PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tomi Koski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Armas Kuusisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Koski comes into the arena with Dj Neon - In Hardtrance I Trust blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Kuusisto's choice of entrance music: System of a down - Chop Suey. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Armas Kuusisto enters the cage!

Koski
vs
Kuusisto

190 cm
30
197 lbs
20 - 6 - 1

179 cm
29
192 lbs
15 - 5 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Powerful

Perkele!
M/S Paint Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Tomi Koski!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Armas Kuusisto!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Ivan Kurochkin and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuusisto throws a right hand that misses
and Koski makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Koski misses with a leg kick.
Koski's jab looks to have found its range, popping Kuusisto under the eye.
Kuusisto staying out of range there.
Kuusisto avoids the body shot from Koski.
Kuusisto throws a chopping leg kick but Koski manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kuusisto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Armas Kuusisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuusisto swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Kuusisto takes a swing at Koski's ribcage but misses.
Kuusisto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Koski is able to avoid easily.
Koski takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Koski misses with a series of wild punches.
Kuusisto tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick lands from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A good leg kick by Koski.
Kuusisto dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Koski. That did some damage!
Koski lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Kuusisto chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kuusisto lands a nice looking kick to the body. Koski takes a step back to recover.
Koski is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuusisto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Kuusisto darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Kuusisto has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto lands a big elbow.
Kuusisto controlling the pace for now.
Koski is in all sorts of trouble here.
Kuusisto with shots to the head and body - Koski looks very uncomfortable down there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koski manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Kuusisto is keen to just control but Koski is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto throwing shots but Koski is blocking nicely.
Koski trying to control but Kuusisto postures up.

Kuusisto is working for a submission of some sort.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Koski is looking for a sweep. Kuusisto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armas Kuusisto dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Kuusisto scoring well with a low kick there.
Kuusisto tries a low kick but Koski avoids it.
Koski displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto closes the distance and clinches up with Koski, looking for a takedown. Kuusisto pushes Koski against the cage but Koski circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick
and Koski counters with a nice body shot.
Koski misses with a leg kick.
Kuusisto throws a chopping leg kick but Koski manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Koski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kuusisto was well out of range. Poor timing from Koski.
Kuusisto lands a leg kick that knocks Koski off balance momentarily.
Koski is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
No joy there for Kuusisto, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kuusisto avoids the body shot from Koski.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Good standup being displayed there by Koski as he connects with a hook.
Kuusisto tries to clinch but Koski moves out of range.
Kuusisto thows a leg kick but Koski checks it
and Koski counters with a nice body shot.
Koski is looking to wear down Kuusisto with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kuusisto keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Koski scores with a nice strike.
Kuusisto looks to land a body kick but Koski moved away.
Koski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Armas Kuusisto seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Decent striking displayed by Koski there.

It looks like Armas Kuusisto has been cut.
Koski misses with a wild body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto blocks the body kick.
Koski misses with an attempted mid kick.
Koski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuusisto fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Koski checks it well.
Koski just misses with a punch to the body.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Koski checks a leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Koski.
Koski pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kuusisto jabs at Koski's body.
Koski is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Koski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Koski jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koski takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kuusisto is looking to score with low kicks.
Kuusisto fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Koski checks it well.
A bone on bone clash there as Koski blocks the leg kick.
Kuusisto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Koski checks a low kick from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Kuusisto walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Koski checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Koski tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick
and Koski counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Kuusisto misses with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koski misses with a lunging right hand
and Kuusisto counters with a low kick, right behind Koski 's knee.
Kuusisto fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Koski is out of range.
Kuusisto slips a straight right by Koski.
Koski throws a low kick but Kuusisto moves out of range easily.
Kuusisto misses with an uppercut. Koski saw that one coming.
Koski just misses with a punch to the body.
Koski fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Kuusisto on the side of the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koski attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuusisto has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Koski finds it's way round the side to connect with Kuusisto's head.
Kuusisto on the wrong end of a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Armas Kuusisto will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Armas Kuusisto's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kuusisto shoots in but no luck this time.
Koski misses with a body shot.
Kuusisto lands with a thumping leg kick.
Kuusisto jabs Koski right on the nose. Koski blinks but takes it well.
Kuusisto is looking to clinch.
Koski checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Koski checks the leg kick.
Kuusisto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick which misses Koski's front leg but catches the back leg as Koski tries to avoid it.
Koski throws a predictable looking body shot
and Kuusisto counters with a straight right hand.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuusisto misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuusisto is looking to chop away at Koski's legs.
Kuusisto throws an overhand right that lands on Koski's shoulder, as Koski tries to avoid the shot.
Kuusisto tries to work over Koski's front leg with a kick but Koski checks it.
Koski is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Koski thows a leg kick but Kuusisto checks it
and Kuusisto counters with a low kick, right behind Koski 's knee.
Kuusisto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Koski is able to avoid easily.
Kuusisto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kuusisto throws a chopping leg kick but Koski manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kuusisto chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Koski on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuusisto. Kuusisto obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuusisto throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto swings for the body but Koski moves out of range.
Koski scoring well with a low kick there.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kuusisto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kuusisto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kuusisto fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Koski has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kuusisto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick which misses Koski's front leg but catches the back leg as Koski tries to avoid it.
Kuusisto has a takedown stuffed.
Kuusisto connects with an inside leg kick.
Kuusisto lands a nice leg kick that just misses Koski's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Koski has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto feints and then cracks Koski's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Koski down.
Kuusisto wants to slow Koski down by chopping away at his legs.
Kuusisto slips a jab and a cross from Koski.
Kuusisto throws a front kick aimed at Koski's knee but Koski avoids it well.
Kuusisto avoids the head kick by Koski.
Kuusisto swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Koski keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Kuusisto lands with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Koskis jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Kuusisto misses with a looping right.
Kuusisto looks to score with a jab to the body but Koski is just out of range.
Kuusisto stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kuusisto misses with a low kick as Koski jumps back.
Kuusisto cracks the inside of Koski's front leg.

