PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mica Makaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dominic Crizanto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makaaja's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, BassLovers United - I Can't Dance. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Makaaja
vs
Crizanto

180 cm
33
215 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

200 cm
35
210 lbs
15 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class 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 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mica Makaaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dominic Crizanto!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Crizanto shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Makaaja's guard.

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

Makaaja looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Makaaja looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Crizanto passes into half guard.
Makaaja moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Crizanto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Makaaja isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Crizanto stacks Makaaja 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 Crizanto!
Makaaja is looking to regain half guard here but Crizanto keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Crizanto wants to control but Makaaja is keeping him busy.
Makaaja is looking for a sweep.
Makaaja is working hard here to advance position.
Crizanto trying to control the position but Makaaja is working away.
Makaaja sneaks back into half guard.
Crizanto tries to stand but his arm is trapped.
Ground and pound from Crizanto.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makaaja keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Makaaja trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Crizanto wants to control but Makaaja is keeping him busy.
Makaaja might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Makaaja is trying to control but can't.

Makaaja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Crizanto trying to control from half guard but Makaaja is working away.

Makaaja is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Crizanto pulls his head out easily.
We've been hearing good reports from Makaaja's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Makaaja moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Makaaja escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Crizanto gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Makaaja working for submissions but it's allowed Crizanto to get to half guard.
Makaaja is looking to control Crizanto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Makaaja avoid being mounted?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crizanto stalling.
Crizanto tries to stand but can't do so whilst Makaaja controls his leg.

Makaaja is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Crizanto pulls his head out easily.
Crizanto is keen to just control but Makaaja is a slippery customer.
Makaaja tries to get to full guard but Crizanto has control of the leg.

Makaaja looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makaaja is staying active underneath Crizanto, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Crizanto is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Makaaja trying to control here.

Makaaja looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Makaaja actively working from the bottom here.
Makaaja keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Makaaja looking for submissions off his back.
Crizanto seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mica Makaaja dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Crizanto dives in and grabs Makaaja's left leg, looking for a takedown. Makaaja pushes down on Crizanto's head and hops out.
Crizanto shoots in for a takedown but Makaaja shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Makaaja tries to score a power double leg takedown but Crizanto sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Makaaja somewhat.
Makaaja tries for a takedown but Crizanto sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Horrible takedown by Crizanto or perhaps it was just good defense by Makaaja which made him look bad.
Mica Makaaja has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Dominic Crizanto.
Crizanto dives in for a single leg takedown but Makaaja sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Crizanto has hold of one of Makaaja's legs. Makaaja is fighting the takedown attempt but Crizanto gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Mica Makaaja overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Makaaja manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makaaja is working for a guillotine from mount but Crizanto frees his head quite easily.
Crizanto wants to hold on but Makaaja pushes him away.
Makaaja seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Crizanto is holding on tight.

Makaaja jumps to the side looking to secure the arm triangle…. Ooooh, that looks tight… Crizanto is gargling but he's managed to escape! Nice work there by Crizanto and Makaaja has given up the dominant position trying to land that submission.
Makaaja works to advance to full mount. Crizanto defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Crizanto wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.
Crizanto is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Makaaja off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.
Makaaja trying to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Makaaja patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Crizanto tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Makaaja has control of Crizanto's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Crizanto regains control of the situation pretty easily.

Makaaja moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Crizanto has worked his arm free - good work by Crizanto!
Crizanto tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Makaaja wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Makaaja trying to control the action but Crizanto is working from the bottom.

Makaaja thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Makaaja trying to control the action but Crizanto is working from the bottom.
You can see the frustration on Crizanto's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Makaaja trying to control the position but Crizanto is working away.

Makaaja looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Makaaja thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Makaaja looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Makaaja looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Makaaja is trying to move to mount but Crizanto reverses beautifully and ends up in Makaaja's guard.

Crizanto decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Makaaja, up you get!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Crizanto pushes Makaaja up against the cage in a clinch.
Crizanto scores with an uppercut up the middle.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mica Makaaja dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Crizanto will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Crizanto tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Makaaja defends well and Crizanto ends up having to push Makaaja into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Crizanto jumps guard.
Makaaja stands and throws Crizanto's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Crizanto prevents Makaaja from improving position.

Makaaja swings around for an armbar but Crizanto sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Makaaja's guard.
Crizanto missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Makaaja has an active guard here but Crizanto has managed to pass into half guard.

Makaaja looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makaaja is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Crizanto pulls his head out easily.
Crizanto throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Crizanto missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Crizanto looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Crizanto sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Makaaja defending well though.
Crizanto thows a huge punch but Makaaja dodges it nicely.
Crizanto wants to control but Makaaja is keeping him busy.

Makaaja is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Crizanto pulls his head out easily.
Makaaja wants to control but Crizanto is keeping busy.
Crizanto is pressing down on Makaaja's thigh, looking to free his foot. Makaaja is holding on for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Makaaja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Makaaja is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Crizanto pulls his head out easily.
Makaaja is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Makaaja is looking to control Crizanto's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Makaaja avoid being mounted?
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Makaaja is refusing to be controlled, as Crizanto sits in half guard.
Crizanto throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Crizanto is looking to stall here but Makaaja recovers full guard.

Makaaja looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Crizanto trying to stand up but can't free himself from Makaaja's guard.
Crizanto trying to control but Makaaja is working from the bottom.
Makaaja working a defensive guard here.

Makaaja looking for subs off his back but Crizanto has passed one foot through into half guard.

Makaaja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Makaaja won't allow Crizanto to pass to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Makaaja trying to hold on to Crizanto's head to control him but Crizanto postures up.
Crizanto trying to control the action but Makaaja is working from the bottom.

Makaaja looking for submissions off his back.
Makaaja moves into full guard.

Makaaja is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Crizanto wants to pass the guard but Makaaja is keeping the position.
Dominic Crizanto has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mica Makaaja is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Crizanto accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Mica Makaaja.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Makaaja, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mica Makaaja!
Mica Makaaja made sure to mention his sponsor, Zipp Zapp in his post fight interview.