PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Merrimack Stronghammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mika Kallio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Merrimack Stronghammer has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Stronghammer
vs
Kallio

173 cm
18
221 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

191 cm
25
208 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Merrimack Stronghammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mika Kallio!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stronghammer shoots in and gets a takedown into Kallio's guard.
Kallio can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Stronghammer controls the pace.
Stronghammer's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
Kallio looking for a sweep. Not yet Kallio, not yet.
Stronghammer controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Merrimack Stronghammer.

Kallio gets caught napping as Stronghammer dives in and scores a takedown. Kallio manages to retain guard.
Stronghammer might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Stronghammer is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Kallio looking to control but Stronghammer passes into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stronghammer controlling the action here.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stronghammer seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Kallio for as long as he can get away with.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Kallio can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kallio trying to hold on to Stronghammer's head to control him but Stronghammer postures up.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Stronghammer controlling the action here.

We're going to have a standup here because Merrimack Stronghammer wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Kallio tries to clinch but Stronghammer moves away

and Stronghammer counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Kallio's guard now.
Stronghammer controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Stronghammer tries to free his leg and advance position but Kallio is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stronghammer 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.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Merrimack Stronghammer.
Stronghammer blocks a head kick by Kallio.
Kallio misses with a head kick.
Kallio tries to clinch up.

Stronghammer dives in and scores a takedown into Kallio's guard.
Stronghammer is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Stronghammer really is a fat lump.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Merrimack Stronghammer has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Kallio scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Kallio ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

Stronghammer feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Stronghammer is stalling in the full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kallio is trying to keep Stronghammer in close.
Stronghammer is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Merrimack Stronghammer wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Kallio gets caught napping as Stronghammer dives in and scores a takedown. Kallio manages to retain guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stronghammer is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kallio utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Stronghammer's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Stronghammer lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stronghammer passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Stronghammer controlling the position from side mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merrimack Stronghammer dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Stronghammer shoots in and bounces Kallio off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Stronghammer is in close to Kallio's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Stronghammer is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Stronghammer stops Kallio from standing up.
Stronghammer sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Stronghammer scoring with some ground and pound.
Stronghammer engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Merrimack Stronghammer wasn't doing enough on the ground.

Stronghammer closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Stronghammer lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Stronghammer lands strikes from half guard.
Stronghammer is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Stronghammer has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Stronghammer winds up and cracks Kallio with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Kallio tries to kick Stronghammer off but Stronghammer keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Still in half guard, Stronghammer seems content to control.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Merrimack Stronghammer.
Kallio lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stronghammer fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Kallio sprawls well initially but Stronghammer persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stronghammer controlling the pace.
Stronghammer landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Stronghammer slows the pace down in half guard.
Stronghammer passes to side control.
Stronghammer content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Kallio taking a bit of punishment here - Stronghammer scoring with strikes.
Kallio tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Stronghammer wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Stronghammer taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stronghammer working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Stronghammer just content to control the position.
Stronghammer in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
Stronghammer has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Stronghammer slows the pace down.
Stronghammer lands some shots froms side control.
Stronghammer is working Kallio over with some ground and pound from side control.
Stronghammer taking a breather here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kallio is trying to control Stronghammer's posture but Stronghammer avoids it.
Stronghammer controlling the position.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

We're going to have a standup here because Merrimack Stronghammer wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Stronghammer clinches up with Kallio and pushes him back against the cage.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Stronghammer lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Stronghammer looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Merrimack Stronghammer dominated that second round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

No joy there for Kallio, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kallio scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Kallio scores with a crisp jab that stopped Stronghammer in his tracks.

Stronghammer fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Kallio, pushing him back against the cage.
Stronghammer is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kallio can do to turn this around?

Stronghammer wants the takedown. Kallio is fighting it off but Stronghammer persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Kallio's guard against the cage.
Kallio is trying to control the position but Stronghammer postures up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Stronghammer looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Merrimack Stronghammer overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Merrimack Stronghammer just wasn't active enough.
Kallio lands a slapping body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A head kick from Kallio lands but Stronghammer takes it in his stride.

It looks like Merrimack Stronghammer has been cut.

Stronghammer moves into range and clinches up with Kallio.
Stronghammer misses with a punch on the inside.
A short body shot lands from Kallio as the two fighters clinch.
Kallio tries a body shot but Stronghammer blocks it.
Kallio comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kallio gets through Stronghammer's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Stronghammer misses with a punch on the inside.
Kallio wants to get back to striking at distance but Stronghammer won't allow it.
Kallio lands a hook that snaps the head of Stronghammer backwards.
Stronghammer drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kallio pulls his leg out and moves away.
Stronghammer is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Kallio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stronghammer forces Kallio back against the cage and clinches.
Kallio controlling the action here for a moment.

Stronghammer has clasped his hands together around Kallio's back... aaand, he's got a takedown into side control. Nicely done.
Stronghammer controls the position from side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Kallio is working to avoid the ground and pound but Stronghammer connects with a decent elbow.
Stronghammer working away.
Kallio on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Kallio can't do much from the bottom here.
Stronghammer remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.
Mika Kallio has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Good leg kick by Kallio there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stronghammer doesn't manage to clinch there - Kallio circles away.
Kallio throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.

Kallio gets caught flat footed, as Stronghammer shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Stronghammer slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Stronghammer landing some decent shots from guard.
Kallio can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Stronghammer controls the pace.
Stronghammer trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Kallio looking to control but Stronghammer passes into half guard.
Merrimack Stronghammer is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Stronghammer performing his best blanket impression for a moment.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mika Kallio.
I think Stronghammer 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:28
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Merrimack Stronghammer!
Merrimack Stronghammer 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.