PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Roope Latvala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johan Axelsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Latvala comes to the cage accompanied by Children of Bodom - Tie my rope. Axelsson is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Petter - Det går bra nu. Roope Latvala could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Johan Axelsson's chin.

Latvala
vs
Axelsson

190 cm
24
212 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

183 cm
24
209 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roope Latvala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johan Axelsson!
The judges for this bout are John Roberts, Steve Montenegro and David Schapiro.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axelsson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Latvala manages to avoid it.
Latvala throws out a loose jab but Axelsson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Latvala has been working on his boxing with his coaches at Midnight MMA in the buildup to the fight.
Latvala takes a swing at Axelsson's ribcage but misses.
Axelsson on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Axelsson misses with a hook.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Axelsson, as that shot connected.

Axelsson pushes Latvala up against the cage in a clinch.
Latvala tries to circle away but Axelsson has him pinned against the cage.
Axelsson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Axelsson misses with some punches.
Latvala goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Still in the clinch, Latvala scores with a nice short uppercut.

It looks like Johan Axelsson has been cut.
Latvala throws a head punch that misses.
Still in the clinch, Latvala scores with a nice short uppercut.
Latvala lands a right hand that snaps the head of Axelsson backwards.

Axelsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Axelsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Latvala.
Axelsson is looking to clinch but Latvala is avoiding it.
Latvala misses with a shot to the body

and Axelsson counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Latvala's guard now.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Axelsson wants to control from the top but Latvala keeps moving.
Latvala has a closed guard, preventing Axelsson from standing up.
Latvala thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Latvala looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Axelsson is pushing down on Latvala's leg trying to pass to half guard. Latvala is fighting to maintain full guard but Axelsson has managed to sneak the leg through.
Latvala controlling the position for now.
Axelsson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Latvala punching from the bottom.
Axelsson trying to mount his opponent but Latvala defends it.
Axelsson has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latvala is looking for a sweep. Axelsson is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Axelsson is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Axelsson is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Latvala trying to control but Axelsson postures up.
Axelsson wants to lay and pray for a moment but Latvala keeps working.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Latvala wants to improve his position but Axelsson is controlling well.

Axelsson is trying to work for a kimura but Latvala is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Axelsson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Latvala defending well though.
Latvala tries to get to full guard but Axelsson has control of the leg.
Axelsson working Latvala over with strikes.
Latvala works his way to full guard. Good work.
Axelsson controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Axelsson trying to control the position from guard on top but Latvala is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Latvala wants to sweep here but Axelsson controlling him for the moment.
Axelsson wants to control from the top but Latvala keeps moving.
Latvala lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Axelsson!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Axelsson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Latvala has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Axelsson's face.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Axelsson is wriggling around trying to escape.
Latvala lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.

That has opened up Johan Axelsson's cut even more.
Axelsson takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Axelsson has found himself in a tricky position here. He's been working his transitions in training so let's see if he can work his way out of it.
Axelsson wants to control but Latvala is having none of it.
Latvala lands with some strikes.

The cut above Johan Axelsson's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Axelsson is working to get back to half guard.
Latvala is landing with some decent strikes but Axelsson is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roope Latvala dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Johan Axelsson's cut.
That's time! Latvala's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Latvala swings for the body but Axelsson moves out of range.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Johan Axelsson's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:10 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Roope Latvala!
Roope Latvala seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.