PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Stefan Groenveld (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sami Vatanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vatanen is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Kalmah - Heros to Us. Stefan Groenveld has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Groenveld
vs
Vatanen

224 cm
20
293 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

200 cm
21
300 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
Granite chin

King of Fists

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Stefan Groenveld!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Sami Vatanen!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Viktor Lagutenko and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Groenveld avoids the body shot from Vatanen.
Groenveld stuns Vatanen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Groenveld misses with a body shot.
Vatanen tests Groenveld's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Vatanen moves out of range of the strikes.
Vatanen scores with a jab to the jaw.
Groenveld moves away from the strike by Vatanen.
The fighters circling - Vatanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vatanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Vatanen misses with a wild body shot.
Groenveld ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vatanen moves away.
Vatanen throws a body shot but no joy.
Groenveld swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Vatanen lands a nice hook to Groenveld's body. Groenveld takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've been informed that Vatanen has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Vatanen comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Vatanen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Groenveld.
Groenveld throws an overhand right that lands on Vatanen's shoulder, as Vatanen tries to avoid the shot.
A jab lands there for Vatanen.
Sami Vatanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Groenveld steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Vatanen.
It looked like Groenveld wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Groenveld throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vatanen scores with a nice strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vatanen looks to land a combination but Groenveld avoids it well.
Vatanen throws an overhand right that lands on Groenveld's shoulder, as Groenveld tries to avoid the shot.
Groenveld slips a straight right by Vatanen.
Vatanen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Vatanen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Vatanen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Groenveld counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Groenveld.
Groenveld blocking some punches.
Vatanen throws a head punch that misses.

Groenveld breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A slow jab from Vatanen misses its intended target.
Vatanen with a hook.
Vatanen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vatanen throws a body shot but no joy.
Vatanen misses with a wild body shot.
Groenveld avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vatanen jabs at Groenveld's body.
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!
Vatanen lands a jab to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Vatanen throws a jab but it's blocked by Groenveld.
It looked like Groenveld was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Vatanen.
Vatanen lands a nice looking body shot.
Vatanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Vatanen lands a nice shot to the body.
Good shot there by Groenveld.

It looks like Sami Vatanen has been cut.
Groenveld dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Vatanen lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Groenveld uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Vatanen.
Vatanen throws a right hand that misses
and Groenveld connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Groenveld pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Groenveld connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Groenveld keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Vatanen takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Groenveld keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Groenveld lands a nice hook to Vatanen's body. Vatanen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Groenveld throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Vatanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It looked like Groenveld was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Vatanen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Groenveld.
A little jabbing left from Vatanen on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Groenveld takes a swing at Vatanen's ribcage but misses.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vatanen. Groenveld does a little dance to reset his feet.
An attempted straight right counter from Groenveld misses the target.
Groenveld slips under a jab.
Groenveld takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Some wild striking there from Vatanen.
An attempted straight right counter from Groenveld misses the target.
Vatanen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Nice defenses there by Groenveld.
Groenveld throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Groenveld moves away from the strike by Vatanen.
Groenveld just misses with a punch to the body.
Groenveld jabs Vatanen right on the nose. Vatanen blinks but takes it well.
Groenveld scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Vatanen doesn't seem bothered though.
Groenveld throws a big shot that misses.
Groenveld throws a body punch but Vatanen moves out of range.
Vatanen scores with a sloppy right hand. Groenveld should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen's corner calls for a 1-2. Vatanen obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Groenveld misses with a body shot.
Groenveld ducks under a wild hook from Vatanen.
Groenveld scores with a crisp jab that stopped Vatanen in his tracks.

