PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jin Kim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nyyrikki Takaraivo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jin Kim has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kim
vs
Takaraivo

185 cm
43
220 lbs
32 - 47 - 2

179 cm
32
220 lbs
16 - 18 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 47 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Jin Kim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Nyyrikki Takaraivo!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kim scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Kim is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Takaraivo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Takaraivo is not content to let Kim control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kim is trying to get an arm triangle but Takaraivo is defending well.
Takaraivo wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kim creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kim is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Takaraivo knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Takaraivo is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Kim trying to control the action but Takaraivo is working from the bottom.
Kim working the head with strikes.
The ground and pound from Kim seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Takaraivo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kim. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Kim tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Kim has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Kim.
Kim wants to lay and pray for a moment but Takaraivo keeps working.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Takaraivo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Kim tries to advance to mount but Takaraivo denies him.
Kim with the ground and pound but Takaraivo regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Takaraivo is trying to stand back up but Kim is controlling him

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Well, if Kim is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Kim thows a huge punch but Takaraivo dodges it nicely.
Kim missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Kim missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Kim sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Takaraivo defending well though.

Kim is working for a kimura but Takaraivo is defending it quite comfortably.

Kim maintaining the dominant position here and is working for a kimura. He's locked it up! Takaraivo could be in real trouble here! He's trying to wriggle out but Kim has cracked it and Takaraivo is screaming in pain - he's tapped out! Great finish by Kim!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jin Kim!