PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Taneli Haapavaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nelson Rockefeller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rockefeller is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Notion. 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.

Haapavaara
vs
Rockefeller

184 cm
20
165 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

179 cm
21
163 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taneli Haapavaara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nelson Rockefeller!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haapavaara stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Haapavaara works Rockefeller's body with a nice hook.
Haapavaara will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Haapavaara looks to land a left hand but Rockefeller moved out of range nicely.
Rockefeller rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Haapavaara moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rockefeller misses with a two punch combination.
A lazy left from Haapavaara finds it's target.
Rockefeller throws a left and a right that both miss
and Haapavaara counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rockefeller thinking.
Haapavaara fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Rockefeller looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rockefeller misses with the combination.
Rockefeller throws a right and a left that Haapavaara avoids nicely.
Haapavaara punishes Rockefeller's body with a nice straight punch.
Haapavaara throws a shot from downtown. Rockefeller moves away and avoids it.
Rockefeller lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rockefeller dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Haapavaara. That did some damage!
Rockefeller misses with a double jab
and Rockefeller takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rockefeller throws a series of punches but Haapavaara avoids them all with ease.
Rockefeller falls off balance throwing a combination
and Haapavaara counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Rockefeller takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Rockefeller throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapavaara scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Haapavaara moves into range and connects with a jab.
Haapavaara throws a jab but it's blocked by Rockefeller.
Rockefeller connects with a nice looking jab.
Rockefeller moves out of range of the strikes.
Some wild striking there from Rockefeller.
Haapavaara lands a slapping body shot.
Haapavaara takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Taneli Haapavaara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Haapavaara dips to his left and cracks Rockefeller with an uppercut!
A punch combination from Rockefeller misses.
Rockefeller keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rockefeller will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rockefeller lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Haapavaara circles away quickly and effectively.
Haapavaara throws a combination that misses
and Rockefeller counters with a nice uppercut.
Rockefeller uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haapavaara.
A swing and a miss from Haapavaara.
Rockefeller moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Rockefeller scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Rockefeller falls off balance throwing a combination
and Haapavaara counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rockefeller thinking.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Rockefeller just misses with a punch to the body.
Haapavaara works Rockefeller's body with a nice hook.
Haapavaara lands a with a good body shot.
Rockefeller misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rockefeller falls off balance throwing a combination
and Haapavaara counters with a nice uppercut.
Haapavaara throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Rockefeller.
Haapavaara digs a good hook to Rockefeller's body.
Rockefeller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A slow jab from Haapavaara misses its intended target.
Haapavaara thumps Rockefeller with a low kick.
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!
Haapavaara with a jab.
Rockefeller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Decent striking displayed by Haapavaara there.
Rockefeller misses with a jab, cross combination.
The fighters circle momentarily. Haapavaara darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Haapavaara is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
A slapping leg kick lands for Haapavaara.
Haapavaara changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Rockefeller looks gassed!
Haapavaara misses with an uppercut. Rockefeller saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haapavaara misses with an uppercut.
Haapavaara showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rockefeller.
Haapavaara lands a slapping body shot.
Rockefeller on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rockefeller tries to move into range but Haapavaara moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rockefeller walks into a straight right hand from Haapavaara.
Rockefeller throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Haapavaara.
Haapavaara swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Haapavaara takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Haapavaara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Haapavaara lands a glancing blow to the side of Rockefeller's head.
No joy there for Rockefeller, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Danga de danga de dang - Haapavaara scores with a four punch combination!
Haapavaara fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rockefeller throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rockefeller throws a hook but Haapavaara blocks it.
Haapavaara lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rockefeller circles away quickly and effectively.
Haapavaara missing with a left hand there. Rockefeller was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rockefeller showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Haapavaara.
Haapavaara getting the better of the striking in that exchange.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Haapavaara misses with a series of wild punches.
Rockefeller shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Haapavaara but Haapavaara pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Haapavaara avoids the head kick by Rockefeller.
Haapavaara lands a head shot.
Rockefeller closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Rockefeller connects with a right hand. Haapavaara shakes it off.
Rockefeller throws a combination that misses
