PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Timo Hirvikangas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sulevi Sammalharju (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Hirvikangas
vs
Sammalharju

175 cm
23
165 lbs
11 - 6 - 0

179 cm
21
169 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

Fight Club Clothing Helsinki™
Katukauppa.com

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 11 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Timo Hirvikangas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sulevi Sammalharju!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirvikangas bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Sammalharju throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Hirvikangas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A head kick from Hirvikangas lands but Sammalharju takes it in his stride.
Hirvikangas scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sammalharju cracks Hirvikangas with a right hand to the side of the head.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Hirvikangas lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Sammalharju has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Sammalharju and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Hirvikangas takes a head kick and keeps coming.

It looks like Timo Hirvikangas has been cut.
Sammalharju swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Sammalharju misses with a body shot.
Sammalharju throws a lazy head kick
and Hirvikangas counters with an inside leg kick.
Hirvikangas looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hirvikangas slips a jab and a cross from Sammalharju.
Hirvikangas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hirvikangas fakes the leg kick and cracks Sammalharju in the body.
Hirvikangas shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Hirvikangas chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Hirvikangas throws a low kick, looking for Sammalharju's leg but Sammalharju calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammalharju throws a leg kick that is checked
and Hirvikangas counters with a thumping low kick.
Sammalharju misses with a kick to the body.
Sammalharju swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Hirvikangas scores with a leg kick.
A low kick from Hirvikangas is predictable there
and Sammalharju counters with a nice leg kick.
Sammalharju tries to land a front kick but Hirvikangas steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A head kick by Sammalharju misses
and Hirvikangas counters with a right hand to the body.
Sammalharju fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hirvikangas on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A leg kick checked by Sammalharju.
Hirvikangas ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Sammalharju misses with a kick to the body

and Hirvikangas counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Hirvikangas.
Hirvikangas won't allow Sammalharju to sweep him here.
Hirvikangas missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Hirvikangas seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvikangas pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sammalharju is keeping the position for now.
Sammalharju working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hirvikangas.
Sammalharju looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hirvikangas is one step ahead there.
Sammalharju keeping moving, preventing Hirvikangas from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Timo Hirvikangas wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Sammalharju throws a lazy right hand but Hirvikangas sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Hirvikangas darts in and clinches Sammalharju up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hirvikangas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Sammalharju uses from the top position.

Hirvikangas is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Sammalharju defends well.
Sammalharju trying to control but Hirvikangas is working from the bottom.
Hirvikangas preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Sammalharju throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hirvikangas works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Sammalharju drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hirvikangas manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Sammalharju has Hirvikangas in his guard.
Hirvikangas stopping the sweep attempt from Sammalharju.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammalharju seems keen to control Hirvikangas's posture.

Sammalharju is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hirvikangas defends well.
Hirvikangas is stalling in the full guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Sammalharju is on top in guard.
Hirvikangas keeping moving, preventing Sammalharju from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Hirvikangas dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Timo Hirvikangas's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hirvikangas scoring well with a low kick there.
Sammalharju looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sammalharju is looking to score with low kicks.
Sammalharju misses the body punch
and Hirvikangas makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Sammalharju really felt that one!
Sammalharju misses with a body kick.
Sammalharju attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sammalharju throws a series of punches but Hirvikangas avoids them all with ease.
Sammalharju misses with a double jab.
Hirvikangas motions for Sammalharju to come forward. Hirvikangas throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirvikangas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Hirvikangas scores with a shot to the body.

Hirvikangas forces Sammalharju back against the cage and clinches.
Sammalharju working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Sammalharju tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Sammalharju lands with a short shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvikangas avoiding damage as Sammalharju throws knees to the body.
Sammalharju struggles to land a body shot inside as Hirvikangas controls his hands.

Hirvikangas pulls guard effortlessly.
Sammalharju trying to control but Hirvikangas is working from the bottom.
Hirvikangas looking for a sweep. Not yet Hirvikangas, not yet.

