PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jayden Imlay (ranked 5192 p4p, 3101 weight class) and Tiimo Hekoniemi (ranked 0 p4p, 422 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.

Imlay
vs
Hekoniemi

177 cm
18
176
0 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
205
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jayden Imlay!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tiimo Hekoniemi!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hekoniemi is trying hard to land a takedown here. Imlay sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hekoniemi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Imlay.

Hekoniemi gets a clinch.

Hekoniemi manages to break the clinch.
Hekoniemi shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Imlay sprawls well. Imlay wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hekoniemi gets slowly back to his feet.
Imlay throws a head kick that misses.
Hekoniemi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Imlay defends it well.
Hekoniemi misses with a two punch combination.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hekoniemi.
Jayden Imlay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiimo Hekoniemi.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imlay shoots in for a takedown but Hekoniemi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Imlay shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hekoniemi defends it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hekoniemi shoots in and gets a takedown into Imlay's guard.

Imlay pushes Hekoniemi off and scrambles back to his feet.

Hekoniemi scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hekoniemi prevents Imlay from improving his position.
Imlay is looking to control Hekoniemi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Imlay avoid being mounted?
Hekoniemi is looking to take a break and control but Imlay is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Imlay gets full guard.
Imlay trying to keep a closed guard but Hekoniemi is proving a slippery customer.

Imlay manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Hekoniemi looks winded!
Imlay shoots in but no luck this time.
Hekoniemi throws a head kick that misses
and Imlay counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Imlay fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Imlay changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hekoniemi tries to avoid it but Imlay manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hekoniemi to the ground. Hekoniemi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hekoniemi has his takedown stuffed
and Imlay counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Imlay shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hekoniemi defends it nicely.
Hekoniemi stuffs the takedown.
Hekoniemi unleashes a big counter combination but Imlay bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hekoniemi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hekoniemi wants it to stay on the feet.
Hekoniemi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Imlay.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hekoniemi is defended easily by Imlay.

Imlay instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Imlay's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Hekoniemi breaks the clinch.
Imlay dives in and grabs Hekoniemi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hekoniemi pushes down on Imlay's head and hops out.
Imlay closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hekoniemi circles away.
Hekoniemi is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.

Hekoniemi looking to score a takedown here. Imlay is defending well but Hekoniemi drives through and ends up in Imlay's guard.

Imlay scrambles and gets back to his feet.
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!

Hekoniemi darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Hekoniemi sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Jayden Imlay will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hekoniemi looks for a takedown but Imlay sprawls well.
Imlay shoots in for a double leg but Hekoniemi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Imlay closes the distance and pushes Hekoniemi back into the cage.
Hekoniemi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Imlay pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hekoniemi is trying to maintain a safe position but Imlay gets an underhook and turns Hekoniemi into the cage.

Imlay manages to break the clinch.
Hekoniemi tries to score a power double leg takedown but Imlay sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hekoniemi somewhat.
Jayden Imlay has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tiimo Hekoniemi.
Hekoniemi is breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imlay misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hekoniemi tries to clinch
and Imlay counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hekoniemi fails with the takedown.

Imlay moves into the clinch.
Imlay tries to pull guard but Hekoniemi holds him up against the cage and eventually Imlay drops back down to his feet.
Hekoniemi tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Imlay smiles and moves away.
No luck for Imlay with that takedown attempt.
Imlay misses with a takedown attempt - Hekoniemi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Imlay shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hekoniemi as he avoids it easily.
Despite the aggression on Hekoniemi's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Imlay shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hekoniemi as he avoids it easily.
Imlay misses with a body kick.

Imlay has managed to clinch.
Imlay is trying to pull guard but Hekoniemi turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Hekoniemi successfully pulls guard.
Imlay content to stall in guard here.
Hekoniemi working a defensive guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hekoniemi trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Imlay content to stall in guard here.
Imlay trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Imlay gets to his feet. Hekoniemi looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hekoniemi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Imlay shoots in for a double leg but Hekoniemi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Horrible takedown attempt by Imlay or perhaps it was just good defense by Hekoniemi, which made it look bad.
Imlay slips a straight right by Hekoniemi.
Imlay shoots in looking for a takedown. Hekoniemi tries to sprawl out of it but Imlay keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hekoniemi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hekoniemi drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Imlay defends it well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Imlay shoots in looking for a takedown. Hekoniemi tries to sprawl out of it but Imlay keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hekoniemi manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jayden Imlay will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Imlay keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Imlay ducks under a wild hook from Hekoniemi.
Imlay lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Imlay scores with a jab to the body.
Hekoniemi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hekoniemi wants it to stay on the feet.
Hekoniemi looks to throw the jab but Imlay is out of range.
Imlay throws a counter high kick but Hekoniemi was just alert enough to avoid it.
Imlay closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hekoniemi circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Imlay tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hekoniemi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Imlay misses with an attempted mid kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Imlay scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Hekoniemi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Imlay.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jayden Imlay. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hekoniemi tries to clinch up but Imlay circles away and keeps his distance.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Imlay is defended easily by Hekoniemi.
Hekoniemi doesn't manage to clinch there - Imlay circles away.
Jayden Imlay is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hekoniemi fails with a takedown attempt.
As Hekoniemi tries to get set, Imlay tries to push him back and clinch up but Hekoniemi manages to avoid the attempt.
A lazy left from Imlay finds it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hekoniemi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Imlay blocks a head kick by Hekoniemi.
Imlay changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

Imlay has managed to clinch.
Hekoniemi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Imlay avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Imlay ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Imlay no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Imlay manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Imlay wants to break the clinch but can't.
Imlay fails to pull guard.
Hekoniemi is looking to control Imlay's arms but Imlay gets an underhook and turns him. Now Hekoniemi has his back to the cage.

Imlay has hold of one of Hekoniemi's legs. Hekoniemi is fighting the takedown attempt but Imlay gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hekoniemi is working an open guard so Imlay takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Hekoniemi looks for a takedown but Imlay sprawls well.

Imlay rushes Hekoniemi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Imlay is trying to break free.

Hekoniemi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hekoniemi wants to clinch up but Imlay keeps it at a distance.

Imlay moves into the clinch.
Hekoniemi is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hekoniemi is trying to drag Imlay to the mat but Imlay just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Imlay drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hekoniemi pulls his leg out and moves away.
Tiimo Hekoniemi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hekoniemi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Imlay.
Imlay keeps the fight on the outside.
Imlay is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Hekoniemi can do to turn this around?
Imlay shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hekoniemi defends it nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hekoniemi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tiimo Hekoniemi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jayden Imlay is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Imlay moves into the clinch successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jayden Imlay showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Imlay, 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Jayden Imlay!
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight for Jayden Imlay!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Jayden Imlay!

Jayden Imlay wins by unanimous decision!