PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Hammer Longbird (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rasmus Helenius (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Helenius's choice of entrance music: Eminem: Not Afraid. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Longbird
vs
Helenius

202 cm
24
200 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

187 cm
21
199 lbs
5 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Decent wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

ORANJE

- - - - - All Nutrients 160 - - - - -
ORANJE

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Hammer Longbird!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Rasmus Helenius!
The judges for this bout are Roger Salmon, Josh West and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Helenius throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Longbird tries to clinch up.
Longbird shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Helenius but Helenius pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Longbird, as that shot connected.
Longbird throws a nice inside leg kick.
Longbird displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Helenius throws out the jab.
Longbird is looking to clinch.
Longbird tries to close the distance and clinch but Helenius swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Longbird on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.

It looks like Hammer Longbird has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Helenius waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Longbird.

Longbird has Helenius up against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from Longbird.
Longbird lands an elbow inside that Helenius shrugs off.

Longbird drags the fight down to the ground.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

Longbird looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helenius wants to stand and escape but instead Longbird has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Helenius can do anything to dispel that myth.

Longbird stands up and waves to Helenius to follow him.
Helenius misses with a hook

and Longbird counters by moving into the clinch.
Helenius prevents a body shot from Longbird.
Helenius has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Longbird has Helenius pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Helenius manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Longbird obliges.
Longbird lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helenius is trying to break the clinch but Longbird is controlling him.
Longbird working aggressively here.
Longbird tries to work over Helenius's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Longbird tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Helenius smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hammer Longbird. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Longbird rushes Helenius and presses him up against the cage.
Longbird drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Helenius gets the underhooks and prevents it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Longbird looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Longbird unloads a knee to the mid-section. Helenius lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Longbird changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Helenius fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Longbird is looking to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helenius throws a body punch but Longbird moves out of range.
Rasmus Helenius is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice body punch from Helenius.

Longbird fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Helenius, pushing him back against the cage.
Longbird tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Knees in the clinch landing for Longbird.
Helenius is trying to push Longbird away but Longbird has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Longbird is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Helenius to keep the fight standing.
Longbird with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Longbird landing knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Longbird lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

Longbird breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Longbird wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Helenius misses.
Helenius throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Helenius throws out a powerful jab.
Helenius swats away the attempt to clinch by Longbird.
Helenius comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Helenius misses with a right hand

and Longbird holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Helenius has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Longbird scores a nice knee to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Longbird goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Helenius blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Longbird throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hammer Longbird dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Hammer Longbird's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Helenius tries to sprawl but Longbird drives through with a takedown into half guard.

Longbird stands up out of the half guard.
Helenius misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Longbird.

Longbird forces Helenius back against the cage and clinches.
Longbird tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Helenius smiles and moves away.
Longbird ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Longbird shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Helenius pinned against the cage. Helenius gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Longbird is looking to clinch.
Helenius scores with a jab to the jaw.
Longbird really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Longbird takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A looping hook to the body misses from Helenius. Longbird does a little dance to reset his feet.
Helenius throws a body punch but Longbird moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helenius throws a hook but Longbird blocks it.
Helenius throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Helenius ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Longbird is looking to clinch but Helenius is avoiding it.
Rasmus Helenius seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Helenius misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Longbird tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Helenius manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Longbird blocks a jab.
Longbird tries to clinch up but Helenius circles away and keeps his distance.
Helenius misses with an uppercut

and Longbird counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Helenius utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Longbird decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Helenius throws a poor cross that misses

