PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Olli Kuhta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cassit Heiluu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuhta comes to the cage accompanied by Break Out. The crowd seem to be enjoying Heiluu's choice of entrance music: Kerrankin Tarpeekseen. 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.

Kuhta
vs
Heiluu

170 cm
23
160 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

176 cm
19
162 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Olli Kuhta!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cassit Heiluu!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Heiluu leaves Kuhta with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Kuhta gets a clinch.
Kuhta is trying to break the clinch but Heiluu is controlling him.
Heiluu has Kuhta pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kuhta manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Heiluu is trying to drag Kuhta to the mat but Kuhta just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Heiluu has Kuhta pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kuhta manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Olli Kuhta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cassit Heiluu.

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

Kuhta fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Heiluu, pushing him back against the cage.

Kuhta manages to break the clinch.
Kuhta throws a right and a left that Heiluu avoids nicely.
Heiluu clinches but Kuhta breaks the clinch

and Kuhta holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Heiluu has had enough of the clinch but Kuhta keeps him there for the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heiluu tries for a takedown but Kuhta manages to get underhooks.
Heiluu is working for takedown but Kuhta is calmly controlling the position for now.
Kuhta tries to break the clinch but Heiluu is controlling the position.
Kuhta just leaning against Heiluu, taking a breather.
Heiluu has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Kuhta is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Heiluu trying to stall but Kuhta improves his position.

Kuhta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuhta scores with a jab to the body.
Kuhta throws a right and a left that both miss.
Kuhta shoots in looking for a takedown. Heiluu tries to sprawl out of it but Kuhta keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Heiluu manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Heiluu dodges the punch combination from Kuhta.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Kuhta does no damage.
Heiluu shoots and misses

and Kuhta counters by moving into the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Kuhta.

Kuhta's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kuhta is looking to clinch.
Kuhta tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Heiluu has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Heiluu there as he acknowledges the shot.

Heiluu shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Kuhta napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Heiluu working away.
Heiluu moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Kuhta's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kuhta gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Kuhta trying to control but Heiluu postures up.
Kuhta wants to improve his position but Heiluu is controlling well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Heiluu slows the pace down in half guard.
Heiluu trying to control the action but Kuhta is working from the bottom.
Heiluu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kuhta is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Heiluu blocks a head kick by Kuhta.
Kuhta swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Heiluu.
Kuhta misses with a double jab.

Kuhta moves into the clinch successfully.

Kuhta breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Heiluu circles away from the clinch attempt.
Kuhta throws a series of punches but Heiluu moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuhta misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kuhta wants to clinch.
Heiluu throws a sloppy body shot
and Kuhta counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Heiluu avoids the head kick by Kuhta.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heiluu looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuhta throws a right and a left that both miss.
Heiluu has his takedown stuffed
and Kuhta counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.

Kuhta gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Heiluu to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Kuhta keeping moving, preventing Heiluu from controlling successfully.
Heiluu stops Kuhta from standing up.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuhta has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Heiluu can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kuhta working a defensive guard here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Heiluu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Heiluu is working Kuhta over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Heiluu wants to control from the top but Kuhta keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuhta isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Heiluu stacks Kuhta on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Heiluu!
Kuhta seems a little lost for a moment, as Heiluu dominates the positioning.
Kuhta tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Heiluu wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Kuhta is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Heiluu's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

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.

Heiluu seems to be looking for submissions.
Kuhta is not content to let Heiluu control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Heiluu performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Kuhta trying to control here.
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 Olli Kuhta will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Heiluu keeps the fight on the outside.

Heiluu scores with a takedown into Kuhta's guard.
Heiluu sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kuhta working a defensive guard but Heiluu passes into half guard.
Heiluu prevents Kuhta from improving his position.
Heiluu is trying to control the action in half guard but Kuhta is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuhta wants to improve his position but Heiluu is controlling well.
Heiluu controlling the action here.
Heiluu prevents Kuhta from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Heiluu is trying to work for a kimura but Kuhta is defending well.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Kuhta clinches up with Heiluu and pushes him back against the cage.
Kuhta stops a takedown attempt from Heiluu.

Kuhta manages to break the clinch.
Heiluu fails with the takedown

and Kuhta moves into the clinch.
Heiluu is trying to drag Kuhta to the mat but Kuhta just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Olli Kuhta has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cassit Heiluu.

Kuhta escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Heiluu shoots and misses

and Kuhta counters by clinching up.
Heiluu takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Kuhta has Heiluu pressed against the cage, preventing Heiluu from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Heiluu has Kuhta pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kuhta manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Kuhta breaks the clinch.
Olli Kuhta seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Heiluu shoots and misses

and Kuhta holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Kuhta breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kuhta misses with a hook.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Heiluu.
Kuhta wants to control but Heiluu postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuhta manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Kuhta holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Kuhta makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Kuhta.
Heiluu trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuhta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Olli Kuhta is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuhta working a defensive guard here.
Cassit Heiluu has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Kuhta working for a triangle but Heiluu defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Olli Kuhta.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuhta, 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Olli Kuhta!