PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jukko Hamalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rip James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hamalainen comes to the cage accompanied by the Finnish National Anthem. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hamalainen
vs
James

190 cm
23
247 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

194 cm
23
270 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Knockout power

Blueprint Clothing
Syndicate Drugs

TFP Graphics
Crippler's Corner

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jukko Hamalainen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rip James!
The judges for this bout are Emerson Jorge, Alexandre Firmino and Luis Engracia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamalainen shoots in but James avoids the takedown attempt easily.

James closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

James escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Hamalainen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.

James defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Hamalainen.
Hamalainen prevents James from getting the reversal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hamalainen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as James is looking to escape.

Hamalainen wants to finish this one by submission but James is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Hamalainen.
James is looking to improve his position but Hamalainen isn't that keen on the idea.
James has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.
James manages to reverse the position and now he's in Hamalainen's guard. Nice work there by James.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James looking to pass the guard.
James is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Hamalainen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. James manages to get himself to full guard.
James trying to punch from his back but it's not doing any damage.
Hamalainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hamalainen wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
Hamalainen wants to pass the guard but James is keeping the position.

James had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hamalainen is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. James Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hamalainen's back instead.
I really don't envy Hamalainen right now.
Hamalainen covering up well and avoiding damage.

Hamalainen preventing the rear naked choke attempt from James.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

James is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Hamalainen is defending well though. James let's go of the attempt for now.
James doesn't have the hooks in and Hamalainen manages to turn into his guard.

Hamalainen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Hamalainen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Hamalainen drops back looking for a leg! James is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and James manages to kick Hamalainen off! Hamalainen jumps back into James's guard.

James looking for a guillotine here but Hamalainen defends easily.
James wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen wants to control from the top but James keeps moving.
Hamalainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
James controls Hamalainen momentarily but Hamalainen frees himself.

James has his foot on Hamalainen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hamalainen works his way back into a safe position though.
Hamalainen passes James's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
James tries to get to full guard but Hamalainen has control of the leg.
James looks gassed!

Hamalainen is trying for a kimura here. James looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Hamalainen wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Jukko Hamalainen!
Jukko Hamalainen retains his heavyweight title!