PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Riku Kurikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arild Einemo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Einemo is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Arkasia - Into Nowhere (Feat CoMa). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Kurikka
vs
Einemo

177 cm
21
148 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

175 cm
22
154 lbs
9 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riku Kurikka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 6 - 0, fighting out of London, Arild Einemo!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Andrew Berry and Daniel Bishop.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kurikka avoids the body shot from Einemo.
Kurikka misses with a straight right.
Einemo has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Kurikka is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Kurikka takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Kurikka moves out of range of the strikes.
Einemo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kurikka.
Einemo thows a left - swing and a miss!
Einemo throws a nice outside leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Einemo.
Kurikka with a jab.
Einemo thumps Kurikka with a low kick.
Einemo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kurikka stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Einemo wants to land a leg kick but Kurikka is out of range.
Kurikka connects with a crisp jab.
Kurikka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kurikka waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Einemo.
Einemo scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Einemo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kurikka lands with a hook. Einemo tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurikka bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Einemo ducks under a wild hook from Kurikka.
Kurikka throws a jab but it's blocked by Einemo.
Einemo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kurikka.
Kurikka throws a series of punches but Einemo avoids them all with ease.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Kurikka.
Einemo throws a one two combo.
Kurikka throws a poor cross that misses
and Einemo counters with a low kick, right behind Kurikka 's knee.
Einemo throws a shot to the body.
A nice inside leg kick there by Einemo. That's going to slow Kurikka down.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kurikka. Einemo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Einemo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kurikka throws a body punch but Einemo moves out of range.
Einemo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kurikka.
Kurikka throws a big shot that misses.
Kurikka moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kurikka lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Kurikka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Einemo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kurikka staying out of range there.
Kurikka just misses with a punch to the body.
Einemo looks to score with a jab to the body but Kurikka is just out of range.
Kurikka displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Einemo throws out the jab.
Kurikka tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kurikka throws a shot to the body.
Einemo connects with a body shot.
Kurikka is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kurikka works over Einemo's head and body with a nice combination.
Einemo defending well as Kurikka loads up on a big left hand.
Einemo misses with a leg kick.
Einemo cracks the inside of Kurikka's front leg.
Kurikka catches Einemo with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Good shot there by Kurikka.
Kurikka is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Kurikka throws an off balance right hand
and Einemo counters with a big head kick but Kurikka shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurikka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A swing and a miss from Kurikka.
Kurikka looks to land a left hand but Einemo moved out of range nicely.
Kurikka swings widly with a right hand
and Einemo counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Kurikka scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Einemo doesn't seem bothered though.
Einemo connects with an inside leg kick.
Einemo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kurikka. Einemo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kurikka connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Einemo slips under a jab.
Einemo jabs at Kurikka's body.
A slow jab from Einemo misses its intended target.
Kurikka moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Kurikka has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kurikka there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kurikka jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kurikka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Einemo. Einemo obviously looking to wear him down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Einemo lands a right hook to the body.
A punch combination from Kurikka misses.
Kurikka misses with a hook. Einemo ducked under it nicely.
Einemo thuds his shin into the meat of Kurikka's side.
Kurikka jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Einemo avoids the body shot from Kurikka.
Kurikka throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Kurikka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Einemo moves away.
Kurikka stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Einemo.
Einemo comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kurikka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Einemo.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Einemo, right into the meat.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Einemo.
Einemo thumps Kurikka with a low kick.
Kurikka misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Arild Einemo will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Einemo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Einemo moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Einemo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kurikka wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kurikka tries to break the clinch but Einemo is controlling the position.

