PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Wilmer Walter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lop Criato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lop Criato has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Walter
vs
Criato

170 cm
20
278 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

189 cm
26
235 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Wilmer Walter!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lop Criato!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A head kick misses from Criato.
Criato jabs at Walter's body.

Criato changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Walter looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Criato is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Walter has escaped the position, nice work there.
Walter is not content to let Criato control the position.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Criato working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Walter struggling a bit here.
Walter is letting Criato control him for a moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Criato tries to move to mount but Walter blocks the move with his legs.
Criato trying to control the action but Walter is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A lull in the action here as Criato stalls from top position.
Walter prevents Criato from moving into mount.
Criato in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Criato working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Walter is holding Criato down, trying to stall.
Criato trying to control the action but Walter is working from the bottom.
Criato is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Criato tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Criato has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Walter is trying to get back to half guard.
Criato trying to control the position but Walter is working away.
Walter manages to get back to half guard.
Criato is trying to control the action in half guard but Walter is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Walter tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Walter tries to get to full guard but Criato has control of the leg.
Walter is refusing to be controlled, as Criato sits in half guard.
Walter keeping control of the position.
Criato controlling the pace.
Walter has his hands clasped together around Criato's back. He's all about the action.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Criato tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Walter.
Walter is looking to control Criato's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Walter avoid being mounted?

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

Criato scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Walter really is a fat lump.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Criato working Walter over with strikes.

Walter is defending against the submission attempts here by Criato.

Criato is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Walter keeping control of the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Walter is refusing to be controlled, as Criato sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lop Criato dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Criato instigates a clinch.
The referee calls for Criato to work.

Criato ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Criato no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Criato manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Walter manages to get himself to full guard.

We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Walter is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Walter might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Lop Criato has got the better of the ground game so far.
Walter trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Criato trying to control but Walter is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Criato makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Walter looking to control.
Criato would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Walter is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Criato stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Walter swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Walter looking to control.
Criato sitting in guard here, content to control.
Walter pulls Criato in close to his closed guard and prevents Criato from doing any damage or advancing position.
Criato controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Walter has a closed guard, preventing Criato from standing up.

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

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.
Criato misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Walter stuffs the takedown attempt from Criato. Criato gets slowly back to his feet.

Criato has taken the fight to the clinch.

Criato breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Criato dips to his left and cracks Walter with an uppercut!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Criato cracks a nice hook into Walter's ribs.
Criato looks for a takedown but Walter sprawls well.
Walter is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Wilmer Walter has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Lop Criato.
Criato avoids a punch combination nicely.
Criato lands a head kick!

Criato gets a double leg takedown into Walter's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Criato has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Walter is proving hard to escape from.
Walter tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Walter is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Walter manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.

Criato breaks the clinch.

Criato throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Walter tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Criato is in Walter's guard.

Walter scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Walter avoids the head kick by Criato.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lop Criato showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Criato scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Criato scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Walter doesn't seem bothered though.
Walter takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Criato fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Criato throws a head kick that misses.
Walter misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Criato shoots in for a takedown but Walter shows good takedown defense.
Wilmer Walter is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Criato throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lop Criato seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Criato throws a head kick that misses
and Walter counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Criato takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Criato displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Walter.
Criato goes for a double leg but Walter avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Walter continues to drive forward.
Walter is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Criato misses with a two punch combination.
Walter feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Walter shoots in for a double leg but Criato sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Wilmer Walter. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Walter keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Criato fails with the takedown.
Walter uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Criato.
Walter on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Criato lands with a thumping leg kick.

Criato gets a clinch.
Criato stalling against the cage.
Criato has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Criato manages to break the clinch.
Walter misses with a left hand
and Criato counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Walter is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Criato shoots in but no luck this time.
Walter appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Walter throws a body punch but Criato moves out of range.
Criato tries to counter with a clinch but Walter shakes him off and moves away.
Walter shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Criato defends it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Criato has taken the fight to the clinch.

Criato has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Walter uses from the top position.
Lop Criato is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

Criato is working an open guard so Walter takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Criato tries a head kick but it misses.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Criato. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Criato stuffs the takedown.
Wilmer Walter has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Criato clinches.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lop Criato comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Criato has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lop Criato!