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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Armas Kuusisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harjan Varsi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuusisto comes to the cage accompanied by System of a down - Chop Suey. The crowd seem to be enjoying Varsi's choice of entrance music: Hiski Salomaa - Tiskarin polkka. Man, I cannot wait for this one!
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| 179 cm
30
192 lbs
19 - 5 - 1 |
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202 cm
30
194 lbs
27 - 9 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine |
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Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
19 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Armas Kuusisto!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
27 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harjan Varsi!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Viktor Lagutenko and Dmitry Maklakov.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuusisto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Varsi.
Kuusisto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Varsi.
Armas Kuusisto seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuusisto scores with a three punch combo!
Varsi connects with a jab.
It looks like Armas Kuusisto has been cut.
Kuusisto turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Varsi checks a leg kick.
Kuusisto lands a leg kick that knocks Varsi off balance momentarily.
Kuusisto throws a chopping leg kick but Varsi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Varsi lands a nice shot to the body.
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!
Varsi scores with a body shot.
Kuusisto staying out of range there.
Varsi misses with a wild body shot.
A leg kick checked by Varsi.
Kuusisto shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kuusisto uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Varsi.
Varsi will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Varsi is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Varsi lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Kuusisto backs up against the cage.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto throws a wild body kick that Varsi sees coming a mile off.
Varsi lands a right hook to the body.
A combination from Varsi does no damage.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Kuusisto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kuusisto's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Varsi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kuusisto scrambles back to his feet.
Kuusisto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Varsi.
Kuusisto uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Varsi.
Kuusisto throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kuusisto takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick but Varsi moved away.
Kuusisto ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Varsi moves away.
An inside leg kick lands from Kuusisto.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto looks for a takedown but Varsi sprawls well.
Kuusisto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kuusisto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kuusisto misses with a low kick.
Kuusisto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Kuusisto lands a jab-cross combination.
Kuusisto shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Varsi sprawls well. Varsi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Kuusisto gets slowly back to his feet.
A big right from Varsi misses.
Harjan Varsi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Varsi checks a low kick from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto lands a front kick.
Kuusisto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto fails to land with a series of punches.
Kuusisto fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Varsi is out of range.
Kuusisto dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Varsi. That did some damage!
Varsi slips under a jab from Kuusisto.
Varsi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Varsi misses the shot to the body.
Kuusisto looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Varsi throws an overhand right that lands on Kuusisto's shoulder, as Kuusisto tries to avoid the shot.
Donk. Varsi catches Kuusisto right on the button with a cross.
A swing and a miss from Varsi.
Kuusisto throws a low kick but Varsi avoids it.
Varsi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Varsi swinging wildly here.
Kuusisto moves out of range of the strikes.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varsi checks the leg kick nicely there.
Varsi misses with a body shot.
Kuusisto misses with a head kick.
Kuusisto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuusisto looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Armas Kuusisto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuusisto wants to land a leg kick but Varsi is out of range.
Kuusisto throws a sloppy head kick
and Varsi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick that misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Varsi throws a left and a right that both miss
and Kuusisto counters with an outside leg kick.
Kuusisto connects with a leg kick. Varsi looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Varsi checks a leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
That was a close round but I would say that Armas Kuusisto will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Armas Kuusisto's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Kuusisto walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Varsi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Varsi throws a jab but it's blocked by Kuusisto.
Kuusisto connects with a solid leg kick.
A clash of legs there as Varsi blocks the low kick.
Varsi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kuusisto doesn't seem bothered though.
Varsi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kuusisto misses with a head kick.
Kuusisto drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick
and Varsi counters with a three punch combo that has Kuusisto backing up. Kuusisto nods at Varsi to acknowledge the strikes.
Varsi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Varsi cracks Kuusisto with an open hand slap.
Kuusisto throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Kuusisto drives through with a takedown into Varsi's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuusisto trying to control but Varsi is working from the bottom.
Varsi is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Varsi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Varsi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kuusisto loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Kuusisto might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Kuusisto stopping the sweep attempt from Varsi.
Kuusisto trying to control the position from guard on top but Varsi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kuusisto postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto passes into half guard.
Varsi wants to control but Kuusisto is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kuusisto throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Kuusisto is pressing down on Varsi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Varsi is holding on for now.
Kuusisto is just content to waste time from the top position. Varsi takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Varsi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto wants to control from the top but Varsi keeps moving.
Varsi pulls Kuusisto in close to prevent any damage.
Kuusisto controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Kuusisto trying to control but Varsi is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Varsi keeping full guard, as Kuusisto tries to pass.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Armas Kuusisto.
A combination from Varsi does no damage.
Kuusisto feints and then cracks Varsi's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Varsi down.
Varsi checks a low kick from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Varsi on his heels. He'll look to pass Varsi's guard now, I'm sure.
Kuusisto content to stall in guard here.
Varsi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kuusisto.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuusisto won't allow Varsi to sweep him here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Armas Kuusisto dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Armas Kuusisto's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.
Varsi lands with a hook. Kuusisto tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusisto. That's going to slow Varsi down.
Kuusisto fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Varsi connects with a body shot.
Kuusisto scoring well with a low kick there.
Varsi throws a nice looking combination but Kuusisto bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kuusisto slips under a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kuusisto.
A looping hook to the body misses from Varsi. Kuusisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuusisto throws out a loose jab but Varsi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kuusisto buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kuusisto throws a body punch but Varsi moves out of range.
Varsi blocks a leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Varsi misses with a two punch combination.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Varsi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Varsi is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Kuusisto misses with a low kick.
