PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Michael Hart (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ilkka Mursu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hart comes to the cage accompanied by Black Betty. Mursu is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Someday I'll be the Champ. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Hart
vs
Mursu

176 cm
22
260 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

193 cm
26
272 lbs
8 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Stonewall

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Michael Hart!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilkka Mursu!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Radbod Blank and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Hart misses.
Hart swings for the body but Mursu moves out of range.
Mursu dives in and grabs Hart's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hart pushes down on Mursu's head and hops out.
Hart throws a shot to the body.
Hart moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Mursu dives in and grabs Hart's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hart pushes down on Mursu's head and hops out.
Hart misses with a straight left.
A clash of legs there as Mursu blocks the low kick.

Hart closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Hart lands in his opponent's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Mursu escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hart gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Hart engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Hart has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mursu keeping full guard, as Hart tries to pass.
Hart trying to move into half guard but instead Mursu has managed to sweep!
Mursu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mursu working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Mursu lands a couple of elbows.
Hart wants to stand and escape but Mursu is having none of it.
Hart is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hart is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Mursu is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mursu postures up in Hart's guard and throws a big left but Hart blocks it.
Hart tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hart is working hard here to advance position.
Hart might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hart had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mursu defends it easily.
Mursu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hart pulls Mursu in to control the position.
Hart wants to sweep here but Mursu controlling him for the moment.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hart lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Mursu!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mursu is looking to improve his position but Hart isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hart looking to control but Mursu is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Mursu is working to get back to half guard.
Hart fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Mursu is desperately trying to improve his position but Hart has a good base and remains in mount.
Hart looking to control and managing it successfully.
Mursu regains half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mursu is looking for a sweep. Hart is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hart is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Mursu is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hart scores with a couple of nice shots.
Mursu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hart looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Mursu is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hart's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hart's back!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hart tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Hart has left one of his arms exposed and Mursu doesn't need a second invitation. He's isolated it and locked on a tight armbar. Hart screams and taps out, obviously in a lot of pain. Hopefully there isn't permanent damage to that arm.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Ilkka Mursu!
Ilkka Mursu decided to go for the less than humble approach in his post fight interview, telling everyone how he is going to conquer the world. The crowd seemed to like it when really that sort of approach could have gone either way.