PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mort Kulig (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tomas Bear Shield (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Kulig
vs
Bear Shield

189 cm
19
205 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

183 cm
22
202 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mort Kulig!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tomas Bear Shield!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Bear Shield drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Bear Shield trying to control the position from guard on top but Kulig is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Bear Shield might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Kulig kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bear Shield throwing strikes but missing.
Bear Shield wants to control from the top but Kulig keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Bear Shield trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Tomas Bear Shield.
Bear Shield tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kulig was well out of range. Poor timing from Bear Shield.
Bear Shield shoots for a takedown but Kulig saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Bear Shield tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kulig sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Bear Shield somewhat.
Kulig darts in trying to clinch
and Bear Shield counters with a left to the body.
Kulig tries to clinch up

and Bear Shield counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Bear Shield stays in close to Kulig's body and controls the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulig preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Bear Shield with a flurry of punches that miss.
Bear Shield in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Kulig keeping moving, preventing Bear Shield from controlling successfully.
Kulig utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bear Shield wants to control from the top but Kulig keeps moving.
Bear Shield stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kulig swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bear Shield postures up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Bear Shield fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mort Kulig has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tomas Bear Shield.
Kulig moves to clinch but Bear Shield breaks away

and Bear Shield counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kulig wants to control but Bear Shield is keeping busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bear Shield slows the pace down in half guard.
Kulig is staying active underneath Bear Shield, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Bear Shield thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Kulig's head.
Bear Shield lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kulig tries to clinch

and Bear Shield counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kulig!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Bear Shield content just to control the position here.
Bear Shield with a couple of short strikes.
Bear Shield putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Kulig is looking to get to half guard.
Bear Shield looking to control but Kulig is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kulig on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Kulig tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear Shield with shots to the head and body - Kulig looks very uncomfortable down there.
Kulig is trying desperately to improve position.
Kulig wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Bear Shield.
Bear Shield lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulig wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Bear Shield.
Bear Shield thowing shots but they're missing.
Bear Shield lands a heavy elbow.
Kulig is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Bear Shield working away from the top, dropping strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Bear Shield.
Tomas Bear Shield has got the better of the ground game so far.
Bear Shield pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
BOOM! Bear Shield connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Kulig is bucking up trying to escape but Bear Shield cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Bear Shield with shots to the head and body - Kulig looks very uncomfortable down there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bear Shield dominating with strikes here.
Bear Shield thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Bear Shield thowing shots but they're missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bear Shield controlling from the full mount.
Bear Shield has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Kulig's face.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Bear Shield working the ground and pound effectively.
Bear Shield takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomas Bear Shield showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Kulig's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Kulig wants to clinch

and Bear Shield counters with a nice double leg into side control. Kulig won't be happy with that.
Kulig takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Bear Shield working the ground and pound.
Bear Shield tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Bear Shield working the ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Bear Shield throws an elbow but Kulig slips to the side and avoids it well.
The ground and pound from Bear Shield seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Bear Shield working the head and body with strikes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bear Shield lands a nice forearm strike.
Bear Shield creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Kulig sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Bear Shield content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Bear Shield cracks Kulig with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Bear Shield in side control, throwing shots but Kulig defends.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulig takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Kulig is trying to control Bear Shield's posture but Bear Shield avoids it.
The strikes coming from Bear Shield are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Kulig dodges the ground and pound from Bear Shield.
Bear Shield working the ground and pound from side control.
Bear Shield has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kulig seems a little lost for a moment, as Bear Shield dominates the positioning.
Sloppy strikes there by Bear Shield.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bear Shield wants to control for a moment but Kulig uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.
Bear Shield throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Kulig avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Bear Shield.
Bear Shield is taking a breather. Kulig says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Bear Shield throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

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.
Bear Shield is looking to advance position but Kulig won't allow it.
Bear Shield thows a huge punch but Kulig dodges it nicely.
Mort Kulig has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bear Shield is controlling the pace.
Bear Shield has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kulig is trying to get back to full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tomas Bear Shield comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Bear Shield has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 25:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 25:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tomas Bear Shield!