Kuusisto throws a solid leg kick but Varsi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kuusisto.
Varsi throws a body punch but Kuusisto moves out of range.
Kuusisto looking to score a takedown here. Varsi is defending well but Kuusisto drives through and ends up in Varsi's guard.
Kuusisto throws a big right hand that misses.
Kuusisto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Varsi is keeping the position for now.
Varsi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kuusisto advances to half guard.
Kuusisto is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Varsi doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kuusisto.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varsi is looking to escape.
Kuusisto is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Varsi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kuusisto.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuusisto works his way into side control.
Kuusisto creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Varsi sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto advances to full mount.
Varsi is in all sorts of trouble here.
Armas Kuusisto overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kuusisto dominating with strikes here.
Varsi has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Kuusisto's lack of action.
Kuusisto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Varsi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Kuusisto trying to advance position but Varsi counters by regaining guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varsi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Varsi trying to control but he's not successful this time.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuusisto manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Varsi prevents Kuusisto from improving his position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
It looks like Varsi is going to stand back up.
Kuusisto has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Kuusisto wants to improve his position but Varsi is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Armas Kuusisto clearly takes that round.
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 keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Varsi.
Varsi misses with a lunging right hand
and Kuusisto counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Varsi checks the leg kick.
Kuusisto fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Varsi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Kuusisto throws out a loose jab but Varsi uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Kuusisto throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Kuusisto ducks under a wild hook from Varsi.
Kuusisto throws a head kick that misses.
Varsi lands the left hand.
Kuusisto shoots for a double leg takedown but Varsi sprawls well. He's pushed Kuusisto's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Varsi connects with a nice looking jab.
Kuusisto tries to land a front kick but Varsi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kuusisto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto motions for Varsi to come forward. Kuusisto throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Varsi loads up on a big right hand but Kuusisto slips the punch.
Kuusisto avoids the body shot from Varsi.
Varsi lands with a nice body punch.
An inside leg kick lands from Kuusisto.
Varsi cracks Kuusisto with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Varsi.
Kuusisto misses with a hook.
Varsi stuns Kuusisto with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Varsi throws a jab but it's blocked by Kuusisto.
Varsi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Kuusisto's head.
Kuusisto ducks right into an uppercut from Varsi.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varsi checks a low kick from Kuusisto.
Varsi cracks Kuusisto with an open hand slap.
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 throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Varsi to counter with a crisp jab.
Kuusisto attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Varsi checks a leg kick.
Kuusisto finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kuusisto throws a front kick aimed at Varsi's knee but Varsi avoids it well.
Kuusisto bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kuusisto throws a jab when Varsi was well out of range.
Varsi swinging wildly here.
Kuusisto is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Varsi's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick but Varsi moved away.
Kuusisto is looking to land body kicks.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuusisto scores with a jab.
Varsi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kuusisto looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick but Varsi checks it.
Kuusisto walks into a jab.
Varsi throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Kuusisto is looking to score with low kicks.
A telegraphed right hand from Varsi misses the target.
Kuusisto jabs Varsi right on the nose. Varsi blinks but takes it well.
Kuusisto throws a wild body kick that Varsi sees coming a mile off.
Kuusisto throws a solid leg kick but Varsi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kuusisto.
Varsi throws a nice looking combination but Kuusisto bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Varsi checks the leg kick nicely there.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusisto. That's going to slow Varsi down.
Varsi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A clash of legs there as Varsi blocks the low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Varsi. Kuusisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A head kick misses from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kuusisto lands with an overhand left.
Kuusisto lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kuusisto lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A head kick misses from Kuusisto.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kuusisto lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Varsi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Varsi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Varsi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Harjan Varsi will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Armas Kuusisto's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!
Kuusisto gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Varsi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Kuusisto throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kuusisto tries to land a front kick but Varsi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Kuusisto staying out of range there.
Varsi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kuusisto.
Kuusisto walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Kuusisto tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Varsi is able to avoid easily.
Kuusisto looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Varsi blocks a head kick by Kuusisto.
Varsi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Armas Kuusisto is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuusisto throws a push kick but Varsi slaps the foot to one side.
Varsi jabs Kuusisto right on the nose. Kuusisto blinks but takes it well.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Varsi.
A bone on bone clash there as Varsi blocks the leg kick.
Varsi thows a body shot but no joy.
Varsi throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kuusisto stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Kuusisto uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Varsi.
Kuusisto takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Varsi comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kuusisto connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Varsi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kuusisto moves away.
Varsi has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Varsi punishes Kuusisto's body with a nice straight punch.
Varsi blocks a leg kick.
Varsi wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Varsi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kuusisto on the side of the head.
Harjan Varsi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
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 looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuusisto takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Varsi throws a right and a left that Kuusisto avoids nicely.
Varsi lands with an overhand left.
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.
Kuusisto gets a takedown into half guard.
Kuusisto thows a huge punch but Varsi dodges it nicely.
Kuusisto throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Varsi is looking for a sweep. Kuusisto is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kuusisto is working for a kimura but Varsi is defending it quite comfortably.
Varsi is not content to let Kuusisto control the position.
Kuusisto lands with a punch from half guard.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto stalling away here and it's allowed Varsi to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Armas Kuusisto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kuusisto is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Varsi keeping full guard, as Kuusisto tries to pass.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuusisto is stalling in the full guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Harjan Varsi.
I think Kuusisto has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 50:45
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 48:47
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Armas Kuusisto!
Armas Kuusisto retains his middleweight title!
Armas Kuusisto managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI, into his post fight interview.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
100% |
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