PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Benny Johnson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Markus Hilpinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Johnson
vs
Hilpinen

185 cm
25
170 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Benny Johnson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Markus Hilpinen!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Johnson fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hilpinen sprawls well initially but Johnson persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hilpinen tries to roll over but Johnson keeps him under control.
Johnson throwing shots but Hilpinen is blocking nicely.
Hilpinen trying to control here.
Johnson is taking a breather. Hilpinen says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Johnson prevents Hilpinen from improving his position.
Johnson controlling the pace.
Hilpinen wants to improve his position but Johnson is controlling well.
Johnson takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Benny Johnson.
Johnson throws a body kick that misses.
Johnson throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Johnson fails to land with a series of punches.
Johnson swats away the attempt to clinch by Hilpinen.

Johnson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Hilpinen did well to prevent Johnson getting side control.
Hilpinen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Johnson is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hilpinen works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hilpinen trying to control the position.
Johnson won't allow Hilpinen to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Johnson trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hilpinen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Johnson.

Hilpinen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
Johnson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hilpinen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Johnson has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Hilpinen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Johnson is aware though and is defending well.
Hilpinen looks gassed!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Johnson lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Johnson decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hilpinen, up you get!
Johnson misses with a few strikes there.
Hilpinen doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Johnson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hilpinen won't be happy with that.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Johnson decides to stand back up. Johnson steps back and let's Hilpinen get back to his feet.
Hilpinen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Johnson tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Johnson looks to land a combination. Hilpinen sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Johnson manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Johnson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hilpinen is one step ahead there.
Johnson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Johnson tries to get out of the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Johnson is adopting a defensive guard.
Johnson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hilpinen's guard.
Johnson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benny Johnson dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Johnson lands a nice shot to the body.

Johnson scores a takedown into full mount!
Johnson is landing with some decent strikes but Hilpinen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Johnson controlling the pace for now.

Johnson working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Johnson controlling the position easily from mount.
Hilpinen is looking to get to half guard.
Johnson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Hilpinen is desperately trying to improve his position but Johnson has a good base and remains in mount.
Hilpinen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Johnson is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Hilpinen can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Hilpinen tries to hold on but Johnson postures up.
Hilpinen is breathing heavily.
Hilpinen working to try and regain half guard.
Johnson sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Johnson lands a big elbow.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hilpinen is wriggling around trying to escape.

Johnson stands up from the dominant position. He obviously fancies his chances standing.
Hilpinen tries to clinch up.
Johnson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hilpinen manages to avoid it.
Johnson fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Johnson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hilpinen, pushing him back against the cage.
Hilpinen trying to land knees to the body.
Hilpinen working hard to break the clinch.
Johnson keeps control of Hilpinen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Johnson jumps guard.

Johnson working for a triangle but Hilpinen defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Johnson looking for a guillotine here but Hilpinen defends easily.
Johnson is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Johnson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benny Johnson dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hilpinen has his takedown stuffed

and Johnson counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hilpinen!

Johnson looking to secure an arm triangle but Hilpinen defends it well.

Johnson working for a submission but Hilpinen is keeping him at bay.
Johnson controlling the pace for now.
Johnson lands a heavy elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hilpinen tries to lock up and control but Johnson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Johnson breaks from Hilpinen's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Johnson is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Hilpinen wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Hilpinen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
You can see the frustration on Hilpinen's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Johnson just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

Johnson is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Hilpinen has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Johnson keeps control of the position as Hilpinen tries to break free.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Johnson slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Johnson punishes Hilpinen with strikes from the back mount.

Johnson has managed to slip his arm under Hilpinen's chin. This could be all over... yep, Hilpinen is tapping out! Submission win for Johnson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Benny Johnson!