PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Heikki Jaaskelainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harry Balsac (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jaaskelainen comes to the cage accompanied by Yeah Yeah Yeah. Harry Balsac has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Jaaskelainen
vs
Balsac

165 cm
23
151 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

198 cm
24
164 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

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 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of London, Heikki Jaaskelainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Harry Balsac!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Colin Fotheringham and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick from Jaaskelainen misses.
Balsac swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Jaaskelainen.
Jaaskelainen looks to land a left hand but Balsac moved out of range nicely.
Jaaskelainen ducks right into an uppercut from Balsac.
Balsac lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Balsac lands with a cross.
A slow jab from Jaaskelainen misses its intended target.

Jaaskelainen takes the fight into the clinch.

Jaaskelainen has Balsac pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Jaaskelainen pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Balsac tumbling to the mat - Jaaskelainen dives into Balsac's guard.
Jaaskelainen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Jaaskelainen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Balsac is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Balsac has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Jaaskelainen is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Balsac.
Balsac managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Jaaskelainen.
Jaaskelainen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Balsac on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Balsac dodges the ground and pound from Jaaskelainen.
Jaaskelainen throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Balsac works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Balsac is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Jaaskelainen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Balsac keeps working.
Jaaskelainen thows a huge punch but Balsac dodges it nicely.
Jaaskelainen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Balsac trying to control from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jaaskelainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A slapping body kick lands there for Jaaskelainen.
An inside leg kick lands from Balsac.
Jaaskelainen misses with a low kick.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Balsac is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Jaaskelainen's half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jaaskelainen wants to improve his position but Balsac is controlling well.
Jaaskelainen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Balsac.
Jaaskelainen is trying to get back to full guard.
Jaaskelainen trying to hold on to Balsac's head to control him but Balsac postures up.
Jaaskelainen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Balsac trying to control from half guard but Jaaskelainen is working away.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Balsac is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Jaaskelainen defends it well.
Balsac is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Jaaskelainen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Jaaskelainen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Jaaskelainen tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Balsac stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Jaaskelainen swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Balsac scoring well with a low kick there.
Jaaskelainen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Balsac drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Balsac looks gassed!
Balsac working away.
Jaaskelainen is looking to reverse the position.
Jaaskelainen is not content to let Balsac control the position.
Jaaskelainen is looking to reverse the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jaaskelainen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Balsac wants to get back to full guard.
Jaaskelainen throwing shots but Balsac is blocking nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Balsac throws a leg kick which misses Jaaskelainen's front leg but catches the back leg as Jaaskelainen tries to avoid it.
Jaaskelainen tries to clinch but Balsac is having none of it.
Jaaskelainen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Jaaskelainen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Jaaskelainen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Balsac gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Jaaskelainen fails to pull the fight into his guard.

Jaaskelainen gets a trip takedown into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Heikki Jaaskelainen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Jaaskelainen shoots for a double leg takedown but Balsac sprawls well. He's pushed Jaaskelainen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Balsac, right into the meat.
Jaaskelainen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Balsac. Balsac obviously looking to wear him down.
Balsac thuds his shin into the meat of Jaaskelainen's side.
Balsac scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Balsac works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Balsac fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Balsac looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Jaaskelainen!
Jaaskelainen avoids a series of strikes thrown by Balsac.
Jaaskelainen is looking to improve his position but Balsac isn't that keen on the idea.

Balsac is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Jaaskelainen has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Jaaskelainen!
Jaaskelainen looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaaskelainen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Balsac is looking to sweep but instead, Jaaskelainen has passed into half guard.
Balsac is staying active underneath Jaaskelainen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Jaaskelainen is thwarting Balsac's attempts to control the position.
Jaaskelainen tries to pass to full mount but Balsac defends it.
Jaaskelainen looks to land a strike but Balsac avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Jaaskelainen preventing the sweep.
Balsac utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Balsac has his foot on Jaaskelainen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Jaaskelainen works his way back into a safe position though.
Balsac is breathing heavily.
Jaaskelainen throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Balsac looking for a sweep. Not yet Balsac, not yet.
Jaaskelainen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Balsac has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Jaaskelainen has passed into side control.
Jaaskelainen scores with punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Balsac tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Jaaskelainen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Jaaskelainen misses with the ground and pound.
Jaaskelainen working the ground and pound.
Balsac on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Jaaskelainen lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Balsac down.
Balsac gets back to half guard.
Jaaskelainen is looking to take a break and control but Balsac is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Jaaskelainen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Balsac sees it coming and defends easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jaaskelainen seems to be looking for submissions.

