PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Vartan Mamikonyan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Helppo Heikki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mamikonyan comes to the cage accompanied by True Armenian Hero. Heikki has chosen Tech N9ne - Absolute Power as his entrance music. Vartan Mamikonyan had a look across the cage there at his opponent. He definitely means business

Mamikonyan
vs
Heikki

179 cm
26
193 lbs
12 - 8 - 0

185 cm
29
198 lbs
10 - 12 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vartan Mamikonyan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Helppo Heikki!
The judges for this bout are Jorge Garcia, Chad Campbell and Eddie Farnsworth.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Heikki fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Mamikonyan tries to close the distance and clinch but Heikki swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mamikonyan doesn't manage to clinch there - Heikki circles away.

Heikki is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Mamikonyan's half guard.
Mamikonyan has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.
Mamikonyan is pressing down on Heikki's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Mamikonyan wants to sweep but no luck.
Heikki prevents Mamikonyan from getting back to his feet.
Heikki throws a big right hand that misses.
Heikki postures up in Mamikonyan's guard and throws a big left but Mamikonyan blocks it.
Mamikonyan looking for a sweep. Not yet Mamikonyan, not yet.
Mamikonyan pulls Heikki in close to prevent any damage.
Heikki content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heikki trying to move into half guard but instead Mamikonyan has managed to sweep!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Heikki had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Mamikonyan defends it easily.
Heikki striking off his back but it's not causing Mamikonyan any problems.

Heikki has his foot on Mamikonyan's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Mamikonyan works his way back into a safe position though.

Heikki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mamikonyan can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mamikonyan wanted to stand there but Heikki had control of the position.
Heikki can't keep his opponent in guard - Mamikonyan advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Heikki wants to get back to full guard.

Heikki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Mamikonyan sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Mamikonyan tries to stand but can't do so whilst Heikki controls his leg.

Mamikonyan decides to return to a standing position.
Helppo Heikki seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Mamikonyan has taken the fight to the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Heikki can't get the takedown.
Mamikonyan gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Heikki.
Vartan Mamikonyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Helppo Heikki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Mamikonyan.

It looks like Helppo Heikki has been cut.
Heikki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mamikonyan after a bit of a struggle.
Heikki goes for a takedown in the clinch but Mamikonyan prevents it.
Heikki tries to stall but Mamikonyan uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Mamikonyan is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Mamikonyan is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Heikki is keeping busy.
Mamikonyan is struggling to control the position.
Heikki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mamikonyan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Mamikonyan tries to clinch up.
Mamikonyan tries to clinch there but Heikki circles away.
Mamikonyan tries to close the distance and clinch but Heikki swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mamikonyan is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Heikki tries for a takedown but Mamikonyan circles away easily
and Mamikonyan cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Heikki shoots and misses

and Mamikonyan counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Mamikonyan.
Heikki dodges an elbow strike from Mamikonyan.
Heikki managing to block the knees to the body from Mamikonyan.
Heikki avoids a wild elbow strike from Mamikonyan.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mamikonyan looking to throw knees to the head but Heikki is blocking nicely.
Heikki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mamikonyan after a bit of a struggle.
Mamikonyan tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Heikki avoids it.
A head punch on the inside from Mamikonyan fails to land.
Mamikonyan throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Heikkis head.

Heikki gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Mamikonyan regains guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Mamikonyan wants to stand up but Heikki is controlling him.
Mamikonyan avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Heikki trying to control but Mamikonyan is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Vartan Mamikonyan will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Helppo Heikki's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Mamikonyan moves into the clinch successfully.
Mamikonyan looks to throw an elbow but misses.

Mamikonyan escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Mamikonyan tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Mamikonyan instigates a clinch.
Mamikonyan lands an elbow that stopped Heikki in his tracks for a moment.
Mamikonyan misses with a knee to the head.
Mamikonyan goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Mamikonyan looking to throw knees to the head but Heikki is blocking nicely.
Heikki blocks the elbow strike.
Mamikonyan misses with a hook from the clinch.
Mamikonyan is trying to stall.
Heikki is looking for a takedown.
Mamikonyan pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Heikki wants to take the fight to the mat but Mamikonyan manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Mamikonyan pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Heikki fails with the takedown

and Mamikonyan counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Vartan Mamikonyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Helppo Heikki.
Heikki wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Mamikonyan has him pressed against the cage.
Heikki looking for a takedown.
Heikki has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Mamikonyan avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Mamikonyan slows down the pace here.
Mamikonyan is defending well against a takedown attempt.

Mamikonyan breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Heikki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Mamikonyan as he avoids it easily.

Mamikonyan moves into the clinch.

