PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Dennis Brousard (ranked 5125 p4p, 4419 weight class) and Jari Lehtola (ranked 586 p4p, 545 weight class). Jari Lehtola will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Brousard
vs
Lehtola

180 cm
19
200
0 - 1 - 0

198 cm
18
205
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 2 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Dennis Brousard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jari Lehtola!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Bruno Hogan and Francis DeMontford.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lehtola fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Brousard on the side of the head.
A lazy left from Lehtola finds it's target.
Lehtola lands a nice shot to the body.

Brousard closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Brousard lands in his opponent's guard.
Brousard pushes down on Lehtola's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Brousard passes to full mount!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Brousard lands a couple of good shots and Lehtola has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Brousard lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Brousard misses with an elbow to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Brousard is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Lehtola has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.

Brousard working for a choke but Lehtola is defending well.
Oooh a big shot gets through from Brousard. Many more shots like that and the referee will have to think about stepping in!

Brousard patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Brousard thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Brousard working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Lehtola defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Brousard's arms.
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!

Brousard working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.

Brousard working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
What can Lehtola do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Brousard loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Lehtola hold on?

Brousard is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Lehtola knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Lehtola for a finish.

Lehtola defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Lehtola tries to roll but Brousard sticks to his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Brousard is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Lehtola. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Lehtola avoids the strikes from Brousard.
Brousard controlling from the back.
Lehtola avoids the strikes from Brousard.

Lehtola showing good submission defense here.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
What can Lehtola do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!

Brousard is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Lehtola defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Lehtola is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Brousard.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
I really don't envy Lehtola right now.
Lehtola looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
What can Lehtola do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Brousard'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.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.

Brousard looking to break Lehtola's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Lehtola remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Brousard will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Brousard working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Lehtola tries to break free.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Brousard connects with a big shot to the side of Lehtola's head.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Brousard biding his time, looking for the opening.

Brousard tightening his grip on Lehtola, looking for the choke.
Good control from Brousard.
Lehtola really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Brousard. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
I really don't envy Lehtola right now.

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Brousard throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
Brousard is landing with strikes from the back.
Lehtola covering up well under a series of strikes from Brousard.
Brousard controlling from the back.

Brousard is cranking Lehtola's head sideways - that looks painful. He's managed to get his other arm under the chin and this looks bad for Lehtola! He's tightened the choke and Lehtola is tapping out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 9:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Dennis Brousard!