Finland’s lone UFC fighter Anton Kuivanen will challenge undefeated TUF champion Mike Chiesa at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California tonight. MMA Viking will provide play-by-play and results of the prelim bout, which will go down at approximately 02:00 Reykjavik, 03:00 Oslo/Copenhagen/Stockholm & 04:00 Helsinki time.

Play-by-Play and Results

Big John McCarthy just sent a Tweet, and looks like he is scheduled to be the third man in the Octagon.

Kuivanen at 28 will face Chiesa at 26 years of age. The Finn is announced first, and the American second. Chiesa gets a ton of applause and is the favorite in California.

Round 1
Chiesa pacing back and forth as he waits for the fight to start. Kuivanen looks calm in his corner.

No touch of gloves, and the two get straight to it. Kuivanen looks agresive at first, but now both keep their distance looking for openings on their feet. Chiesa has the reach, and stands in a southpaw stance. Not too much action in the first minute. Chiesa misses, and Kuivanen does some damage in the clinch. No significant strikes during the first half of the round, as the two try and feel each other out and look for openings. Chiesa looks for knees in the clinch, and the two tie up. Kuivanen lands knees to the body, and Chiesa tries a knee to the face. Chiesa is much taller, and the Finn has to adjust as the two remain in a tie-up.

One minute left, and the round is still up for grabs, but Kuivanen with a good combination of damaging punches, which is the most damage of the round. A superman punch misses, but Kuivanen with a good left as he moves forward. A flying knee by the GB Gym fighter, and Chiesa goes for a take-down in response, but Kuivanen hits a switch and nobody takes control as the round ends.

MMA Viking Scoring : 10-9 Kuivanen

Round 2
Chiesa looking for a takedown early but Kuivanen defends. The American holds on to a single, and tries a switch to a double against the cage, but the Finn defends. The two are still tied up against the cage. Chiesa sneaks against the cage and puts a leg in and has Anton’s back standing, and Kuivanen is in danger. Chiesa moves in for a choke immediately, and it is tight as they hit the ground! Kuivanen in trouble as he tries to fight the hands to avoid the choke. Chiesa has back and extending Kuivanen, Chiesa adjusts, and adjusts to sink in a tight rear-naked-choke, and it is all over. Kuivanen has to tap.

Chiesa’s had is raised, and Kuivanen looks extremely disappointed.

OFFICIAL RESULT : Mike Chiesa defeats Anton Kuivanen via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 2 at 2:29