PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antti Haapasalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Luis Rodriguez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haapasalo comes into the arena with Korpiklaani - Let's Drink blaring out of the sound system. Jose Luis Rodriguez has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Antti Haapasalo's chin.

Haapasalo
vs
Luis Rodriguez

189 cm
24
245 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

191 cm
28
268 lbs
11 - 8 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Haapasalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jose Luis Rodriguez!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A lazy left from Haapasalo finds it's target.

It looks like Jose Luis Rodriguez has been cut.
Haapasalo chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rodriguez can pounce on him.
Rodriguez with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rodriguez avoids the head kick by Haapasalo.
Rodriguez thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Haapasalo if he has to take too many more of those.
Haapasalo is breathing heavily.
Rodriguez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Sloppy strikes from Rodriguez. Those never looked like landing.
Rodriguez moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rodriguez throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.

Rodriguez 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.
Rodriguez working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Haapasalo's head.
Rodriguez is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Rodriguez wants to control from the top but Haapasalo keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rodriguez looking to pass the guard.
Haapasalo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Haapasalo keeping moving, preventing Rodriguez from controlling successfully.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jose Luis Rodriguez hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Rodriguez feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Haapasalo's calf.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rodriguez. Haapasalo does a little dance to reset his feet.
A big right from Haapasalo misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rodriguez misses with a takedown attempt - Haapasalo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rodriguez scores with a spinning back kick!
Rodriguez takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rodriguez lands a big right hand that sends Haapasalo crashing to the mat! Rodriguez stays standing though and waves Haapasalo back to his feet!

Haapasalo is rocked!
Rodriguez finds Haapasalo's off switch, with a big overhand right that connects perfectly to the side of the head! Haapasalo flops back against the cage, eyes gazing into the distance. Rodriguez lands an unnecessary shot before the referee has time to step in and end the fight. Brutal stuff but I'm sure Haapasalo will be OK.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Jose Luis Rodriguez!