PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Mikko Haapalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Zygmunt Giddens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haapalainen comes to the cage accompanied by Lentävä Kalakukko. Fingers crossed for an exciting fight - I'm sure both fighters are looking for a nice under the table bonus!

Haapalainen
vs
Giddens

182 cm
26
175 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

184 cm
21
180 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
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 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Haapalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Zygmunt Giddens!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Giddens moves out of range of the body kick from Haapalainen.
Giddens throws the kick towards the body but Haapalainen avoids it.
Haapalainen throws a leg kick
and Giddens counters with a leg kick.
Giddens works Haapalainen's body with a nice hook.
Haapalainen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Giddens sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Giddens uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Giddens getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Haapalainen misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've been hearing reports that Haapalainen has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Haapalainen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Haapalainen misses with a takedown attempt - Giddens sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mikko Haapalainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
An inside leg kick lands from Giddens.
Haapalainen shoots and misses
and Giddens counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Mikko Haapalainen has been cut.
Haapalainen throws a lazy uppercut
and Giddens connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Haapalainen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Giddens. Giddens obviously looking to wear him down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Haapalainen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Haapalainen blocks a head kick by Giddens.
Haapalainen goes for a double leg but Giddens avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Giddens continues to drive forward.
Giddens swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Giddens stuffs the takedown attempt from Haapalainen. Haapalainen gets slowly back to his feet.
Haapalainen is breathing heavily.
Giddens pushes Haapalainen away with a front kick.
Giddens connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Haapalainen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Giddens connects with a leg kick. Haapalainen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Giddens lands a leg kick that knocks Haapalainen off balance momentarily.
Haapalainen closes the distance but Giddens moves to the side
and Giddens counters with a nice uppercut.
Haapalainen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
A solid body kick from Giddens.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Oooooh!!! Giddens has knocked Haapalainen down with a huge combo! Giddens steps away and waves a wobbly Haapalainen back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Haapalainen is rocked!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haapalainen loses concentration momentarily and Giddens pounces with a three punch combo! Right, left, right! Haapalainen crashes face first to the mat, out cold! Giddens finishes this one with a fantastically precise combo! Great stuff.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:09 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Zygmunt Giddens!