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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Armo Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Rave (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kuusela's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Promentory. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.
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| 192 cm
32
195 lbs
19 - 12 - 0 |
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185 cm
29
193 lbs
17 - 11 - 0 |
Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible |
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ADCC Champion
World class boxer
Good gas tank |
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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
19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Armo Kuusela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
17 - 11 - 0, fighting out of London, Craig Rave!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rave misses with a body shot.
Kuusela throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rave scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kuusela gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Rave to score an easy takedown into full guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rave wants to control from the top but Kuusela keeps moving.
Kuusela looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rave is one step ahead there.
Kuusela keeping moving, preventing Rave from controlling successfully.
Rave stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kuusela swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Rave is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Kuusela keeping moving, preventing Rave from controlling successfully.
The ref stands the fighters back up. Craig Rave was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Kuusela misses with the body kick
and Rave counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
A clash of legs there as Kuusela blocks the low kick.
Kuusela misses with a low kick.
A swing and a miss from Rave.
Kuusela throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Rave counters with a right hand to the body.
Kuusela throws a head kick that half lands.
Kuusela lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kuusela pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela fakes the leg kick and cracks Rave in the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kuusela stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuusela wants it to stay on the feet.
Rave finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Kuusela misses with a hook. Rave ducked under it nicely.
Kuusela scoring well with a low kick there.
Rave throws a head kick that Kuusela semi-blocks.
Armo Kuusela seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kuusela throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rave. Kuusela does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kuusela swings for the body but Rave moves out of range.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rave shoots in for a takedown but Kuusela shows good takedown defense.
Rave shoots for a double leg takedown but Kuusela sprawls well. He's pushed Rave's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Armo Kuusela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Rave.
Kuusela lands a slapping body shot.
Rave takes one to the side of the head.
Kuusela is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Kuusela misses with the body kick
and Rave counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Rave on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kuusela. Kuusela obviously looking to wear him down.
Kuusela stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kuusela wants it to stay on the feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kuusela walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rave uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kuusela.
Kuusela thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rave if he has to take too many more of those.
Kuusela throws out a leg kick but Rave moves out of range and Kuusela only half commits.
Kuusela throws a predictable looking body shot
and Rave counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rave closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Kuusela manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Rave is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Kuusela pulls his head out easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kuusela tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Rave is looking to control Kuusela's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rave avoid being mounted?
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Armo Kuusela dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Rave throws a body punch but Kuusela moves out of range.
Kuusela bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Kuusela just misses with a punch to the body.
Kuusela throws a leg kick but Rave sees it coming and moves out of range.
Kuusela looks to score with a jab to the body but Rave is just out of range.
Kuusela throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Armo Kuusela is winning the standup battle so far.
Kuusela doesn't manage to clinch there - Rave circles away.
Kuusela just misses with a punch to the body.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rave feints and as Kuusela raises his hands in defense, Rave changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Kuusela has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rave can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Kuusela escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rave gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rave trying to control the position from guard on top but Kuusela is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuusela is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rave defends well.
Kuusela is looking to stand back up but Rave counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Kuusela.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rave wants to free his trapped foot but Kuusela is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Kuusela is pressing down on Rave's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kuusela wants to sweep but no luck.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rave trying to control but Kuusela is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rave trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rave wants to control from the top but Kuusela keeps moving.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kuusela controls Rave momentarily but Rave frees himself.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rave fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Kuusela avoids it really well and circles away.
Kuusela looks to land a right hand but Rave moved out of range.
Kuusela rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Rave counters with a stiff right hand.
Kuusela on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Rave turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela looks to score with a jab to the body but Rave is just out of range.
Rave throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kuusela throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rave sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kuusela looks for the body kick but Rave saw that one coming.
Kuusela thows a body shot but no joy.
Kuusela missing with a left hand there. Rave was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rave lands with a nice body punch.
Kuusela lands a slapping body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Armo Kuusela dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!
Kuusela keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rave.
Kuusela is looking to wear down Rave with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Kuusela pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kuusela misses with a double jab.
Rave misses with a few strikes there.
Kuusela lands with a hook. Rave tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Rave avoids the body shot from Kuusela.
Kuusela tries to clinch but Rave moves out of range.
Kuusela takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kuusela throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rave circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rave looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Kuusela is fending him off so far but Rave persists. Nope, Kuusela circles away and we're back to standing.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kuusela.
Rave uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kuusela.
Kuusela getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Armo Kuusela is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kuusela misses with a body kick.
Rave wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kuusela fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rave looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rave throws a hook to the side of Kuusela's head but Kuusela sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Craig Rave has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rave ducks under a wild hook from Kuusela.
Rave fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Kuusela is looking to slow Rave down with leg kicks.
Armo Kuusela is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kuusela staying out of range there.
No joy there for Kuusela, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kuusela throws a body punch but Rave moves out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Kuusela.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rave swats away the attempt to clinch by Kuusela.
Rave misses with a few strikes there.
Rave misses with a body shot.
Rave lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Kuusela misses with a double jab.
Kuusela thuds a left hand into Rave's body.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuusela lands with a nice body kick.
Kuusela looks to land a body kick but Rave moved away.
Kuusela throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Rave has a takedown stuffed.
Armo Kuusela has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Craig Rave.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Rave crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Kuusela - the referee stops the clock and Rave gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Kuusela. Rave manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Kuusela looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kuusela drops his hands momentarily and Rave takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Kuusela dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
And that's the end of the fight!
Armo Kuusela showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kuusela, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Armo Kuusela!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Armo Kuusela waved his t-shirt featuring Perkele!'s logo in front of the cameras.
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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
45% |
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