PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ismo Laitela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Manhoef
vs
Laitela

173 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

189 cm
25
212 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Granite 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 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Melvin Manhoef!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ismo Laitela!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Manhoef looks to land a combination but Laitela avoids it well.

Laitela gets caught flat footed, as Manhoef shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Manhoef has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Manhoef stopping the sweep attempt from Laitela.
Manhoef trying to stand up but can't free himself from Laitela's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Manhoef works over Laitela with some ground and pound from guard.
Manhoef wants to stand but Laitela is controlling his posture from full guard.
Manhoef postures up.
Manhoef wants to get up but he can't break Laitela's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Manhoef misses with the combination.
Melvin Manhoef seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manhoef misses with a series of wild punches.

Manhoef closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Manhoef is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Manhoef's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Manhoef closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Manhoef lands in his opponent's guard.

Laitela escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Manhoef gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Manhoef might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Manhoef trying to stand up but can't free himself from Laitela's guard.

Laitela is looking for a triangle but Manhoef pushes his legs off easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Manhoef wanted to stand there but Laitela had control of the position.

Laitela escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Manhoef gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Manhoef trying to stand up but can't free himself from Laitela's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef postures up.
Manhoef wants to stand but Laitela is controlling his posture from full guard.
Manhoef postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Laitela had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Manhoef defends it easily.
Laitela looks gassed!
Laitela has a closed guard, preventing Manhoef from standing up.
Laitela keeping full guard, as Manhoef tries to pass.
Manhoef wants to get up but he can't break Laitela's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Manhoef knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Laitela on the ground.

Laitela working for a triangle but Manhoef defends it easily.
Manhoef is looking to stand up but Laitela won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laitela is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Manhoef defends well.
Manhoef scoring with punches to the head and body.
Manhoef with a nice head shot there.
Manhoef tries to stand but Laitela is controlling from the bottom.

Manhoef decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Some wild striking there from Manhoef.
Manhoef throws a sloppy head kick and Laitela moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef scores with a crisp jab that stopped Laitela in his tracks.
Manhoef lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Laitela dodges the punch combination from Manhoef.
Manhoef scores with a one two! Laitela had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Manhoef throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Manhoef scores with a nice strike.
Laitela avoids a punch combination nicely.
Manhoef works Laitela's body with a nice hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Laitela blocks a head kick by Manhoef.
Manhoef throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Manhoef dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Laitela slips a jab and a cross from Manhoef.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Laitela avoids them all with ease.
Manhoef fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Laitela looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Laitela moves out of range.
Manhoef throws a one two combo.
Manhoef tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Laitela has managed to clinch.
Manhoef landing knees to the head.

Laitela has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Manhoef uses from the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manhoef wants to stand but Laitela is controlling his posture from full guard.
Laitela not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Manhoef gets to his feet - Laitela follows without any prompting.
Manhoef lands an overhand right.
Melvin Manhoef is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Manhoef looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Manhoef fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Manhoef, as that shot connected.
Laitela showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Manhoef.
Manhoef looks to land a combination. Laitela sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Manhoef clinches but Laitela breaks the clinch

and Laitela counters with a shoot takedown. Manhoef fights it but they end up in guard.
Laitela won't allow Manhoef to get back to his feet.
Laitela trying to control the position from guard on top but Manhoef is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Laitela drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Manhoef manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Laitela has Manhoef in his guard.
Manhoef tries to stand but Laitela is controlling from the bottom.

Laitela is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Manhoef tries to stand but Laitela is controlling from the bottom.
Manhoef distracts Laitela with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Manhoef would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Manhoef got a little sloppy there for a moment and Laitela has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Manhoef has managed to get both his arms back between Laitela's legs - danger averted.

Manhoef stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Manhoef shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Manhoef would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Laitela is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Manhoef is aware though and is defending well.
Manhoef wanted to stand there but Laitela had control of the position.

Laitela has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Manhoef can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Laitela 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.

Manhoef gets to his feet - Laitela follows without any prompting.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Manhoef, right into the meat.
Manhoef scores with a one two! Laitela had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Laitela tries to keep at a distance but Manhoef has taken the fight into the clinch.
Manhoef is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Laitela is defending well for now.

Manhoef manages to break the clinch.
Manhoef tries to clinch

and Laitela counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Manhoef!
Manhoef is trying to stand up.
Laitela trying to control but Manhoef is having none of it.

Laitela wants to finish this one by submission but Manhoef is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Laitela.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ismo Laitela will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Manhoef.
Manhoef wants to stand but Laitela has his arm trapped.

Manhoef decides to stand back up.
Manhoef shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Laitela pinned against the cage. Laitela gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A head kick misses from Manhoef.

Laitela closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Manhoef to the mat! Manhoef manages to get full guard.
Laitela throws a big right hand that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Laitela is stalling in the full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef is looking to stand up but Laitela isn't so interested in that idea.

Laitela thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Manhoef uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Laitela keeps the fight on the outside.
Manhoef lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Manhoef.
Manhoef lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Manhoef.
Manhoef tries to close the distance and clinch but Laitela swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laitela has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Manhoef lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Manhoef.
Manhoef scores with a sloppy right hand. Laitela should have avoided that one.
Melvin Manhoef is winning the standup battle so far.
Manhoef throws a combination that misses

and Laitela decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Manhoef's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Laitela postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Manhoef is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Laitela, into his guard.
Laitela keeping full guard, as Manhoef tries to pass.

Laitela has his foot on Manhoef's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Manhoef works his way back into a safe position though.
Laitela working a defensive guard here.
Manhoef wants to control from the top but Laitela keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef postures up.

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

Manhoef clinches up against the cage.

Manhoef jumps into guard, dragging Laitela to the mat.
Manhoef wants to get back to his feet but Laitela is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Laitela drops back looking for a leg! Manhoef is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Manhoef manages to kick Laitela off! Laitela jumps back into Manhoef's guard.
Manhoef is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Laitela is controlling him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laitela passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Laitela tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Laitela has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Laitela throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Manhoef bucks up and manages to escape back to his feet!

Manhoef moves into range and clinches up with Laitela.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Melvin Manhoef.
I think Manhoef has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Melvin Manhoef!