PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lias Kota (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vesa Asikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Vesa Asikainen was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Kota
vs
Asikainen

195 cm
32
272 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

189 cm
29
225 lbs
2 - 15 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Lias Kota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 15 - 0, fighting out of London, Vesa Asikainen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kota looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Asikainen kicks off Kota and gets to his feet.

Kota throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Asikainen tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Kota is in Asikainen's guard.

Asikainen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Asikainen gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Asikainen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Kota looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Asikainen is looking to take a break and control but Kota is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Asikainen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Kota looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kota is not content to let Asikainen control the position.
Asikainen trying to mount his opponent but Kota defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Kota actively working from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Asikainen wants to take a breather but Kota is having none of it.
Asikainen is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Kota looking for a guillotine here but Asikainen defends easily.
Asikainen tries to free his leg and advance position but Kota is retaining full guard.

Asikainen stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Kota drives through with a takedown into Asikainen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

Asikainen has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Kota is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.

Asikainen breaks from the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Asikainen with that takedown attempt.
Asikainen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kota circles away.

Asikainen feints and as Kota raises his hands in defense, Asikainen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Asikainen looking to pass the guard.

Kota is working for submissions here. He's thrown up his legs looking for a triangle but Asikainen frees his head nicely. Oh but Kota has switched to an armbar! Asikainen is tapping furiously! Lovely submission there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Armbar). Lias Kota!
Lias Kota decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.