PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jamal Lasti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jooseppi Hirvi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Lasti
vs
Hirvi

179 cm
20
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
19
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jamal Lasti!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jooseppi Hirvi!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hirvi moves into the clinch.

Hirvi has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Lasti is trying to keep an underhook but Hirvi manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Hirvi with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Hirvi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Lasti knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hirvi seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Lasti wants to get back to his feet.
Hirvi controlling the action here.
Lasti is looking to control Hirvi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lasti avoid being mounted?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvi is controlling the pace.
Hirvi missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hirvi seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Jooseppi Hirvi.
Horrible takedown by Lasti or perhaps it was just good defense by Hirvi which made him look bad.
Lasti throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Lasti shoots in for a takedown but Hirvi shows good takedown defense.
Lasti is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hirvi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jamal Lasti. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hirvi shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Lasti is trying to defend but Hirvi finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Hirvi wants to pass the guard but Lasti is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvi stops Lasti from getting back to his feet.
Hirvi is looking to advance position but Lasti won't allow it.
Hirvi throwing shots but Lasti is blocking nicely.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Lasti tries to kick Hirvi off but Hirvi keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Still in half guard, Hirvi seems content to control.

That's four 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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lasti gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Hirvi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hirvi.
Lasti knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hirvi on the ground.
Lasti preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hirvi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hirvi won't allow Lasti to sweep him here.
Hirvi wants to pass the guard but Lasti is keeping the position.
Hirvi is pushing down on Lasti's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lasti is fighting to maintain full guard but Hirvi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hirvi looks gassed!
Hirvi landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Hirvi stops Lasti from getting back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jooseppi Hirvi dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Lasti shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Hirvi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Lasti's guard now.
Hirvi is pushing down on Lasti's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lasti is fighting to maintain full guard but Hirvi has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hirvi works his way into full mount!
Hirvi raining down shots from the mount!

Hirvi stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Lasti misses with a takedown

and Hirvi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Lasti's guard now.
Hirvi is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvi controlling from the top position.
Lasti keeping full guard, as Hirvi tries to pass.
Hirvi wants to control from the top but Lasti keeps moving.
Hirvi wants to pass the guard but Lasti is keeping the position.
Lasti keeping moving, preventing Hirvi from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Lasti has a closed guard, preventing Hirvi from standing up.
Lasti is trying to control the position but Hirvi postures up.
Lasti is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hirvi is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Lasti stuffs the takedown attempt from Hirvi. Hirvi gets slowly back to his feet.
Lasti has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jamal Lasti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Hirvi is defended easily by Lasti.
Jamal Lasti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lasti tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Hirvi counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Lasti!
Lasti is desperately trying to improve his position but Hirvi has a good base and remains in mount.
Lasti squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.
Lasti tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Lasti manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Hirvi controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvi is looking to advance position but Lasti won't allow it.
Lasti is looking to control Hirvi's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lasti avoid being mounted?
Lasti wants to improve his position but Hirvi is controlling well.
Hirvi takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jooseppi Hirvi 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!

Lasti shoots for a double leg takedown but Hirvi sprawls well. He's pushed Lasti's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hirvi tries for a takedown but Lasti sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Lasti shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Hirvi counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hirvi.
Hirvi sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hirvi stops Lasti from standing up.
Hirvi wants to pass the guard but Lasti is keeping the position.
Hirvi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Jooseppi Hirvi has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hirvi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lasti trying to control the position.
Hirvi trying to control the position from guard on top but Lasti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hirvi might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Lasti kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Lasti fails with the takedown

and Hirvi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lasti's guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jamal Lasti. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hirvi trying to control but Lasti is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lasti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hirvi is one step ahead there.
Lasti keeping full guard, as Hirvi tries to pass.
Lasti wants to stand and escape but Hirvi is having none of it.
Hirvi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Lasti working a defensive guard here.
Lasti looking for a sweep. Not yet Lasti, not yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lasti trying to keep a closed guard but Hirvi is proving a slippery customer.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hirvi takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Hirvi shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Lasti with a poor takedown

and Hirvi decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Lasti's guard.
Lasti looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hirvi is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lasti working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hirvi.
Hirvi working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hirvi looking to pass the guard.
Lasti is trying to control the position but Hirvi postures up.
Hirvi passes Lasti's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Hirvi wants to pass to mount but Lasti is defending the position.
Jamal Lasti has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jooseppi Hirvi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hirvi circles away from the clinch attempt.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jooseppi Hirvi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hirvi winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jooseppi Hirvi!