PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Hannu Haapana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tom King (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). King has chosen Sail - Armin van Buuren as his entrance music. Hannu Haapana could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Tom King's chin.

Haapana
vs
King

169 cm
26
145 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

176 cm
26
147 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

Vikai Gear Island

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Hannu Haapana!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Tom King!
The judges for this bout are Santiago Holmes, David Hoff and Sandra Marshall.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haapana's jab looks to have found its range, popping King under the eye.
Haapana throws a chopping leg kick but King manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Haapana swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Haapana misses with the combination.

Haapana closes the distance and clinches.
Haapana is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
King struggles to land a body shot inside as Haapana controls his hands.
Haapana pushes off an throws an elbow but King leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
King throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Haapana is struggling to control the position.
King looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
King lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Haapana.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
King lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Haapana misses with an elbow over the top.
A right handed body shot lands from King.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Haapana just misses with a elbow thrown towards King's brow.
Haapana lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Haapana stalls.
Haapana throws an elbow but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
King presses Haapana against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Haapana content to slow the pace in the clinch.

King manages to break the clinch.

King gets tackled into the cage by Haapana. Haapana maintains the clinch.
Haapana pushes off an throws an elbow but King leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
King avoids a wild elbow strike from Haapana.
Haapana is struggling to control the position.
King throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Haapanas head.
King avoids a wild elbow strike from Haapana.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
King misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Haapana is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Haapana is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but King is keeping busy.
Haapana trying to stall but King improves his position.
King blocks an elbow strike from Haapana.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Haapana.
King tries to work over Haapana's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Haapana's elbow.
Haapana dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Haapana creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
King lands an uppercut.
King misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A short right from King on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from King.
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!
King scores with a hook to the body.
Haapana takes a shot to the head.
King lands with a left to the head.
Haapana content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Haapana blocks an uppercut.
King misses with a punch to the body.
King is leaning against Haapana and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Haapana blocks a body shot from King.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Haapana is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Haapana can't seem to implement his control oriented gameplan at the moment. That's no bad thing of course, for those of us who want to see a good fight.
A left hand lands to the body for King.
Haapana definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
King tries a body shot but Haapana blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King blocks an elbow strike.
King swings wildly with an uppercut but Haapana uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from King.
King lands a body shot in the clinch.
King misses with some punches.
King scores with a hook to the body.
Haapana lands an elbow just above King 's eye.
Haapana lands an elbow that stopped King in his tracks for a moment.
Haapana throws an elbow but it's blocked.
King lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Haapana lands an elbow just above King 's eye.
King misses with a body punch.
King lands a hook to the side of the head.
King lands a shoulder strike.
A nice right hand lands inside from King.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
King tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Haapana blocks a body shot from King.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Nice elbow from Haapana.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for King.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from King.
Haapana makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
King has had enough of the clinch but Haapana keeps him there for the moment.
Haapana pushes off an throws an elbow but King leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
King pushes Haapana back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Haapana looks to throw an elbow but misses.
King can't find room to land a body shot as Haapana controls the action.
With the fighters up against the cage, Haapana throws an elbow but misses.
King tries to work over Haapana's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Haapana throws an elbow but it misses.
King dodges an elbow strike from Haapana.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
King working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
King gets through Haapana's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Haapana creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
King tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
King digs a right hand underneath Haapana's ribcage. Haapana let out a lung full of air as it connected.
A short right hand to the side of the head by King.
Haapana is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Haapana prevents a body shot from King.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tom King will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Haapana clinches up with King and pushes him back against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from King.
King tries to throw a body punch but Haapana avoids it by throwing King back against the cage.
Haapana lands an elbow that stopped King in his tracks for a moment.
Haapana misses with an elbow over the top.
Haapana working aggressively here.
A bit of stalling here from Haapana.
King lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Haapana throws an elbow that misses.
Haapana working aggressively here.
King tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

King breaks from the clinch.
King works the jab nicely.
King is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Haapana.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haapana uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by King.
King works Haapana's body with a nice hook.
Haapana tries to clinch but King moves out of range.
Haapana is looking to slow King down with leg kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
King just misses with a punch to the body.
Hannu Haapana seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
King ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Haapana moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapana slips under a jab.
King keeps the fight on the outside.
A low kick from Haapana is predictable there
and King counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Haapana clinches up with King and pushes him back against the cage.

King breaks the clinch.
Haapana is looking to clinch.

