Joulun odotusta pt.1 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mike Miller (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kari Rovaniesti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Miller
vs
Rovaniesti

188 cm
18
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

190 cm
25
205 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Miller!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kari Rovaniesti!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A clash of legs there as Rovaniesti blocks the low kick.
Rovaniesti misses with a takedown attempt - Miller sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Miller throws a nice looking combination but Rovaniesti bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Miller shoots in looking for a takedown. Rovaniesti tries to sprawl out of it but Miller keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rovaniesti manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Rovaniesti tries to bum rush Miller with a series of wild strikes but Miller uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rovaniesti moves in looking to clinch but Miller pushes him off.
Miller does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rovaniesti swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Miller counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

Rovaniesti clinches.
Miller working hard to break the clinch.
Miller stops a takedown attempt from Rovaniesti.
Rovaniesti prevents Miller from breaking the clinch.
Rovaniesti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Rovaniesti wants to get back to striking at distance but Miller won't allow it.
Rovaniesti can't get the takedown.
Mike Miller has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kari Rovaniesti.
Miller wants to get back to striking at distance but Rovaniesti won't allow it.
Rovaniesti can't break the clinch.
Rovaniesti wants a takedown but no success here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rovaniesti breaks the clinch.
Miller tries to bum rush Rovaniesti with a series of wild strikes but Rovaniesti uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rovaniesti.
Miller lands with a nice combination. Rovaniesti backs away looking to recover.
Rovaniesti looks gassed!

Miller drops Rovaniesti with a beautiful combination! Rovaniesti stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Miller is looking for the KO!

Rovaniesti is rocked!

It looks like Kari Rovaniesti has been cut.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Miller connects with a jab, followed by a picture perfect straight right that sends Rovaniesti to the canvas, out cold! What a finish by Miller!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punches). Mike Miller!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
100%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jarred Smith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Travis Wickline (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Travis Wickline acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Smith
vs
Wickline

192 cm
19
205 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

188 cm
23
211 lbs
6 - 9 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Good elbows
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jarred Smith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Travis Wickline!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Wickline moves in looking to clinch but Smith pushes him off.
Wickline looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Smith is fending him off so far but Wickline persists. Nope, Smith circles away and we're back to standing.

Smith drives through and clinches with Wickline against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Wickline fails to land.
Wickline looking to stall.

Wickline lands a takedown into guard.

Smith pushes Wickline off and scrambles back to his feet.

Smith moves into the clinch.
Smith drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Wickline gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Smith is pressed up against the cage. Wickline has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Smith down to the mat. Smith avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Wickline fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Jarred Smith has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Travis Wickline.

Wickline gets a takedown into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Smith pushes Wickline off and gets back to his feet.

Smith scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Smith controlling from side mount.
Wickline looks to move to half guard but instead Smith has passed into mount! Damn!
Smith tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Smith seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Wickline for as long as he can get away with.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smith'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.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Wickline can do anything to dispel that myth.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Jarred Smith just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Smith feints and as Wickline raises his hands in defense, Smith changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Smith forces his way into half guard.
Wickline trying to control here.
Wickline looks gassed!
Smith uses his free foot to push down on Wickline's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Wickline.
Smith looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wickline is in all sorts of trouble here.
Smith controlling the position easily from mount.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarred Smith dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Smith shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jarred Smith.

Wickline gets caught flat footed, as Smith shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Smith sitting in guard here, content to control.
Wickline is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Smith slips nicely into half guard.
Smith perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith passes the guard and advances to mount!
Smith sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Wickline is breathing heavily.
Wickline takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Smith controlling his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Smith is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Wickline can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Smith controlling the position easily from mount.
Jarred Smith overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Smith connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Smith is landing with some decent strikes but Wickline is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Smith tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Jarred Smith just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.

Wickline gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Smith to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Smith seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Wickline thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Smith controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wickline throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
Smith passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Smith controls the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Jarred Smith.

Smith darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Well, if Smith is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jarred Smith dominated that second round.
That's time! Smith's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Smith.

