PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fotos Hasapis (ranked 1873 p4p, 2033 weight class) and Juha Maenpaa (ranked 246 p4p, 262 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hasapis
vs
Maenpaa

185 cm
27
185
7 - 5 - 0

188 cm
25
185
6 - 10 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Heavy Metal Drugs

Nevermore Clothing Co

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Fotos Hasapis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Maenpaa!
The judges for this bout are James Glass, Richard Clark and Chris Edwards.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A leg kick checked by Maenpaa.
Donk. Maenpaa catches Hasapis right on the button with a cross.
Hasapis cracks Maenpaa with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Maenpaa misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
That kick from Hasapis tenderised Maenpaa's leg. Maenpaa is trying to keep his angry face on.
Maenpaa connects with a jab.
Maenpaa misses with a hook
and Hasapis counters with a stiff right hand.
Hasapis keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hasapis lands with a right hand.
Hasapis throws a jab when Maenpaa was well out of range.
A big left from Maenpaa misses.
Hasapis pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hasapis keeps the fight on the outside.
Maenpaa throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Maenpaa walks into a stiff left hand from Hasapis.
Hasapis takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Maenpaa tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hasapis swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Hasapis lands a lovely overhand right.
Maenpaa looks to score with a jab to the body but Hasapis is just out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big right from Maenpaa misses.
Maenpaa misses with a body shot
and Hasapis cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hasapis looks to land a left hand but Maenpaa moved out of range nicely.
Hasapis misses with a wild body shot.
Hasapis connects with a leg kick.

Hasapis closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Hasapis throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Hasapis in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Hasapis is trying to ground and pound but Maenpaa uses the momentary lack of control by Hasapis to regain half guard.
Hasapis not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hasapis looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Maenpaa with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Maenpaa is trying to get back to full guard.
Hasapis thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hasapis looks to land a strike but Maenpaa avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hasapis is working Maenpaa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Maenpaa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hasapis missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hasapis content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Hasapis throws an elbow that misses. Maenpaa uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hasapis's guard. Nice move by Maenpaa!

Maenpaa is looking to stand up but Hasapis won't let him.

Hasapis has his foot on Maenpaa's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Maenpaa works his way back into a safe position though.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hasapis is on top in guard.

Hasapis working some strikes from top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maenpaa utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Maenpaa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hasapis throwing strikes from guard but Maenpaa blocks nicely.
Hasapis with a flurry of punches that miss.
Maenpaa preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hasapis throws a big right hand that misses.
Hasapis is looking to work some ground and pound but Maenpaa has wrist control.
Maenpaa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Hasapis accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Hasapis loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hasapis landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hasapis throws a strike but Maenpaa rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Maenpaa wants to stand up, so he's looking to wriggle free of Hasapis's closed guard. He's half up but Hasapis has locked on to an arm! Uh oh! Hasapis pivots and extends the arm, Maenpaa falls face first to the mat and taps??... does he?? YES! He's tapping! Excellent counter grappling there by Hasapis! Well done that man!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Fotos Hasapis!
A victorious Fotos Hasapis thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.