PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Baller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Shukri Hakala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Baller comes into the arena with Helicopter, made of meat! blaring out of the sound system. Hakala has chosen Eminem: Just Lose It as his entrance music. The key to victory for Paul Baller has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Baller
vs
Hakala

225 cm
33
275 lbs
21 - 20 - 0

199 cm
23
279 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Solid chin

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 21 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Baller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shukri Hakala!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hakala shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Baller will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Baller throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Baller darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Baller lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Hakala circles away quickly and effectively.
Baller misses with a straight right.
Baller lands with an overhand left.
Baller really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A head kick misses from Baller.
Hakala ducks under a wild hook from Baller.
Sloppy strikes from Baller. Those never looked like landing.
Hakala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Hakala misses with an uppercut.
Baller throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baller looks to land a left hand but Hakala moved out of range nicely.
Hakala moves away from the strike by Baller.

Hakala scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.

Hakala is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Baller knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Hakala working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baller dodges the ground and pound from Hakala.

Hakala working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Hakala thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Hakala has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Baller is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baller on the wrong end of some ground and pound.

Hakala is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Baller has escaped the position, nice work there.
Baller is not content to let Hakala control the position.

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

Hakala looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Baller wants to control but Hakala postures up.
Hakala wants to lay and pray for a moment but Baller keeps working.
Baller is trying to control Hakala's posture but Hakala avoids it.
Baller is looking to regain half guard here but Hakala keeps moving and retains side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baller sneaks back into half guard.
Baller is looking to improve his position.
Baller trying to hold on to Hakala's head to control him but Hakala postures up.

Hakala is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Baller is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hakala scores with a couple of nice shots.
Baller is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hakala's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hakala's back!
Baller trying to control momentarily.
Baller will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Hakala rolls, trying to escape but Baller keeps control of the position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hakala is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baller is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Baller trying to control.
Hakala rolls, trying to escape but Baller keeps control of the position.
Hakala manages to reverse the position and now he's in Baller's guard. Nice work there by Hakala.
Baller wants to sweep here but Hakala controlling him for the moment.

Hakala avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Baller can't keep his opponent in guard - Hakala advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Hakala is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Baller defends it well.

Hakala wants to work for an arm triangle but Baller is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Shukri Hakala dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Baller defending well as Hakala loads up on a big left hand.
Hakala shoots in for a takedown but Baller shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Baller looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hakala fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Hakala throws a big shot that misses.
Good exchange - Baller coming out on top.
Baller throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Paul Baller seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Baller bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Hakala looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

Hakala drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Baller dives on top into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hakala throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Hakala is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baller trying to control but Hakala is working from the bottom.

Hakala working for a triangle but Baller defends it easily.

Hakala is looking for a triangle but Baller pushes his legs off easily.
Baller trying to control but Hakala is working from the bottom.
Hakala is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Hakala tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baller advances to half guard.
Baller looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hakala flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hakala manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Hakala looking for a guillotine here but Baller defends easily.
Baller trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Baller has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hakala will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Baller stopping the sweep attempt from Hakala.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Baller trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Baller got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hakala has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Baller has managed to get both his arms back between Hakala's legs - danger averted.

Hakala is looking for a triangle but Baller pushes his legs off easily.
Hakala is breathing heavily.
Hakala keeping moving, preventing Baller from controlling successfully.
Baller is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hakala is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

Hakala looking for a triangle here. Baller is fighting it but it looks tight! Hakala pulls the arm across and this one won't last much longer! Nope, Baller is tapping out - this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:44 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Shukri Hakala!
Shukri Hakala took to the microphone after his victory and thanked his sponsors, Elite Fighter© w/$10-$35 Clothing and 90% LAUNDRY! for their support in the buildup to the fight.