That has opened up Sami Vatanen's cut even more.
Vatanen takes a swing at Groenveld's ribcage but misses.
Vatanen loads up on a big right hand but Groenveld slips the punch.
Groenveld moves out of range as Vatanen strikes.
Jab, jab by Groenveld - just one landing.
Vatanen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Groenveld on the side of the head.
A shot to the body from Groenveld misses
and Vatanen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Groenveld misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vatanen.
Groenveld throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Vatanen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Groenveld misses with a wild body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Groenveld misses with a looping left.
Vatanen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Groenveld moves out of range of the strikes.
Vatanen looks to land a right hand but Groenveld moved out of range.
Groenveld misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Vatanen.
Vatanen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Vatanen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sami Vatanen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Vatanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Groenveld.
Groenveld staying out of range there.
Groenveld is looking to wear down Vatanen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
A looping hook to the body misses from Groenveld. Vatanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vatanen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Vatanen takes a swing at Groenveld's ribcage but misses.
Vatanen throws a body punch but Groenveld moves out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Groenveld. Vatanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vatanen misses with a double jab.
Groenveld throws a lazy right hand but Vatanen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Vatanen! But no joy.
Groenveld throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Groenveld connects with the punch.
Groenveld misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Vatanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Vatanen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Groenveld ducks under a wild hook from Vatanen.
Groenveld cracks Vatanen with a good jab.
Sami Vatanen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Groenveld fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Vatanen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vatanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Groenveld.
Groenveld throws a lazy right hand but Vatanen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Groenveld takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Groenveld works Vatanen's body with a nice hook.
Groenveld misses with a hook.
Groenveld tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vatanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Groenveld.
Vatanen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Groenveld ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Vatanen moves away.
Groenveld displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vatanen throws out the jab.
Vatanen missing with a left hand there. Groenveld was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vatanen lands a nice shot to the body.
Vatanen misses with a looping left.
A lazy left from Groenveld finds it's target.
Groenveld avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vatanen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vatanen throws a hook but Groenveld blocks it.
A big right from Vatanen misses.
Groenveld was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Groenveld keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Vatanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Vatanen defending well as Groenveld loads up on a big left hand.
Vatanen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Groenveld fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Vatanen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Vatanen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

The cut above Sami Vatanen's eye is starting to cause him problems now.
Groenveld showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vatanen.
Groenveld is looking to counter punch.
Vatanen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Groenveld.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Vatanen works Groenveld's body with a nice hook.
Vatanen punishes Groenveld's body with a nice straight punch.
Vatanen throws a body shot but no joy.
Vatanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Groenveld was well out of range. Poor timing from Vatanen.
Groenveld ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Vatanen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
A big left from Vatanen misses.
Groenveld throwing a counter right hand but Vatanen manages to avoid it.
Vatanen thuds his right hand into Groenveld's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Groenveld blocks a jab.
Vatanen ducks under a wild hook from Groenveld.
Groenveld lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Groenveld throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vatanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Groenveld.
Vatanen swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
A jab from Groenveld misses.
Nice straight punches there by Vatanen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Vatanen.
Vatanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vatanen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Vatanen is breathing heavily.
Vatanen misses with an uppercut.
Vatanen ducks under a wild hook from Groenveld.
Vatanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Groenveld scores with a shot to the body.
Vatanen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Groenveld counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Vatanen thinking.
Vatanen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Vatanen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Groenveld misses with an uppercut
and Vatanen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Vatanen needs to keep his hands up - Groenveld had a free shot at his head there.
Groenveld thuds a left hand into Vatanen's body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vatanen takes a swing at Groenveld's ribcage but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vatanen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.

Sami Vatanen's cut is absolute horrible now. This looks like something out of a horror film with blood covering both fighters.
Vatanen misses with an uppercut. Groenveld saw that one coming.
Vatanen moves out of range as Groenveld strikes.
A jab from Vatanen misses.
Nice defenses there by Vatanen.
Groenveld with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Vatanen to score with a decent uppercut.
Groenveld ducks under a wild hook from Vatanen.
Vatanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A combination from Vatanen does no damage.
Groenveld takes a swing at Vatanen's ribcage but misses.
Vatanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Groenveld.
Vatanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A big right from Vatanen misses.
Groenveld keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Groenveld fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Vatanen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vatanen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Vatanen missing with a left hand there. Groenveld was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Stefan Groenveld will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sami Vatanen'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. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Groenveld avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Vatanen throws a right hand that misses
and Groenveld counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Vatanen lands a right hook to the body.
Groenveld displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Vatanen throws out the jab.
Groenveld jabs Vatanen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Vatanen moves out of range of the strikes.
Groenveld throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Groenveld scores with a jab.
Groenveld lands a nice hook to Vatanen's body. Vatanen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Groenveld swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Vatanen.
Vatanen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Nice body punch from Groenveld.
Vatanen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Sami Vatanen's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:51 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Stefan Groenveld!
Stefan Groenveld bigged himself up after the win. The crowd seemed to love it.