PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Sari Kalmelainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Emmanuel Varvas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Kalmelainen
vs
Varvas

178 cm
22
157 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sari Kalmelainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Emmanuel Varvas!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Varvas misses with a takedown attempt - Kalmelainen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kalmelainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Varvas swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Kalmelainen stuffs the takedown.
Kalmelainen tries to close the distance and clinch up but Varvas swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kalmelainen misses with a few strikes there.
Kalmelainen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

It looks like Emmanuel Varvas has been cut.
Varvas tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Varvas shoots for a takedown but Kalmelainen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Sari Kalmelainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emmanuel Varvas.
Varvas looks for a takedown but Kalmelainen sprawls well.

Kalmelainen gets a takedown into half guard.
Varvas wants to get back to his feet.
Varvas looks gassed!

Kalmelainen escapes and gets back to his feet.
A combination from Kalmelainen does no damage.
Varvas circles away from the clinch attempt

and Varvas counters by moving into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Varvas lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kalmelainen is looking for a sweep. Varvas is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Kalmelainen is trying to control but can't.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Varvas is working for a kimura but Kalmelainen is defending it quite comfortably.
Kalmelainen tries to kick Varvas off but Varvas keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

Varvas stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Varvas displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Kalmelainen throws out the jab.
Kalmelainen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Varvas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kalmelainen.
Varvas dodges the punch combination from Kalmelainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kalmelainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
A combination from Kalmelainen does no damage.
Varvas looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Sari Kalmelainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Varvas has his takedown stuffed
and Kalmelainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kalmelainen fails to land with a series of punches.
Varvas fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Kalmelainen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Varvas wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Kalmelainen has him pressed against the cage.
Kalmelainen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Varvas has Kalmelainen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Kalmelainen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Kalmelainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Varvas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Varvas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Varvas tries to close the distance and clinch but Kalmelainen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varvas uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kalmelainen.
Kalmelainen stuffs the takedown.
Varvas shoots in looking for a takedown. Kalmelainen tries to sprawl out of it but Varvas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kalmelainen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kalmelainen scores with a three punch combo!
Kalmelainen tries to clinch there but Varvas circles away.
Varvas looks for a takedown but Kalmelainen sprawls well.
Varvas shoots in and drives through. Kalmelainen sprawls well.
Kalmelainen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Varvas misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Varvas tries to clinch up.
Horrible takedown by Varvas or perhaps it was just good defense by Kalmelainen which made him look bad.
Varvas is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kalmelainen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varvas moves in looking to clinch but Kalmelainen pushes him off.
Kalmelainen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Varvas shoots in but no luck this time.
Nice takedown defense from Kalmelainen. No joy for Varvas on that attempt.
Varvas fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Varvas moves into the clinch.

Kalmelainen breaks from the clinch.
Varvas tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Horrible takedown by Kalmelainen or perhaps it was just good defense by Varvas which made him look bad.
Kalmelainen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Varvas counters with a takedown into side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kalmelainen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Varvas has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Varvas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Kalmelainen keeps working.
Kalmelainen is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
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 Sari Kalmelainen will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Emmanuel Varvas's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kalmelainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Kalmelainen throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

Varvas fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kalmelainen, pushing him back against the cage.
Varvas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kalmelainen prevents it.

Varvas escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kalmelainen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Varvas counters with a head kick.
Kalmelainen keeps the fight on the outside.
Kalmelainen misses with a double jab

and Varvas decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Kalmelainen's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Varvas is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Varvas seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varvas is pushing down on Kalmelainen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Kalmelainen is fighting to maintain full guard but Varvas has managed to sneak the leg through.
Kalmelainen wants to get back to his feet.
Varvas throwing shots but Kalmelainen is blocking nicely.

Varvas is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Varvas wants to pass to mount but Kalmelainen is defending the position.
Kalmelainen is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Varvas not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Varvas trying to pass the guard but Kalmelainen defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Varvas lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Kalmelainen throws an overhand right that lands on Varvas's shoulder, as Varvas tries to avoid the shot.
Kalmelainen darts in trying to clinch

and Varvas counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Varvas is working for takedown but Kalmelainen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Varvas goes for a takedown attempt but Kalmelainen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sari Kalmelainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emmanuel Varvas.
No luck for Varvas with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kalmelainen has taken the fight to the clinch.

Varvas has clasped his hands together around Kalmelainen's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Varvas trying to control the action but Kalmelainen is working from the bottom.

Varvas tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Varvas has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Kalmelainen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Varvas has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Varvas landing a few strikes.
Sloppy strikes there by Varvas.
Kalmelainen tries to escape but Varvas is in control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varvas tries to move to mount but Kalmelainen blocks the move with his legs.
Kalmelainen parries the strikes from Varvas easily there. Varvas is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Kalmelainen to escape.
Kalmelainen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Varvas on the ground.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Varvas wants to clinch but Kalmelainen slips to the side
and Kalmelainen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Kalmelainen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Varvas.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kalmelainen!
Varvas tries to clinch there but Kalmelainen circles away.
Varvas buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Kalmelainen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Varvas moves into the clinch.
Kalmelainen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Varvas has him pressed against the cage.
Kalmelainen wants to break free but Varvas has control.
Varvas tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kalmelainen smiles and moves away.
Kalmelainen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Varvas counters with a head kick.
Varvas tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Kalmelainen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Emmanuel Varvas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Emmanuel Varvas's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Kalmelainen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kalmelainen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Kalmelainen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Varvas dodges the punch combination from Kalmelainen.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Kalmelainen!
Varvas wants to clinch
and Kalmelainen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kalmelainen tries to bum rush Varvas with a series of wild strikes but Varvas uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Varvas shoots in looking for a takedown. Kalmelainen tries to sprawl out of it but Varvas keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kalmelainen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kalmelainen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Varvas counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Kalmelainen!
Varvas throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kalmelainen because Varvas loaded up on that one.
Varvas thowing shots but they're missing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kalmelainen wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Varvas.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varvas throws a wild left hand from mount and Kalmelainen manages to wriggle his way back to half guard.
Kalmelainen is looking to escape.
Varvas passes to full mount!
Kalmelainen is in a horrible position here. Varvas smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Varvas with a couple of short strikes.
Varvas throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Kalmelainen because Varvas loaded up on that one.
Kalmelainen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two 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.
Varvas thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Kalmelainen is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Kalmelainen wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Varvas.
Varvas avoids the attempt from Kalmelainen to control.

Varvas swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Kalmelainen is now in Varvas's guard. A big mistake from Varvas there, giving up the dominant position!
Varvas is looking to stand up but Kalmelainen isn't so interested in that idea.
Kalmelainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Varvas is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varvas looking to hit a scissor sweep but Kalmelainen is one step ahead there.
Kalmelainen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Varvas looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Kalmelainen puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Varvas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Varvas manages to get to full guard.
Kalmelainen trying to control but Varvas is working from the bottom.
Varvas trying to strike off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Varvas tries to strike from the bottom.
Varvas looking for a sweep. Not yet Varvas, not yet.
Varvas lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Kalmelainen!
Poor strikes thrown by Varvas there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Kalmelainen is working to get back to half guard.

Kalmelainen bucks Varvas off and manages to get back to his feet!
Varvas will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sari Kalmelainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Emmanuel Varvas.
Varvas closes the distance and clinches up with Kalmelainen, looking for a takedown. Varvas pushes Kalmelainen against the cage but Kalmelainen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Emmanuel Varvas.
I think Varvas 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Emmanuel Varvas!