Haapana closes the distance and clinches.
With the fighters up against the cage, Haapana throws an elbow but misses.
King dodges an elbow strike from Haapana.
King tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Haapana's elbow.
Haapana is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
King lands with a left to the head.
Haapana misses with an elbow strike.
King avoids the elbow strike from Haapana, against the cage.
King lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Haapana backwards.
King tries to throw a body punch but Haapana avoids it by throwing King back against the cage.
King avoids the elbow strike from Haapana, against the cage.
King goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haapana throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A shot in the inside from Haapana.
This has been an exciting period of action!
King tries to work over Haapana's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters up against the cage, Haapana throws an elbow but misses.
Haapana taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
King prevents a body shot from Haapana.
Haapana is struggling to control the position.
Haapana throws an elbow but it misses.
Nice body punch from King - that landed with a thud.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from King in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Haapana misses with an elbow strike.
King lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Haapana lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Tom King has been cut.
King struggles to land a body shot inside as Haapana controls his hands.
King doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Haapana throws an elbow but it misses.
A quick uppercut on the inside from King.
King lands a hook that snaps the head of Haapana backwards.
Haapana looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice left hand lands by King.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Haapana lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Haapana blocking some punches.
King can't find room to land a body shot as Haapana controls the action.
Haapana blocks a body shot from King.
Haapana is trying to maintain a safe position but King gets an underhook and turns Haapana into the cage.
King lands a shoulder strike.
King tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Haapana's elbow.
Haapana creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Haapana lands an elbow that stopped King in his tracks for a moment.
Stalling in the clinch from Haapana.
King lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Haapana stalling in the clinch.
King lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Haapana backwards.
Still in the clinch, King scores with a nice short uppercut.
King tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Haapana's elbow.
Haapana is struggling to control the position.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by King as Haapana tries to tie him up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
King tries to work over Haapana's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
With the fighters up against the cage, Haapana throws an elbow but misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
King misses with a body punch.
Haapana is trying to stall.
King tries to work over Haapana's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Haapana pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
King tries a body shot but Haapana blocks it.
Haapana throws an elbow but it's blocked.
King tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Haapana struggles to land a body shot inside as King controls his hands.
King lands with a short shot to the head.
King misses with a punch to the body.
King tries a body shot but Haapana blocks it.
Haapana misses with some punches.
King misses with a short punch on the inside.
King tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Haapana's elbow.
Haapana creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Haapana lands with a light punch inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom King showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Tom King's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Haapana lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
King thows a left - swing and a miss!
Haapana feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Kings jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!

King moves into the clinch successfully.
With the fighters up against the cage, Haapana throws an elbow but misses.
Haapana prevents a body shot from King.
King tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Haapana throws an elbow but it misses.
King misses with a punch to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from King.
Haapana is trying to maintain a safe position but King gets an underhook and turns Haapana into the cage.
Haapana lands an elbow inside.
King lands with a light punch inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
King avoids the elbow strike from Haapana, against the cage.
King can't find room to land a body shot as Haapana controls the action.
King blocks an uppercut.
King blocks an elbow strike.
Tom King seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by King as Haapana tries to tie him up.
A left hand lands to the body for King.
Haapana is trying to maintain a safe position but King gets an underhook and turns Haapana into the cage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Haapana just misses with a elbow thrown towards King's brow.

King manages to break the clinch.
Haapana displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as King throws out the jab.
Haapana tries to clinch but King is having none of it.
Haapana closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling King to counter with a crisp jab.
Haapana wants to clinch
and King counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Tom King seems to be getting the better of the standup.
King loads up on a big right hand but Haapana slips the punch.
Haapana fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice body punch from King.
Haapana is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
King ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Haapana moves away.
Haapana swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Haapana throws a leg kick but King checks it.
Haapana tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. King manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
A little jabbing left from King on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
King ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
King lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Haapana backs up against the cage.

It looks like Hannu Haapana has been cut.
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!
Haapana takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
King looks to throw the jab but Haapana is out of range.
Haapana moves away from the strike by King.
Haapana is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Haapana misses with a hook.
King walks into a left hand.
King has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Haapana on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Haapana slips under a jab.
Haapana jabs at King's body.
King throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
King looks to score with a jab to the body but Haapana is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
King looks to score with a jab to the body but Haapana is just out of range.
King misses with a hook.
Haapana feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Haapana throws a leg kick which misses King's front leg but catches the back leg as King tries to avoid it.
King scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Haapana closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Haapana misses with a lunging right hand
enabling King to counter with a crisp jab.
Haapana throws a leg kick
and King counters with a lovely straight right hand!
King avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
King throws a body shot but no joy.
King misses with a looping right.
Haapana tries to clinch but King is having none of it.
King lands with a shot to the body.
Haapana scores with a jab to the body.
King throws an overhand right that lands on Haapana's shoulder, as Haapana tries to avoid the shot.
Haapana takes a shot to the body in his stride.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
King looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haapana tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Haapana misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from King.
Haapana is looking to clinch.
Haapana fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt King.
Haapana throws out a leg kick but King moves out of range and Haapana only half commits.
A low kick from Haapana is predictable there
and King counters with a nice body shot.
Haapana wants to clinch.
King digs a good body shot into Haapana's ribs.
King lands a lovely overhand right.
Haapana takes a swing at King's ribcage but misses.
King blocks a leg kick.
King swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Haapana looks to clinch
and King counters with a two punch combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tom King really dominated that round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Haapana closes the distance looking to clinch
and King counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Haapana throws a leg kick that is checked
and Haapana takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Haapana has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Haapana is rocked!
BOOM! King lands a beautiful left hook that drops Haapana. Haapana tries to recover but King is having none of it, landing more punishing shots from mount. One final crushing shot and Haapana lies motionless on the canvas. The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:23 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tom King!
Tom King is the new featherweight champion!
Tom King took some time post fight to say the following; 'Many have tried, many have failed! Now give me my bonus!!'.