PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mica Makaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sanford Fanning (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Makaaja comes into the arena with Conquest of Paradise blaring out of the sound system. Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Makaaja
vs
Fanning

180 cm
47
215 lbs
31 - 15 - 0

182 cm
30
216 lbs
18 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Pit Bull Development
MayheM sportswear

Helsinki Xtreme Fightwear
RAGS of a RONIN

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mica Makaaja!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sanford Fanning!
The judges for this bout are Steve Montenegro, Jorge Garcia and John Roberts.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Makaaja fails with a takedown attempt.
Fanning wants to counter with a clinch but Makaaja pushes him away.
Makaaja dives in for a single leg takedown but Fanning sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Fanning tries to counter by closing the distance.
Fanning slaps away a takedown attempt from Makaaja, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mica Makaaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Makaaja tries for a takedown but Fanning sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Makaaja slips a jab and a cross from Fanning.
Fanning stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Fanning wants it to stay on the feet.
Makaaja sets himself, and Fanning steps forward looking for the clinch! Makaaja avoids it this time.

Makaaja shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Fanning manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Makaaja has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
Makaaja content to stall in guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makaaja tries to free his leg and advance position but Fanning is retaining full guard.
Makaaja wants to control from the top but Fanning keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Makaaja got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fanning has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Makaaja has managed to get both his arms back between Fanning's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Makaaja tries to free his leg and advance position but Fanning is retaining full guard.

Makaaja drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Fanning dives on top into guard.

Fanning passes into half guard.

Makaaja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Makaaja wants to control but Fanning is keeping busy.
Fanning seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Makaaja moves into full guard.

Makaaja looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Fanning passes into half guard.
Makaaja is trying to control but can't.

Makaaja looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Fanning prevents Makaaja from improving his position.
Fanning seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Makaaja does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Makaaja is looking to improve his position.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Makaaja is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Fanning pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fanning trying to control the pace.

Fanning is trying to work for a kimura but Makaaja is defending well.
Fanning trying to control from half guard but Makaaja is working away.
Makaaja controlling the position for now.

Fanning is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Makaaja is just riding it out for now. Fanning eventually gives up the hold.
Makaaja is looking for a sweep. Fanning is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Fanning wants to get back to his feet.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Makaaja misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Makaaja darts in looking for a takedown but Fanning gets double underhooks and turns Makaaja into the cage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Makaaja tries to score a power double leg takedown but Fanning sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Makaaja somewhat.
Fanning looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sanford Fanning dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Makaaja shoots for a double leg takedown but Fanning sprawls well. He's pushed Makaaja's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Makaaja shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Fanning as he avoids it easily.
Makaaja blocks a jab.
Makaaja shoots in but Fanning avoids the takedown attempt easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mica Makaaja. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Fanning stuffs the takedown attempt from Makaaja. Makaaja gets slowly back to his feet.
Makaaja shoots in for a double leg but Fanning sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Fanning looks to land a right hand but Makaaja moved out of range.
A thudding body kick lands there by Fanning!
Makaaja drops his hands momentarily and Fanning takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

It looks like Mica Makaaja has been cut.
Makaaja shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Fanning sprawls well. Fanning wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Makaaja gets slowly back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Makaaja fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Fanning tries to counter with a clinch but Makaaja shakes him off and moves away.
Nice takedown defense from Fanning. No joy for Makaaja on that attempt.
Makaaja is trying hard to land a takedown here. Fanning sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Makaaja takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Sanford Fanning is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fanning seems to be stalking Makaaja here. He circles momentarily and then unleashes a devastating head kick! Makaaja drops like a stone, out cold! WOW! Are you kidding me!? What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:10 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Sanford Fanning!
Sanford Fanning is the new light heavyweight champion!
Sanford Fanning thanked the fans post fight for their support.