PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thanh Hunt (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Garus Vikarian (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vikarian has a niggling injury. He would have liked to come in 100% fit but that's not always possible. Garus Vikarian is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples.

Hunt
vs
Vikarian

185 cm
18
177 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

180 cm
18
170 lbs
0 - 1 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thanh Hunt!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Garus Vikarian!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab lands there for Vikarian.
A shot to the liver by Hunt. Beautiful body shot.

Vikarian drives through with a takedown into Hunt's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Hunt looking to control.
Hunt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vikarian is one step ahead there.
Hunt pulls Vikarian in to control the position.
Vikarian prevents Hunt from getting back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vikarian trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hunt utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Vikarian throws a big right hand that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Vikarian moves into the clinch.

Hunt breaks from the clinch.
Hunt misses with a combination

and Vikarian counters with a shoot takedown. Hunt fights it but they end up in guard.
Vikarian looks winded!
Hunt has his hands on Vikarian's head, controlling the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vikarian trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hunt has his hands on Vikarian's head, controlling the position.
Vikarian wants to stand but Hunt is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hunt wants to stand but Vikarian is controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Hunt tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Vikarian.
Hunt wants to get back to his feet but Vikarian drags him back down.

Vikarian thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Vikarian tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vikarian wants to stand but Hunt has his arm trapped.
Hunt wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

Vikarian is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hunt knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hunt is trying to get back to half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Hunt misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hunt lands a jab to the head.
Hunt throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Vikarian with the counter takedown but Hunt avoids it easily.
Hunt misses with a double jab.

Hunt gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hunt tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Hunt has control of Vikarian's left arm, preventing Vikarian from doing any damage.
Garus Vikarian has got the better of the ground game so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hunt looking to hit a scissor sweep but Vikarian is one step ahead there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Vikarian is breathing heavily.
Vikarian postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt pulls Vikarian in close to prevent any damage.
Vikarian wants to pass the guard but Hunt is keeping the position.
Hunt 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.
Vikarian stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hunt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Hunt enables Vikarian to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Hunt manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Hunt has his hands on Vikarian's head, controlling the position.
Hunt not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Vikarian trying to control the position from guard on top but Hunt is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hunt wants to get back to his feet but Vikarian is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Vikarian trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hunt lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
End pos 5

Hunt not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Hunt works over Vikarian with some ground and pound from guard.
Hunt controlling from the top position.
Hunt has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

That's four 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.
Hunt trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Vikarian fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Hunt sprawls well initially but Vikarian persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hunt wants to improve his position but Vikarian is controlling well.
Hunt knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Vikarian on the ground.
Vikarian trying to control the action but Hunt is working from the bottom.
Vikarian has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hunt is trying to stand up here but Vikarian is controlling him well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Garus Vikarian will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! And we move into the final round!

Hunt closes the distance and clinches.

Hunt escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A slow jab from Vikarian misses its intended target.
Hunt throws a series of strikes that have Vikarian backpedaling.
Hunt fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hunt throws a leg kick that misses.

Vikarian gets tackled into the cage by Hunt. Hunt maintains the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Hunt breaks the clinch.

Vikarian closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Vikarian lands in his opponent's guard.
Vikarian trying to control but Hunt is working from the bottom.
Vikarian takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hunt pulls Vikarian in close to his closed guard and prevents Vikarian from doing any damage or advancing position.
Vikarian stops Hunt from standing up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Vikarian is on the wrong end of a couple of strikes there.
Hunt wants to sweep here but Vikarian controlling him for the moment.
Vikarian trying to control but Hunt is working from the bottom.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Vikarian stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vikarian wants it to stay on the feet.
Hunt darts in looking for a takedown but Vikarian gets double underhooks and turns Hunt into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Thanh Hunt. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vikarian takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Hunt misses with a head kick.
Hunt throws a right hand that Vikarian ducks under and follows up with a left that Vikarian also avoids with ease.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vikarian pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hunt feinted with a counter takedown.
Hunt shoots in and drives through. Vikarian sprawls well.

Vikarian shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Vikarian showed some decent athleticism there.
Vikarian tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hunt knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Vikarian trying to control from half guard but Hunt is working away.
Vikarian might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Hunt haven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hunt controlling the position well.
Hunt is in trouble now - Vikarian has advanced to mount!
Hunt regains half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Hunt preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Garus Vikarian.
I've got Vikarian winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Garus Vikarian!