PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rokki Kukko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Billy O Brien (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Kukko might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Rokki puts asses in the seats!. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Kukko
vs
O Brien

176 cm
26
174 lbs
19 - 6 - 0

182 cm
27
185 lbs
12 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!
Modern Wear Apparel

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 19 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rokki Kukko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Billy O Brien!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kukko dips to his left and cracks O Brien with an uppercut!
O Brien misses with a straight left.
O Brien swings for the body but Kukko moves out of range.
O Brien swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
A punch lands to the side of O Brien 's head but he takes it in his stride.
O Brien blocks a head kick by Kukko.
A countering left hand to the body from O Brien misses.
Kukko throws a solid leg kick but O Brien takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Kukko.
Kukko uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from O Brien.
Rokki Kukko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kukko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kukko takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Kukko is looking to slow O Brien down with leg kicks.
O Brien comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Kukko closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. O Brien quickly recovers to half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
O Brien trying to control here.
O Brien tries to roll over but Kukko keeps him under control.
O Brien is looking to control Kukko's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can O Brien avoid being mounted?
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
O Brien wants to improve his position but Kukko is controlling well.
O Brien trying to control here.
Kukko takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Kukko thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed O Brien's head.
O Brien is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Kukko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Kukko's back!
Kukko tries to escape the position.
O Brien is trying to stick to Kukko's back but Kukko is turning into O Brien. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in O Brien's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Kukko.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
O Brien lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

O Brien wants to get up but he can't break Kukko's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
O Brien preventing the sweep.
O Brien slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
O Brien wants to pass the guard but Kukko is keeping the position.
O Brien is still trying to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko is trying to keep O Brien in close.
O Brien won't allow Kukko to sweep him here.

Kukko looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Kukko keeping full guard, as O Brien tries to pass.

Kukko has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but O Brien can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
O Brien stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Kukko swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
O Brien keeps trying to improve his position.

O Brien avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
O Brien trying to control but Kukko is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kukko lands a high kick!
O Brien fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rokki Kukko will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

