PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Craig Hanks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jyrska Velmu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Velmu has chosen Doctor Doctor by UFO as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hanks
vs
Velmu

179 cm
25
175 lbs
13 - 2 - 0

177 cm
27
177 lbs
23 - 8 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

•• Beast Mode ••
Conviction

•• Beast Mode ••

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Craig Hanks!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jyrska Velmu!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Both fighters circling a little - Hanks finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Hanks displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Velmu throws out the jab.
Velmu throws a looping overhand right but Hanks ducks down to avoid it.
Velmu tries a head kick but it misses.

Velmu shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Hanks manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Hanks is controlling Velmu's posture.
Velmu in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Velmu trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Velmu is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Velmu cracks Hanks with a solid left hand.
Velmu 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.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Velmu accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Hanks manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velmu wants to control but Hanks is having none of it.
Velmu really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hanks tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Velmu is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velmu is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Velmu is trying to escape the mount.
Hanks controlling his opponent.
Hanks has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velmu really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hanks wants to control the pace but Velmu is squirming around nicely.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Velmu is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Velmu tries to hold on but Hanks pushes him away.
Velmu is trying to escape the mount.
Velmu tries to lock up and control but Hanks gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Velmu is trying to escape the mount.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hanks trying to control but Velmu is having none of it.
Hanks controlling the pace for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jyrska Velmu dominated that 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.

Velmu throws a leg kick
and Hanks counters with a solid body kick.
Velmu moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hanks misses with an attempted mid kick.
Hanks looks to land a body kick but Velmu moved away.
Hanks throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Velmu throws a front kick aimed at Hanks's knee but Hanks avoids it well.
Hanks scores with a punch to the head.
Hanks throws the left hand but Velmu avoids the punch easily.
Velmu looks to land a combination but Hanks avoids it well.
Hanks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Velmu scores with a nice body kick.
Velmu closes the distance and clinches up with Hanks, looking for a takedown. Velmu pushes Hanks against the cage but Hanks circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hanks.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanks throws a big shot that misses.
Hanks lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanks uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Velmu.
Hanks throws a poor cross that misses

and Velmu counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hanks's guard now.
Jyrska Velmu has got the better of the ground game so far.
Velmu postures up in Hanks's guard and throws a big left but Hanks blocks it.
Hanks avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hanks keeping full guard, as Velmu tries to pass.
Hanks wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Craig Hanks has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hanks throws a leg kick that misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Velmu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velmu shoots in for a takedown but Hanks shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Velmu misses with an uppercut
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Velmu drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Nice takedown defense from Hanks. No joy for Velmu on that attempt.
Craig Hanks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jyrska Velmu.
Hanks on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Sloppy strikes from Hanks. Those never looked like landing.
Velmu misses with an uppercut.
Nice uppercut lands for Velmu. That snapped Hanks's head back.
Craig Hanks is winning the standup battle so far.
Hanks connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Velmu throws a nice outside leg kick.
A punch combination from Hanks misses.
Hanks misses the shot to the body.
Velmu misses with a looping right.
Hanks scores with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanks staying out of range there.
Hanks staying out of range there.
Hanks ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Craig Hanks is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Velmu tries to move into range but Hanks moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Velmu shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hanks defends it nicely.
Velmu fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Hanks throws a looping overhand right but Velmu ducks down to avoid it.
Hanks misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Velmu.
That kick from Velmu tenderised Hanks's leg. Hanks is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nice shot lands for Velmu.
Velmu throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Velmu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hanks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Velmu somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Hanks misses the target.
Velmu tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hanks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Velmu somewhat.
Hanks lands with a cross.
Velmu scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hanks defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Velmu.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Velmu misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanks takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Velmu throws a right hand that misses
and Hanks counters with a leg kick.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hanks.
A big right from Hanks misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Craig Hanks will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Velmu throws a head kick but Hanks moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Velmu. Hanks does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hanks throws a low kick but Velmu moves out of range easily.
Jyrska Velmu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hanks with a jab.
Velmu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hanks.
Velmu fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Velmu throws a body punch but Hanks moves out of range.
Velmu tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A shot to the liver by Hanks. Beautiful body shot.
Velmu misses with a straight right.
Hanks throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Velmu staying out of range there.
Velmu takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Hanks throws out a leg kick but Velmu moves out of range and Hanks only half commits.
Velmu tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanks uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Velmu.
Velmu tests Hanks's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Velmu closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Hanks slaps away a takedown attempt from Velmu, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hanks moves out of range as Velmu strikes.
Hanks throws a leg kick that misses.
Hanks throws a hook but Velmu avoids it easily.
Velmu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hanks throws out the jab.

