PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Juan Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harri Vahva (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez comes to the cage accompanied by Christina Aguilera - Dirrty. Vahva has chosen Hammerfall - Let the Hammer Fall as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Sanchez
vs
Vahva

188 cm
22
255 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

198 cm
19
280 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Rätei ja lumpui - Cheapest clothes in Helsinki

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juan Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harri Vahva!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vahva will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Sanchez will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Vahva fails in his attempt to clinch.
Vahva connects with a body shot.
Vahva scores with a sloppy right hand. Sanchez should have avoided that one.
Vahva cracks Sanchez with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Vahva lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vahva tries to bum rush Sanchez with a series of wild strikes but Sanchez uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Sanchez drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Sanchez postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Vahva is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Sanchez is fighting to break Vahva's control of his arms but Vahva is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Sanchez sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Vahva not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Sanchez won't allow Vahva to sweep him here.
Sanchez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Vahva swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sanchez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Vahva works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vahva managing to control the position.
Vahva is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Vahva will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Vahva throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Vahva shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Sanchez napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on Sanchez's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
A lull in the action here as Vahva stalls from top position.
Sanchez regains half guard.
Sanchez blocking the ground and pound attempt from Vahva.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sanchez moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Sanchez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vahva gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Vahva must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sanchez is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Vahva really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Sanchez. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Sanchez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vahva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.
Vahva wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Sanchez tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Vahva gets to his feet. Sanchez looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Sanchez throws out a loose jab but Vahva uses good head movement to avoid it.
Sanchez tries for a takedown but Vahva circles away easily
and Vahva counters with a nice body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez misses with a takedown
and Vahva counters with a right hand to the body.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good exchange - Vahva coming out on top.
Vahva looks to land a combination but Sanchez avoids it well.

Sanchez feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Vahva controls Sanchez momentarily but Sanchez frees himself.

Sanchez drops back looking for a leg! Vahva is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vahva manages to kick Sanchez off! Sanchez jumps back into Vahva's guard.
Sanchez stopping the sweep attempt from Vahva.
Vahva pulls Sanchez in close to prevent any damage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Vahva is trying to control the position but Sanchez postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vahva is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Vahva working a defensive guard here.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sanchez doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Vahva counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Vahva lands a body shot.
Sanchez tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vahva just stands there and leans against the cage.
Sanchez blocks a body shot from Vahva.
Vahva misses with the head strike.
Vahva tries to work over Sanchez's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Sanchez has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Vahva is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Sanchez stops a takedown attempt from Vahva.
Vahva lands a left hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harri Vahva dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Vahva lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.

Vahva gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Sanchez to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Sanchez drops back looking for a leg! Vahva is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vahva manages to kick Sanchez off! Sanchez jumps back into Vahva's guard.
Sanchez trying to control but Vahva is working from the bottom.
Sanchez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Vahva is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sanchez forces his way into half guard.
Sanchez not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Vahva landing strikes from the bottom.
Vahva is trying to control but can't.

Sanchez is trying to work for a kimura but Vahva is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez is thwarting Vahva's attempts to control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Sanchez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Vahva wants to get back to full guard.
Vahva trying to hold on to Sanchez's head to control him but Sanchez postures up.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sanchez doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Sanchez takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Sanchez doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Sanchez with a poor takedown
and Vahva counters with a three punch combo that has Sanchez backing up. Sanchez nods at Vahva to acknowledge the strikes.
Sanchez with a poor takedown
and Vahva counters with a one-two to the body.

Sanchez is rocked!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Juan Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vahva scores with a crisp jab that stopped Sanchez in his tracks.
Oh Sanchez is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Vahva bobbing and weaving well here. And he's unloaded with a massive right hand that drops Sanchez! He dives into his guard looking to finish!
Vahva trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sanchez seems to have got his legs back now.
Vahva controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Vahva wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Sanchez is trying to keep Vahva in close.
Vahva stopping the sweep attempt from Sanchez.
Vahva trying to control but Sanchez is working from the bottom.

Sanchez has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vahva can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Vahva sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez has momentary wrist control but Vahva slips an elbow through the middle.
Sanchez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Vahva from controlling successfully.
Vahva throwing strikes from guard but Sanchez blocks nicely.
Vahva wants to control from the top but Sanchez keeps moving.
Vahva preventing the sweep.

Vahva avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Sanchez had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Vahva is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Sanchez Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Vahva's back instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez not allowing Vahva to control his hands.
Sanchez is hanging on to Vahva's back as he tries to escape.
Vahva controlling his opponent's hands, preventing the submission attempt.

Sanchez is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Sanchez punches the canvas rather than the man.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Vahva defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Sanchez has the hooks in. Vahva is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harri Vahva showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Sanchez with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Vahva to score with a decent uppercut.
Harri Vahva seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Vahva digs a good body shot into Sanchez's ribs.
Vahva throws a left that rocks Sanchez and follows with a right that sends him tumbling to the canvas! Vahva dives into side control, looking to finish! Can Sanchez regain composure!
Vahva is working Sanchez over with some ground and pound from side control.
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!
Vahva lands some shots froms side control.
Vahva lands a few punches from side control.
Vahva misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Sanchez is not content to let Vahva control the position.
Vahva looks up at the clock and then as Sanchez takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Vahva smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Juan Sanchez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Sanchez takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Sanchez is working to avoid the ground and pound but Vahva connects with a decent elbow.
Vahva remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Vahva sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Sanchez is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Vahva wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vahva scores with punches from side control.
Sanchez tries to bench press Vahva off him but Vahva keeps the position.
Vahva landing a few strikes.
Vahva working the head and body with strikes.
Sanchez tries to bench press Vahva off him but Vahva keeps the position.
Vahva controls the position.
Sanchez manages to work his way to half guard, despite Vahva's best efforts.
Vahva trying to control the action but Sanchez is working from the bottom.
Vahva thows a huge punch but Sanchez dodges it nicely.
Vahva seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sanchez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vahva controlling the action here.
Vahva landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Sanchez wants to get back to full guard.
Sanchez makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Sanchez.
Vahva showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Vahva working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Vahva missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Sanchez working for a triangle but Vahva defends it easily.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vahva trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Sanchez working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Vahva.

Sanchez looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Sanchez working a defensive guard here.
Vahva trying to control the position from guard on top but Sanchez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harri Vahva is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vahva content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Sanchez trying to keep a closed guard but Vahva is proving a slippery customer.
Vahva lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Sanchez doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Vahva is in close to Sanchez's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Sanchez manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Vahva manages to get himself to full guard.
Vahva keeping moving, preventing Sanchez from controlling successfully.
Vahva is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Sanchez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sanchez looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Juan Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vahva trying to control from half guard but Sanchez is working away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harri Vahva comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Vahva winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harri Vahva!