PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roland Box (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hessu Hopo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Box
vs
Hopo

193 cm
20
221 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

177 cm
22
220 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Heavy handed

Nordic Nutrition (160 Recovery)
Nordic Nutrition (160 Recovery)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roland Box!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hessu Hopo!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A combination from Box does no damage.
A big right from Box misses.
Hopo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Box.
Box avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Hopo scores a takedown into full mount!
Hopo scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Box?
Hopo thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Hopo thowing shots but they're missing.
Box wants to control but Hopo is having none of it.
Hopo throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Hopo can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Box is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hopo misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Box on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Box tries to get out of the position.
Box is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Box really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Box sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Box wants to get back to full guard.
Hopo is pressing down on Box's thigh, looking to free his foot. Box is holding on for now.
Hopo with the ground and pound but Box uses the opportunity to regain guard.

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.
Hopo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hopo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hopo trying to control but Box is working from the bottom.
Box wants to sweep here but Hopo controlling him for the moment.
Hopo wants to pass the guard but Box is keeping the position.
Hopo wants to control from the top but Box keeps moving.

Box is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hopo is aware though and is defending well.
Hopo looking to pass the guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Box has control of Hopo's left arm, preventing Hopo from doing any damage.
Hopo tries to free his leg and advance position but Box is retaining full guard.
Hopo won't allow Box to sweep him here.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Box manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Box putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!

It looks like Hessu Hopo has been cut.
Box prevents Hopo from getting the reversal.
Box lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Box trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Box putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Box lands a heavy elbow.
Hopo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
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!
Box punishing his opponent with strikes.

Hopo is rocked!

The cut above Hessu Hopo's eye is starting to cause him problems now.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Hessu Hopo's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:44 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Roland Box!