Heikki lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Mamikonyan moves into full guard.
Heikki postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mamikonyan wants to stand but Heikki is controlling the position.

Heikki is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Mamikonyan is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Mamikonyan has escaped and now he's on top!
Mamikonyan wants to stand and escape but instead Heikki has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Heikki looking to pass the guard.

Mamikonyan is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Heikki presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Heikki managing to block the knees to the body from Mamikonyan.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mamikonyan is trying to break the clinch but Heikki has him pressed against the cage.
Mamikonyan softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Heikki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Mamikonyan after a bit of a struggle.
Heikki stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Heikki blocks an uppercut.
Mamikonyan is trying to maintain a safe position but Heikki gets an underhook and turns Mamikonyan into the cage.
Heikki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Mamikonyan gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Mamikonyan throws a punch but it's blocked by Heikki.
Heikki tries to score a body lock takedown but Mamikonyan shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Mamikonyan with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Heikki has Mamikonyan pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Mamikonyan manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Heikki is looking to take this one to the mat.

Heikki has picked Mamikonyan up - he's going for a ride! Heikki dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Heikki is breathing heavily.
Mamikonyan wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mamikonyan manages to get to full guard.
Mamikonyan looking for a sweep. Not yet Mamikonyan, not yet.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Heikki won't allow Mamikonyan to get back to his feet.
Mamikonyan preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Heikki lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Heikki is looking to work some ground and pound but Mamikonyan has wrist control.
Mamikonyan is trying to hold Heikki in close to prevent damage but Heikki has managed to pass into half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Heikki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Mamikonyan gets full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Vartan Mamikonyan dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Helppo Heikki's cut.
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!

Heikki shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Heikki dives in and scores a takedown into Mamikonyan's guard.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Mamikonyan manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Mamikonyan slows down the pace here.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Heikki.
Mamikonyan lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
A short left from Heikki.
Mamikonyan is trying to stall.
Vartan Mamikonyan has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Mamikonyan is pressed up against the cage. Heikki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Mamikonyan down to the mat. Mamikonyan avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Heikki clinches up against the cage.
Heikki wants a takedown but no success here.
Vartan Mamikonyan has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Helppo Heikki.
Mamikonyan lands a knee to the body.
Heikki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mamikonyan lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Heikki blocks the elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mamikonyan is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Mamikonyan landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Mamikonyan lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nice elbow from Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan misses with an elbow strike.
Heikki is trying to push Mamikonyan away but Mamikonyan has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Mamikonyan misses with a knee to the head.
Mamikonyan tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Heikki's elbow.
Heikki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Mamikonyan fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Vartan Mamikonyan is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Mamikonyan lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Heikki fails with a takedown attempt.
Mamikonyan tries to close the distance and clinch but Heikki swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Mamikonyan darts in trying to clinch
and Heikki counters with a straight right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Mamikonyan gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A bit of stalling here from Mamikonyan.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mamikonyan using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Heikki has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Knees to the body from Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Heikki avoids a wild elbow strike from Mamikonyan.
Knees in the clinch landing for Mamikonyan.
Heikki swings wildly with an uppercut but Mamikonyan uses good head movement to avoid it.
Mamikonyan tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Mamikonyan lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Heikki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Heikki goes for a takedown attempt but Mamikonyan pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Heikki swats away the attempt to clinch by Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan connects with a leg kick. Heikki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.

Mamikonyan drives through and clinches with Heikki against the cage.
Mamikonyan looking to slow down the pace here.
Mamikonyan prevents the takedown attempt.
Mamikonyan has Heikki pressed against the cage, preventing Heikki from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Mamikonyan throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Mamikonyan leaning his opponent against the cage.
Mamikonyan using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Mamikonyan.
Mamikonyan lands a left hand.
Helppo Heikki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mamikonyan misses with the head strike.
Mamikonyan makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Mamikonyan tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Heikki avoids it.
A short uppercut from Mamikonyan.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Mamikonyan with a knee to the head.
Mamikonyan lands a knee to the body.
Mamikonyan with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That has opened up Helppo Heikki's cut even more.
Mamikonyan is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Heikki is defending well for now.
Mamikonyan is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Heikki is keeping busy.
Mamikonyan gets through Heikki's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Mamikonyan creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Vartan Mamikonyan is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Heikki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Heikki jumps guard but Mamikonyan turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Mamikonyan is looking to control Heikki's arms but Heikki gets an underhook and turns him. Now Mamikonyan has his back to the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vartan Mamikonyan showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Mamikonyan, 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 Jorge Garcia scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 30:27
Judge Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Vartan Mamikonyan!
Vartan Mamikonyan looked relieved post fight as he said the following; 'I'm back after losing streak, yeaaaaaaaaaaa'.