PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Antto Kuivahko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thiago Santana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Thiago Santana has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Antto Kuivahko's chin.

Kuivahko
vs
Santana

175 cm
19
164 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

173 cm
19
174 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big heart

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antto Kuivahko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thiago Santana!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Santana comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Santana dodges the punch combination from Kuivahko.
Kuivahko shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Santana counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Kuivahko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Santana.
Well, if Santana is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kuivahko trying to hold on to Santana's head to control him but Santana postures up.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Santana in particular looking to stall.
Kuivahko is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Kuivahko fails with a takedown attempt.
Nice shot by Santana.
Kuivahko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Santana connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Kuivahko misses with a lunging right hand
and Santana cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuivahko ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kuivahko shoots for a takedown but Santana saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antto Kuivahko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuivahko fails with the takedown
and Santana counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Kuivahko misses with a head kick.
Kuivahko fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Santana stalks Kuivahko and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Kuivahko's face. Kuivahko staggers backwards, shaken.
Santana fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Santana lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuivahko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santana bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Kuivahko's head backwards.
Kuivahko shoots for a double leg takedown but Santana sprawls well. He's pushed Kuivahko's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A jab lands there for Santana.
Kuivahko falls off balance throwing a combination
and Santana cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kuivahko is breathing heavily.
Kuivahko throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Santana lands a slapping body shot.
Kuivahko misses with a kick to the body.
Horrible takedown by Kuivahko or perhaps it was just good defense by Santana which made him look bad.
Kuivahko throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Santana sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuivahko throws the left hand but Santana avoids the punch easily.
A cross from Santana lands.
Kuivahko is looking to clinch but Santana is avoiding it.
Nice takedown defense from Santana. No joy for Kuivahko on that attempt.
Santana connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Santana lands with a shot to the body.
Santana dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Santana scores with a jab. Kuivahko acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Santana is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Kuivahko had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Kuivahko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Santana changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Santana drives through and clinches with Kuivahko against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Santana.

Santana pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Kuivahko enables Santana to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Kuivahko manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Santana works over Kuivahko with some ground and pound from guard.
Santana working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Santana looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuivahko is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Santana working some strikes from top position.
Kuivahko trying to control the position.
Santana is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Kuivahko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Santana.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Kuivahko closes the distance and clinches up with Santana, looking for a takedown. Kuivahko pushes Santana against the cage but Santana circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Kuivahko.
Kuivahko fails to land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuivahko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Santana slips a straight right by Kuivahko.
Kuivahko throws a head kick that misses.
Santana lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Santana throws a chopping leg kick but Kuivahko manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Kuivahko takes a jab right on the kisser.
Kuivahko shoots for a takedown but Santana saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Kuivahko slips a jab and a cross from Santana.
Kuivahko wants to clinch but Santana slips to the side
and Santana counters with a straight right hand.
Santana connects with a jab.
Kuivahko misses with a kick to the body.
Santana connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

Santana feints and as Kuivahko raises his hands in defense, Santana changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana pushing down on Kuivahko's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Well, if Santana is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kuivahko taking some punishment here, with Santana in his half guard.
Santana slows the pace down in half guard.
Kuivahko on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Kuivahko wants to control but Santana is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Antto Kuivahko.
Santana lands with a right hand.
Kuivahko fails to land with a series of punches.
Santana ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Santana scores with a takedown into Kuivahko's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Santana working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Kuivahko's head.
Santana looking to pass the guard.
Santana postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Kuivahko is looking to stand up but Santana isn't so interested in that idea.
Kuivahko being controlled here, momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Santana has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Santana passes Kuivahko's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Kuivahko trying to control here.
Santana has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Santana is nestled in close to Kuivahko, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Santana is looking to advance position but Kuivahko won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Santana with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Santana dives in and scores a takedown into Kuivahko's guard.
Santana is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Santana working some strikes from top position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuivahko working a defensive guard here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Thiago Santana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

A cross from Santana lands.
Santana ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Kuivahko fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Santana sprawls well initially but Kuivahko persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Santana wants to improve his position but Kuivahko is controlling well.
Santana is holding on to half guard well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Santana smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Santana has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Danga de danga de dang - Santana scores with a four punch combination!
Santana clobbers Kuivahko with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Santana lands a right hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuivahko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Santana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Santana throws a hook but Kuivahko avoids it easily.
Kuivahko tries to clinch there but Santana circles away.
Santana swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuivahko.
Kuivahko misses with a wild combination.
Antto Kuivahko is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kuivahko shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Santana defends it nicely.
Thiago Santana seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Santana jabs at Kuivahko's body.
Santana smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Santana scores with a nice strike.
Kuivahko with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Kuivahko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Santana lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuivahko misses with a body kick.
Kuivahko with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Santana to score with a decent uppercut.
Kuivahko throws the kick towards the body but Santana avoids it.
Kuivahko shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Santana but Santana pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kuivahko with a lazy takedown attempt
and Santana counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Antto Kuivahko. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Santana is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Santana with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuivahko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Santana moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Jab by Santana.
Santana scores with a jab to the jaw.
Santana scores with a jab to the jaw.
Santana lands with a straight right. Kuivahko didn't see that one coming.
Santana with a hook.
Kuivahko looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kuivahko takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kuivahko tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuivahko closes the distance but Santana moves to the side
and Santana counters with a left to the body.
The fighters circle momentarily. Santana darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Santana connects with a right hand. Kuivahko shakes it off.
Kuivahko takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Kuivahko throws a leg kick but Santana sees it coming and moves out of range.
Santana throws a front kick aimed at Kuivahko's knee but Kuivahko avoids it well.
Santana scores with a one two! Kuivahko had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Santana lands with a shot to the body.
Kuivahko misses with a jab, cross combination.
Santana lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kuivahko at a distance.
Santana feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kuivahkos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Santana goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Kuivahko.
A left and a right from Santana both land. Nice combination.

Kuivahko is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuivahko has his takedown stuffed
and Santana counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Santana is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Oh Kuivahko is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
The fight stays on the outside here - Kuivahko looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Kuivahko seems to have got his legs back now.
Santana scores with a punch to the head.
Antto Kuivahko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kuivahko takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Santana lands a head shot.
Kuivahko misses with a double jab
enabling Santana to counter with a crisp jab.
Santana's corner calls for a 1-2. Santana obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuivahko takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kuivahko throws a left and a right that both miss
and Santana counters with a stiff right hand.
Santana lands with a cross.
Kuivahko throws a chopping leg kick but Santana manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Thiago Santana comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Santana 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Thiago Santana!
Thiago Santana thanked the fans post fight for their support.