and Longbird counters by clinching up.
Longbird goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Longbird misses with the head strike.
A frustrated look appears on Helenius's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Longbird tries to pull guard but Helenius holds him up against the cage and eventually Longbird drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hammer Longbird. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Longbird throws a punch but it's blocked by Helenius.
Helenius tries to break free but Longbird pushes him back against the cage.
Longbird tries to pull guard but Helenius won't allow it.
Longbird jumps guard but Helenius turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Hammer Longbird has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Longbird creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Helenius's defenses.
Longbird can't find room to land a body shot as Helenius controls the action.
Longbird lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Helenius backwards.
Longbird with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Longbird jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Helenius walks away with a smile on his face. Longbird gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Longbird shoots in for a takedown but Helenius shows good takedown defense.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Helenius misses with the combination.
Longbird fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Longbird dodges the punch combination from Helenius.
Helenius throws a shot to the body.
Helenius lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Longbird circles away quickly and effectively.
Helenius swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Helenius lands a body shot.
Longbird tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Longbird tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Helenius paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Longbird moves out of range of the strikes.
Longbird keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Helenius swings widly with a right hand
and Longbird counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helenius misses the shot to the body.
Helenius misses with a right hand

and Longbird counters by moving into the clinch.
Longbird scores a nice knee to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Helenius takes a knee right on the jaw!
With the fighters up against the cage, Longbird throws an elbow but misses.
Helenius prevents a body shot from Longbird.
Helenius is looking to break free of the clinch but Longbird has double underhooks.

Longbird escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Helenius looks to land a left hand but Longbird moved out of range nicely.

Helenius gets tackled into the cage by Longbird. Longbird maintains the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Helenius blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Longbird pushes off an throws an elbow but Helenius leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Longbird fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Helenius lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Helenius.
Helenius circles away from the clinch attempt.
Helenius changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Longbird moves in looking to clinch but Helenius pushes him off.
Helenius stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Helenius throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Rasmus Helenius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Longbird is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.

Longbird is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Helenius lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Longbird circles away quickly and effectively.
Oh Longbird is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Helenius throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Longbird.
Helenius looks to score with a jab to the body but Longbird is just out of range.
Longbird seems to have got his legs back now.

Longbird has managed to clinch.
Longbird connects with a nasty looking knee right to Helenius's face.
Helenius has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Longbird throws a punch but it's blocked by Helenius.
Longbird is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Helenius to keep the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Longbird with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Longbird gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Longbird creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Longbird looking to throw knees to the head but Helenius is blocking nicely.
Longbird jumps guard but Helenius turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Helenius has had enough of the clinch but Longbird keeps him there for the moment.
Helenius is defending well against a takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hammer Longbird. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Longbird tries to work over Helenius's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A frustrated look appears on Helenius's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Longbird has Helenius pressed against the cage, preventing Helenius from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Longbird lands a damaging elbow.
Longbird lands a knee to the head.
A short right from Longbird.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helenius managing to block the knees to the body from Longbird.

Longbird escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Helenius pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Helenius throws a right and a left that Longbird avoids nicely.
Helenius throws a big shot that misses.
Longbird tries to clinch up but Helenius circles away and keeps his distance.
Helenius cracks Longbird with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Longbird shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Helenius looks to land a left hand but Longbird moved out of range nicely.
Helenius misses with an uppercut
and Longbird counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Helenius is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Helenius throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Longbird looking to score a takedown here. Helenius is defending well but Longbird drives through and ends up in Helenius's guard.
Longbird controlling from the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helenius wants to stand but Longbird is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Longbird stands up from Helenius's guard - Longbird perhaps looking for a knockout.
Helenius fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Longbird manages to avoid it.
Helenius throws a body punch but Longbird moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helenius avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A punch combination from Helenius misses.
Helenius misses with a hook

and Longbird counters by clinching up.
Helenius is trying to break the clinch but Longbird is controlling him.
Helenius is looking to break free of the clinch but Longbird has double underhooks.
Helenius has had enough of the clinch but Longbird keeps him there for the moment.
Longbird connects with a knee to the head.
Longbird lands an elbow inside that Helenius shrugs off.
Longbird leaning against his opponent.
Longbird lands an elbow just above Helenius 's eye.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Helenius can't break the clinch.
Helenius blocks an uppercut.
Helenius wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Rasmus Helenius just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Hammer Longbird's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Helenius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Helenius avoids the body shot from Longbird.
Helenius looks to score with a jab to the body but Longbird is just out of range.
Helenius swings widly with a right hand

and Longbird counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Longbird breaks the clinch.
Longbird slips under a jab.
Helenius connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Helenius throws a left and a right that both miss

and Longbird moves into the clinch.
Longbird lands a shoulder strike.

