PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Massa Hurmaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Arnavut Sevket (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Arnavut Sevket has the eye of the tiger tonight.

Hurmaaja
vs
Sevket

180 cm
26
197 lbs
9 - 2 - 0

182 cm
26
192 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Basic striking
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Atlantis
Alcatraz Apparel

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 9 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Massa Hurmaaja!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Arnavut Sevket!
The judges for this bout are Peter Branson, David Hoff and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sevket gets caught flat footed, as Hurmaaja shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Hurmaaja working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hurmaaja wants to pass the guard but Sevket is keeping the position.
Hurmaaja loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hurmaaja in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hurmaaja missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Sevket looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hurmaaja is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Sevket avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sevket keeping moving, preventing Hurmaaja from controlling successfully.
Hurmaaja with a flurry of punches that miss.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sevket looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Sevket preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Massa Hurmaaja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hurmaaja cracks a nice hook into Sevket's ribs.
Sevket throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Hurmaaja on the side of the head.

It looks like Massa Hurmaaja has been cut.
Sevket digs a good body shot into Hurmaaja's ribs.

Hurmaaja shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Hurmaaja drops an elbow to the side of Sevket's head.
Hurmaaja looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hurmaaja throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hurmaaja throwing shots but Sevket is blocking nicely.
Hurmaaja sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Sevket defending well though.
Hurmaaja working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Hurmaaja lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
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!
Sevket avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hurmaaja.
Sevket felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.
Sevket is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Hurmaaja scores with a couple of nice shots.

Hurmaaja is trying to work for a kimura but Sevket is defending well.
Nice strikes from Hurmaaja there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hurmaaja thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Sevket's head.
Sevket regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Hurmaaja.
Hurmaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sevket works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hurmaaja throwing strikes from guard but Sevket blocks nicely.
Hurmaaja preventing the sweep.
Hurmaaja throws a big elbow that misses.
Hurmaaja postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Hurmaaja scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sevket preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hurmaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sevket works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Hurmaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Sevket works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Sevket has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Sevket misses with a wild body shot.
Sevket throws a shot from downtown. Hurmaaja moves away and avoids it.
Hurmaaja changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Sevket lands with a hook. Hurmaaja tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

Hurmaaja feints and as Sevket raises his hands in defense, Hurmaaja changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Sevket preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Hurmaaja is looking to work some ground and pound but Sevket has wrist control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Massa Hurmaaja dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Massa Hurmaaja'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.

Hurmaaja swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Hurmaaja dives in and scores a takedown into Sevket's guard.
Massa Hurmaaja overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hurmaaja postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Hurmaaja stands up over Sevket, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hurmaaja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hurmaaja loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hurmaaja throws a strike but Sevket rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Hurmaaja looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hurmaaja looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Hurmaaja being controlled here, momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hurmaaja had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Sevket defends it easily.
Hurmaaja trying to control the position.
Hurmaaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Hurmaaja, not yet.
Hurmaaja wants to control but Sevket passes easily into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Sevket prevents Hurmaaja from improving his position.
Hurmaaja is pressing down on Sevket's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Sevket must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Sevket trying to control but Hurmaaja is working from the bottom.
Hurmaaja lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Hurmaaja working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hurmaaja working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Sevket's head.
Hurmaaja postures up in Sevket's guard and throws a big left but Sevket blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hurmaaja cracks Sevket with a solid left hand.
Hurmaaja pushes down on Sevket's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Sevket wants to get back to full guard but Hurmaaja has mounted him!
Hurmaaja is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Sevket can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Sevket tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hurmaaja thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Hurmaaja trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Sevket avoids a series of strikes thrown by Hurmaaja.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sevket can't escape the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hurmaaja in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

It looks like Arnavut Sevket has been cut.
Hurmaaja working some short elbows here. He postures up to throw some more ground and pound but Sevket slips a leg through to get back to half guard. Nice work.
Sevket blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hurmaaja.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hurmaaja takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Hurmaaja is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Sevket sees it coming and defends easily.
Hurmaaja with the ground and pound but Sevket uses the opportunity to regain guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Massa Hurmaaja dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hurmaaja scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Hurmaaja is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Hurmaaja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sevket keeps working.
Sevket is controlling Hurmaaja's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Sevket has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hurmaaja is working away from the top position though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hurmaaja thows a huge punch but Sevket dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hurmaaja uses his free foot to push down on Sevket's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Sevket.
Sevket wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Hurmaaja.
Hurmaaja lands a nice shot to the head.
Poor strikes thrown by Hurmaaja there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Hurmaaja looking to ground and pound but Sevket is blocking nicely.
Sevket is squirming around, avoiding Hurmaaja's attempts to control the action.
Hurmaaja definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Hurmaaja dominating with strikes here.
Arnavut Sevket has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hurmaaja thowing shots but they're missing.
Hurmaaja misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Sevket tries to hold on but Hurmaaja pushes him away.
Hurmaaja looking to land elbow strikes but Sevket uses the position to regain half guard.
Hurmaaja passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Sevket!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Hurmaaja goes for an armbar but Sevket turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Sevket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hurmaaja throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Sevket escapes and throws Hurmaaja's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Hurmaaja is looking for a sweep.
Hurmaaja sneaks back into half guard.
Hurmaaja tries to roll over but Sevket keeps him under control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hurmaaja wants to sweep but Sevket has passed to side control!
A control attempt from Hurmaaja but he's now mounted!
Sevket dominating with strikes here.
Massa Hurmaaja is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Sevket looking to finish Hurmaaja with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hurmaaja!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hurmaaja sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Hurmaaja trying to control but Sevket postures up.

And that's the end of the fight!
Massa Hurmaaja showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hurmaaja, 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 Peter Branson scores the fight 30:27
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 30:27
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Massa Hurmaaja!