and Rockefeller takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rockefeller shoots in looking for a takedown. Haapavaara tries to sprawl out of it but Rockefeller keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Haapavaara manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rockefeller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rockefeller on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rockefeller misses with a straight left.
Rockefeller ducks right into an uppercut from Haapavaara.
Rockefeller walks into a left hand.
Haapavaara scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taneli Haapavaara dominated that round.
That's time! Haapavaara's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Haapavaara moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Haapavaara connects with a crisp jab.
Haapavaara scores with a nice head shot.
Rockefeller misses with a double jab
and Haapavaara counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Haapavaara pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rockefeller is out of range and Haapavaara settles back down.
Haapavaara throws the left hand but Rockefeller avoids the punch easily.
Rockefeller misses with a head kick.
Haapavaara looks to land a combination. Rockefeller sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Haapavaara lands a slapping body shot.
Rockefeller misses with a double jab
and Haapavaara counters with a two punch combo.
Rockefeller tries to clinch there but Haapavaara circles away.
Rockefeller tries to bum rush Haapavaara with a series of wild strikes but Haapavaara uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rockefeller throws a left and a right that both miss
and Haapavaara counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Haapavaara misses with an uppercut.
Haapavaara takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Haapavaara throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Haapavaara lands with a nice body punch.
A punch combination from Rockefeller misses.
Haapavaara works the jab nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rockefeller scores with a jab to the jaw.
Rockefeller shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Haapavaara but Haapavaara pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rockefeller is breathing heavily.
Rockefeller closes this distance looking for a takedown but Haapavaara circles away.
Rockefeller ducks under a wild hook from Haapavaara.
Rockefeller on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rockefeller moves in looking to clinch but Haapavaara pushes him off.
Rockefeller swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Haapavaara counters with a right hand to the body.
Rockefeller throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Haapavaara throws a push kick but Rockefeller slaps the foot to one side.
Haapavaara with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Haapavaara scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Haapavaara rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rockefeller moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rockefeller throws a combination. Haapavaara tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Haapavaara throws a leg kick which misses Rockefeller's front leg but catches the back leg as Rockefeller tries to avoid it.
Rockefeller throws a left and a right that both miss
and Haapavaara connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Haapavaara lands a nice hook to Rockefeller's body. Rockefeller takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Rockefeller throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Haapavaara counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Haapavaara scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Haapavaara looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rockefeller on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Haapavaara lands a nice hook to Rockefeller's body. Rockefeller takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Haapavaara scores with a nice strike.
Haapavaara sizes up Rockefeller with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
A punch combination from Haapavaara misses.
Haapavaara thuds a left hand into Rockefeller's body.
Haapavaara throws a body kick the misses
and Rockefeller counters with a stiff right hand.
Haapavaara scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rockefeller doesn't seem bothered though.
Haapavaara throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Haapavaara with a jab.
Nice uppercut there from Haapavaara.
Rockefeller slips a jab and a cross from Haapavaara.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Rockefeller might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Haapavaara has got the better of the exchanges.
Haapavaara connects with the punch.
Haapavaara lands with a hook. Rockefeller tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Haapavaara dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rockefeller. That did some damage!
Rockefeller takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rockefeller with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Haapavaara to score with a decent uppercut.
Rockefeller doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Haapavaara bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rockefeller's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haapavaara connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rockefeller momentarily.
Haapavaara scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Haapavaara ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Haapavaara with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Rockefeller takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Haapavaara lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Haapavaara with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Haapavaara connects with a body shot.
Haapavaara lands a slapping body shot.
Haapavaara with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Haapavaara is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Rockefeller takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Haapavaara looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Haapavaara smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Taneli Haapavaara is winning the standup battle so far.
Haapavaara keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
No joy there for Haapavaara, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Haapavaara connects with a crisp jab.
Haapavaara is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haapavaara takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Haapavaara throws a nice looking combination but Rockefeller bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rockefeller walks into a straight right hand from Haapavaara.

