PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ismo Laitela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Miki Hrvac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Laitela
vs
Hrvac

200 cm
20
225 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

192 cm
18
280 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ismo Laitela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Miki Hrvac!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab from Laitela misses.

Hrvac shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Laitela napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Hrvac controlling the position.
Laitela is trying to buck Hrvac off.
Hrvac really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Laitela. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hrvac controls the position from side control.
Laitela is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hrvac off and has taken his back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hrvac is covering up but some of the strikes from Laitela are getting through and doing damage.
Laitela lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Hrvac hold on?!
Laitela trying to control momentarily.

Laitela looking for the choke from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laitela punishes Hrvac with strikes from the back mount.

Laitela is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Hrvac defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Hrvac covering up well under a series of strikes from Laitela.

Laitela looking to break Hrvac's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Hrvac remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Laitela will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Laitela is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hrvac has his hands over his head blocking the strikes from Laitela.
Laitela trying desperately to keep hold of the dominant position.
Laitela is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hrvac is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

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.
Hrvac is trying to get back to his feet but Laitela has full control of the position and if anything, Hrvac has just worked his way into a worse spot.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Laitela misses with punches from the back.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hrvac tries to score a power double leg takedown but Laitela sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hrvac somewhat.
Hrvac moves out of range of the strikes.
Laitela tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hrvac swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Laitela gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hrvac counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Laitela!
Laitela is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hrvac wants to control the pace but Laitela is squirming around nicely.
Laitela taking shots to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laitela manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Well, if Hrvac is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.

Laitela pushes Hrvac off and gets back to his feet.
Hrvac keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Laitela.
Laitela has his takedown stuffed

and Hrvac counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hrvac trying to control the position but Laitela is working away.
Laitela wants to control but Hrvac postures up.
Hrvac wants to lay and pray for a moment but Laitela keeps working.
Laitela seems a little lost for a moment, as Hrvac dominates the positioning.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hrvac looking to control but instead Laitela has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.

Laitela looking for submissions off his back.
Laitela misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Hrvac tries to pass to full mount but Laitela defends it.
Laitela is trying to control but can't.
Laitela tries to roll over but Hrvac keeps him under control.
Laitela looks like he's trying to stand up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Hrvac closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Laitela tries to roll over but Hrvac keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miki Hrvac showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hrvac shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Laitela's guard.
Hrvac stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Laitela swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hrvac must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Laitela is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hrvac is controlling him.
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.
Hrvac is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Laitela trying to keep a closed guard but Hrvac is proving a slippery customer.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hrvac passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hrvac connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Laitela some visible discomfort.
Hrvac just content to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Let's hope that Hrvac has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Hrvac trying to control the action but Laitela is working from the bottom.
Laitela being controlled for a moment.
Hrvac taking a break here but Laitela is having none of it and regains half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hrvac controlling the pace.

Despite being in the dominant position, Miki Hrvac just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hrvac looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Hrvac showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hrvac wants to control from the top but Laitela keeps moving.
Laitela keeping full guard, as Hrvac tries to pass.
Hrvac wants to control from the top but Laitela keeps moving.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hrvac's corner is telling him to maintain position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miki Hrvac comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Hrvac has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miki Hrvac!