PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Olavi Neumann (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Hilavitku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Neumann comes to the cage accompanied by Pantera - Cowboys From Hell. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Neumann
vs
Hilavitku

191 cm
22
224 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

207 cm
26
275 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

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 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Olavi Neumann!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Hilavitku!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hilavitku avoids the head kick by Neumann.
Hilavitku throws a head kick that misses.
Hilavitku is trying hard to land a takedown here. Neumann sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hilavitku is defended easily by Neumann.
Hilavitku throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Neumann's waist but Neumann gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hilavitku off to one side.
Olavi Neumann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Niko Hilavitku.
Hilavitku shoots in looking for a takedown. Neumann tries to sprawl out of it but Hilavitku keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Neumann manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Neumann leaves Hilavitku with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Neumann turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hilavitku moves out of range of the leg kick from Neumann.
Neumann tries a head kick but it misses.
Neumann misses with a looping right.
Neumann throws a wild body kick that Hilavitku sees coming a mile off.
Niko Hilavitku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Neumann throws a half hearted mid kick.

Hilavitku drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hilavitku looks gassed!
Hilavitku won't allow Neumann to get back to his feet.
Hilavitku looking to pass the guard.
Hilavitku is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hilavitku is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Neumann is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Neumann has escaped and now he's on top!

Hilavitku working for a triangle but Neumann defends it easily.
Neumann has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Hilavitku is proving hard to escape from.
Neumann knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hilavitku on the ground.

Hilavitku is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Neumann defends well.

Hilavitku throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neumann gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
A head kick misses from Neumann.
Neumann throws a head kick but Hilavitku moves out of range.
Neumann throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Neumann.
Neumann stalks Hilavitku and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Hilavitku's face. Hilavitku staggers backwards, shaken.
Neumann throws a head kick that misses.

Hilavitku feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Hilavitku drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hilavitku jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Hilavitku is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Neumann is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Neumann has escaped and now he's on top!

Neumann stands and steps away. Hilavitku gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neumann gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Hilavitku to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Neumann wants to stand up but Hilavitku is controlling him.
Hilavitku wants to pass the guard but Neumann is keeping the position.

Hilavitku drops back, looking for a kneebar! Neumann looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Neumann looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Neumann!
Hilavitku tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Neumann wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Neumann decides to stand back up. Neumann steps back and let's Hilavitku get back to his feet.
Hilavitku avoids the body shot from Neumann.
Hilavitku fails with a takedown attempt.
A left lands for Neumann.
Hilavitku bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hilavitku is defended easily by Neumann.
Hilavitku tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hilavitku blocks the body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hilavitku.
Neumann tries a head kick but it misses.
Hilavitku is trying hard to land a takedown here. Neumann sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Neumann lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
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 Olavi Neumann will probably get the nod.
That's time! Neumann's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Neumann throws a one two combo.

Hilavitku gets a takedown into half guard.
Hilavitku wants to pass to mount but Neumann is defending the position.
Neumann is trying to stand back up but Hilavitku is controlling him

Hilavitku is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Neumann doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hilavitku.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hilavitku trying to pass the guard but Neumann defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hilavitku is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Neumann is trying to stand.

Hilavitku is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Neumann doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Hilavitku.

Neumann is defending against the submission attempts here by Hilavitku.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hilavitku is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Neumann reverses the position - he's now on top in Hilavitku's guard.
Niko Hilavitku has got the better of the ground game so far.
Neumann wants to stand but Hilavitku has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Neumann avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Hilavitku working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Neumann doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Neumann manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Neumann stands up and waves to Hilavitku to follow him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hilavitku fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Neumann avoids it really well and circles away.
Hilavitku shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Neumann pinned against the cage. Neumann gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hilavitku.
Olavi Neumann has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Niko Hilavitku.
Neumann throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hilavitku.
Hilavitku shoots in for a double leg but Neumann sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Olavi Neumann is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Neumann connects with a nice looking jab.
Neumann throws a head kick that Hilavitku semi-blocks.
Neumann misses with a few strikes there.
Hilavitku pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hilavitku uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Neumann.
Hilavitku looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Neumann misses with a series of wild punches.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hilavitku shoots for a takedown but Neumann saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Neumann throws a head kick but Hilavitku moves out of range.

Hilavitku shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hilavitku stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Neumann swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hilavitku passes easily into side control. Nice work.

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

Hilavitku tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hilavitku moves into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Hilavitku showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Neumann tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hilavitku takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Hilavitku misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Hilavitku.
Neumann throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Neumann fails to land with a series of punches.
Neumann throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

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

Hilavitku is trying to work for a kimura but Neumann is defending well.
Hilavitku prevents Neumann from standing back up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hilavitku moves nicely into side control.

Hilavitku is in a dominant position here, looking for a kimura. Neumann looks calm but he's in trouble here. Hilavitku gets his leg over his opponent's head and yanks on the arm. Neumann is tapping like a morse code operator on the titanic! SOS! SOS! Hilavitku lets go of the hold and Neumann can pop his arm back in it's socket.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Niko Hilavitku!