Rockefeller shoots in and bounces Haapavaara off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Rockefeller is fighting to break Haapavaara's control of his arms but Haapavaara is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rockefeller drops back looking for a leg! Haapavaara is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Haapavaara manages to kick Rockefeller off! Rockefeller jumps back into Haapavaara's guard.
Haapavaara pulls Rockefeller in close to his closed guard and prevents Rockefeller from doing any damage or advancing position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taneli Haapavaara dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Rockefeller swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Haapavaara counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Rockefeller thinking.
Haapavaara delivers a nice body kick.
Haapavaara is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rockefeller can do to turn this around?
Haapavaara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Haapavaara moves out of range of the strikes.
Rockefeller misses with a double jab
and Haapavaara counters with a stiff right hand.
Some wild striking there from Rockefeller.
Haapavaara throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rockefeller cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Haapavaara throws a body punch but Rockefeller moves out of range.
Haapavaara throws a nice looking combination but Rockefeller bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Haapavaara connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rockefeller. Rockefeller circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Haapavaara throws an overhand right that lands on Rockefeller's shoulder, as Rockefeller tries to avoid the shot.
Haapavaara throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Jab, jab by Haapavaara - just one landing.
Taneli Haapavaara is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rockefeller shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Haapavaara but Haapavaara pushes him off and we're back to square one.
A right-left combo lands from Rockefeller.
Haapavaara lands a slapping body shot.
Rockefeller takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rockefeller throws a series of strikes that have Haapavaara backpedaling.
Haapavaara tests Rockefeller's chin there with a solid looking shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapavaara cracks a nice hook into Rockefeller's ribs.
Haapavaara throws a hook but Rockefeller blocks it.
Haapavaara lands with a nice body punch.
Rockefeller fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Rockefeller moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Haapavaara steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rockefeller.
Rockefeller fails to land with a series of punches.
Rockefeller walks into a jab.
Haapavaara loads up on a big right hand but Rockefeller slips the punch.
Haapavaara connects with a body shot.
Rockefeller throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Haapavaara's waist but Haapavaara gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rockefeller off to one side.
Haapavaara tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Haapavaara scoring well with a low kick there.
Rockefeller throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rockefeller throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Haapavaara counters with a left to the body.
Haapavaara works the jab nicely.
Haapavaara scores with a nice strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haapavaara throws a right hand that Rockefeller ducks under and follows up with a left that Rockefeller also avoids with ease.
Rockefeller tries to clinch but Haapavaara moves out of range.
A punch lands to the side of Rockefeller 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Haapavaara dips to his left and cracks Rockefeller with an uppercut!
Rockefeller misses with a takedown
and Haapavaara counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Taneli Haapavaara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nelson Rockefeller.
Rockefeller on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Haapavaara bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Haapavaara throws a head kick that misses.
Haapavaara scores with a hook to the body. Rockefeller takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Haapavaara punishes Rockefeller's body with a nice straight punch.
Rockefeller might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Haapavaara catches Rockefeller with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Haapavaara lands a body shot.
Haapavaara ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Haapavaara throws a shot to the body.
Haapavaara throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Rockefeller.
Haapavaara cracks Rockefeller with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Haapavaara lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rockefeller at a distance.
Taneli Haapavaara is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Haapavaara.
Rockefeller has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Haapavaara connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Haapavaara looks to land a combination but Rockefeller avoids it well.
Rockefeller tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Haapavaara throws a body punch but Rockefeller moves out of range.
Rockefeller shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Haapavaara connects with the punch.
Haapavaara ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Haapavaara lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rockefeller falls off balance throwing a combination
and Haapavaara counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Haapavaara lands with a shot to the body.
Rockefeller takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Haapavaara lands with a right hand.
Rockefeller walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rockefeller has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rockefeller misses with a few strikes there.
Haapavaara comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Rockefeller throws a combination that misses
and Haapavaara counters with a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Haapavaara.
A punch lands to the side of Rockefeller 's head but he takes it in his stride.
A cross from Haapavaara lands.
Rockefeller looks to land a combination but Haapavaara avoids it well.
Haapavaara connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nelson Rockefeller has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Haapavaara throws a shot to the body.
Nice shot lands for Haapavaara.
Haapavaara just misses with a punch to the body.
Rockefeller throws out a loose jab but Haapavaara uses good head movement to avoid it.
Haapavaara connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Rockefeller momentarily.
Haapavaara scores with a sloppy right hand. Rockefeller should have avoided that one.
Left hook, right uppercut from Haapavaara.

Rockefeller shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Rockefeller showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rockefeller not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taneli Haapavaara showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Haapavaara, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taneli Haapavaara!