Einemo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kurikka has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Einemo.
Kurikka clobbers Einemo with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Kurikka pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Einemo back to the cage. Kurikka follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Kurikka takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Einemo lands a slapping body shot.
Einemo avoids the body shot from Kurikka.
Einemo lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Einemo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Some wild striking there from Einemo.
Kurikka misses with a looping right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kurikka lands a really nice looking cross but Einemo seems unphased.
Kurikka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Einemo.
Einemo moves forwards but Kurikka connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Kurikka throws a poor cross that misses
and Einemo finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Einemo connects with a leg kick. Kurikka looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Einemo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kurikka.
Einemo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Einemo throws a poor cross that misses
and Kurikka counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Einemo throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kurikka ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Einemo 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 Kurikka has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Kurikka and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Einemo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kurikka's sensitive parts.
Kurikka throws a hook but Einemo avoids it easily.
Einemo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kurikka throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kurikka takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Einemo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Kurikka misses with a left hand
and Einemo counters with a good low kick that Kurikka was not able to check.
Kurikka tries to bum rush Einemo with a series of wild strikes but Einemo uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Einemo connects with a leg kick. Kurikka looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Kurikka looks to land a left hand but Einemo moved out of range nicely.
Kurikka bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Einemo's head backwards.
Arild Einemo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kurikka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Einemo was well out of range. Poor timing from Kurikka.
Einemo thows a body shot but no joy.
Kurikka thows a body shot but no joy.
Kurikka avoids the body shot from Einemo.
Einemo is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Kurikka rather than just go for the knockout.
Einemo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Einemo cracks Kurikka with an open hand slap.
Einemo moves away from the strike by Kurikka.
Kurikka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sloppy strikes from Kurikka. Those never looked like landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kurikka lands with an overhand left.
Kurikka lands a glancing blow to the side of Einemo's head.
Einemo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kurikka's sensitive parts.
Decent striking displayed by Einemo there.
A jab from Kurikka misses.
Kurikka just misses with a punch to the body.
Einemo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Einemo connects with a solid leg kick.
Einemo throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kurikka.
Einemo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kurikka. That did some damage!
The crowd cheers as Kurikka lands an impressive looking overhand right. Einemo doesn't seem phased though.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kurikka throws the left hand but Einemo avoids the punch easily.
Kurikka connects with a single shot there.
Kurikka throws a hook to the side of Einemo's head but Einemo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A solid leg kick lands there for Einemo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Einemo moves into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Einemo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Einemo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kurikka looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Einemo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kurikka looks to score with a jab to the body but Einemo is just out of range.
Einemo lands a nice shot that snaps Kurikka's head back.
Einemo throws a leg kick but Kurikka moved away.
Kurikka misses with a looping left.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Einemo.
Kurikka lands with a good body shot.
Kurikka misses with a hook. Einemo ducked under it nicely.
Riku Kurikka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Einemo on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kurikka throws a lazy uppercut
and Einemo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kurikka lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kurikka swings widly with a right hand
and Einemo counters with a low kick, right behind Kurikka 's knee.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Arild Einemo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Kurikka throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Einemo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Einemo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kurikka rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Einemo counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
A nice leg kick lands there from Einemo.
Kurikka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A combination from Kurikka does no damage.
Kurikka throws a hook to the side of Einemo's head but Einemo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kurikka slips a jab and a cross from Einemo.
Einemo scores with a hook to the body. Kurikka takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kurikka misses the shot to the body.
Einemo uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Kurikka.
Kurikka swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Einemo has taken the fight to the clinch.
Einemo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Kurikka wants to get back to striking at distance but Einemo won't allow it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Einemo leaning against his opponent.
Kurikka is trying to break the clinch but Einemo has him pressed against the cage.
Kurikka stalling against the cage.
Einemo keeps control of Kurikka as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Kurikka wants to get back to striking at distance but Einemo won't allow it.

Einemo breaks the clinch.
Einemo looks to land a left hand but Kurikka moved out of range nicely.
Kurikka avoids a kick to the body.
Einemo moves in looking to clinch but Kurikka pushes him off.
Einemo takes a swing at Kurikka's ribcage but misses.
Einemo lands a glancing blow to the side of Kurikka's head.
A good leg kick by Einemo.
Einemo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Einemo throws a series of punches but Kurikka avoids them all with ease.
Kurikka stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Einemo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Einemo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kurikka stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
A nice leg kick lands there from Einemo.
Kurikka throws a series of strikes that have Einemo backpedaling.
Einemo connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kurikka misses with a wild combination.
Kurikka has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Einemo.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Some wild striking there from Kurikka.
Kurikka misses with a lunging right hand
and Einemo counters with a leg kick.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Einemo, right into the meat.
Kurikka throws a hook to the side of Einemo's head but Einemo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Einemo pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Einemo cracks the inside of Kurikka's front leg.
Kurikka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Einemo. Einemo obviously looking to wear him down.
Einemo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kurikka was well out of range. Poor timing from Einemo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Einemo cracks the inside of Kurikka's front leg.
Kurikka misses with an uppercut.
Einemo has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Kurikka swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Einemo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kurikka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kurikka throws a looping overhand right but Einemo ducks down to avoid it.
Einemo looks to land a left hand but Kurikka moved out of range nicely.
Kurikka misses with a straight left.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Einemo.
Kurikka throws a big shot that misses.
Kurikka misses with a straight right.
Kurikka will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kurikka feints a jab promting Einemo to slip. Kurikka then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Einemo slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Einemo thows a body kick. Kurikka tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Einemo is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Einemo throws a head kick but Kurikka moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Einemo defending well as Kurikka loads up on a big left hand.
Einemo blocks a jab.
Einemo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Einemo defending well as Kurikka loads up on a big left hand.
A big left from Kurikka misses.
Einemo scores with a decent looking hook.
Kurikka with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Einemo to score with a decent uppercut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Einemo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Einemo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kurikka on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Einemo. Einemo obviously looking to wear him down.
Kurikka throws a hook to the side of Einemo's head but Einemo sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kurikka lands a jab to the head.
Einemo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Riku Kurikka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Einemo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Kurikka's sensitive parts.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arild Einemo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Einemo 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 Sam Margolis scores the fight 28:29
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arild Einemo!
Arild Einemo seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.