PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Luke Hager (ranked 4570 p4p, 5096 weight class) and Nermin Varupa (ranked 447 p4p, 477 weight class). Luke Hager had real problems making weight for this fight. After initially coming in at 156.3lbs, he had two hours to make the official fight weight. He made it but it will have taken a lot out of him to cut those extra few pounds. Luke Hager has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Hager
vs
Varupa

190 cm
18
165
1 - 0 - 0

185 cm
25
165
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Luke Hager!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nermin Varupa!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, William Gold and James Ackerman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hager takes one on the button.

Varupa clinches up against the cage.
Varupa lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hager wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Varupa manages to break the clinch.
Varupa looks to land a combination. Hager sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Hager misses with a right hand
and Varupa counters with a stiff right hand.
Varupa catches Hager with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Hager throws a lazy right hand but Varupa sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Varupa slips under a jab from Hager.
Hager misses with a left hand
and Varupa counters with a left to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hager misses with a looping left.

Varupa has taken the fight to the clinch.
Hager tries to break the clinch but Varupa is controlling the position.
Varupa controlling the action here for a moment.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Varupa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hager working hard to break the clinch.

Varupa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Varupa looks to land a combination. Hager sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

Hager connects with a vicious head kick that knocks Varupa to the floor! Hager dives in looking for the finish!

Varupa is rocked!

It looks like Nermin Varupa has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Varupa keeping control of the position.
Varupa is still in real trouble! Can Hager finish him?
Varupa tries to kick Hager off but Hager keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Varupa seems to have recovered his senses.
Varupa is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hager's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hager's back!

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Varupa patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Varupa misses with a punch to the head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Varupa trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Hager doesn't escape.

Varupa tightening his grip on Hager, looking for the choke.
Varupa is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hager preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Varupa.

Varupa is working hard for the rear naked choke here.
Varupa trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Hager doesn't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Varupa is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Varupa's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
We've been informed that Varupa has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.

Hager defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Varupa biding his time, looking for the opening.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nermin Varupa dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nermin Varupa's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hager takes one to the chin there.
Nice jab there from Varupa.
Varupa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hager takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Hager throws a lazy uppercut
and Varupa cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Varupa cracks a nice hook into Hager's ribs.
Varupa blocks a jab.
Varupa throws a series of strikes that have Hager backpedaling.
A head kick misses from Hager.
A slow jab from Hager misses its intended target.
Varupa unleashes a big counter combination but Hager bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Hager throws a big shot that misses.
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!
Hager takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Hager takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Varupa works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Hager misses with a hook
and Hager takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hager takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Varupa lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hager tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Varupa throws out a counter right but Hager avoids it with no problem.

Varupa closes the distance and clinches.

Varupa breaks the clinch.
Varupa connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Hager's hands.
Nermin Varupa is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Varupa scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Varupa jabs Hager to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hager swings widly with a right hand
and Varupa counters with a straight right hand.
Varupa moves into range and connects with a jab.
Varupa looks to land a combination. Hager sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The fighters circling - Hager throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
As Hager backs off Varupa throws a huge counter combo but Hager manages to avoid it all.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hager misses with a shot to the body
and Varupa counters with a series of strikes. Hager will be more careful next time no doubt.
Varupa ducks under a wild hook from Hager.
Nermin Varupa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Hager looks to throw the jab but Varupa is out of range.
Varupa changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hager swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varupa goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Hager throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
It seemed like Varupa was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Varupa gets a clinch.

Varupa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hager walks into a left hand.
Hager with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Varupa to score with a decent uppercut.
Varupa lands a jab-cross combination.
Hager looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.

Varupa gets a clinch.

Varupa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Varupa feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Hagers jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Varupa scores with a jab to the head.
Hager walks into a left hand.

Varupa pushes Hager up against the cage in a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varupa lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Varupa scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Still in the clinch, Varupa scores with a nice short uppercut.

Varupa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Varupa lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A nice combination there by Varupa.
Hager on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Varupa's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Varupa duly obliges.
Varupa avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Varupa shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Hager eats them both and turns towards Varupa to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Varupa lands a lovely overhand right.
Hager throws a head kick that misses.
Hager misses with a right hand
and Varupa counters with a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Varupa moves into the clinch successfully.
Varupa displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hager up against the cage.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Varupa.

Varupa breaks the clinch.
Varupa scores with a jab to the head.
Varupa lands a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Varupa forces Hager back against the cage and clinches.
Hager wants to break free but Varupa has control.

Varupa breaks from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nermin Varupa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Nermin Varupa's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Decent striking displayed by Varupa there.
Varupa lands a jab-cross combination.
Varupa getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Varupa walks into a left hand.
Varupa throws a nice looking combination but Hager bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Varupa scores with a nice strike.
Hager throws a jab when Varupa was well out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Varupa darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Hager throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Varupa counters with a series of strikes. Hager will be more careful next time no doubt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Varupa moves into the clinch.
Varupa lands a body shot.
Varupa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Varupa lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Varupa lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hager backwards.
Hager tries to circle away but Varupa has him pinned against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Varupa.
Varupa is leaning against Hager and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Hager wants to get back to striking at distance but Varupa won't allow it.

Varupa breaks from the clinch.
Hager throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Varupa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Varupa on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Varupa slips a jab from Hager.
Hager throws a combination that misses
letting Varupa counter with a right hand.
Hager misses with a hook
enabling Varupa to counter with a crisp jab.

Varupa has Hager up against the cage in a clinch.
Hager is trying to break the clinch but Varupa is controlling him.