O Brien tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kukko defends well and O Brien ends up having to push Kukko into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Kukko fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but O Brien is out of range.
O Brien is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Kukko with a body shot.
O Brien checks the leg kick nicely there.
O Brien takes a kick to the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Kukko.
Kukko swings away with a body shot that misses
and O Brien counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kukko throws an overhand right that lands on O Brien's shoulder, as O Brien tries to avoid the shot.
O Brien throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Kukko counters with a nice body kick.
O Brien slips a jab from Kukko.
A little jabbing left from O Brien on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Kukko throws a sloppy head kick
and O Brien counters with a stiff right hand.
O Brien throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Kukko on the side of the head.
A telegraphed right hand from O Brien misses the target.
Kukko throws a low kick but O Brien moves out of range easily.
O Brien swings for the body but Kukko moves out of range.
Kukko feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Kukko 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 O Brien has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from O Brien and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Kukko keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
O Brien keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
O Brien moves out of range of the strikes.
O Brien tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kukko was well out of range. Poor timing from O Brien.
Kukko uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from O Brien.
O Brien slips under a jab.
O Brien comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kukko misses with a straight left.
Kukko feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to O Brien's calf.
Kukko misses with an uppercut.
Kukko loads up on a big right hand but O Brien slips the punch.
Kukko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kukko avoids the body shot from O Brien.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Kukko - that will leave a mark!
O Brien cracks a nice hook into Kukko's ribs.
Kukko is looking to slow O Brien down with leg kicks.
O Brien misses with a hook.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
O Brien jabs Kukko to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kukko tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
O Brien throws a hook but Kukko avoids it easily.
O Brien throws a big shot that misses.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kukko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
O Brien blocks a leg kick.
Kukko connects with a solid leg kick.
Kukko moves out of range as O Brien strikes.
Kukko throws a low kick but O Brien avoids it.
O Brien shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Kukko pinned against the cage. Kukko gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Some wild striking there from O Brien.
Kukko throws out a powerful jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
O Brien pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
O Brien loads up on a big right hand but Kukko slips the punch.
Kukko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kukko throws a sloppy head kick and O Brien moves out of range easily.
O Brien fails with an attempt to clinch.
O Brien misses with a hook.
Kukko lands with a thumping leg kick.
O Brien ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Kukko moves away.
O Brien uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kukko.
A head kick misses from Kukko.
It seemed like O Brien was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
O Brien wants to clinch up but Kukko keeps it at a distance.
Rokki Kukko is winning the standup battle so far.
Good work by O Brien as he checks the leg kick.
Kukko keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from O Brien.
Kukko misses with a leg kick.
O Brien now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
O Brien's corner calls for a 1-2. O Brien obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
O Brien missing with a left hand there. Kukko was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
O Brien loads up on a big right hand but Kukko slips the punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kukko throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kukko fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches O Brien on the side of the head.
A head kick misses from Kukko.
O Brien on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kukko steps to the side to avoid the strikes from O Brien.
O Brien misses with a looping left.
Kukko uses good head movement to avoid the hook from O Brien.
O Brien scores with a hook.
O Brien misses with a hook.
O Brien misses with a wild body shot.
O Brien throws a shot from downtown. Kukko moves away and avoids it.
O Brien cracks the inside of Kukko's front leg.
Kukko throws a wild body kick that O Brien sees coming a mile off.
O Brien throws a hook but Kukko blocks it.
Kukko throws a low kick but O Brien moves out of range easily.
Kukko misses with a straight left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rokki Kukko will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Kukko on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
O Brien cracks a nice hook into Kukko's ribs.
O Brien gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Kukko.
Kukko throws a hook to the side of O Brien's head but O Brien sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
O Brien scores with a body shot.
Kukko's jab looks to have found its range, popping O Brien under the eye.
O Brien blocks the body kick.
Kukko takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
O Brien throws a looping overhand right but Kukko ducks down to avoid it.
Kukko ducks right into an uppercut from O Brien.
Kukko looks to throw a body kick
letting O Brien counter with a right hand.
Kukko throws a good cross that connects.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Good exchange - O Brien coming out on top.
Kukko looks to score with a jab to the body but O Brien is just out of range.
Kukko throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
O Brien appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Kukko lands a really nice looking cross but O Brien seems unphased.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kukko clobbers O Brien with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
O Brien avoids a kick to the body.
O Brien ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kukko scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Kukko throws the kick towards the body but O Brien avoids it.
Kukko misses with the body kick
and O Brien counters with a nice uppercut.
O Brien connects with a jab.
Kukko thuds his shin into the meat of O Brien's side.
Kukko gets off balance looking for a body kick
and O Brien counters with a straight right hand.
O Brien throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Kukko.
Kukko throws a leg kick that misses.
A head kick misses from O Brien.
Kukko tries to counter with a takedown but O Brien is quick to defend against it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kukko.
Kukko lands a leg kick that knocks O Brien off balance momentarily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
O Brien lands an overhand right.
Billy O Brien has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
O Brien fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Kukko looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kukko looks to land a right hand but O Brien moved out of range.
Kukko slips a jab and a cross from O Brien.
Kukko moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
O Brien's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
O Brien tries to close the distance and clinch but Kukko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
O Brien misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kukko.
Kukko fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but O Brien is out of range.
O Brien takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kukko.
A swing and a miss from Kukko.
O Brien avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Kukko fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
O Brien misses with a straight right.
O Brien throws a poor cross that misses
and Kukko counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kukko tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Kukko defending well as O Brien loads up on a big left hand.
O Brien throws a predictable looking body shot
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Kukko turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
The fighters circling - O Brien throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
O Brien misses with a straight left.
Kukko was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
O Brien misses with a hook
and Kukko counters with a straight right hand.
O Brien throws a hook but Kukko blocks it.
O Brien throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
O Brien ducks right into an uppercut from Kukko.
Crunch! Kukko slams his shin into O Brien's torso.
O Brien throws a hook but Kukko avoids it easily.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kukko. That's going to slow O Brien down.
Kukko connects with a solid leg kick.
Kukko takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kukko ducks right into an uppercut from O Brien.
Kukko avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
O Brien misses with the combination.
Kukko tries to counter with a takedown but O Brien is quick to defend against it.
Kukko connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed O Brien momentarily.
Kukko scores with the left hand. O Brien knows he should have avoided that one.
O Brien misses with a straight right.
O Brien just misses with a punch to the body.
O Brien lands a nice shot that snaps Kukko's head back.
O Brien swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A lazy left from Kukko finds it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kukko sizes up O Brien with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
O Brien has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Kukko.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kukko.
O Brien waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Kukko.

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 Rokki Kukko.
Well Kukko has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Don Winkell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 30:27
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rokki Kukko!
Rokki Kukko was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.