PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kale Kummola (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and James Howlett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kummola comes to the cage accompanied by Eternal Tears of Sorrow - Sakura No Rei. Howlett has chosen Berserker as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. 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?

Kummola
vs
Howlett

168 cm
27
155 lbs
17 - 4 - 0

172 cm
34
160 lbs
26 - 5 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Perkele!
Bloodlust Horde Fightwear

Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kale Kummola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, James Howlett!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kummola shoots for a double leg takedown but Howlett sprawls well. He's pushed Kummola's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Howlett chopping away at his opponent's legs.
We've been hearing reports that Kummola has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Howlett throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
James Howlett seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kummola throws a body kick that misses.
Howlett throws a leg kick but Kummola sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Howlett tries to land a leg kick but Kummola saw it coming and moves away.
Howlett throws a shot from downtown. Kummola moves away and avoids it.
Howlett misses with a series of wild punches.
Howlett keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Kummola.
Jab, jab by Kummola - just one landing.
Howlett darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Howlett misses with a kick to the body.
Howlett has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Howlett moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Nice cross by Howlett.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kummola shoots in for a takedown but Howlett shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kummola checks a low kick from Howlett.
Nice body kick there by Kummola.
Howlett connects with a body shot that sends Kummola's belly button to the back.
Kummola throws an overhand right that lands on Howlett's shoulder, as Howlett tries to avoid the shot.
Howlett takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Howlett throws a lazy right hand but Kummola sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Howlett looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Howlett punishes Kummola's body with a nice straight punch.
Howlett fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kummola manages to avoid it.
Howlett checks a low kick from Kummola.
Howlett throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Howlett works Kummola's body with a nice hook.
Kummola throws a body kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kummola takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Howlett looks to land a body kick but Kummola moved away.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kummola keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kummola cracks Howlett with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Kummola takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Kummola throws a leg kick but Howlett sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Kummola lands a nice looking body shot.
Kummola displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Kummola avoids the head kick by Howlett.
Howlett misses with a leg kick.
Howlett throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Howlett. Kummola shrugs it off though.
Howlett throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kummola takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Howlett misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Howlett clobbers Kummola with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Howlett fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kummola.
Howlett lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
James Howlett is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Howlett tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Kummola misses with an uppercut
and Howlett counters with a big head kick but Kummola shrugs it off.
Howlett swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Kummola.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Howlett lands with a nice body punch.
Both fighters circling a little - Howlett finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Howlett pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Kummola goes for a double leg but Howlett avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Howlett continues to drive forward.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kale Kummola. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Kummola tries to throw a body punch but Howlett avoids it by throwing Kummola back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kummola has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Howlett is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kummola.
Still in the clinch, Howlett scores with a nice short uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Howlett creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Howlett lands with a left to the head.
Kummola blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Howlett misses with the head strike.
Howlett works on Kummola's body with a couple of short punches.
A hook to the body from Kummola.
Howlett works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Howlett pushes Kummola back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Howlett.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kummola.
Howlett working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Kummola fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Howlett working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Howlett goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Kummola misses with the head strike.
Howlett tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that round.
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.

Kummola misses with a body shot
and Howlett counters with a left and a right that stings Kummola.
Howlett scoring well with a low kick there.
Howlett is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Good work by Kummola as he checks the leg kick.
Howlett connects with the punch.
Kummola pushes Howlett away with a front kick.
Kummola 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.
Howlett throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kummola stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kummola shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kummola walks into a jab.
Kummola finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Howlett is looking to slow Kummola down with leg kicks.
Kummola avoids the head kick by Howlett.
James Howlett seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kummola throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Howlett 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.
Howlett takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kummola has a takedown stuffed.
Kummola on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Kummola moves out of range of the body kick from Howlett.
Kummola takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Howlett tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kummola paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Kummola walks into a straight right hand from Howlett.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A clash of legs there as Howlett blocks the low kick.
Howlett tries to land a front kick but Kummola steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Howlett, right into the meat.
Howlett with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kummola takes one to the chin there.

Howlett clinches.
Kummola blocks a body shot from Howlett.
Kummola blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Howlett has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Kummola misses with a hook to the ribs.
Howlett blocks a body shot from Kummola.
Howlett misses with the head strike.
Kummola tries to throw a body punch but Howlett avoids it by throwing Kummola back against the cage.
Howlett lands with a right to the head.
Nice body punch from Kummola.

Kummola breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kummola lands a leg kick that knocks Howlett off balance momentarily.
Kummola shoots for a takedown but Howlett saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Howlett feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kummolas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kummola misses with a straight left.
Kummola throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Howlett sees it coming and avoids it easily.

Kummola drives through with a takedown into Howlett's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Howlett avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Howlett 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.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Howlett escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kummola gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

Kummola is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Howlett is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Howlett has escaped and now he's on top!
Kummola keeping moving, preventing Howlett from controlling successfully.
Kummola 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kummola looking to hit a scissor sweep but Howlett is one step ahead there.

