PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Lusmu Kutvonen (ranked 1986 p4p, 232 weight class) and Scruffy Bushrod (ranked 2717 p4p, 305 weight class). Lusmu Kutvonen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kutvonen
vs
Bushrod

170 cm
19
162 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

170 cm
20
158 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

Knockaround Guys Fight Gear

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lusmu Kutvonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of New York, Scruffy Bushrod!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Steve Montenegro and Bruno Lombardi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kutvonen misses the shot to the body.

Bushrod pushes Kutvonen up against the cage in a clinch.
Kutvonen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Kutvonen turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Kutvonen manages to end up in side control.
You can see the frustration on Bushrod's face as Kutvonen controls the position.
Kutvonen sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Bushrod is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Kutvonen lands an elbow.
Kutvonen misses with the ground and pound.
Bushrod has one of Kutvonen's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
Kutvonen is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Bushrod will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Bushrod is trying to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kutvonen trying to control the action but Bushrod is working from the bottom.
Bushrod takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
You can see the frustration on Bushrod's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Kutvonen works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Bushrod is looking for a sweep.
Kutvonen is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Bushrod will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Bushrod taking a bit of punishment here - Kutvonen scoring with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen working the ground and pound.
Kutvonen is working Bushrod over with some ground and pound from side control.
Bushrod tries to improve position but can't.
Bushrod holding on.
Kutvonen landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Kutvonen throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Kutvonen throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Bushrod works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bushrod manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen wants to control from the top but Bushrod keeps moving.
Kutvonen is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Bushrod is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Bushrod wants to stand and escape but Kutvonen is having none of it.
Kutvonen is working Bushrod over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bushrod pulls Kutvonen in close to prevent any damage.
Bushrod wants to sweep here but Kutvonen controlling him for the moment.
Bushrod not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

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.
Kutvonen throws a big right hand that misses.
Kutvonen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kutvonen throws an elbow that misses. Bushrod uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kutvonen's guard. Nice move by Bushrod!

Bushrod is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bushrod wants to control from the top but Kutvonen keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Bushrod is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lusmu Kutvonen dominated that round.
That's time! Kutvonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Bushrod takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Kutvonen moves out of range of the leg kick from Bushrod.
Bushrod is looking to chop away at Kutvonen's legs.
Bushrod motions for Kutvonen to come forward. Bushrod throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Some wild striking there from Kutvonen.
Bushrod scoring well with a low kick there.
A slapping body kick lands there for Bushrod.
Kutvonen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bushrod jabs Kutvonen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Kutvonen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bushrod tries to score with a low kick but Kutvonen moves his leg out of the way.
Bushrod jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Bushrod lands with a kick to the temple. Kutvonen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushrod keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Kutvonen has closed the distance and engaged Bushrod in a clinch.
Kutvonen prevents a body shot from Bushrod.
Kutvonen just leaning against Bushrod, taking a breather.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Bushrod blocking some punches.

Kutvonen breaks the clinch.
Kutvonen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Bushrod's sensitive parts.
Bushrod scores with a shot to the body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Bushrod, right into the meat.

Bushrod fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kutvonen, pushing him back against the cage.
Bushrod misses with a knee strike.
Bushrod is looking to control Kutvonen's arms but Kutvonen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Bushrod has his back to the cage.
Kutvonen presses Bushrod against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Kutvonen is working for takedown but Bushrod is calmly controlling the position for now.
I was talking to Kutvonen's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bushrod is trying to maintain a safe position but Kutvonen gets an underhook and turns Bushrod into the cage.

