PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Mac Bandini (ranked 2684 p4p, 261 weight class) and Harri Haaparanta (ranked 2304 p4p, 229 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Bandini
vs
Haaparanta

179 cm
23
153 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

181 cm
23
157 lbs
5 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mac Bandini!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harri Haaparanta!
The judges for this bout are Jonathan Paton, Bruno Lombardi and Franklyn Lucas.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bandini smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.

Bandini scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Bandini not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Haaparanta wants to control but Bandini is keeping busy.

Bandini is working for a kimura but Haaparanta is defending it quite comfortably.
Haaparanta is trying to stand.
Haaparanta really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bandini. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Bandini is nestled in close to Haaparanta, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bandini trying to control from half guard but Haaparanta is working away.
Haaparanta is trying to stand up here but Bandini is controlling him well.

Bandini seems to be looking for submissions.
Bandini seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Haaparanta does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bandini is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Haaparanta is looking to control Bandini's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Haaparanta avoid being mounted?
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Haaparanta can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bandini is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Bandini not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Haaparanta is trying to stand up here but Bandini is controlling him well.

Bandini is looking for a kimura but Haaparanta is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Bandini to get the leverage.

Bandini is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

Bandini decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haaparanta throws a wild body kick that Bandini sees coming a mile off.
Haaparanta throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Bandini tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Haaparanta defends well and Bandini ends up having to push Haaparanta into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Haaparanta lands with a hook. Bandini tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Bandini keeps the fight on the outside.
Haaparanta bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Haaparanta misses with a two punch combination.
Bandini throws a shot from downtown. Haaparanta moves away and avoids it.
Haaparanta stuffs the takedown attempt from Bandini. Bandini gets slowly back to his feet.
Haaparanta gets cracked there but stands up to it.

Haaparanta has closed the distance and engaged Bandini in a clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Haaparanta crunches a lovely knee into Bandini's ribcage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Haaparanta.
Bandini is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mac Bandini. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bandini blocks an elbow strike from Haaparanta.
Haaparanta taking a breather.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Knees in the clinch landing for Haaparanta.
Bandini jumps guard but Haaparanta turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Haaparanta trying to land knees to the body.
Bandini is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Haaparanta pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Haaparanta stalling the fight.
Haaparanta blocks an uppercut.
Haaparanta is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Bandini is defending well for now.

Bandini breaks the clinch.
Haaparanta tries to clinch but Bandini moves away
and Bandini counters with a stiff right hand.
Haaparanta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bandini paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Haaparanta just misses with a punch to the body.
Haaparanta stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Haaparanta wants it to stay on the feet.

Haaparanta has closed the distance and engaged Bandini in a clinch.
Bandini is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Haaparanta gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bandini is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Bandini is looking to break free of the clinch but Haaparanta has double underhooks.

Bandini breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Bandini scores with the left hand. Haaparanta knows he should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haaparanta swings for the body but Bandini moves out of range.
Bandini misses with a looping right.
Haaparanta tries to counter by closing the distance.
Haaparanta tries to clinch up.
Haaparanta has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Bandini finds it's way round the side to connect with Haaparanta's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A nice inside leg kick there by Haaparanta. That's going to slow Bandini down.
Bandini looks for a takedown but Haaparanta sprawls well.
Haaparanta stuffs the takedown attempt from Bandini. Bandini gets slowly back to his feet.
A little jabbing left from Haaparanta on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
We've been told by Bandini's head coaches at Doom's Gym that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Bandini dodges the punch combination from Haaparanta.
Nice jab there from Bandini.
Haaparanta throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Haaparanta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bandini paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Haaparanta doesn't manage to clinch there - Bandini circles away.
Haaparanta lands a nice shot that snaps Bandini's head back.
Haaparanta is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Harri Haaparanta will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bandini tests Haaparanta's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Haaparanta steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Bandini. That one must have hurt.
Haaparanta throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Haaparanta fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bandini manages to avoid it.
Bandini doesn't manage to clinch there - Haaparanta circles away.
Haaparanta throws a head kick that Bandini semi-blocks.
Nice sprawl there from Haaparanta as Bandini shoots in.
Haaparanta drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Haaparanta takes a body punch but keeps moving.

Haaparanta closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Bandini is trying to drag Haaparanta to the mat but Haaparanta just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Haaparanta landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Haaparanta blocks the elbow strike.
Haaparanta has Bandini pushed against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Bandini gets a trip takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haaparanta tries to kick Bandini off but Bandini keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Mac Bandini overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Haaparanta has managed to escape just enough to sneak back to his feet but Bandini is on him like a limpet, forcing Haaparanta back against the cage.
Haaparanta keeps control of Bandini as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Haaparanta doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Haaparanta working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Bandini is trying to push Haaparanta away but Haaparanta has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Haaparanta manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Haaparanta landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Haaparanta keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Bandini's efforts to push away.
Knees in the clinch landing for Haaparanta.
Haaparanta missing with knees to the body.
Bandini is trying to push Haaparanta away but Haaparanta has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Haaparanta swings wildly with an uppercut but Bandini uses good head movement to avoid it.
Haaparanta avoids a wild elbow strike from Bandini.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haaparanta stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Haaparanta is pressed up against the cage. Bandini has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Haaparanta down to the mat. Haaparanta avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mac Bandini. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haaparanta throws a leg kick that misses.
Bandini avoids a kick to the body.
It looked like Bandini wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Haaparanta displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Bandini throws out the jab.
Haaparanta moves out of range of the body kick from Bandini.
Bandini throws a shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haaparanta tries to clinch but Bandini moves out of range.
Bandini tries for a takedown but Haaparanta sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Haaparanta digs a good body shot into Bandini's ribs.
Bandini takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Bandini misses with a straight right.
Bandini with a nice cross.
Bandini looks to land a body kick but Haaparanta moved away.