Longbird breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Longbird closes the distance and clinches.
Longbird lands a body shot.
Longbird tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Longbird lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Longbird fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Helenius takes an elbow to the forehead.
Helenius tries to circle away but Longbird has him pinned against the cage.
Longbird landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Longbird digs a right hand underneath Helenius's ribcage. Helenius let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Longbird fails to pull guard.
Longbird lands a right hand.
Longbird with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A right hand to the body from Longbird.
Longbird lands a right hand.
A short right from Longbird.
Longbird fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helenius is trying to break the clinch but Longbird is controlling him.

Longbird escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Helenius misses with a lunging right hand

so Longbird counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Longbird has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Helenius is proving hard to escape from.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Longbird decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Helenius.
Helenius is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Longbird.

Longbird closes the distance and clinches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Longbird pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Longbird with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Longbird tries a knee to the head but Helenius blocks it.
Nice body punch from Longbird - that landed with a thud.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Longbird.
Longbird lands an elbow inside.
Helenius blocks an uppercut.

Longbird breaks from the clinch.
Helenius is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Longbird.
Helenius lands a body shot.
Longbird moves out of range of the strikes.
Helenius throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Longbird closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Longbird lands a left hand.
Longbird lands a nice knee to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Longbird with a knee to the head.
Longbird working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Longbird digs a right hand underneath Helenius's ribcage. Helenius let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Longbird lands a right hand that snaps the head of Helenius backwards.
Longbird tries to pull guard but Helenius holds him up against the cage and eventually Longbird drops back down to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hammer Longbird. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Longbird tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Helenius smiles and moves away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Helenius feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Longbirds jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hammer Longbird had his way with Rasmus Helenius in that round.
The cut man is working on Hammer Longbird's cut.
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. This is the final round!

Helenius swings widly with a right hand

and Longbird counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Helenius working hard to break the clinch.
Longbird is leaning against Helenius and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Longbird throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Longbird throws a knee to the head but misses.
Longbird lands with a short shot to the head.
A short uppercut from Longbird.
Longbird lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Longbird throws a punch but it's blocked by Helenius.
Longbird lands an elbow inside.
Longbird lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Helenius blocks an elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Longbird lands a knee to the head.
Longbird tries to pull guard but Helenius holds him up against the cage and eventually Longbird drops back down to his feet.
Longbird taking a breather.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Longbird obliges.
Longbird fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Helenius wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Longbird lands a nice shot to the body.
Longbird misses with a knee to the head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Longbird has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Helenius after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hammer Longbird. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Longbird is trying to pull guard but Helenius turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Longbird misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Longbird is trying to drag Helenius to the mat but Helenius just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Helenius on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Longbird tries to pull guard but Helenius won't allow it.
Longbird is trying to maintain a safe position but Helenius gets an underhook and turns Longbird into the cage.
Longbird landing some nice looking knees to the body.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Longbird obliges.
Longbird unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Longbird utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Helenius wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helenius working hard to break the clinch.
Longbird misses with a punch to the body.
Longbird misses with the head strike.
Helenius tries to break free but Longbird pushes him back against the cage.
Longbird lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Longbird keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Helenius's efforts to push away.
Longbird lands with a short shot to the head.
Longbird lands a knee to the body.
Longbird is working for takedown but Helenius is calmly controlling the position for now.
Longbird trying to land knees to the body.
Rasmus Helenius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Longbird.
Longbird is looking to take this one to the mat.
Longbird misses with the head strike.
Longbird throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Helenius blocks it with crossed arms.
Helenius is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Helenius can't break the clinch.

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

Longbird looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Helenius passes into side control.
Hammer Longbird overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Longbird wants to control but Helenius postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hammer Longbird showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Longbird 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 49:46
Judge Josh West scores the fight 49:46
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hammer Longbird!
Hammer Longbird retains his middleweight title!
An out of breath Hammer Longbird thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.