PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kalju Kulli (ranked 3860 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gabe Christianson (ranked 2890 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Kulli
vs
Christianson

185 cm
32
185 lbs
6 - 12 - 0

189 cm
46
185 lbs
42 - 15 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

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 6 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kalju Kulli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 42 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Gabe Christianson!
The judges for this bout are Kenichi Hosakawa, Yuuki Gou and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Kulli rushes Christianson and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Christianson lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Christianson prevents a body shot from Kulli.
Christianson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Christianson blocks a body shot from Kulli.
Kulli stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Kulli tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Kulli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Kulli lands with a shot to the body.
Christianson stuffs the takedown.
Kalju Kulli seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Kulli moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Christianson 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.
Kulli ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Christianson moves away.
Kulli throws a nice outside leg kick.

Christianson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Christianson wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kulli wants a takedown but no success here.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kalju Kulli. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Kulli breaks the clinch.
Kulli uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Christianson.

Kulli shoots in and bounces Christianson off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Christianson wriggles free and stands up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kulli throws the left hand but Christianson avoids the punch easily.
Kulli lands with a straight right. Christianson didn't see that one coming.
Christianson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kulli is trying hard to land a takedown here. Christianson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Kulli throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Christianson on the side of the head.
Christianson blocks a head kick by Kulli.
Kulli throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Kulli lands with a kick to the temple. Christianson shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Gabe Christianson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Christianson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Christianson 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.
Nice body kick from Kulli.
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!
Decent striking displayed by Christianson there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Christianson throws a big shot that misses.
Kulli was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kulli is looking to clinch.
Christianson replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Kulli blocks it well.
Kulli ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Kulli tries to clinch up.
A countering left hand to the body from Christianson misses.
Nice straight punches there by Kulli. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kulli.
Kulli avoids the head kick by Christianson.
Kulli throws a head kick that Christianson semi-blocks.
Christianson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Kulli thuds his right hand into Christianson's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Christianson throws a sloppy head kick
letting Kulli counter with a right hand.
Kulli cracks Christianson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Christianson throws a sloppy head kick and Kulli moves out of range easily.
Sloppy strikes from Christianson. Those never looked like landing.
Christianson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Kulli seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christianson lands a right hook to the body.
Kulli scores with a punch to the head.
Kulli throws a head kick but Christianson moves out of range.
Kulli lands a high kick!
Kulli misses with a head kick.
Kulli tries to clinch up.
Kulli fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Kulli has taken the fight to the clinch.
Kulli just leaning against Christianson, taking a breather.
Christianson has a couple of punches blocked by Kulli.

Christianson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Christianson throws a big shot that misses.
Kulli tries to counter with a takedown but Christianson is quick to defend against it.
Christianson missing with a left hand there. Kulli was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A jab lands there for Kulli.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kulli swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kulli.
Kulli ducks under a wild hook from Christianson.
Kulli misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And Christianson responds with a good body kick, but Kulli manages to step out the way in time.
Kulli jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Kulli cracks Christianson with a right hand to the side of the head.
Christianson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kulli.
Christianson slaps away a takedown attempt from Kulli, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A looping hook to the body misses from Kulli. Christianson does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kulli lands a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kulli with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Christianson slaps away a takedown attempt from Kulli, before circling back to the center of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kalju Kulli dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Christianson takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Kulli looks to throw the jab but Christianson is out of range.
Christianson throws a low kick but Kulli avoids it.

