PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Iggor Souza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Heikki Hirvonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Heikki Hirvonen has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Souza
vs
Hirvonen

191 cm
26
215 lbs
3 - 5 - 0

190 cm
26
219 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 3 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iggor Souza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Heikki Hirvonen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirvonen scores with a decent looking hook.
Souza thuds his shin into the meat of Hirvonen's side.
Souza misses with a head kick.
Hirvonen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Souza on the side of the head.
Hirvonen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Hirvonen slaps away a takedown attempt from Souza, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hirvonen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Souza.
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!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Souza.
Hirvonen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Souza's hands.
Souza fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hirvonen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Souza has closed the distance and engaged Hirvonen in a clinch.
Hirvonen wants to take the fight to the mat but Souza manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Souza breaks from the clinch.
Souza on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Souza throws a head kick but Hirvonen moves out of range.
Souza dodges the punch combination from Hirvonen.
Souza pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Souza shoots in for a double leg but Hirvonen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hirvonen keeps the fight on the outside.

Souza moves into the clinch.
Hirvonen wants to take the fight to the mat but Souza manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Souza gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hirvonen.
Iggor Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heikki Hirvonen.
Souza displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hirvonen up against the cage.
Souza stops a takedown attempt from Hirvonen.
Souza gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hirvonen.

Souza manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Hirvonen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hirvonen trying to control the position from guard on top but Souza is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hirvonen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Souza wants to stand up but Hirvonen is controlling him.
Hirvonen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Heikki Hirvonen hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Hirvonen moves out of range as Souza throws a body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza throws a right and a left that Hirvonen avoids nicely.
Souza looks for the body kick but Hirvonen saw that one coming.
A punch combination from Hirvonen misses.
Some wild striking there from Hirvonen.
Hirvonen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Souza.
Hirvonen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Souza counters with an outside leg kick.
Souza throws a series of punches but Hirvonen avoids them all with ease.
Hirvonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Souza looks to land a body kick but Hirvonen moved away.
Souza dodges the punch combination from Hirvonen.
Souza lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Souza throws a right hand that Hirvonen ducks under and follows up with a left that Hirvonen also avoids with ease.
Souza shoots in but no luck this time.
Hirvonen looks to land a combination but Souza avoids it well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hirvonen looks winded!
Souza tries to land a front kick but Hirvonen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Souza throws the kick towards the body but Hirvonen avoids it.
Nice sprawl there from Hirvonen as Souza shoots in.
Souza tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hirvonen defends well and Souza ends up having to push Hirvonen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Souza throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hirvonen blocks it with crossed arms.

Souza breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No joy there for Hirvonen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
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!
Hirvonen scores with a jab.
Souza tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Hirvonen defends well and Souza ends up having to push Hirvonen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hirvonen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Souza prevents it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Souza wants to get back to striking at distance but Hirvonen won't allow it.
A right handed body shot lands from Souza.

Souza pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Souza looks for a takedown but Hirvonen sprawls well.
Hirvonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Hirvonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A combination from Hirvonen does no damage.
Hirvonen misses with a straight right.
Souza fails with a takedown attempt.
Hirvonen missing with a left hand there. Souza was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Hirvonen fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Souza, pushing him back against the cage.
Souza trying to stall but Hirvonen improves his position.
Hirvonen can't get the takedown.
Hirvonen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Souza stalling.

Hirvonen has Souza pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Hirvonen pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Souza tumbling to the mat - Hirvonen dives into Souza's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Souza is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Hirvonen prevents Souza from getting back to his feet.
Hirvonen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Souza keeping moving, preventing Hirvonen from controlling successfully.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Souza is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Iggor Souza has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Hirvonen looks for the body kick but Souza saw that one coming.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen missing with a left hand there. Souza was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Souza misses the shot to the body.
Hirvonen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Souza tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Souza doesn't manage to clinch there - Hirvonen circles away.
Hirvonen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Souza lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Iggor Souza is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Souza tries to close the distance and clinch but Hirvonen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hirvonen looks for a takedown but Souza sprawls well.
Iggor Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heikki Hirvonen.
Hirvonen is breathing heavily.

