PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Armas Kuusisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin (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 Xocoyotzin's choice of entrance music: Leverage - Sentenced. Armas Kuusisto could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin's chin.

Kuusisto
vs
Xocoyotzin

179 cm
33
192 lbs
22 - 10 - 1

180 cm
28
191 lbs
14 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Brute

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Armas Kuusisto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Xocoyotzin scores with a nice right hand.
Kuusisto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Xocoyotzin.
Kuusisto shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Xocoyotzin pinned against the cage. Xocoyotzin gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kuusisto moves away from the strike by Xocoyotzin.
Kuusisto dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Xocoyotzin 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 Kuusisto has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kuusisto and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Xocoyotzin looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kuusisto dives in and grabs Xocoyotzin's left leg, looking for a takedown. Xocoyotzin pushes down on Kuusisto's head and hops out.
Kuusisto feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Xocoyotzin's calf.
Kuusisto avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kuusisto shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Xocoyotzin defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Armas Kuusisto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuusisto swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Xocoyotzin works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Xocoyotzin takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kuusisto throws a wild body kick that Xocoyotzin sees coming a mile off.
Kuusisto throws a low kick but it's checked well by Xocoyotzin.
Xocoyotzin scores with a head kick.

It looks like Armas Kuusisto has been cut.
Kuusisto tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A head kick misses from Xocoyotzin.
A jab from Xocoyotzin does it's job there.
Kuusisto gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Xocoyotzin.
Kuusisto looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nice jab there from Xocoyotzin.
Xocoyotzin fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Xocoyotzin fails to land with a series of punches.
Xocoyotzin cracks Kuusisto with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A looping hook to the body misses from Xocoyotzin. Kuusisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xocoyotzin buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto throws a leg kick which misses Xocoyotzin's front leg but catches the back leg as Xocoyotzin tries to avoid it.
Xocoyotzin throws a leg kick but Kuusisto checks it.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuusisto.
Good leg kick by Xocoyotzin there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Kuusisto slips under a jab from Xocoyotzin.
Xocoyotzin will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Xocoyotzin ducks under a wild hook from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Xocoyotzin fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Xocoyotzin doesn't manage to clinch there - Kuusisto circles away.
Xocoyotzin is looking to slow Kuusisto down with leg kicks.
Kuusisto avoids a punch combination nicely.
Kuusisto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuusisto with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Xocoyotzin lands with a nice body punch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Xocoyotzin's calf.
Kuusisto takes a swing at Xocoyotzin's ribcage but misses.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kuusisto. That's going to slow Xocoyotzin down.
Xocoyotzin checks a low kick from Kuusisto.
Xocoyotzin with a nice cross.
Kuusisto lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Xocoyotzin at a distance.
Kuusisto staying out of range there.
A slow jab from Xocoyotzin misses its intended target.

Xocoyotzin scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Kuusisto actively working from the bottom here.
Xocoyotzin not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuusisto works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto wants to sweep but no luck.
Xocoyotzin is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kuusisto working a defensive guard but Xocoyotzin manages to pass into side control anyway.
Kuusisto is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Kuusisto is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kuusisto looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin will probably get the nod.
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 walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Xocoyotzin checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Kuusisto misses with a kick to the body.
Kuusisto misses with a low kick.
A cross from Xocoyotzin lands.
Kuusisto takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Kuusisto on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Xocoyotzin misses with a low kick.
Xocoyotzin scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A looping hook to the body misses from Xocoyotzin. Kuusisto does a little dance to reset his feet.
Xocoyotzin has a takedown stuffed.
Xocoyotzin checks a low kick from Kuusisto.
Kuusisto slaps away a takedown attempt from Xocoyotzin, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kuusisto shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Xocoyotzin but Xocoyotzin pushes him off and we're back to square one.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes from Kuusisto. Those never looked like landing.
A big left from Kuusisto misses.
Kuusisto staying out of range there.
Xocoyotzin ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kuusisto displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Xocoyotzin throws out the jab.
Kuusisto moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Xocoyotzin throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Sloppy strikes from Xocoyotzin. Those never looked like landing.
Xocoyotzin ducks under a wild hook from Kuusisto.
Xocoyotzin checks the leg kick.
Xocoyotzin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kuusisto tries for a takedown but Xocoyotzin sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Kuusisto throws a push kick but Xocoyotzin slaps the foot to one side.
Kuusisto tries to score with a low kick but Xocoyotzin moves his leg out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Xocoyotzin tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kuusisto is able to avoid easily.
Xocoyotzin pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Kuusisto back to the cage. Xocoyotzin follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kuusisto uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Xocoyotzin.
Xocoyotzin scores with a leg kick.