Kulli closes the distance and clinches.
Kulli lands a hook to the side of the head.
Christianson lands a body punch.
Kulli prevents a body shot from Christianson.
Christianson lands a right hand.
Christianson scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Kulli scores with a shoulder strike.
Kulli goes for a takedown attempt but Christianson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Christianson. Kulli does a little dance to reset his feet.
Kulli fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Christianson throws out a counter right but Kulli avoids it with no problem.
Kulli takes a swing at Christianson's ribcage but misses.
Kulli jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Kulli. That snapped Christianson's head back.
Kulli misses with a low kick.
Kulli throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Kalju Kulli is winning the standup battle so far.
Kulli scores with the left hand. Christianson knows he should have avoided that one.
Kulli misses with a wild body shot.
Christianson was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Christianson throws a looping overhand right but Kulli ducks down to avoid it.
Kulli tries to clinch up but Christianson circles away and keeps his distance.
Christianson throws a leg kick but Kulli moved away.
Christianson takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Christianson just misses with a punch to the body.
Kulli lands with an overhand left.
Christianson tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Christianson moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Christianson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
It looks like Kulli has been trying to sharpen up his punching technique, as it looks crisper than last time we saw him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Christianson lands with a thumping leg kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Christianson pushes Kulli up against the cage in a clinch.
Christianson has a couple of punches blocked by Kulli.
Christianson lands a right hand.
Christianson throws a head punch that misses.
Christianson goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Gabe Christianson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Christianson misses with a punch on the inside.
Christianson lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Christianson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Christianson is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Kulli pushes Christianson back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Christianson misses with the head strike.
Kulli working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Christianson misses with a punch to the body.
Kulli is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Christianson can do to turn this around?
Kulli throws a knee to the head but misses.
Kulli keeps control of Christianson as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Christianson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Kulli scores with a shot to the side of Christianson's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Christianson throws a head punch that misses.
Kulli lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Christianson throws a head punch that misses.
Kulli holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Christianson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Christianson is trying to force a seperation but Kulli has the dominant position.

Kulli jumps guard.

Christianson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Kulli, up you get!
Kulli has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kulli there as he acknowledges the shot.
Kulli pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kulli takes a swing at Christianson's ribcage but misses.
Kulli throws a sloppy body shot
and Christianson counters with a straight right hand.
Christianson keeps the fight on the outside.
Christianson showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Kulli.
A little jabbing left from Christianson on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kulli moves out of range of the body kick from Christianson.
Christianson looks to land a body kick but Kulli moved away.
Kulli scores with a jab. Christianson acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A good leg kick by Kulli.
Kulli steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Christianson.
Christianson looks to land a left hand but Kulli moved out of range nicely.
Kulli checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Christianson throws a big shot that misses.
Kulli ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Christianson takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Christianson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Christianson slips under a jab.
Christianson scores with a punch to the head.
Kulli scores with a jab to the jaw.
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 Kalju Kulli will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Kulli stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kulli.
Kulli tries to bum rush Christianson with a series of wild strikes but Christianson uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
A telegraphed right hand from Kulli misses the target.
Kulli looks to land a combination. Christianson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Christianson throws a nice looking combination but Kulli bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Kulli fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Christianson on the wrong end of a nice hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Christianson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Christianson 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.
Kulli scores with a shot to the body.
Kulli is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Christianson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Christianson scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kulli with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Kulli tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Christianson misses with an attempted mid kick.
Kulli tries to close the distance and clinch but Christianson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Christianson tries a quick counter leg kick but Kulli is wise to it.
Kulli looks to land a left hand but Christianson moved out of range nicely.
Christianson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kulli manages to avoid it.
Kulli avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Kulli scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Kulli ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Kulli lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Christianson looks to land a right hand but Kulli moved out of range.
Christianson has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Some bone on bone action there as Kulli checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Kulli misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Gabe Christianson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kulli will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Kulli moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Jab, jab by Christianson - just one landing.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Christianson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Kulli scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Christianson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Kulli lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Christianson blocks a jab.
Christianson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Kulli lands a right hook to the body.
Kulli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Christianson.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kulli lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Christianson throws a lazy uppercut
and Kulli counters with a low kick, right behind Christianson 's knee.

Christianson instigates a clinch.
Kulli tries to pull guard but Christianson holds him up against the cage and eventually Kulli drops back down to his feet.
Christianson's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kulli lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Christianson or not.
Christianson takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Christianson struggles to land a body shot inside as Kulli controls his hands.
Christianson swings wildly with an uppercut but Kulli uses good head movement to avoid it.
Kulli throws an elbow but it's blocked.

Kulli's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Christianson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Kulli scores with a nice right hand.
Kulli checks a leg kick.
Kulli lands with a nice combination. Christianson backs away looking to recover.
Kulli cracks Christianson with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kulli lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Kulli.
Christianson swings widly with a right hand
and Christianson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nice straight punches there by Kulli. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Kulli.
A swing and a miss from Kulli.
Nice defenses there by Kulli.
Christianson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Kulli lands a nice looking body shot.
Christianson looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Kulli, as that shot connected.
Kulli scores with a sloppy right hand. Christianson should have avoided that one.
Kulli jabs Christianson to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kulli lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Kalju Kulli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Christianson is rocked!
Christianson throws a hook to the side of Kulli's head but Kulli sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kalju Kulli showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kulli, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kalju Kulli!