PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Armas Kuusisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sandy McSouthers (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuusisto comes to the cage accompanied by System of a down - Chop Suey. The crowd seem to be enjoying McSouthers's choice of entrance music: VNV Nation - Anthem. 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.

Kuusisto
vs
McSouthers

179 cm
26
192 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

183 cm
27
200 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Armas Kuusisto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sandy McSouthers!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Viktor Lagutenko and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuusisto cracks a nice hook into McSouthers's ribs.
A leg kick checked by McSouthers.
Kuusisto throws a head kick but McSouthers moves out of range.
Kuusisto feints and then cracks McSouthers's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McSouthers down.
Kuusisto throws a solid leg kick but McSouthers takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kuusisto.
Kuusisto fails to land with a series of punches.
Kuusisto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A right-left combo lands from McSouthers.
Kuusisto scores with a leg kick.
Kuusisto staying out of range there.
McSouthers keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kuusisto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and McSouthers is able to avoid easily.
Armas Kuusisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McSouthers checks a low kick from Kuusisto.
McSouthers throws a body punch but Kuusisto moves out of range.
McSouthers avoids the head kick by Kuusisto.
McSouthers tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuusisto was well out of range. Poor timing from McSouthers.
Kuusisto bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of McSouthers's head.
Kuusisto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McSouthers dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
McSouthers misses with a double jab.
Kuusisto shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McSouthers misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuusisto's corner calls for a 1-2. Kuusisto obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Kuusisto avoids the body shot from McSouthers.
Some bone on bone action there as McSouthers checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
McSouthers sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
McSouthers looks gassed!
Kuusisto lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kuusisto misses with a hook.
Kuusisto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and McSouthers is able to avoid easily.
Kuusisto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kuusisto wants to land a leg kick but McSouthers is out of range.
A good leg kick by Kuusisto.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuusisto fakes a jab and throws a low kick but McSouthers checks it well.
Kuusisto cracks the inside of McSouthers's front leg.
Kuusisto lands a nice leg kick that just misses McSouthers's sensitive parts.
Kuusisto fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Kuusisto shoots in for a takedown but McSouthers shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Armas Kuusisto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuusisto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract McSouthers.
Good leg kick by Kuusisto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto moves out of range as McSouthers strikes.
McSouthers checks a leg kick.
McSouthers looks to land a left hand but Kuusisto moved out of range nicely.
Kuusisto throws a low kick but it's checked well by McSouthers.
Kuusisto throws a head kick that misses.
McSouthers's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
McSouthers blocks a low kick nicely.
Kuusisto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A bone on bone clash there as McSouthers blocks the leg kick.
Kuusisto throws a low kick but it's checked well by McSouthers.
McSouthers takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
McSouthers keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
McSouthers keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kuusisto missing with a left hand there. McSouthers was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
McSouthers uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuusisto.
McSouthers misses with a looping right.
Kuusisto throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McSouthers checks a leg kick.
McSouthers throws a series of punches but Kuusisto avoids them all with ease.
McSouthers keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McSouthers crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kuusisto - the referee stops the clock and McSouthers gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kuusisto. McSouthers manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
McSouthers blocks a leg kick.
Kuusisto throws a jab when McSouthers was well out of range.
Kuusisto feints and then cracks McSouthers's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McSouthers down.
Kuusisto missing with a left hand there. McSouthers was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Kuusisto.
Kuusisto pivots, looking for a leg kick but McSouthers is out of range and Kuusisto settles back down.
Kuusisto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
An inside leg kick lands from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick which misses McSouthers's front leg but catches the back leg as McSouthers tries to avoid it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuusisto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuusisto throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
McSouthers checks a low kick from Kuusisto.
McSouthers misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
A lazy left from Kuusisto finds it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto misses with a takedown attempt - McSouthers sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kuusisto throws a front kick aimed at McSouthers's knee but McSouthers avoids it well.
McSouthers checks a leg kick.
Kuusisto is looking to land body kicks.
Kuusisto cracks the inside of McSouthers's front leg.
Kuusisto throws a wild body kick that McSouthers sees coming a mile off.
Kuusisto takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kuusisto throws a front kick aimed at McSouthers's knee but McSouthers avoids it well.
Kuusisto lands with a shot to the body.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kuusisto.
Kuusisto plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!

It looks like Sandy McSouthers has been cut.
McSouthers displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kuusisto throws out the jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kuusisto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kuusisto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. McSouthers defends it nicely.
Kuusisto tries to land a leg kick but McSouthers saw it coming and moves away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armas Kuusisto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sandy McSouthers's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Kuusisto moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
McSouthers takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusisto. That's going to slow McSouthers down.
Kuusisto slips under a jab.
Kuusisto lands a nice leg kick that just misses McSouthers's sensitive parts.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuusisto.
Good leg kick by Kuusisto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
McSouthers takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Kuusisto scores with a spinning back kick!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuusisto throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Armas Kuusisto is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuusisto dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on McSouthers. That did some damage!
Kuusisto throws a low kick but it's checked well by McSouthers.
McSouthers checks a leg kick.
Kuusisto feints and then cracks McSouthers's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow McSouthers down.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick that misses.
McSouthers is breathing heavily.
Kuusisto throws a low kick, looking for McSouthers's leg but McSouthers calmly moves out of range.
Kuusisto throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck McSouthers on the side of the head.
McSouthers uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kuusisto.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kuusisto misses with a leg kick.
McSouthers takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusisto. That's going to slow McSouthers down.
Kuusisto lands with a nice body kick.
Kuusisto pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Kuusisto connects with a solid leg kick.
McSouthers checks the leg kick.
McSouthers blocks a low kick nicely.
Kuusisto finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kuusisto misses the shot to the body.
Kuusisto throws a chopping leg kick but McSouthers manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
McSouthers blocks a low kick nicely.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuusisto.
McSouthers dodges the punch combination from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kuusisto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kuusisto!
Kuusisto swings away with a leg kick that misses.
McSouthers defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kuusisto.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuusisto walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McSouthers checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
McSouthers leaves Kuusisto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kuusisto misses with a low kick.