Bandini takes the fight into the clinch.
Haaparanta is defending well against a takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haaparanta lands a shot to the body.
Haaparanta lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Haaparanta lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Haaparanta lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Haaparanta stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Bandini is working for takedown but Haaparanta is calmly controlling the position for now.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Haaparanta lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Haaparanta landing knees to the body.
Haaparanta lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Bandini wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Haaparanta has him pressed against the cage.
Haaparanta lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Bandini or not.
Good body shot from Haaparanta.
Haaparanta using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Haaparanta landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Bandini takes a knee to the side of the body.
Haaparanta is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Haaparanta utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haaparanta landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Haaparanta dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Harri Haaparanta seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Haaparanta tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Bandini avoids it.
Bandini is trying to force a seperation but Haaparanta has the dominant position.
Haaparanta crunches a lovely knee into Bandini's ribcage.
Haaparanta missing with knees to the body.
Bandini is trying to break the clinch but Haaparanta has him pressed against the cage.
Bandini avoiding damage as Haaparanta throws knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Haaparanta.
Bandini tries for a takedown. No joy.
Haaparanta manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Haaparanta slows down the pace here.
Haaparanta lands a shot to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harri Haaparanta showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Haaparanta looks to score with a jab to the body but Bandini is just out of range.
Bandini swats away the attempt to clinch by Haaparanta.
Bandini staying out of range there.
A swing and a miss from Bandini.
Haaparanta comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Bandini misses with a wild combination.
Haaparanta slaps away a takedown attempt from Bandini, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Haaparanta tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Bandini manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Bandini shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haaparanta as he avoids it easily.
Bandini missing with a left hand there. Haaparanta was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haaparanta fails to land with a series of punches.
Mac Bandini seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A big right from Haaparanta misses.
Bandini throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Bandini takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Haaparanta closes the distance and pushes Bandini back into the cage.
Bandini throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bandini managing to block the knees to the body from Haaparanta.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Haaparanta.
Haaparanta stalling in the clinch.
Haaparanta has Bandini pressed against the cage, preventing Bandini from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

Bandini breaks the clinch.
Haaparanta tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Bandini paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bandini gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Bandini thows a body kick. Haaparanta tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Haaparanta scores with a body shot.
Haaparanta takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Bandini misses with a combination
and Haaparanta finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Haaparanta pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
It looked like Bandini wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Haaparanta misses with a body shot.
Haaparanta lands with a kick to the ribs.
A solid leg kick lands there for Haaparanta.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Bandini misses with a takedown attempt - Haaparanta sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Mac Bandini. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haaparanta clobbers Bandini with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Haaparanta jabbing away but nothing is landing.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Haaparanta misses with a knee strike.
Bandini takes an elbow to the temple.
Bandini takes a knee right on the jaw!
Haaparanta is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Haaparanta landing knees to the body.
Bandini can't get the takedown.
Haaparanta lands an elbow that stopped Bandini in his tracks for a moment.
Bandini goes for a takedown in the clinch but Haaparanta prevents it.
Haaparanta misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Bandini.
Haaparanta using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haaparanta lands an uppercut.
Haaparanta lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Haaparanta lands a nice elbow.
Bandini is looking for a takedown.
Bandini is trying to pull guard but Haaparanta has him pressed against the cage.
Bandini is trying to break free.
The referee is keeping an eye on Haaparanta - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Haaparanta lands a nice elbow.
Bandini tries for a takedown but Haaparanta manages to get underhooks.
Haaparanta throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Bandini blocks it with crossed arms.
Bandini wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Haaparanta connects with a knee to the head.
Bandini takes an elbow to the temple.

Bandini is rocked!
Haaparanta lands a good knee to the midsection. Bandini won't want to take too many of those.
Oh Bandini is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Bandini throws a head punch that misses.
Bandini seems to have got his legs back now.
Haaparanta has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Haaparanta lands an elbow just above Bandini 's eye.
Haaparanta lands a nice knee to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice elbow from Haaparanta.
Haaparanta lands a big knee to the head and Bandini goes down! Haaparanta pounces and finishes the fight with strikes! He jumps to his feet and celebrates with the crowd!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:14 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Harri Haaparanta!
Our winner, Harri Haaparanta, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.