Sammalharju gets to his feet. Hirvikangas looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Sulevi Sammalharju seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hirvikangas wants to clinch.
Sammalharju thows a leg kick but Hirvikangas checks it
and Hirvikangas makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Sammalharju comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hirvikangas throws a half hearted mid kick.
Hirvikangas throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Sammalharju misses with a double jab
and Hirvikangas counters with an outside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sammalharju throws a jab when Hirvikangas was well out of range.
Sammalharju with a jab.
Sammalharju gets off balance looking for a body kick

and Hirvikangas counters with a shoot takedown. Sammalharju fights it but they end up in guard.
Hirvikangas wants to pass the guard but Sammalharju is keeping the position.
Hirvikangas controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hirvikangas advances position into side control!
Hirvikangas trying to control the action but Sammalharju is working from the bottom.
Sammalharju is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvikangas is looking to take a break and control but Sammalharju is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hirvikangas cracks Sammalharju with an elbow. That is naaassty.
You can see the frustration on Sammalharju's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hirvikangas trying to control the action but Sammalharju is working from the bottom.
Sammalharju is letting Hirvikangas control him for a moment.
Hirvikangas landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Sammalharju tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four 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.
Hirvikangas wants to control but Sammalharju is keeping him busy.
Sammalharju tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Hirvikangas presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Sammalharju is looking to improve his position but Hirvikangas isn't that keen on the idea.
Sammalharju is breathing heavily.
Sammalharju is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Hirvikangas dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Timo Hirvikangas's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Hirvikangas fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Sammalharju is out of range.
Hirvikangas scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Sammalharju attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sammalharju swings away with a body shot that misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Sammalharju ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Sammalharju on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Hirvikangas. Hirvikangas obviously looking to wear him down.
Hirvikangas lands a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hirvikangas.
Hirvikangas avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sammalharju misses with the body kick
and Hirvikangas counters with a low kick, right behind Sammalharju 's knee.
Sammalharju bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Hirvikangas's head.
Hirvikangas ducks under a wild hook from Sammalharju.
Hirvikangas takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sammalharju connects with an inside leg kick.

Sammalharju drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sammalharju takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hirvikangas manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Hirvikangas looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sammalharju wants to hold on but Hirvikangas pushes him away.
Hirvikangas controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sammalharju regains half guard.
Sulevi Sammalharju has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sammalharju keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Sammalharju is looking to control Hirvikangas's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Sammalharju avoid being mounted?
Sammalharju is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Sammalharju wants to get back to his feet.
Hirvikangas wants to pass the guard but Sammalharju is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sammalharju wants to get back to full guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Sammalharju loads up on a big right hand but Hirvikangas slips the punch.
Sammalharju swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Hirvikangas counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvikangas uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Sammalharju.
Hirvikangas connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Sammalharju momentarily.

Hirvikangas shoots in and bounces Sammalharju off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hirvikangas trying to control but Sammalharju is working from the bottom.
Hirvikangas is really struggling to control Sammalharju but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Hirvikangas throws a big right hand that misses.
Timo Hirvikangas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hirvikangas trying to control but Sammalharju is working from the bottom.

Sammalharju looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sammalharju looking for a sweep. Not yet Sammalharju, not yet.
Hirvikangas wants to control from the top but Sammalharju keeps moving.
Hirvikangas preventing the sweep.
Hirvikangas looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Timo Hirvikangas.
Sammalharju throws a leg kick
and Hirvikangas counters with a nice body shot.
Sammalharju throws a leg kick
and Hirvikangas makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Hirvikangas. Sammalharju shrugs it off though.
A head kick by Sammalharju misses
and Hirvikangas counters with a good low kick that Sammalharju was not able to check.
Hirvikangas is looking to clinch.
A big left from Sammalharju misses.
Hirvikangas lands with a nice body punch.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Timo Hirvikangas.
Well Hirvikangas has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timo Hirvikangas!