PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Denny Morton (ranked 6401 p4p, 0 weight class) and Harald Hexum (ranked 7031 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Morton
vs
Hexum

215 cm
18
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
21
176 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Good in bed

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Can Moonwalk

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Denny Morton!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harald Hexum!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Morton closes the distance but Hexum moves to the side
and Hexum counters with a left and a right that stings Morton.
Hexum looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Morton is looking to clinch but Hexum is avoiding it.

Morton closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Morton displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hexum up against the cage.
Hexum being controlled against the cage.

Morton works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morton is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morton with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hexum tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Morton is stalling in the full guard.
Hexum is trying to control the position but Morton postures up.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Helsinki inform us that Hexum has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?
Morton sitting in guard, not really doing much.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Morton has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Morton really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Hexum is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Morton's half guard.
Morton works his way to full guard. Good work.
Morton will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Morton bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hexum's guard.

Morton throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Morton stays in close to Hexum's body and controls the position.
Morton's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morton drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Morton jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Morton slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Morton seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Hexum for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Morton.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Morton tries to clinch there but Hexum circles away.
Hexum tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hexum throws a nice looking combination but Morton bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Morton has closed the distance and engaged Hexum in a clinch.
Morton pressing his opponent against the cage.
Morton dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Denny Morton will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Morton has a takedown stuffed.
Hexum throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Morton takes the fight into the clinch.

Hexum tightens his grip and picks Morton up, before dumping him to the ground. Morton manages to land in guard.
Hexum preventing the sweep.
Morton pulls Hexum in close to prevent any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morton 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.
Morton pulls Hexum in close to his closed guard and prevents Hexum from doing any damage or advancing position.
Hexum is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Morton lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Morton engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Morton makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Morton thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hexum can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Morton controls the pace.
Morton continues to hold on tight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Denny Morton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Morton scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hexum thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Morton gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Morton leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hexum throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Morton tries to score a body lock takedown but Hexum shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hexum is trying to push Morton away but Morton has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Morton is struggling to control the position.
Morton displaying some good clinch control by pressing Hexum up against the cage.
Morton effectively controlling the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hexum wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Hexum on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Hexum works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
Morton is trying to control the position but Hexum postures up.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hexum stopping the sweep attempt from Morton.
Hexum stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Morton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Harald Hexum will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Morton clinches up with Hexum and pushes him back against the cage.
Morton effectively controlling the action here.

Hexum pulls guard.
Morton not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Morton is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Morton sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Hexum takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Morton distracts Hexum with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Hexum fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Morton sprawls well initially but Hexum persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hexum is thwarting Morton's attempts to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Morton tries to get to full guard but Hexum has control of the leg.
Morton regains full guard. Nicely done.
Morton looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hexum is one step ahead there.

Morton working for a triangle but Hexum defends it easily.

Hexum got a little sloppy there for a moment and Morton has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Hexum has managed to get both his arms back between Morton's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Morton can't keep his opponent in guard - Hexum advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Morton is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Morton moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Morton working a defensive guard here.
Hexum looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Morton had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Hexum defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hexum stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Morton swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Morton is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Morton looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hexum is stalling in the full guard.

Morton looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Hexum passes into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Harald Hexum.
I think Hexum has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Harald Hexum!