PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mikko Haapalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Alan Nova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haapalainen's entrance music is Lentävä Kalakukko. A fine choice. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Alan Nova was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Haapalainen
vs
Nova

182 cm
25
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
179 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Mikko Haapalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Alan Nova!
The judges for this bout are Bart Greer, Daniel Franklin and Dirk Anderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haapalainen moves out of range as Nova strikes.
Sloppy strikes from Nova. Those never looked like landing.
Haapalainen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nova listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nova misses with a wild body shot.
A head kick by Nova misses

and Haapalainen counters with a takedown into side control.
You can see the frustration on Nova's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Nova trying his best to control but Haapalainen has mounted him.
Haapalainen tries to take his opponent's back but Nova turns with him and manages to move into guard on the top. Nice work.
Haapalainen is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Haapalainen is working an open guard so Nova takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Nova swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Haapalainen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Nova wants to stand and escape but Haapalainen is having none of it.

Nova manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nova throws a punch but it's blocked by Haapalainen.
Nova wants to get back to striking at distance but Haapalainen won't allow it.
Haapalainen jumps guard but Nova stands there with Haapalainen around his waist. Haapalainen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Haapalainen keeps control of Nova as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nova slows down the pace here.
Nova trying to control the position but instead, Haapalainen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nova into the cage.
Haapalainen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nova gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikko Haapalainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haapalainen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nova pulls his leg out and moves away.

Nova moves into range and clinches up with Haapalainen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nova tries to break the clinch but Haapalainen is controlling the position.
Haapalainen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Haapalainen is struggling to control the position.

Haapalainen breaks the clinch.
A head kick misses from Nova.
Nova throws a body kick that misses.
Haapalainen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nova defends well and Haapalainen ends up having to push Nova into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nova steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Nova lands a head shot.

It looks like Mikko Haapalainen has been cut.
Nova throws a combination. Haapalainen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Haapalainen walks into a stiff left hand from Nova.

Nova gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Haapalainen wants to control from the top but Nova keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haapalainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Haapalainen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Nova tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Haapalainen trying to control but Nova is working from the bottom.
Nova is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Nova dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mikko Haapalainen'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.

Nova takes a swing at Haapalainen's ribcage but misses.
Mikko Haapalainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Haapalainen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nova sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Haapalainen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nova throws a right hand that Haapalainen ducks under and follows up with a left that Haapalainen also avoids with ease.
Nova plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Haapalainen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nova circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikko Haapalainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nova pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nova dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haapalainen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nova's waist but Nova gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Haapalainen off to one side.
Nova misses with a double jab

and Haapalainen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Haapalainen.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nova is looking to stand up but Haapalainen isn't so interested in that idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapalainen is looking to work some ground and pound but Nova has wrist control.
Haapalainen looking to pass the guard.
Haapalainen prevents Nova from getting back to his feet.
Haapalainen trying to control but Nova is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nova wants to stand but Haapalainen is controlling the position.
Haapalainen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nova keeping full guard, as Haapalainen tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Haapalainen postures up.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nova pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Haapalainen fails with the takedown.
Nova falls off balance throwing a combination

and Haapalainen counters by moving into the clinch.
Haapalainen is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Nova is defending well.
A bit of stalling here from Nova.

Haapalainen has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Nova clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Haapalainen is trying to control but Nova is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haapalainen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

Haapalainen goes for an armbar but Nova turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Nova.
Haapalainen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nova controls the pace.

Nova gets to his feet. Haapalainen looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Nova throws a head kick but Haapalainen moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Haapalainen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nova moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Nova tries to clinch but Haapalainen moves out of range.
Alan Nova seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Haapalainen avoids the head kick by Nova.
Haapalainen attempts a counter takedown but Nova avoids it well and moves away.
Nova throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Haapalainen.
Nova has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nova throws a body kick, spinning off balance

so Haapalainen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Haapalainen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Haapalainen looking to pass the guard.
Haapalainen is looking to advance position but Nova has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Alan Nova showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Mikko Haapalainen's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Haapalainen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Haapalainen shoots in looking for a takedown but Nova manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Haapalainen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Nova is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Haapalainen tries to counter by clinching up but Nova breaks away and moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Nova.
Haapalainen shoots and misses
and Nova counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikko Haapalainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haapalainen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Alan Nova seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nova tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Haapalainen paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Nova drives through and clinches with Haapalainen against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Haapalainen as Nova tries to tie him up.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nova dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapalainen takes an elbow to the temple.
Haapalainen jumps guard but Nova turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nova throws an elbow but misses.

Haapalainen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Haapalainen slips a jab and a cross from Nova.
Nova throws a head kick that misses.
Nova misses with a straight left.
Nova throws a half hearted mid kick.
Haapalainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nova.
Nova sizes up Haapalainen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nova lands a jab to the nose.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nova fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Haapalainen shoots in for a takedown but Nova shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nova digs a good hook to Haapalainen's body.
Haapalainen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nova counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice body punch from Nova.
Nova fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nova throws a right hand that Haapalainen ducks under and follows up with a left that Haapalainen also avoids with ease.
Nova misses with the combination.
Haapalainen avoids the head kick by Nova.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nova misses with a few strikes there.
Haapalainen appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Haapalainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nova.
Haapalainen is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nova.

Haapalainen shoots in and gets a takedown into Nova's guard.

Nova is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Nova is trying to force a seperation but Haapalainen has the dominant position.

Haapalainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nova connects with a looping right hand.
Haapalainen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nova sprawls well. Nova wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Haapalainen gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nova throws a head kick that half lands.
Alan Nova is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Haapalainen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Haapalainen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nova listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Nova throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nova lands with a kick to the ribs.
Nova tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Haapalainen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nice uppercut there from Nova.
Mikko Haapalainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nova misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Haapalainen drops down looking for a counter takedown but Nova sprawls and moves away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alan Nova comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nova 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 Bart Greer scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dirk Anderson scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alan Nova!