PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jake Harris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alexi Laiho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Harris
vs
Laiho

170 cm
22
155 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

168 cm
20
160 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Insanely flexible

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jake Harris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Alexi Laiho!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laiho tries a low kick but Harris avoids it.
Laiho moves to clinch but Harris breaks away

and Harris counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Harris prevents Laiho from standing back up.

Harris is looking for a kimura but Laiho is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Harris to get the leverage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Harris tries to pass to full mount but Laiho defends it.
Harris is working hard here to advance position.
Laiho is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Harris seems to be working for a kimura but Laiho defends the submission attempt.

Harris seems to be working for a kimura but Laiho defends the submission attempt.
Laiho is trying to stand up here but Harris is controlling him well.

That's two 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.

Harris is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Laiho defends it well.
Harris wants to control but Laiho is keeping him busy.
Harris tries to pass to full mount but Laiho defends it.

Harris is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harris is looking for a kimura here.
Harris wants to take a breather but Laiho is having none of it.
Harris not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Harris missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Harris wants to control but Laiho is keeping him busy.

Laiho manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Alexi Laiho is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Laiho tries to clinch

and Harris counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Harris cracks Laiho with a solid left hand.

Harris postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Laiho is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Harris, into his guard.

Harris is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Laiho is aware though and is defending well.
Laiho tries to stand but Harris is controlling from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Laiho tries to clinch but Harris moves out of range.
Laiho tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Harris counters with a takedown into side control.

Harris tries for a kimura but Laiho is defending well.
Laiho is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Harris is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Laiho has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laiho is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Harris in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.

Harris thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Harris prevents Laiho from escaping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Laiho trying to remain calm as Harris controls from the top position.
Laiho tries to escape but Harris is in control.
Harris wants to control but Laiho is keeping him busy.
Harris tries to advance to mount but Laiho denies him.
Laiho pushes Harris away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Harris gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.

Harris tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Harris has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laiho is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Harris tries to score with some ground and pound. Laiho controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Harris tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Laiho wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Harris wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Laiho, who protects the arm well.
Laiho is not content to let Harris control the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Harris swings around for an armbar but Laiho sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Harris's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Harris dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Laiho moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

Laiho rushes Harris and presses him up against the cage.
Laiho lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Laiho landing knees to the body.
Laiho lands a nice knee to the body.
Harris has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Laiho breaks the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Laiho.

Harris gets tackled into the cage by Laiho. Laiho maintains the clinch.
Laiho unloads a knee to the mid-section. Harris lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
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!
Laiho connects with a nasty looking knee right to Harris's face.
Harris fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Laiho lands an elbow just above Harris 's eye.
Laiho utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Laiho lands an elbow inside that Harris shrugs off.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Laiho lands a knee to the body.
Laiho lands an elbow just above Harris 's eye.
Laiho lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Laiho breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laiho tries to clinch up but Harris circles away and keeps his distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Harris.
Laiho tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Harris paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Laiho tries to clinch up but Harris circles away and keeps his distance.
Laiho tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Harris counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Harris.
Laiho is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Harris stands and throws Laiho's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Harris goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Laiho rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Harris's guard! Nice work there by Laiho!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Harris is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Laiho is aware though and is defending well.
Laiho tries to stand but Harris is controlling from the bottom.

Harris working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Laiho doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Laiho manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Harris wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Harris is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Harris looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Laiho passes into half guard.

Laiho stands up and beckons Harris to join him on the feet.
Laiho closes the distance looking to clinch

and Harris counters with a takedown into side control.

Harris is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Laiho is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Harris trying to control the position but Laiho is working away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Harris is trying to get an arm triangle but Laiho is defending well.

Laiho sneaks out the side door and pushes Harris away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
Alexi Laiho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jake Harris is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Laiho misses the shot to the body.
Laiho throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexi Laiho comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Harris has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Harris!