Souza fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hirvonen, pushing him back against the cage.
Souza stalling against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hirvonen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Souza is defending well.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen misses with a double jab.
Hirvonen misses with a two punch combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Souza looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hirvonen moves in looking to clinch but Souza pushes him off.
Souza throws a sloppy head kick and Hirvonen moves out of range easily.
Hirvonen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Souza's head.
Souza shoots in for a double leg but Hirvonen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Souza tries to clinch up.
Souza is trying hard to land a takedown here. Hirvonen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Hirvonen tries to bum rush Souza with a series of wild strikes but Souza uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Souza ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Souza throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Hirvonen's waist but Hirvonen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Souza off to one side.
Hirvonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Souza.
Hirvonen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvonen misses with a jab, cross combination.
A head kick misses from Souza.
Iggor Souza is winning the standup battle so far.
Hirvonen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Souza counters with a left and a right that stings Hirvonen.
Souza connects with a solid leg kick.
Souza looks to land a combination but Hirvonen avoids it well.
Souza misses with a head kick.
Hirvonen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice jab there from Hirvonen.
Souza tries to clinch but Hirvonen moves out of range.
Hirvonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Souza shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hirvonen as he jumps to the side.
Hirvonen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Iggor Souza will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Souza darts in looking for a takedown but Hirvonen gets double underhooks and turns Souza into the cage.
Hirvonen looking for a takedown.
Hirvonen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Hirvonen gets underhooks to prevent Souza's takedown attempt.
Souza prevents the takedown attempt.
Iggor Souza has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heikki Hirvonen.
Hirvonen is looking for a takedown.

Souza ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Souza no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Souza controls Hirvonen momentarily but Hirvonen frees himself.
Hirvonen looking to sit in guard and control but Souza gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Souza stops Hirvonen from standing up.
Souza postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Hirvonen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Souza throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hirvonen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Souza is standing up over Hirvonen. Hirvonen looks to escape but Souza dives into side control.

Souza decides to stand back up. Souza steps back and let's Hirvonen get back to his feet.
Souza throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hirvonen stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Souza tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A head kick misses from Hirvonen.
Souza moves in looking to clinch but Hirvonen pushes him off.
Souza moves out of range of the body kick.
Hirvonen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Souza counters with a one-two to the body.
Hirvonen misses with a hook.
Souza shoots in for a double leg but Hirvonen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Souza tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Hirvonen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Souza if he has to take too many more of those.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No joy there for Hirvonen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hirvonen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Souza throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Hirvonen.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice body kick from Souza.
No joy there for Hirvonen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Souza punishes Hirvonen's body with a nice straight punch.
Souza lands a right hook to the body.
Souza is looking to wear down Hirvonen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Hirvonen lands a jab to Souza's midsection.
Hirvonen stuffs the takedown.
Hirvonen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Souza as he jumps to the side.
Souza shoots in looking for a takedown but Hirvonen manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Souza's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Hirvonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Souza.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Souza fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Souza fails with the takedown.

Hirvonen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Souza to the ground. Hirvonen is now in Souza's guard.
Hirvonen looking to pass the guard.
Hirvonen trying to control but Souza is working from the bottom.
Heikki Hirvonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

OK we're going to have a standup here. Heikki Hirvonen hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Souza scores with a hook to the body. Hirvonen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Souza chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Souza pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hirvonen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hirvonen blocks a head kick by Souza.
Souza throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hirvonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hirvonen throws a hook but Souza blocks it.
Souza scores with a head kick. Hirvonen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Hirvonen throws a nice looking combination but Souza bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Souza misses with a wild body shot.
Hirvonen lands with a cross.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Souza misses with a double jab

and Hirvonen counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Souza!
Iggor Souza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Heikki Hirvonen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hirvonen wants to control but Souza is keeping him busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Heikki Hirvonen.
I think Souza has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:28

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Iggor Souza!
In defeat, Heikki Hirvonen stepped up to the mic, saying '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. '.