PBP Commentary

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

Hirvonen
vs
Garkov

190 cm
25
219 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

197 cm
28
210 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Experienced

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Heikki Hirvonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sergei Garkov!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirvonen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hirvonen throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Garkov.
Garkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Garkov listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Hirvonen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Hirvonen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Garkov.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hirvonen forces Garkov back against the cage and clinches.
Garkov wants to get back to striking at distance but Hirvonen won't allow it.
Garkov has had enough of the clinch but Hirvonen keeps him there for the moment.

Hirvonen gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Garkov regains guard.
Garkov keeping moving, preventing Hirvonen from controlling successfully.
Hirvonen works over Garkov with some ground and pound from guard.
Garkov doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Garkov has control of Hirvonen's left arm, preventing Hirvonen from doing any damage.
Garkov tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garkov controls Hirvonen momentarily but Hirvonen frees himself.
Hirvonen is pushing down on Garkov's leg trying to pass to half guard. Garkov is fighting to maintain full guard but Hirvonen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Hirvonen prevents Garkov from improving his position.
Garkov is trying to stand.
Garkov wants to improve his position but Hirvonen is controlling well.

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

Hirvonen is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Garkov has managed to free his arm - good work.
The fighters are battling for position here. Garkov manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen won't allow Garkov to sweep him here.
Hirvonen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Garkov looking to control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Garkov wants to stand but Hirvonen is controlling the position.
Hirvonen won't allow Garkov to sweep him here.

Garkov scrambles and gets back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A punch combination from Garkov misses.
A slow jab from Hirvonen misses its intended target.
Garkov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Garkov throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hirvonen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garkov goes for a double leg but Hirvonen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Hirvonen continues to drive forward.
Hirvonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Garkov drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hirvonen pulls his leg out and moves away.
A combination from Garkov does no damage.
Hirvonen throws a front kick aimed at Garkov's knee but Garkov avoids it well.
Garkov swinging wildly here.
Garkov tries to bum rush Hirvonen with a series of wild strikes but Hirvonen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Garkov fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Garkov throws a right and a left that Hirvonen avoids nicely.
Garkov tries for a takedown but Hirvonen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Heikki Hirvonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Garkov.
Garkov throws out a powerful jab.
Garkov blocks a head kick by Hirvonen.
Garkov rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hirvonen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Garkov misses with a two punch combination.
Garkov tests Hirvonen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nice sprawl there from Hirvonen as Garkov shoots in.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Hirvonen walks into a jab.
Garkov fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Garkov misses with a takedown attempt

and Hirvonen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Garkov gets underhooks to prevent Hirvonen's takedown attempt.
Hirvonen stalling against the cage.
Garkov is looking to break free of the clinch but Hirvonen has double underhooks.
Hirvonen stalling in the clinch but Garkov improves position.
Garkov is pressed up against the cage. Hirvonen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Garkov down to the mat. Garkov avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Heikki Hirvonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Garkov looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nice takedown defense from Hirvonen. No joy for Garkov on that attempt.
Heikki Hirvonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Garkov.

Garkov fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hirvonen, pushing him back against the cage.
Garkov looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garkov shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hirvonen blocks a jab.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Garkov.
Garkov looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hirvonen is fending him off so far but Garkov persists. Nope, Hirvonen circles away and we're back to standing.
Garkov is breathing heavily.
Garkov fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Hirvonen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Garkov.
Garkov throws a series of strikes that have Hirvonen backpedaling.
Garkov throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hirvonen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hirvonen throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garkov swinging wildly here.
Garkov tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hirvonen swivels and escapes.
Nice defenses there by Hirvonen.
Garkov misses with a series of wild punches.
Hirvonen dodges the punch combination from Garkov.
Horrible takedown by Garkov or perhaps it was just good defense by Hirvonen which made him look bad.
Sergei Garkov seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Garkov shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Hirvonen pinned against the cage. Hirvonen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Garkov misses with a wild combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Hirvonen.
Garkov has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Garkov fails with a takedown attempt.
Garkov misses with the combination.
Garkov misses with a two punch combination.
Hirvonen misses with a head kick.
Garkov throws a right hand that Hirvonen ducks under and follows up with a left that Hirvonen also avoids with ease.
Sergei Garkov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Garkov misses with the combination.
Hirvonen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Garkov scores with a takedown into Hirvonen's guard.

Hirvonen has scooted to the edge of the canvas and used the cage to get back to his feet. Garkov has stuck on his opponent and is forcing him back against the cage.
Garkov has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Hirvonen is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Garkov blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hirvonen lands a knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hirvonen throws a knee to the head but misses.

Hirvonen breaks from the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Garkov swinging wildly here.
Garkov misses with a few strikes there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Sergei Garkov will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hirvonen throws a sloppy head kick and Garkov moves out of range easily.
Garkov closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hirvonen circles away.
Garkov fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Garkov dives in and grabs Hirvonen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hirvonen pushes down on Garkov's head and hops out.
Garkov misses with a takedown attempt
and Hirvonen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Garkov is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Heikki Hirvonen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Sergei Garkov.
Garkov misses with a double jab.
Garkov blocks a head kick by Hirvonen.
Garkov throws a right and a left that Hirvonen avoids nicely.
Hirvonen scores with a head kick. Garkov tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Garkov takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Garkov shoots in and drives through. Hirvonen sprawls well.

Hirvonen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Garkov keeping moving, preventing Hirvonen from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Garkov looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Garkov keeping moving, preventing Hirvonen from controlling successfully.
Hirvonen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hirvonen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Garkov preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Garkov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hirvonen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hirvonen wants to control from the top but Garkov keeps moving.
Garkov wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Hirvonen manages to pass to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garkov wants to get back to full guard.
Garkov avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Garkov wants to improve his position but Hirvonen is controlling well.
Heikki Hirvonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Garkov looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Hirvonen is keen to just control but Garkov is a slippery customer.
Heikki Hirvonen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garkov has a hand on Hirvonen's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Hirvonen takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Hirvonen avoids the attempt from Garkov to control.
Hirvonen lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.
Garkov is trying desperately to improve position.
Hirvonen has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Garkov's face.
Hirvonen looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hirvonen throwing strikes here but Garkov is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Hirvonen has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Garkov's face.

Garkov is rocked!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Garkov regains half guard.

Hirvonen is working for a kimura but Garkov is defending it quite comfortably.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garkov slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

Garkov looking for a guillotine here but Hirvonen defends easily.
Hirvonen stops Garkov from standing up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Garkov looking for a sweep. Not yet Garkov, not yet.
Garkov keeping moving, preventing Hirvonen from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Heikki Hirvonen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Garkov has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sergei Garkov!
Heikki Hirvonen was interviewed post fight and said 'Sorry for disappointing my fans and everybody in attendance.I hope I gave a good show. Im going back to the gym and coming back far stronger. '.