Kuusisto moves into range and clinches up with Koski.

Kuusisto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Koski uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuusisto.
Kuusisto cracks the inside of Koski's front leg.
Kuusisto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armas Kuusisto really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Armas Kuusisto's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kuusisto tries to work over Koski's front leg with a kick but Koski checks it.
Kuusisto moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Kuusisto connects with a crisp jab.
Koski fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Kuusisto checks it well.
A good leg kick by Kuusisto.
Kuusisto throws a low kick but Koski avoids it.
Kuusisto scoring well with a low kick there.
Koski chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kuusisto can pounce on him.
Kuusisto throws a nice inside leg kick.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Koski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Koski wants it to stay on the feet.
Kuusisto wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto swings away with a leg kick that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kuusisto.
Kuusisto throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kuusisto throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Kuusisto.
Some bone on bone action there as Koski checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kuusisto.
Kuusisto wants to land a leg kick but Koski is out of range.
Kuusisto wants to clinch.
Kuusisto will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koski takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Koski misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kuusisto shoots in for a takedown but Koski shows good takedown defense.
Koski throws a hook to the side of Kuusisto's head but Kuusisto sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick that misses.
Koski checks the leg kick nicely there.
Kuusisto throws a sloppy head kick and Koski moves out of range easily.
Kuusisto tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Kuusisto
and Koski counters with a straight right hand.
Kuusisto shoots in for a double leg but Koski sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tomi Koski has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Armas Kuusisto.
Koski clobbers Kuusisto with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick
and Koski counters with a low kick, right behind Kuusisto 's knee.
Kuusisto takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
A low kick from Kuusisto is predictable there
and Koski counters with a right hand to the body.
Koski dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kuusisto. That did some damage!
Kuusisto misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kuusisto fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Koski manages to avoid it.
Koski lands with a thumping leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koski lands with an overhand left.
Kuusisto closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuusisto tries to land a front kick but Koski steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Koski throws a one two combo.
Koski moves out of range of the leg kick from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Koski.
Kuusisto ducks under a wild hook from Koski.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuusisto takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kuusisto throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Koski.
Kuusisto lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armas Kuusisto dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Armas Kuusisto's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Koski checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Koski throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Kuusisto closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Koski misses with a hook to the ribs.
Koski scores with a nice hook to the head.
Kuusisto misses with the head strike.
Koski digs a right hand into Kuusisto's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Kuusisto's gas tank.
Kuusisto blocks a body shot from Koski.
A short left from Koski.
Kuusisto's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Kuusisto throws a head punch that misses.

Kuusisto gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Koski is trying to control but can't.
Kuusisto is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Koski is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koski works his way to full guard. Good work.
Kuusisto has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Koski is looking for a triangle but Kuusisto pushes his legs off easily.
Kuusisto throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuusisto trying to control but Koski is working from the bottom.
Koski wants to control but Kuusisto passes easily into half guard.
Tomi Koski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto prevents Koski from improving his position.

Kuusisto is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Koski sees it coming and defends easily.
Kuusisto missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Koski is not content to let Kuusisto control the position.
Koski makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Koski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Koski is looking for a triangle here but Kuusisto uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Kuusisto landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kuusisto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koski keeps working.
Koski tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Kuusisto wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Armas Kuusisto is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koski keeps working.
Kuusisto might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Koski kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
A lull in the action here as Kuusisto stalls from top position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Armas Kuusisto.
I've got Kuusisto winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 44:50
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Armas Kuusisto!
Armas Kuusisto is the new middleweight champion!