PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Sammy Blair (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Hofferman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Blair
vs
Hofferman

174 cm
24
178 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sammy Blair!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Craig Hofferman!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hofferman shoots in and bounces Blair off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Hofferman pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Blair is keeping the position for now.

Hofferman avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Blair keeping full guard, as Hofferman tries to pass.
Blair seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Blair keeping moving, preventing Hofferman from controlling successfully.
Hofferman is stalling in the full guard.
Hofferman wants to control from the top but Blair keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Craig Hofferman has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Hofferman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Blair controlling Hofferman's posture.
Hofferman trying to control but Blair is working from the bottom.
Hofferman pushing down on Blair's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Blair is defending against the submission attempts here by Hofferman.
Blair won't allow Hofferman to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blair gets back to full guard.
Hofferman trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hofferman being controlled here momentarily.
Hofferman wants to control from the top but Blair keeps moving.
Hofferman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blair swivels though and keeps the full guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hofferman wants to control from the top but Blair keeps moving.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Craig Hofferman hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hofferman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hofferman throws a wild body kick that Blair sees coming a mile off.
Blair closes this distance looking for a takedown but Hofferman circles away.
Hofferman scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

Hofferman dives in and scores a takedown into Blair's guard.
Blair knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hofferman on the ground.
Hofferman looking to pass the guard.

Blair had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hofferman defends it easily.
Hofferman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blair swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hofferman wants to control from the top but Blair keeps moving.
Hofferman looking to pass the guard.
Hofferman postures up.
Hofferman stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Blair swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Blair keeping moving, preventing Hofferman from controlling successfully.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Craig Hofferman hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

Hofferman looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Blair wants to improve his position but Hofferman is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Hofferman dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hofferman scores with a jab. Blair acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
A leg kick checked by Blair.
Blair closes the distance and clinches up with Hofferman, looking for a takedown. Blair pushes Hofferman against the cage but Hofferman circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Hofferman closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Blair quickly recovers to half guard.
Hofferman keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hofferman is looking to take a break and control but Blair is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Hofferman might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Blair haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Blair tries to get to full guard but Hofferman has control of the leg.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Hofferman wants to free his trapped foot but Blair is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hofferman is trying to control the action in half guard but Blair is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Craig Hofferman was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Blair blocks a head kick by Hofferman.
Blair avoids the head kick by Hofferman.
Hofferman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hofferman wants it to stay on the feet.
Hofferman connects with an inside leg kick.
Blair tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hofferman swivels and escapes.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sammy Blair. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Hofferman drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Hofferman slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blair is not content to let Hofferman control the position.
Blair prevents Hofferman from moving into mount.

Hofferman is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Blair knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Blair tries to buck Hofferman off but Hofferman is having none of it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Blair prevents Hofferman from improving position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blair is not content to let Hofferman control the position.
Blair is trying to work for a sweep but Hofferman has mounted him!
Hofferman tries to control but Blair wriggling away.
Hofferman sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Hofferman looking to control but Blair is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Blair holds on, trying desperately to control.
Hofferman trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Hofferman looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Hofferman trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Blair tries to lock up and control but Hofferman gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

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

Hofferman working for a guillotine from mount but Blair is in no mood to give up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hofferman trying to control but he's not successful this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Craig Hofferman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hofferman is looking to land body kicks.
A solid body kick from Hofferman.
Hofferman lands a nice shot that snaps Blair's head back.
Hofferman swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Blair tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Hofferman is looking to land body kicks.
Hofferman dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hofferman stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Hofferman wants it to stay on the feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hofferman throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Hofferman gets the takedown into side control.

Hofferman is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Blair knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Blair prevents Hofferman from moving into mount.
Blair is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Craig Hofferman has got the better of the ground game so far.

Blair actively working from the bottom here.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hofferman seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Blair does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hofferman keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Blair tries to get to full guard but Hofferman has control of the leg.
Hofferman trying to pass the guard but Blair defending well.
Blair is looking for a sweep. Hofferman is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Blair is refusing to be controlled, as Hofferman sits in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Craig Hofferman was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Blair darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hofferman manages to get to full guard.

Hofferman has managed to work for a loose triangle. I think Blair should be able to defend this one pretty easily though. Oh, Hofferman has tightened it up now! Blair should have reacted faster there - he's in big trouble and yes, he's tapped out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Craig Hofferman!