PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Marcus Gronholm (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juhani Kontiovaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gronholm comes into the arena with Eeppinen biisi blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Gronholm
vs
Kontiovaara

188 cm
29
280 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

193 cm
29
267 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marcus Gronholm!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juhani Kontiovaara!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kontiovaara misses with a double jab.
Kontiovaara dodges the punch combination from Gronholm.
Gronholm fails to land with a series of punches.

Gronholm gets caught flat footed, as Kontiovaara shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Kontiovaara preventing the sweep.
Gronholm working a defensive guard here.
Kontiovaara is looking to work some ground and pound but Gronholm has wrist control.
Gronholm keeping moving, preventing Kontiovaara from controlling successfully.

Kontiovaara drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Gronholm manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Kontiovaara has Gronholm in his guard.

Kontiovaara working for submissions but it's allowed Gronholm to get to half guard.

Kontiovaara actively working from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kontiovaara actively working from the bottom here.

Kontiovaara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Kontiovaara is trying is best to control the position here.
Kontiovaara moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Gronholm got a little sloppy there for a moment and Kontiovaara has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Gronholm has managed to get both his arms back between Kontiovaara's legs - danger averted.
Gronholm wants to control from the top but Kontiovaara keeps moving.

Kontiovaara is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kontiovaara throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Kontiovaara working for a triangle but Gronholm defends it easily.
Gronholm looking to pass the guard.

Kontiovaara looking for a guillotine here but Gronholm defends easily.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gronholm is in close to Kontiovaara's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Kontiovaara looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Kontiovaara is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Kontiovaara looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Gronholm has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Kontiovaara is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Gronholm postures up in Kontiovaara's guard and throws a big left but Kontiovaara blocks it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kontiovaara working for submissions but it's allowed Gronholm to get to half guard.

Kontiovaara looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Gronholm is looking to take a break and control but Kontiovaara is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kontiovaara trying to control but Gronholm postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kontiovaara looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kontiovaara is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Gronholm pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juhani Kontiovaara dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Gronholm tries to bum rush Kontiovaara with a series of wild strikes but Kontiovaara uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Gronholm lands a head kick!

It looks like Juhani Kontiovaara has been cut.
Marcus Gronholm is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Gronholm misses with a body shot
and Kontiovaara counters with a nice body shot.

Kontiovaara shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Kontiovaara showed some decent athleticism there.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Kontiovaara lands a nice short elbow.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Kontiovaara is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Gronholm has managed to free his arm - good work.

Kontiovaara seems to be working for a kimura but Gronholm defends the submission attempt.
Kontiovaara moves nicely into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kontiovaara cracks Gronholm with a big right hand but Gronholm just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Gronholm pushes Kontiovaara away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Kontiovaara gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Kontiovaara is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gronholm knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Kontiovaara looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
You can see the frustration on Gronholm's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Juhani Kontiovaara has got the better of the ground game so far.
Kontiovaara sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Gronholm is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

Kontiovaara is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Gronholm knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kontiovaara has hold of Gronholm's arm. He's looking for a kimura. Gronholm seems comfortable defending it but Kontiovaara has shifted his position slighty and is cranking on the arm! Gronholm is real pain and he's forced to tap out! Gronholm is disgusted with himself for not defending it better but Kontiovaara couldn't care less - he's delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:07 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Juhani Kontiovaara!