Xocoyotzin closes the distance and clinches.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuusisto looking to slow down the pace here.
Xocoyotzin misses with a knee strike.
Kuusisto lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Kuusisto works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Xocoyotzin lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Xocoyotzin softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Kuusisto lands a nice knee to the body.
Xocoyotzin is breathing heavily.
Kuusisto lands a left hand.
Kuusisto stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Xocoyotzin is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Kuusisto is defending well for now.
Xocoyotzin keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Kuusisto's efforts to push away.
Kuusisto has Xocoyotzin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Xocoyotzin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Armas Kuusisto. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kuusisto misses with a punch to the body.
Kuusisto gets through Xocoyotzin's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

Kuusisto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kuusisto chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Kuusisto is looking to land body kicks.
Kuusisto goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Kuusisto tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kuusisto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kuusisto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kuusisto chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kuusisto swings away with a leg kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusisto avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Xocoyotzin's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Kuusisto connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Xocoyotzin scrambles back to his feet.
Kuusisto's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Xocoyotzin connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Kuusisto scrambles back to his feet.
Kuusisto's jab looks to have found its range, popping Xocoyotzin under the eye.
Kuusisto misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Xocoyotzin clobbers Kuusisto with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kuusisto misses with a low kick.
Kuusisto shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Xocoyotzin dips to his left and cracks Kuusisto with an uppercut!
Kuusisto ducks under a wild hook from Xocoyotzin.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Xocoyotzin misses with a looping right.
Xocoyotzin moves out of range of the body kick.
Kuusisto throws a head kick but Xocoyotzin moves out of range.
Xocoyotzin takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
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.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Kuusisto has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kuusisto there as he acknowledges the shot.
Xocoyotzin scores with a sloppy right hand. Kuusisto should have avoided that one.
Xocoyotzin misses with a body kick.
Kuusisto takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Kuusisto throws a nice outside leg kick.
Kuusisto takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Kuusisto scores with a leg kick.

Xocoyotzin drives through and clinches with Kuusisto against the cage.
Kuusisto looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Xocoyotzin lands a right hand.
Xocoyotzin wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Armas Kuusisto has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kuusisto tries to throw a body punch but Xocoyotzin avoids it by throwing Kuusisto back against the cage.
Kuusisto lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Xocoyotzin blocks the elbow strike.

Xocoyotzin manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusisto misses with a wild combination.
Kuusisto throws out a loose jab but Xocoyotzin uses good head movement to avoid it.

Xocoyotzin moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuusisto lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kuusisto swings wildly with an uppercut but Xocoyotzin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Xocoyotzin as Kuusisto tries to tie him up.

Xocoyotzin manages to break the clinch.
Xocoyotzin will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Xocoyotzin cracks the inside of Kuusisto's front leg.
Kuusisto looks to land a body kick but Xocoyotzin moved away.

Xocoyotzin shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuusisto looking for subs off his back but Xocoyotzin has passed one foot through into half guard.
Kuusisto is trying to get back to full guard.
Kuusisto is looking to control Xocoyotzin's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Kuusisto avoid being mounted?
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Xocoyotzin wants to control but Kuusisto is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kuusisto looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Xocoyotzin passes the guard and advances to mount!
Kuusisto tries to hold on but Xocoyotzin postures up.
Kuusisto is looking to get to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Xocoyotzin pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Kuusisto is looking to improve his position but Xocoyotzin isn't that keen on the idea.
Xocoyotzin putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Xocoyotzin trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Xocoyotzin raining down shots from the mount!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kuusisto is trying desperately to improve position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Xocoyotzin has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin!
Post fight, Motecuhzoma Xocoyotzin stared into the camera and said 'Man needs his difficulties because they are necessary to enjoy success.'.