PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Philco Hitachi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Brynrolf Fahnskhap (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hitachi
vs
Fahnskhap

190 cm
23
265 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

192 cm
20
270 lbs
5 - 1 - 2

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Good chin

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Philco Hitachi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Brynrolf Fahnskhap!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Ivan Kurochkin and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice shot lands for Fahnskhap.
Fahnskhap connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fahnskhap throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hitachi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Fahnskhap sizes up Hitachi with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hitachi has a takedown stuffed.
Fahnskhap connects with the punch.
Hitachi moves away from the strike by Fahnskhap.
Fahnskhap displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Fahnskhap has closed the distance and engaged Hitachi in a clinch.
Fahnskhap lands a body punch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Fahnskhap lands a nice shot to the body.
Hitachi is breathing heavily.
Fahnskhap cracks Hitachi with a nice body shot.
A hook to the body from Fahnskhap.

Fahnskhap pulls guard.

Fahnskhap has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hitachi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Fahnskhap working for a triangle but Hitachi defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hitachi stopping the sweep attempt from Fahnskhap.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fahnskhap is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Hitachi has gone for a leg lock! Fahnskhap slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hitachi's guard.
Fahnskhap trying to control the position from guard on top but Hitachi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

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.

Hitachi has his foot on Fahnskhap's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fahnskhap works his way back into a safe position though.

Fahnskhap avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Fahnskhap distracts Hitachi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Hitachi keeping moving, preventing Fahnskhap from controlling successfully.

Hitachi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fahnskhap is aware though and is defending well.
Fahnskhap postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Fahnskhap is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Fahnskhap is in close to Hitachi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hitachi has momentary wrist control but Fahnskhap slips an elbow through the middle.

Fahnskhap stands up and waves to Hitachi to follow him.

Fahnskhap clinches up with Hitachi and pushes him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fahnskhap stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Fahnskhap manages to pull guard.
Fahnskhap has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Hitachi has gone for a leg lock! Fahnskhap slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hitachi's guard.
Fahnskhap working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hitachi's head.
Fahnskhap lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Fahnskhap controlling from the top position.
Fahnskhap's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Hitachi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Hitachi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Fahnskhap gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fahnskhap wants to control from the top but Hitachi keeps moving.

Hitachi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Hitachi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Fahnskhap slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Hitachi isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Fahnskhap stacks Hitachi on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Fahnskhap!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fahnskhap scoring with punches from side control.
Hitachi is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brynrolf Fahnskhap dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Fahnskhap defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hitachi.
Fahnskhap connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Fahnskhap with a nice cross.
Fahnskhap lands a two punch combo.
Fahnskhap throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hitachi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.

Fahnskhap has closed the distance and engaged Hitachi in a clinch.
Fahnskhap works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fahnskhap.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Fahnskhap ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Fahnskhap no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Fahnskhap is looking for a triangle but Hitachi pushes his legs off easily.
Fahnskhap tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hitachi looking to pass the guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Fahnskhap looking for a sweep. Not yet Fahnskhap, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Hitachi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Fahnskhap manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Hitachi has Fahnskhap in his guard.

Hitachi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Fahnskhap can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Fahnskhap has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Fahnskhap makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fahnskhap postures up and lands a big shot to Hitachi's brow.

Hitachi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Fahnskhap defends it easily.
Fahnskhap is working Hitachi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Hitachi has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Fahnskhap 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 Hitachi.

Fahnskhap is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Hitachi is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Hitachi is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Fahnskhap is one step ahead and moves to full mount!
Fahnskhap content just to control the position here.
Fahnskhap pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Fahnskhap tries to control but Hitachi wriggling away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fahnskhap with good strikes from the mount here!
Hitachi is in a horrible position here. Fahnskhap smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Hitachi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hitachi slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Nice strikes from Fahnskhap there.

Hitachi actively working from the bottom here.

Hitachi looking for submissions off his back.
Fahnskhap working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Fahnskhap passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Hitachi!
Fahnskhap looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hitachi is working to get back to half guard.
Fahnskhap controlling from mount.
Fahnskhap lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Fahnskhap unloading with bombs!
Hitachi keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Hitachi is bucking up trying to escape but Fahnskhap cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Fahnskhap working Hitachi over with strikes here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hitachi is looking to improve his position but Fahnskhap isn't that keen on the idea.
Fahnskhap lands with some strikes.
Fahnskhap prevents Hitachi from getting the reversal.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brynrolf Fahnskhap showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Fahnskhap moves into range and clinches up with Hitachi.
Fahnskhap is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Hitachi is trying to drag Fahnskhap to the mat but Fahnskhap just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Fahnskhap digs a right hand into Hitachi's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Hitachi's gas tank.

Fahnskhap jumps guard and drags Hitachi to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.

Hitachi drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Fahnskhap dives on top into guard.

Hitachi has an active guard here but Fahnskhap has managed to pass into half guard.
Hitachi is staying active underneath Fahnskhap, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Fahnskhap is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fahnskhap looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Hitachi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fahnskhap is keen to just control but Hitachi is a slippery customer.
Fahnskhap landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Fahnskhap seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hitachi does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Fahnskhap stands up from half guard.
Hitachi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Fahnskhap misses with a double jab.
Philco Hitachi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hitachi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Fahnskhap scores with a jab to the head.
Fahnskhap lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Hitachi or perhaps it was just good defense by Fahnskhap which made him look bad.
Hitachi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hitachi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Fahnskhap swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Philco Hitachi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fahnskhap connects with a body shot.

Fahnskhap forces Hitachi back against the cage and clinches.

Fahnskhap manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Fahnskhap is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Hitachi has his hands clasped together but Fahnskhap extends an breaks Hitachi's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Fahnskhap.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Brynrolf Fahnskhap! Brynrolf Fahnskhap retains his heavyweight title!