PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Johan Axelsson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roope Latvala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Axelsson's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Petter - Det går bra nu. Latvala is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Children of Bodom - Tie my rope. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Axelsson
vs
Latvala

183 cm
25
209 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

190 cm
24
212 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
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 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Johan Axelsson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Roope Latvala!
The judges for this bout are Anthony Taglia, Dean Styles and John Kavanagh.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Axelsson fails with a takedown attempt.
A clash of legs there as Latvala blocks the low kick.
Latvala throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Latvala has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Axelsson goes for a double leg but Latvala avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Latvala continues to drive forward.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Latvala.
Latvala letting Axelsson take a breather here.
Latvala tries to throw a body punch but Axelsson avoids it by throwing Latvala back against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Axelsson as Latvala tries to tie him up.
Latvala tries a body shot but Axelsson blocks it.
Latvala dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latvala lands a hook that snaps the head of Axelsson backwards.
A bit of stalling here from Latvala.
Axelsson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Axelsson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Axelsson as Latvala tries to tie him up.

Latvala manages to break the clinch.
Nice jab there from Latvala.
Latvala connects with a body shot that sends Axelsson's belly button to the back.
Latvala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Axelsson gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Axelsson escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Latvala gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Latvala wants to control from the top but Axelsson keeps moving.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Axelsson pulls Latvala in close to his closed guard and prevents Latvala from doing any damage or advancing position.

Axelsson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Latvala trying to control the position from guard on top but Axelsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latvala throws a big elbow that misses.
Latvala trying to control the position from guard on top but Axelsson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Axelsson seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Axelsson is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Axelsson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Latvala throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Latvala with a flurry of punches that miss.
Latvala trying to control but Axelsson is working from the bottom.

Latvala is sitting in close to Axelsson's body. Axelsson has gone for a guillotine from the bottom. Oh damn, that looks pretty tight! Latvala is panicking - it looks like this one could be all over! Yes, Latvala is tapping! That was a very nice submission by Axelsson.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Johan Axelsson!
In his post fight interview, Johan Axelsson started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.