PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Juho Kusti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taylor McDropkick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Taylor McDropkick acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Kusti
vs
McDropkick

175 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

181 cm
22
155 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Attliction

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juho Kusti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taylor McDropkick!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kusti shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in McDropkick's guard.
Kusti looking to pass the guard.
Kusti throws a strike but McDropkick rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Kusti is looking to sweep but instead, McDropkick has passed into half guard.
Kusti landing rabbit punches to the side of McDropkick's head. Not doing much damage but still scoring a few points.
Kusti is looking to improve his position.
Kusti has a hand on McDropkick's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. McDropkick takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Kusti working to try and regain half guard.
McDropkick tries to control but Kusti wriggling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDropkick is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Kusti really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Kusti is breathing heavily.
McDropkick trying to control but he's not successful this time.
McDropkick controlling from mount.

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.
McDropkick looking to control but Kusti is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
McDropkick prevents Kusti from getting the reversal.
McDropkick controlling the pace for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
McDropkick takes Kusti's back, avoiding a couple of desperation strikes from the bottom.
McDropkick controls the action.
McDropkick wants to control but Kusti is keeping busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Despite being in the dominant position, Taylor McDropkick just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
McDropkick fails in his attempt to clinch.

Kusti gets the takedown into side control.
McDropkick is not content to let Kusti control the position.
McDropkick can't do much from the bottom here.
Kusti wants to lay and pray for a moment but McDropkick keeps working.
McDropkick struggling a bit here.
Kusti lands a nice forearm strike.
Kusti throws an elbow but McDropkick slips to the side and avoids it well.
McDropkick is trying to control Kusti's posture but Kusti avoids it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kusti is working McDropkick over with some ground and pound from side control.
Kusti wants to lay and pray for a moment but McDropkick keeps working.
Kusti lands some shots froms side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kusti sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but McDropkick is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kusti lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear McDropkick down.

Kusti is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, McDropkick has escaped the position, nice work there.
McDropkick managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Kusti.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
McDropkick takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Kusti is looking to take a break and control but McDropkick is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kusti shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has McDropkick pinned against the cage. McDropkick gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
McDropkick wants to clinch.
Kusti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A head kick misses from McDropkick.

Kusti drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kusti stops McDropkick from standing up.
Kusti connects with a couple of short punches.
Kusti is in close to McDropkick's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Kusti drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but McDropkick manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kusti has McDropkick in his guard.
McDropkick trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kusti's guard.
McDropkick is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kusti wants to sweep here but McDropkick controlling him for the moment.
Kusti is working hard here to advance position.

Kusti pushes McDropkick off and scrambles back to his feet.

Kusti bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kusti working the ground and pound from side control.
Kusti lands a few punches from side control.
McDropkick is not content to let Kusti control the position.
The strikes coming from Kusti are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Kusti landing a few strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDropkick wants to get back to his feet.
Kusti working the body and head with strikes.
McDropkick manages to work his way to half guard, despite Kusti's best efforts.
Kusti is thwarting McDropkick's attempts to control the position.

Kusti is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. McDropkick doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kusti.

McDropkick is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Kusti pulls his head out easily.
McDropkick trying to control here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
McDropkick gets full guard.
Kusti throwing strikes from guard but McDropkick blocks nicely.
McDropkick is trying to control the position from the bottom.
McDropkick lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kusti!
Kusti is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
McDropkick wants to control the pace but Kusti is squirming around nicely.
Kusti on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kusti tries to get out of the position.
Kusti manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kusti is looking for a sweep. McDropkick is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
McDropkick wants to free his trapped foot but Kusti is holding on for dear life with his legs.
McDropkick uses his free foot to push down on Kusti's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kusti.
Juho Kusti overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kusti really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
McDropkick controlling the position easily from mount.
McDropkick avoids the attempt from Kusti to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juho Kusti dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

McDropkick lands a high kick!
Kusti sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
McDropkick tries to clinch up but Kusti circles away and keeps his distance.
Kusti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
McDropkick tries to clinch but Kusti is having none of it.
McDropkick moves in looking to clinch but Kusti pushes him off.
McDropkick tries to clinch but Kusti moves out of range.
McDropkick tries to clinch but Kusti is having none of it.
McDropkick tries to clinch up.
Juho Kusti is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A head kick from McDropkick lands but Kusti takes it in his stride.

Kusti fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. McDropkick sprawls well initially but Kusti persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Kusti throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kusti trying to control the action but McDropkick is working from the bottom.
Kusti throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kusti uses his free foot to push down on McDropkick's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for McDropkick.
Kusti can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as McDropkick is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McDropkick tries to hold on but Kusti postures up.
McDropkick taking shots to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
McDropkick bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Kusti keeping moving, preventing McDropkick from controlling successfully.
McDropkick slips nicely into half guard.
McDropkick not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
McDropkick wants to control but Kusti is keeping him busy.
Kusti wants to improve his position but McDropkick is controlling well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
McDropkick is looking to take a break and control but Kusti is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kusti is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
McDropkick lands a high kick!
Kusti shoots for a double leg takedown but McDropkick sprawls well. He's pushed Kusti's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
McDropkick fails in his attempt to clinch.
McDropkick tries a head kick but it misses.
Kusti changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. McDropkick tries to avoid it but Kusti manages to keep hold of a leg and drag McDropkick to the ground. McDropkick escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Kusti.
McDropkick is trying to buck Kusti off.
McDropkick taking a bit of punishment here - Kusti scoring with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kusti lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Kusti working the ground and pound from side control.

Kusti decides to stand up, so the ref orders McDropkick to his feet.
McDropkick fails in his attempt to clinch.
McDropkick tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kusti swats him away and circles back towards the center.
McDropkick tries to clinch up.
McDropkick is looking to clinch but Kusti is avoiding it.
McDropkick is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
McDropkick wants to clinch.
McDropkick is looking to clinch but Kusti is avoiding it.
McDropkick tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
McDropkick throws a body punch but Kusti moves out of range.
McDropkick tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kusti paws at him with a jab and circles away.
McDropkick misses with a head kick.

Kusti instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A knee to the head by McDropkick.
McDropkick lands an elbow just above Kusti 's eye.
McDropkick misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Kusti.
McDropkick lands a nice elbow.
McDropkick misses with a knee to the head.
Kusti drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juho Kusti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
McDropkick scores with a knee to the head.

Kusti breaks the clinch.
McDropkick throws a head kick but Kusti moves out of range.

Kusti looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
McDropkick wants to control but Kusti is keeping busy.
Taylor McDropkick has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kusti is looking to take a break and control but McDropkick is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Kusti slips a nice elbow through McDropkick's hands, connecting with McDropkick's forehead.
Kusti throws a strike but McDropkick avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
McDropkick trying to control the position.

McDropkick working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Kusti doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Kusti manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juho Kusti showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kusti, 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juho Kusti!