Kutvonen breaks the clinch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Kutvonen, right into the meat.
Bushrod will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Bushrod slips under a jab from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen blocks the body kick.
Scruffy Bushrod seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kutvonen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A nice leg kick lands there from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Bushrod throws a leg kick
and Kutvonen counters with a low kick, right behind Bushrod 's knee.
A solid leg kick lands there for Bushrod.
Kutvonen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Bushrod throws a nice inside leg kick.
Lusmu Kutvonen is winning the standup battle so far.
Bushrod tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Kutvonen is able to avoid easily.
Bushrod throws out a leg kick but Kutvonen moves out of range and Bushrod only half commits.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bushrod uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Kutvonen.
Bushrod misses with a head kick.
Kutvonen cracks the inside of Bushrod's front leg.
Bushrod wants to slow Kutvonen down by chopping away at his legs.
Kutvonen checks a leg kick.
Kutvonen appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Bushrod lands with a thumping leg kick.

Kutvonen darts in and clinches Bushrod up against the cage.
Kutvonen stalling against the cage.
Kutvonen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Bushrod can do to turn this around?
Bushrod tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Bushrod with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Bushrod tries to stall but Kutvonen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Kutvonen stalling in the clinch but Bushrod improves position.

Kutvonen manages to break the clinch.
Bushrod digs a good hook to Kutvonen's body.
Bushrod avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kutvonen shoots in and gets a takedown into Bushrod's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bushrod looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Kutvonen puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Kutvonen misses with a head shot. Bushrod uses the momentum to regain guard.
Kutvonen trying to control but Bushrod is working from the bottom.
Kutvonen landing with the ground and pound.
Kutvonen stopping the sweep attempt from Bushrod.
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 Lusmu Kutvonen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Kutvonen scoring well with a low kick there.
A slow jab from Bushrod misses its intended target.
Kutvonen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Bushrod fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Kutvonen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Bushrod throws a leg kick that misses.
Kutvonen throws the left hand but Bushrod avoids the punch easily.

Kutvonen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kutvonen.
Bushrod creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Bushrod throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kutvonen blocks it with crossed arms.
Bushrod missing with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bushrod trying to land knees to the body.
Bushrod tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Kutvonen breaks the clinch.
Bushrod throws a low kick but Kutvonen moves out of range easily.
Bushrod misses with a double jab

and Kutvonen moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bushrod will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Kutvonen up against the cage.
Kutvonen pushes Bushrod back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Kutvonen taking a breather.
Kutvonen digs a right hand into Bushrod's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Bushrod's gas tank.
Bushrod takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bushrod throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kutvonen blocks it with crossed arms.
Bushrod tries to stall but Kutvonen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.

Kutvonen breaks from the clinch.
Bushrod throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bushrod throws a leg kick
and Kutvonen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bushrod misses with a kick to the body.
Kutvonen tries to counter with a takedown but Bushrod is quick to defend against it.
Bushrod throws a shot from downtown. Kutvonen moves away and avoids it.
Bushrod just misses with a punch to the body.
Kutvonen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Bushrod. That did some damage!
A chopping leg kick lands by Kutvonen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bushrod stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kutvonen.
Bushrod stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Bushrod.
Bushrod takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Bushrod throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Bushrod displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Kutvonen.
Bushrod steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Kutvonen.
Kutvonen wants to land a leg kick but Bushrod is out of range.
Kutvonen thows a body kick. Bushrod tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Bushrod throws a leg kick that misses.
Bushrod throws a leg kick

and Kutvonen counters by moving into the clinch.
Bushrod's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Kutvonen is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Kutvonen avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Kutvonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Kutvonen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Bushrod tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Bushrod throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kutvonen feints and then cracks Bushrod's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Bushrod down.
Kutvonen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Lusmu Kutvonen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kutvonen scores with a jab. Bushrod acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Bushrod pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A low kick from Bushrod is predictable there
and Kutvonen counters with a three punch combo that has Bushrod backing up. Bushrod nods at Kutvonen to acknowledge the strikes.
No joy there for Bushrod, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Kutvonen.
Bushrod throws out a leg kick but Kutvonen moves out of range and Bushrod only half commits.
Bushrod misses with the body kick

and Kutvonen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kutvonen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kutvonen's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Bushrod tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Kutvonen stays in close to Bushrod's body and controls the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lusmu Kutvonen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Kutvonen 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Steve Montenegro scores the fight 30:27
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lusmu Kutvonen!