Hanks tries to sprawl but Velmu drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Velmu winds up and cracks Hanks with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hanks wants to improve his position but Velmu is controlling well.
Velmu throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velmu trying to control from half guard but Hanks is working away.
Velmu throwing shots but Hanks is blocking nicely.
Velmu has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hanks is pressing down on Velmu's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Velmu trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Velmuis looking to pass into half guard but Hanks pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Hanks is in guard.
Velmu wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanks would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Hanks preventing the sweep.

Velmu throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Velmu wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanks is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Velmu is looking for a triangle but Hanks pushes his legs off easily.
Velmu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Velmu throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanks controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jyrska Velmu just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Hanks's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Velmu tries for a takedown but Hanks sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Velmu fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Velmu fails with a takedown attempt.
Hanks connects with a solid leg kick.
Velmu fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Velmu gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Hanks.
Velmu looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Velmu sizes up Hanks with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hanks slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Velmu.
Craig Hanks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jyrska Velmu.
Velmu bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanks connects with a leg kick. Velmu looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Velmu uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hanks.
Hanks just misses with a punch to the body.
Velmu lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Velmu does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Velmu checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hanks leaves Velmu with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Velmu defending well as Hanks loads up on a big left hand.
Velmu misses with a hook
and Hanks counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hanks takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Velmu thuds a left hand into Hanks's body.
Velmu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hanks manages to avoid it.
Hanks takes one on the chin but keeps coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velmu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Hanks. Hanks circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
That kick from Hanks tenderised Velmu's leg. Velmu is trying to keep his angry face on.
Velmu shoots for a double leg takedown but Hanks sprawls well. He's pushed Velmu's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Velmu is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hanks dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Velmu. That did some damage!
Hanks shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Velmu fails with the takedown.
Velmu shoots in for a double leg but Hanks sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Velmu throws a hook to the side of Hanks's head but Hanks sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Hanks misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hanks goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Velmu misses with an uppercut
and Hanks counters with a right hand to the body.
Hanks connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanks fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Velmu on the side of the head.
Velmu takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hanks cracks Velmu with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Velmu shoots in for a takedown but Hanks shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
A lazy left from Hanks finds it's target.
Velmu takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Velmu drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Velmu throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hanks on the side of the head.
Hanks moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Hanks checks a leg kick.
Velmu looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Velmu swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Velmu takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Hanks cracks Velmu with a good jab.

Velmu drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hanks bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Velmu's guard.
Hanks preventing the sweep.

Velmu looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Velmu looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hanks decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Velmu, up you get!
Hanks slips a straight right by Velmu.
Velmu's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Velmu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Hanks had his way with Jyrska Velmu in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Hanks throws the kick towards the body but Velmu avoids it.
Velmu lands with a hook. Hanks tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Velmu misses with a straight right.
Hanks throws out a powerful jab.
Hanks throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Velmu misses with a body shot.
No luck for Velmu with that takedown attempt.
Velmu shoots for a takedown but Hanks saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hanks misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Velmu shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Velmu showed some decent athleticism there.
Hanks controlling the position well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Velmu throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Hanks is looking to improve his position.
Velmu drops an elbow to the side of Hanks's head.
Velmu seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hanks does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Velmu trying to control from Hanks's half guard. Hanks has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Velmu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Velmu throws a big elbow that misses.
Velmu stands and throws Hanks's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Hanks wants to control but Velmu postures up.
Hanks takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Velmu with the ground and pound but Hanks regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Velmu thows a huge punch but Hanks dodges it nicely.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Velmu trying to mount his opponent but Hanks defends it.
Velmu is looking to pass Hanks's guard but actually Hanks recovers to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Velmu wants to control from the top but Hanks keeps moving.
Velmu trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Velmu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hanks is keeping the position for now.
Hanks trying to control the position.
Hanks controlling Velmu's posture.
Velmu pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hanks is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanks working a defensive guard here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Craig Hanks.
Hanks throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Hanks rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Velmu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Velmu throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hanks throws a nice head kick!
Velmu fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hanks.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Velmu scoring well with a low kick there.
Velmu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hanks tries to avoid it but Velmu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hanks to the ground. Hanks escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Craig Hanks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jyrska Velmu.
Hanks misses with a body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jyrska Velmu comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Velmu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Ren Mimura scores the fight 47:48
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 48:48
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 47:48

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Jyrska Velmu!
Jyrska Velmu is the new welterweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Jyrska Velmu thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.