PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Caden Akergaard (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antti Haapasalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haapasalo has chosen Korpiklaani - Let's Drink as his entrance music. Caden Akergaard has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Akergaard
vs
Haapasalo

211 cm
23
265 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

189 cm
21
245 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

[†CoE†]Terror Trition[†CoE†]
Red Light Clothing ► Amsterdam!

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 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Caden Akergaard!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Haapasalo!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Akergaard circles away from the clinch attempt.
Some wild striking there from Haapasalo.

Akergaard looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Akergaard tries to free his leg and advance position but Haapasalo is retaining full guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Akergaard accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Akergaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Haapasalo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Akergaard is really struggling to control Haapasalo but he's trying to hold on to the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Akergaard pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haapasalo is keeping the position for now.
Akergaard trying to control the position from guard on top but Haapasalo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Haapasalo can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Akergaard.
Akergaard takes a little break here. Haapasalo wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Haapasalo can't do much from the bottom here.

Akergaard tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Akergaard has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Akergaard will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Akergaard tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Akergaard has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Akergaard content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Akergaard tries for a kimura but Haapasalo is defending well.

Akergaard is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Haapasalo is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Haapasalo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Akergaard. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Haapasalo is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Akergaard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haapasalo keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Haapasalo is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Haapasalo tries to escape but Akergaard is in control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Haapasalo sneaks back into half guard.

Akergaard is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Akergaard is looking to take a break and control but Haapasalo is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Akergaard moves into full mount! Haapasalo won't be happy about that!
Akergaard postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Haapasalo looks a forlorn figure.

Akergaard moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Haapasalo has worked his arm free - good work by Haapasalo!
Akergaard in side control, just content to control the action for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caden Akergaard dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Akergaard throws a nice outside leg kick.

Akergaard gets the takedown into side control.
Akergaard trying to control the action but Haapasalo is working from the bottom.
Haapasalo is trying to improve his position.
Haapasalo is trying to escape the position but Akergaard is controlling the position.
Akergaard wants to lay and pray for a moment but Haapasalo keeps working.

Akergaard is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Haapasalo has escaped the position, nice work there.
Haapasalo seems a little lost for a moment, as Akergaard dominates the positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Caden Akergaard just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Akergaard.
Akergaard misses with a body kick.
Haapasalo looks to land a combination but Akergaard avoids it well.

Akergaard shoots in and bounces Haapasalo off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Akergaard trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Akergaard lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Akergaard forces his way into half guard.
Haapasalo wants to control but Akergaard is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Akergaard works his foot free and advances to mount.

Akergaard looking for a guillotine from mount but Haapasalo is having none of it.
Akergaard tries to control but Haapasalo wriggling away.

Akergaard is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Haapasalo is surviving well by controlling Akergaard's body position as best he can.
Haapasalo wants to control but Akergaard is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Akergaard tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Caden Akergaard overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Haapasalo tries to hold on but Akergaard postures up.
Akergaard content just to control the position here.
Akergaard wants to control the pace but Haapasalo is squirming around nicely.

Akergaard moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Haapasalo has worked his arm free - good work by Haapasalo!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Akergaard is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Haapasalo has escaped the position, nice work there.
Haapasalo is looking for a sweep.

Akergaard wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Haapasalo, who protects the arm well.
Akergaard trying to control the action but Haapasalo is working from the bottom.
Haapasalo is pushing Akergaard's head away, looking to escape. Akergaard manages to hold on to the position though.

Akergaard is trying to get an arm triangle but Haapasalo is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Caden Akergaard dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Akergaard will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Akergaard throws a leg kick but Haapasalo sees it coming and moves out of range.
Haapasalo moves out of range as Akergaard throws a body kick.
Caden Akergaard seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Akergaard throws a push kick but Haapasalo slaps the foot to one side.
No joy there for Haapasalo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Haapasalo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Akergaard.

Akergaard looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Haapasalo!

Akergaard swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Haapasalo is now in Akergaard's guard. A big mistake from Akergaard there, giving up the dominant position!
Haapasalo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Haapasalo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Akergaard wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapasalo wanted to stand there but Akergaard had control of the position.
Akergaard keeping moving, preventing Haapasalo from controlling successfully.
Akergaard has his hands on Haapasalo's head, controlling the position.
Haapasalo wants to get up but he can't break Akergaard's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Haapasalo trying to control but Akergaard is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Some bone on bone action there as Haapasalo checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Akergaard throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Antti Haapasalo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Akergaard showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Haapasalo.
Both fighters circling a little - Akergaard finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Haapasalo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Akergaard jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Akergaard lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Haapasalo leaves Akergaard with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Caden Akergaard. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Akergaard connects with a solid leg kick.
Akergaard misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Haapasalo.
Haapasalo misses with a series of wild punches.

Akergaard shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Haapasalo is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Akergaard seems to be looking for submissions.

Akergaard is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Haapasalo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Akergaard.
Akergaard wants to control but Haapasalo is keeping him busy.
Antti Haapasalo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Caden Akergaard is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Akergaard controlling the pace.
Haapasalo is in trouble now - Akergaard has advanced to mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Akergaard controlling his opponent.
Akergaard seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Haapasalo for as long as he can get away with.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Haapasalo is in all sorts of trouble here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Caden Akergaard showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Akergaard has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Caden Akergaard!