Varupa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varupa pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Hager back to the cage. Varupa follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
A punch combination from Hager misses.
Hager is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Varupa moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hager throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Varupa's head.
Hager throws a looping overhand right but Varupa ducks down to avoid it.
Varupa is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Hager drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Varupa clinches with his opponent.
Varupa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hager.

Varupa pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Varupa paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Varupa paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

Varupa has closed the distance and engaged Hager in a clinch.
Varupa stalling the fight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hager is looking to break free of the clinch but Varupa has double underhooks.
Varupa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hagers head.
A left hand lands to the body for Varupa.
Nermin Varupa seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Varupa is stalling here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Varupa.

Varupa breaks from the clinch.

Varupa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Varupa taking a breather.
Varupa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hagers head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varupa lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hager backwards.
Varupa lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Hager backwards.
Varupa scores with a nice hook to the head.
Varupa throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hagers head.
Varupa lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Varupa lands a nice shot to the body.

Varupa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Varupa gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Varupa.

Varupa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nermin Varupa really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nermin Varupa's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hager on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Varupa forces Hager back against the cage and clinches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Varupa.
Hager can't break the clinch.
Varupa lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hager backwards.

Varupa breaks from the clinch.
Varupa moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Hager jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hager pulls out of a head kick attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice straight punches there by Varupa. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Varupa.
Varupa's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Varupa duly obliges.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Varupa lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Varupa.
Hager lands a glancing blow to the side of Varupa's head.
Varupa is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Hager walks into a stiff left hand from Varupa.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hager misses with a looping left.
No joy there for Varupa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Varupa lands a two punch combo.
Hager swings widly with a right hand
and Varupa counters with a left and a right that stings Hager.
A telegraphed right hand from Hager misses the target.

Varupa closes the distance and clinches.
Hager wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hager working hard to break the clinch.
Varupa lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

Hager breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Varupa, as that shot connected.
Hager gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hager throws out a loose jab but Varupa uses good head movement to avoid it.
Varupa wants to counter the offense by Hager and move into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A right-left combo lands from Varupa.
Hager throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Varupa lunges at Hager with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Hager's hand.
Hager throws a lazy uppercut
letting Varupa counter with a right hand.
A head kick by Hager misses
and Varupa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Decent striking displayed by Varupa there.
Hager misses with a hook. Varupa ducked under it nicely.
Hager on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nice uppercut lands for Varupa. That snapped Hager's head back.

Varupa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hager, pushing him back against the cage.
Varupa lands a hook that snaps the head of Hager backwards.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varupa lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Varupa lands a shot to the body.
Varupa lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hager backwards.
Varupa softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Varupa lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Varupa.
Varupa is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hager is trying to break the clinch but Varupa is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varupa lands a body punch in the clinch.
Varupa pushes Hager back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hager tries to break the clinch but Varupa is controlling the position.

Varupa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Varupa moves out of range as Hager strikes.
Hager throws a head kick that misses.
Varupa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hager takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hager is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Varupa darts in and clinches Hager up against the cage.
Varupa works on Hager's body with a couple of short punches.
Nice body punch from Varupa.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Nermin Varupa dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Nermin Varupa's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Varupa's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Varupa duly obliges.
Hager dodges the punch combination from Varupa.
A swing and a miss from Hager.
A cross from Varupa lands.
Hager missing with a left hand there. Varupa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Varupa lands with a hook. Hager tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Hager misses with a left hand
letting Varupa counter with a right hand.
Hager waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Varupa.
Varupa lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Hager throws a hook but Varupa avoids it easily.
Hager throws a shot from downtown. Varupa moves away and avoids it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Varupa scores with a body shot.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Hager scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Varupa lands a lovely overhand right.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hager on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A slow jab from Hager misses its intended target.
Hager throws a hook but Varupa blocks it.
Varupa bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Varupa keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hager.

Varupa clinches up with Hager and pushes him back against the cage.
Hager is trying to break the clinch but Varupa is controlling him.
A frustrated look appears on Hager's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Varupa lands a hook that snaps the head of Hager backwards.

Varupa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Varupa lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Hager misses with a combination
and Varupa counters with a left to the body.
Luke Hager has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varupa scores with a nice strike.

Varupa moves into the clinch.
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!

Varupa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hager misses with a lunging right hand

and Varupa counters by clinching up.

Varupa breaks the clinch.
Left hook, right uppercut from Varupa.
Hager swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Hager takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Varupa lands a jab to the nose.
Varupa slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Varupa lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Varupa closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hager is trying to push Varupa away but Varupa has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hager is trying to break the clinch but Varupa is controlling him.
A nice right hand lands inside from Varupa.
Varupa lands a right hand.
Varupa lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Varupa scores with a nice hook to the head.

Varupa breaks from the clinch.
Varupa scores with a three punch combo!
Hager throws a poor cross that misses
and Varupa counters with a straight right hand.

Varupa closes the distance and clinches.
Varupa pressing his opponent against the cage.

Varupa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hager misses with a left hand
and Varupa counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Varupa fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Varupa moves into range and connects with a jab.
Varupa is working the combinations to good effect here.
Varupa works the jab nicely.
A slow jab from Hager misses its intended target.
Hager swings widly with a right hand
and Varupa counters with a nice uppercut.

Hager tries to keep at a distance but Varupa has taken the fight into the clinch.
Varupa lands a right hand.
Hager misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Varupa scores with an uppercut up the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nermin Varupa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Varupa has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 45:50
Judge William Gold scores the fight 44:50
Judge James Ackerman scores the fight 44:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nermin Varupa!