PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Martin Harder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Morten Joikhaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Morten Joikhaaja has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Martin Harder's chin.

Harder
vs
Joikhaaja

170 cm
26
170 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

173 cm
26
185 lbs
13 - 14 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Great low kicks
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

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 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Martin Harder!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Morten Joikhaaja!
The judges for this bout are Fedor Mirinova, Viktor Lagutenko and Aleksei Zolotukhin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harder shoots in looking for a takedown. Joikhaaja tries to sprawl out of it but Harder keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Joikhaaja manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Joikhaaja scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Harder is looking for a sweep. Joikhaaja is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Joikhaaja lands strikes from half guard.
Joikhaaja lands strikes from half guard.
Harder avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Joikhaaja.
Harder moves into full guard.
Joikhaaja throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Harder works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joikhaaja content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Joikhaaja stopping the sweep attempt from Harder.

Harder working for a triangle but Joikhaaja defends it easily.
Joikhaaja connects with a couple of short punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joikhaaja postures up and lands a big shot to Harder's brow.
Joikhaaja is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Joikhaaja with a nice head shot there.
Harder has momentary wrist control but Joikhaaja slips an elbow through the middle.
Joikhaaja lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Joikhaaja lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Harder is rocked!

Joikhaaja got a little sloppy there for a moment and Harder has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Joikhaaja has managed to get both his arms back between Harder's legs - danger averted.
Joikhaaja postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Oh Harder is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Joikhaaja throwing strikes from guard but Harder blocks nicely.
Harder seems to have got his legs back now.
Harder trying to keep a closed guard but Joikhaaja is proving a slippery customer.
Harder has momentary wrist control but Joikhaaja slips an elbow through the middle.

Harder working for a triangle but Joikhaaja defends it easily.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Joikhaaja working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Harder's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Joikhaaja is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Joikhaaja postures up and lands a big shot to Harder's brow.

Joikhaaja avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Joikhaaja keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Harder's head.
Harder is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Harder has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Joikhaaja is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Joikhaaja with a nice head shot there.
Joikhaaja scoring with punches to the head and body.
Joikhaaja pushing down on Harder's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Harder has hold of Joikhaaja's hands but Joikhaaja slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Joikhaaja tries to pass the half guard into mount. Harder knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joikhaaja seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Joikhaaja lands a big elbow - Harder is out of it! He's waving his arms around but his eyes are closed and he's not intelligently defending himself - the ref has no choice but to jump in and stop the fight! This one is in the books! A TKO win for Joikhaaja!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Morten Joikhaaja!