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 Review by Brad Wong:
Welcome to the Malmi Sportshall in Helsinki for HERO 39: Mustonen vs Dos Santos. Tonight will see the Welterweight title on the line as undefeated challenger Virgil Morgan takes on Andrzej Workowski. For our main event, the Bantamweight title will be on the line as well, with the Brazilian contender Juan "JDS" Dos Santos challenges "Jose" Joonas Mustonen.
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Let's head inside the cage and check out the action.
HERO 39: Mustonen vs Dos Santos
Prelims
Welterweight Division: Cortland Cartwright Vs. Hooligan Nick
Our opening bout featured 2 young welterweights hoping to make an impact in the HERO organization. Nick landed an excellent combination early on that cut Cartwright deep. From there, Cartwright went to close the distance with a clinch and held it very well. Cartwright was able to work the clinch game against the cage as Nick attempted to fight him off. We saw a pivotal takedown before the 2 minute mark as Cartwright pulled guard. He attempted every submission under the sun, but eventually locked Nick into an Americana for the win.
Result: Cartwright by round 1 Submission (Americana)
Light Heavyweight Division: Key Chain Vs Josh Griggs
This light heavyweight bout featured 2 evenly matched strikers. Griggs threw some heavy punches early on with a definite game plan to take the fight to the ground. After landing a takedown into half guard, Griggs did not do anything to advance his position or continue to work, and we saw a referee standup. Chain proceeded to display on some top notch striking as he landed a beautiful jab, cross, leg kick combination. Griggs was rocked and knocked out after that!
Result: Chain by 1st round KO (Strikes)
Welterweight Division: Chuck Vogelpohl Vs Ollilan Jorma
Our 3rd fight of the night ended in a blink of an eye! Right from the bell, Vogelpohl came out swinging and cut Jorma real bad. After a hasty clinch and takedown, Vogelpohl pulled guard effortlessly and locked in a tight armbar for the win.
Result: Vogelpohl by 1st round Submission (Armbar)
Welterweight Division: Jake Shields Vs Teemu Yumma
The first round of this bout went back and forth between these two fighters. Shields worked some early submission attempts to no avail. Yumma was able to execute some great combinations and clinched early on after the first minute of action. He was able to utilize dirty boxing to land some painful punches. Shields ate lots of shots towards the end of the round and wasn't able to break the clinch until just after the 4th minute. Shields tried to work a triangle off his next successful takedown, but Yumma defended it well. Yumma dominated the second round of the fight by demonstrating excellent standup and clinch positioning. He was able to hold Shields against the cage and landed a devastating knee to the head of Shields. Shields crumpled to the floor and it was all over.
Result: Yumma by 2nd round TKO (Knee)
MAIN CARD:
Bantamweight Division: Hans Olson Vs BJ Ferguson
Another quick fight by 2 aggressive fighters in the Bantamweight division. Ferguson and Olson exchanged words, hands, and kicks right as the bell rang. Olson narrowly avoided a takedown and made Ferguson pay with a counter right punch that landed straight on the button. Another big overhand right and it was all over for Ferguson.
Result: Olson by 1st round KO (Punch)
Heavyweight Division: Roddy Piper Vs Richard Burger
The first heavyweight bout of the night ended rather quickly as the trend continued through the night. Piper managed to get an easy takedown right from the get-go. Burger pulled guard and would not let Piper pass. He was able to swing his leg over and pull Piper's arm across his body to lock in a firm triangle. Piper had no choice but to tap!
Result: Burger by 1st round Submission (Triangle Choke)
Heavyweight Division: Alan Fei Hong Vs Ken Hall
This bout was a real bloody battle! Fei Hong clinched off a failed takedown attempt from Hall. A vicious elbow cut Hall after the 1st minute mark. 2 more elbows landed which caused Hall to bleed like a stuck pig! The referee signaled in the doctor and he called an end to the fight.
Result: Fei Hong by 1st round TKO (Cut)
Co-Main Event
Welterweight Championship: Andrzej Workowski Vs Virgil Morgan
The co-main event of the night was an incredible back-and-forth performance between both fighters. The few rounds were close as both fighters displayed impressive jiu-jitsu abilities. Workowski scored a takedown and advanced into full mount right away. Morgan improved his position to obtain half-guard and fought off a kimura attempt. He pulled off a lovely sweep to control the top position. Workowski showed that he was comfortable working off his back and attempted 3 submissions from the bottom. The 2nd round was a similar story, but with Morgan looking for submissions around the 3 minute mark. Workowski dominated the round though, with greater control of his positions and almost getting a forearm choke towards the end of the round. The 3rd round and 4th rounds were incredibly different, as both fighters exchanged a blurry of punches and kicks. Morgan showed his true colors as he used Workowski like a soccer ball landing a variety of kicks! The 5th round was incredibly close, as Morgan worked submission attempts from the bottom. However, he wasn't able to secure anything substantial. The fighters took it to the judge's scorecards for the decision with Morgan claiming the victory.
Result: Morgan by unanimous decision
Main Event
Bantamweight Championship: Joonas Mustonen Vs Juan Dos Santos
Our main event of the night might as well have been a BJJ exhibition match for the champion. Mustonen absolutely dominated Dos Santos throughout all 5 rounds. Mustonen outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight. We saw the champion advance and pass positions all night long and came close to locking in every submission known in BJJ history. Dos Santos did show some signs of life towards the end of the 4th round as Mustonen made the mistake of giving up full mount. However, he wasn't able to capitalize on that opportunity. He was simply outclassed by a superior fighter.
Result: Mustonen by unanimous decision
Post Fight Press Conference
The evening's "Of the Night" awards were handed out as follows:
KO of the Night: Hans Olson
Sub of the Night: Richard Burger
Fight of the Night: Virgil Morgan vs Andrzej Workowski
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