a wild elbow strike from Kuukkeli.
Kuukkeli just leaning against Spectra, taking a breather.
Kuukkeli throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kuukkeli displaying some good clinch control by pressing Spectra up against the cage.
Kuukkeli stops a takedown attempt from Spectra.
Spectra takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Kuukkeli.
Spectra is trying to break the clinch but Kuukkeli is controlling him.
Kuukkeli is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kuukkeli putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Spectra in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Kuukkeli with a knee to the head.
Kuukkeli lands an elbow inside that Spectra shrugs off.
Kuukkeli trying to stall but Spectra improves his position.

Spectra gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Well, if Spectra is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kuukkeli slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spectra has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Kuukkeli is proving hard to escape from.

Spectra decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kuukkeli, up you get!
Spectra walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Spectra misses with a looping left.
Spectra connects with the punch.
Kuukkeli is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Spectra misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Spectra misses with a wild body shot.
Ville Kuukkeli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Spectra missing with a left hand there. Kuukkeli was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuukkeli connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kuukkeli takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kuukkeli looks for the body kick but Spectra saw that one coming.
Kuukkeli fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spectra manages to avoid it.
Spectra misses with a body shot.
A jab from Kuukkeli misses.
Spectra buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Spectra misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuukkeli.
Kuukkeli throws out a loose jab but Spectra uses good head movement to avoid it.
Salvadore Spectra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A swing and a miss from Spectra.
Spectra throws a lazy head kick

and Kuukkeli counters by clinching up.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Kuukkeli obliges.
Spectra wants to break the clinch but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ville Kuukkeli showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuukkeli, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ville Kuukkeli!