Balsac looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Balsac is looking to improve his position.
Jaaskelainen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Balsac gets back to full guard.
Jaaskelainen landing some decent shots from guard.
Balsac wants to sweep but no luck.

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.
Jaaskelainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Balsac throws a nice outside leg kick.
Heikki Jaaskelainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Jaaskelainen blocks a low kick nicely.
Balsac lands an overhand right.
Jaaskelainen tries to bum rush Balsac with a series of wild strikes but Balsac uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Jaaskelainen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Balsac.
Jaaskelainen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Balsac works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

Balsac looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Balsac drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Jaaskelainen dives on top into guard.
Jaaskelainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Balsac is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Balsac looking for a sweep. Not yet Balsac, not yet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harry Balsac showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Jaaskelainen looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Balsac scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Jaaskelainen doesn't seem bothered though.
Jaaskelainen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jaaskelainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Jaaskelainen throws a leg kick but Balsac moved away.
Balsac has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Jaaskelainen throws a body kick the misses
and Balsac counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Jaaskelainen is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Jaaskelainen has his takedown stuffed
and Balsac counters with an outside leg kick.
Good exchange - Balsac coming out on top.
Balsac shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Jaaskelainen as he avoids it easily.
A good leg kick by Balsac.
Jaaskelainen takes one to the side of the head.
Jaaskelainen misses with a body punch
and Balsac counters with a leg kick.
Jaaskelainen misses with a body kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Balsac scores with a head kick.
Balsac blocks a low kick nicely.
Balsac shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Jaaskelainen defends it nicely.
Jaaskelainen is looking to clinch but Balsac is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jaaskelainen throws a right and a left that Balsac avoids nicely.
Balsac scores with a jab to the body.
Jaaskelainen misses with a two punch combination.
A solid leg kick lands there for Balsac.
Jaaskelainen takes a kick to the side of the head.
Jaaskelainen throws a hook to the side of Balsac's head but Balsac sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Balsac goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Jaaskelainen tries for a takedown but Balsac circles away easily
and Balsac counters with a left and a right that stings Jaaskelainen.

Balsac shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Jaaskelainen is trying to defend but Balsac finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Jaaskelainen is refusing to be controlled, as Balsac sits in half guard.
Balsac is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Balsac is trying to work for a kimura but Jaaskelainen is defending well.
Balsac wants to pass to mount but Jaaskelainen is defending the position.
Jaaskelainen keeping control of the position.
Jaaskelainen is trying to control but can't.
Jaaskelainen keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

Balsac looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Balsac is looking for a kimura but Jaaskelainen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Balsac to get the leverage.
Jaaskelainen is looking for a sweep. Balsac is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Balsac seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jaaskelainen throws a leg kick
and Balsac counters with an inside leg kick.
Balsac defending well as Jaaskelainen loads up on a big left hand.
Balsac jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Jaaskelainen throws a hook to the side of Balsac's head but Balsac sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Balsac is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Jaaskelainen misses with a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A nice combination there by Balsac.
Balsac connects with a high kick.
Balsac moves out of range as Jaaskelainen throws a body kick.
Balsac lands a high kick!
Balsac shoots in and drives through. Jaaskelainen sprawls well.
Heikki Jaaskelainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Harry Balsac.

Jaaskelainen closes the distance and clinches.

Jaaskelainen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Balsac swings for the body but Jaaskelainen moves out of range.
Jaaskelainen shoots for a double leg takedown but Balsac sprawls well. He's pushed Jaaskelainen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Jaaskelainen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jaaskelainen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Balsac counters with a slapping leg kick.
Jaaskelainen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Balsac counters with a slapping leg kick.
Balsac scores with a kick to the body.

Balsac shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Jaaskelainen manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Balsac is pushing down on Jaaskelainen's leg trying to pass to half guard. Jaaskelainen is fighting to maintain full guard but Balsac has managed to sneak the leg through.

And that's the end of the fight!
Harry Balsac comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Balsac 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Harry Balsac!