McSouthers clinches up with Kuusisto and pushes him back against the cage.
Kuusisto has McSouthers pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. McSouthers manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Armas Kuusisto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuusisto is trying to break free.
McSouthers misses with some punches.
Kuusisto wants to stall.
McSouthers blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Kuusisto tries to circle away but McSouthers has him pinned against the cage.
Kuusisto is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto working hard to break the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McSouthers as Kuusisto tries to tie him up.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Kuusisto misses with a shot to the kidneys.
McSouthers lands a body shot in the clinch.
McSouthers scores with a hook to the body.
McSouthers has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kuusisto.
McSouthers lands with a right to the head.
A right hand to the body from McSouthers.
McSouthers presses Kuusisto against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McSouthers as Kuusisto tries to tie him up.
McSouthers is working Kuusisto over against the cage.
McSouthers lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McSouthers scores with a shoulder strike.
Kuusisto scores with a shot to the side of McSouthers's head.
McSouthers digs a right hand into Kuusisto's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuusisto's gas tank.
McSouthers scores with a nice hook to the head.
McSouthers lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Kuusisto tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Kuusisto is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that McSouthers can do to turn this around?
Good anti-grappling being displayed by McSouthers as Kuusisto tries to tie him up.
Kuusisto doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A head punch on the inside from Kuusisto fails to land.
A nice left hand lands by McSouthers.
Kuusisto goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
McSouthers working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kuusisto tried to land a shot to the body but connects with McSouthers's elbow.
Kuusisto looking to slow down the pace here.
Kuusisto wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but McSouthers has him pressed against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armas Kuusisto dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Sandy McSouthers'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. This is the final round!

A left and a right from McSouthers both land. Nice combination.
McSouthers throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Kuusisto scoring well with a low kick there.
Kuusisto on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kuusisto keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusisto. That's going to slow McSouthers down.
McSouthers fails with a takedown attempt.
Kuusisto lands with a nice body kick.
Kuusisto misses with a takedown
and McSouthers counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Kuusisto walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. McSouthers checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
The fighters circle momentarily. McSouthers darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A left and a right from Kuusisto both land. Nice combination.
Kuusisto throws a solid leg kick but McSouthers takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kuusisto.
A left lands for McSouthers.
McSouthers takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuusisto cracks the inside of McSouthers's front leg.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto scores with a leg kick.
Kuusisto throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
McSouthers fails to land the takedown.
Armas Kuusisto has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sandy McSouthers.
Kuusisto scores with a leg kick.
A thudding body kick lands there by Kuusisto!
Kuusisto shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kuusisto fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McSouthers.
Kuusisto throws and low kick but McSouthers moves out of range easily.
Kuusisto throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kuusisto misses with a straight left.
McSouthers checks a leg kick.
Kuusisto throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Kuusisto throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kuusisto throws a quick inside leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuusisto.
Nice body kick there by Kuusisto.
Sandy McSouthers has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McSouthers takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
McSouthers checks a leg kick.
McSouthers throws a hook to the side of Kuusisto's head but Kuusisto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A swing and a miss from McSouthers.
Kuusisto shoots in but McSouthers avoids the takedown attempt easily.
McSouthers keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusisto. That's going to slow McSouthers down.
Kuusisto misses with the combination.
Kuusisto scores with a leg kick.
Kuusisto throws out a leg kick but McSouthers moves out of range and Kuusisto only half commits.
Kuusisto chopping away at his opponent's legs.
McSouthers throws a sloppy body shot
and Kuusisto counters with a thumping low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuusisto misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kuusisto digs a good body shot into McSouthers's ribs.
McSouthers lands with a right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
McSouthers lands with a nice body punch.
McSouthers takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick but McSouthers sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kuusisto misses with a double jab.
Kuusisto slips under a jab from McSouthers.
Good leg kick by Kuusisto there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
McSouthers defending well as Kuusisto loads up on a big left hand.
Kuusisto throws a wild body kick that McSouthers sees coming a mile off.
McSouthers wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
McSouthers takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuusisto.
Kuusisto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kuusisto throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Kuusisto throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by McSouthers.
McSouthers moves out of range of the body kick from Kuusisto.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto misses with a kick to the body.
Kuusisto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kuusisto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Armas Kuusisto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! McSouthers crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kuusisto - the referee stops the clock and McSouthers gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kuusisto. McSouthers manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kuusisto looks to land a body kick but McSouthers moved away.
Kuusisto looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuusisto looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuusisto fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt McSouthers.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuusisto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusisto. That's going to slow McSouthers down.
McSouthers on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuusisto. Kuusisto obviously looking to wear him down.
McSouthers throws a hook but Kuusisto avoids it easily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kuusisto.
McSouthers checks the leg kick nicely there.
Good exchange - Kuusisto coming out on top.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick which misses McSouthers's front leg but catches the back leg as McSouthers tries to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Armas Kuusisto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuusisto, 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:26
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 30:26
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Armas Kuusisto!