PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Yuri Hanzzle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kristan Maruyama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hanzzle
vs
Maruyama

186 cm
21
210 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

191 cm
23
218 lbs
6 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Granite chin

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Yuri Hanzzle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Kristan Maruyama!
The judges for this bout are Steven Brown, Colin Fotheringham and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Maruyama with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Maruyama tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Hanzzle counters with a three punch combo that has Maruyama backing up. Maruyama nods at Hanzzle to acknowledge the strikes.
Hanzzle throws a series of punches but Maruyama avoids them all with ease.
Hanzzle misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hanzzle scoring well with a low kick there.
Maruyama is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Kristan Maruyama seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Maruyama chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hanzzle can pounce on him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Maruyama looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Maruyama tries to clinch
and Hanzzle counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hanzzle seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Maruyama wants to clinch up but Hanzzle keeps it at a distance.
Hanzzle throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maruyama wants to clinch but Hanzzle slips to the side
and Maruyama takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hanzzle thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Maruyama if he has to take too many more of those.
Hanzzle throws a series of punches but Maruyama moves out of range.
Hanzzle ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Maruyama moves away.
Maruyama tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Hanzzle makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Maruyama closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Maruyama trying to control the action but Hanzzle is working from the bottom.

Maruyama working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hanzzle is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Hanzzle is pressing down on Maruyama's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maruyama won't allow Hanzzle to sweep him here.
Maruyama tries to free his leg and advance position but Hanzzle is retaining full guard.
Maruyama trying to control but Hanzzle is working from the bottom.
Hanzzle wants to sweep but no luck.
Hanzzle is pulling down on Maruyama's head. It's preventing any offense from Maruyama, at least for the moment.
Hanzzle wants to sweep here but Maruyama controlling him for the moment.
Maruyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanzzle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanzzle looking for a sweep. Not yet Hanzzle, not yet.
Hanzzle not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maruyama trying to control the position from guard on top but Hanzzle is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Kristan Maruyama.
Hanzzle takes a swing at Maruyama's ribcage but misses.
Maruyama moves to clinch but Hanzzle breaks away
and Hanzzle counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Maruyama moves to clinch but Hanzzle breaks away
and Maruyama takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hanzzle scoring well with a low kick there.
Maruyama wants to clinch.
Maruyama avoids the head kick by Hanzzle.
Hanzzle throws out a leg kick but Maruyama moves out of range and Hanzzle only half commits.
Maruyama throws a leg kick but Hanzzle sees it coming and checks it nicely.

Hanzzle feints and as Maruyama raises his hands in defense, Hanzzle changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Maruyama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hanzzle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Our spies down at at London MMA Fight Academy inform us that Maruyama has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maruyama is trying to control the position but Hanzzle postures up.

Maruyama working for a triangle but Hanzzle defends it easily.
Hanzzle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Maruyama working a defensive guard but Hanzzle passes into half guard.
Hanzzle is nestled in close to Maruyama, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanzzle is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Hanzzle not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Hanzzle dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Maruyama is looking to clinch but Hanzzle is avoiding it.
Maruyama tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hanzzle manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hanzzle lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Maruyama tries to clinch up.
Hanzzle throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A slow jab from Hanzzle misses its intended target.
A big left from Maruyama misses.
Maruyama tries to score with a low kick but Hanzzle moves his leg out of the way.
Maruyama wants to clinch.
Maruyama keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hanzzle.
Hanzzle throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Maruyama.
Maruyama checks the leg kick nicely there.
Maruyama tries to clinch but Hanzzle moves out of range.
Hanzzle scores with a shot to the body.
Maruyama moves out of range of the strikes.
Hanzzle chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hanzzle gets tackled into the cage by Maruyama. Maruyama maintains the clinch.
Hanzzle blocks an elbow strike from Maruyama.
Hanzzle lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Maruyama backwards.
Maruyama throws an elbow that misses.

Hanzzle's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Maruyama tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Hanzzle counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hanzzle moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

Maruyama closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Maruyama pushes off an throws an elbow but Hanzzle leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Hanzzle lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hanzzle presses Maruyama against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Maruyama holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Hanzzle working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Still in the clinch, Hanzzle scores with a nice short uppercut.
The referee is keeping an eye on Hanzzle - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.

Hanzzle manages to break the clinch.
A combination from Hanzzle does no damage.
Hanzzle connects with a good right hand that stumbles Maruyama. Maruyama circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Maruyama tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kristan Maruyama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maruyama closes the distance but Hanzzle moves to the side
and Hanzzle cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Maruyama tries to close the distance and clinch but Hanzzle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Maruyama blocks a jab.
A low kick from Hanzzle is predictable there
and Maruyama counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Maruyama fails in his attempt to clinch.
A leg kick checked by Maruyama.
Hanzzle uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Maruyama.
Maruyama tries to clinch but Hanzzle moves away
and Hanzzle counters with an outside leg kick.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hanzzle lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

Maruyama is looking for a triangle but Hanzzle pushes his legs off easily.
Hanzzle pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Maruyama is keeping the position for now.

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

Maruyama looking for a guillotine here but Hanzzle defends easily.
Hanzzle scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanzzle trying to control but Maruyama is working from the bottom.

Maruyama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hanzzle working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Maruyama keeping moving, preventing Hanzzle from controlling successfully.

Maruyama isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Hanzzle stacks Maruyama on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Hanzzle!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maruyama taking punishment in the form of punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hanzzle wants to lay and pray for a moment but Maruyama keeps working.
Maruyama is trying to control Hanzzle's posture but Hanzzle avoids it.
Maruyama is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Yuri Hanzzle dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Maruyama steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hanzzle. That one must have hurt.
Hanzzle throws a leg kick that misses.
Hanzzle keeps the fight on the outside.
Maruyama staying out of range there.
Yuri Hanzzle is winning the standup battle so far.
Hanzzle lands with a hook. Maruyama tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Maruyama throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Maruyama misses with a body shot.
Maruyama moves in looking to clinch but Hanzzle pushes him off.

Hanzzle shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Hanzzle trying to pass the guard but Maruyama defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hanzzle is keen to just control but Maruyama is a slippery customer.
Maruyama is trying to maintain the position but Hanzzle is very close to passing his half guard.
Maruyama is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hanzzle landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Maruyama is trying to control but can't.

Maruyama is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Hanzzle pulls his head out easily.
Hanzzle stalling.
Yuri Hanzzle overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Maruyama gets full guard.
Hanzzle passes into half guard.
Hanzzle wants to pass to mount but Maruyama is defending the position.
Hanzzle works his way into full mount!
Yuri Hanzzle is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hanzzle controlling from mount.
Maruyama can't escape the position.
Maruyama is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Maruyama tries to hold on but Hanzzle pushes him away.
Hanzzle scoring with strikes but Maruyama is staying in there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hanzzle lands a big shot there that rocks Maruyama but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Maruyama regains half guard.
Maruyama on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Maruyama looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hanzzle performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Hanzzle trying to control from half guard but Maruyama is working away.
Hanzzle content to control rather than advance.
Kristan Maruyama has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Maruyama is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hanzzle slips a nice elbow through Maruyama's hands, connecting with Maruyama's forehead.
Hanzzle controlling the action here.

Maruyama actively working from the bottom here.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
Hanzzle working the head and body with strikes.
Hanzzle looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hanzzle connects with a nice short shot to Maruyama's temple.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hanzzle is figuring out what he wants to do next.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

And that's the end of the fight!
Yuri Hanzzle showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Hanzzle has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Steven Brown scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 30:27
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Yuri Hanzzle!
Yuri Hanzzle thanked the fans post fight for their support.