Kummola working for a triangle but Howlett defends it easily.
Kummola controls Howlett momentarily but Howlett frees himself.
Howlett showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Kummola throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Kummola swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Howlett throws a wild body kick that Kummola sees coming a mile off.
Howlett throws a hook but Kummola blocks it.
Kummola throws a big shot that misses.
Howlett misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kummola.
Howlett throws the kick towards the body but Kummola avoids it.
Howlett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
No luck for Kummola with that takedown attempt.
Kummola takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Howlett throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kummola on the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kummola takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Howlett ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Howlett connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Kummola takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Kummola checks a low kick from Howlett.
Howlett looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Howlett scoring well with a low kick there.
Howlett scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Howlett is looking to clinch but Kummola is avoiding it.
A low kick from Kummola is predictable there
and Howlett counters with a leg kick.
Kummola throws a leg kick but Howlett sees it coming and moves out of range.
Howlett uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kummola.
Howlett looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kummola throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A leg kick checked by Kummola.
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!
Howlett misses with an uppercut. Kummola saw that one coming.
Howlett on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Kummola. Kummola obviously looking to wear him down.
Howlett cracks Kummola with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Kummola motions for Howlett to come forward. Kummola throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Howlett wants to slow Kummola down by chopping away at his legs.
Howlett feints and then cracks Kummola's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kummola down.
Howlett is looking to clinch.
Howlett lands a front kick.
Kummola throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Howlett's waist but Howlett gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kummola off to one side.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Kummola.
Kummola slips a jab from Howlett.
A leg kick checked by Kummola.
Howlett slips under a jab from Kummola.
Kummola throws a low kick but Howlett avoids it.
Howlett clobbers Kummola with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Howlett finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Howlett misses with a low kick.
Kummola swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kummola has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Howlett.
Howlett cracks the inside of Kummola's front leg.
Good work by Kummola as he checks the leg kick.
Kummola looks for a takedown but Howlett sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kale Kummola. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Howlett throws a leg kick but Kummola sees it coming and moves out of range.
Howlett feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Kummola's calf.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Howlett lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Kummola is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Kummola lands a front kick.
Howlett scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kummola will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Howlett throws a low kick but Kummola avoids it.
Kummola misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kummola tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Howlett fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Kummola.
Howlett throws a leg kick but Kummola sees it coming and moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Howlett lands a front kick.
Howlett tries to work over Kummola's front leg with a kick but Kummola checks it.
Howlett looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kummola sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Howlett 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.
Howlett missing with a left hand there. Kummola was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Howlett waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kummola.
Howlett scores with a nice head shot.
Howlett connects with an inside leg kick.
Howlett throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Howlett feints and then cracks Kummola's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Kummola down.
Howlett connects with a right hand. Kummola shakes it off.
Howlett slips a jab and a cross from Kummola.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett slips a straight right by Kummola.
Kummola checks a low kick from Howlett.
Howlett lands with a cross.
Howlett looks for the body kick but Kummola saw that one coming.

Howlett gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Kummola postures up in Howlett's guard and throws a big left but Howlett blocks it.
Howlett wants to sweep here but Kummola controlling him for the moment.

Howlett had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kummola defends it easily.
Kummola trying to control but Howlett is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Howlett avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Howlett manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Howlett wants to control the pace but Kummola is squirming around nicely.
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!
Howlett with a couple of short strikes.
Kummola sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Howlett thows a huge punch but Kummola dodges it nicely.

Kummola is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Howlett pulls his head out easily.
Kummola tries to get to full guard but Howlett has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Howlett trying to pass the guard but Kummola defending well.
Howlett is still trying to improve position.
Kummola tries to get to full guard but Howlett has control of the leg.
Howlett looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Kummola manages to get to full guard.
Kummola trying to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kummola looking to hit a scissor sweep but Howlett is one step ahead there.
Howlett sitting in guard here, content to control.
Howlett wants to control from the top but Kummola keeps moving.
Kummola controls Howlett momentarily but Howlett frees himself.
Howlett trying to control but Kummola is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. James Howlett wasn't active enough on the ground.
A solid leg kick lands there for Howlett.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

James Howlett dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Kummola lands a jab.
Howlett throws a leg kick but Kummola moved away.
Howlett dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Kummola. That did some damage!
Howlett just misses with a punch to the body.
Kummola lands a nice looking body kick.
Howlett lands a nice looking body shot.
Howlett swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Kummola just misses with a punch to the body.

Howlett pushes Kummola up against the cage in a clinch.

Kummola escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kummola looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kummola takes one to the side of the head.
Howlett misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Howlett throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Kummola lands a really nice looking cross but Howlett seems unphased.
Kummola throws a nice inside leg kick.
Kummola walks into a stiff left hand from Howlett.
Kummola takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Howlett cracks the inside of Kummola's front leg.
Kummola steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Howlett. That one must have hurt.
Howlett ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kummola moves away.
Howlett rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Kummola counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Howlett's guard now.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Howlett wants to sweep here but Kummola controlling him for the moment.
Howlett is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Kummola trying to control but Howlett is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Howlett throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Kummola lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Kale Kummola overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Kummola scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kummola trying to control but Howlett is working from the bottom.
Howlett wants to sweep here but Kummola controlling him for the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kummola working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Howlett not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kummola is looking to work some ground and pound but Howlett has wrist control.
Kale Kummola has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kummola working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Kummola looking to pass the guard.
Kummola with a flurry of punches that miss.
Kummola scoring with punches to the head and body.
Kummola missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Howlett preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Howlett wants to sweep here but Kummola controlling him for the moment.
Howlett keeping full guard, as Kummola tries to pass.

Howlett is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Kummola defends well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Howlett is trying to keep Kummola in close.
Howlett preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Howlett bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kummola's guard.
Howlett is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kummola wants to sweep here but Howlett controlling him for the moment.
Howlett trying to control but Kummola is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kummola is looking for a triangle but Howlett pushes his legs off easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Kale Kummola.
I think Howlett 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 46:50
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... James Howlett!
James Howlett took to the mic in his post fight interview and said 'You got four belts? Really? Time to retire cuz this sport has turned into a joke.'.