Smith shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Smith passes the guard and advances to mount!
Smith controlling the pace for now.
The referee warns Wickline that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Wickline takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Smith takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Smith putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Smith looking to control and managing it successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Smith has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Jarred Smith just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Smith tests Wickline's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Wickline with a poor takedown

and Smith counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Smith slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wickline is trying to keep Smith in close.
Smith controls from within his opponent's guard.
Smith with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Smith pushing down on Wickline's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Smith trying to control the pace.
Wickline wants to sweep but Smith has passed to side control!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smith cracks Wickline with a big right hand but Wickline just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
A lull in the action here.

Smith decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Smith moves into the clinch successfully.

Smith is trying to trip Wickline. He has hold of a leg but Wickline is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Smith persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Smith is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jarred Smith showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Smith has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Jarred Smith!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Jarred Smith!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Jarred Smith!

Jarred Smith wins by unanimous decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
32%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between John Clampenture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kuki Hilli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Clampenture
vs
Hilli

178 cm
25
180 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
180 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Clampenture!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kuki Hilli!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Clampenture darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Clampenture is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Hilli!
Clampenture wants to stand but Hilli is holding on to him, trying to stop him posturing up.
Clampenture wants to take Hilli's back but he can't do it this time.
Hilli is squirming around, avoiding Clampenture's attempts to control the action.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Clampenture swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Hilli is now in Clampenture's guard. A big mistake from Clampenture there, giving up the dominant position!
Clampenture keeping full guard, as Hilli tries to pass.
Clampenture looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clampenture is trying to control the position but Hilli postures up.
Hilli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hilli wants to control from the top but Clampenture keeps moving.
Hilli might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Clampenture kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hilli is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

Clampenture is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Clampenture looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Clampenture shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Clampenture is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Clampenture is breathing heavily.
Clampenture throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Clampenture seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hilli does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Clampenture is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Hilli moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hilli has his foot on Clampenture's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Clampenture works his way back into a safe position though.
Clampenture trying to control the position from guard on top but Hilli is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Clampenture won't allow Hilli to get back to his feet.
Clampenture wants to stand and escape but instead Hilli has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Clampenture working a defensive guard but Hilli passes into half guard.
Clampenture is looking for a sweep. Hilli is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Clampenture tries to kick Hilli off but Hilli keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Hilli prevents Clampenture from improving his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Hilli shoots in but no luck this time.
Clampenture has his takedown stuffed
and Hilli counters with a three punch combo that has Clampenture backing up. Clampenture nods at Hilli to acknowledge the strikes.

Hilli decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Hilli sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Clampenture defending well though.
Hilli sitting and controlling from the half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kuki Hilli will probably get the nod.
That's time! Clampenture's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Clampenture shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Hilli counters with a shoot takedown. Clampenture fights it but they end up in guard.
Clampenture tries to strike from the bottom.

Hilli avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hilli looking to pass the guard.
Hilli prevents Clampenture from getting back to his feet.

Clampenture throws his legs up looking for a submission but Hilli uses it to pass to side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Hilli looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hilli is trying to get an arm triangle but Clampenture is defending well.
Clampenture can't do much from the bottom here.
Clampenture gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Clampenture has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Hilli is working away from the top position though.

Hilli is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Clampenture sees it coming and defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Clampenture regains full guard. Nicely done.
Hilli trying to control but Clampenture is working from the bottom.

Clampenture is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hilli defends well.
Clampenture keeping moving, preventing Hilli from controlling successfully.

Clampenture escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Hilli gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hilli looking to pass the guard.
Hilli trying to control the position from guard on top but Clampenture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kuki Hilli has got the better of the ground game so far.
Clampenture trying to keep a closed guard but Hilli is proving a slippery customer.
Clampenture has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Hilli trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hilli is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Clampenture closes the distance but Hilli moves to the side

and Hilli counters with a nice double leg into side control. Clampenture won't be happy with that.
Clampenture is looking for a sweep.
Clampenture seems a little lost for a moment, as Hilli dominates the positioning.
Clampenture is looking to reverse the position.
A lull in the action here as Hilli stalls from top position.
Clampenture gets back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kuki Hilli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Clampenture misses with a takedown

and Hilli counters with a single leg into guard. Clampenture didn't expect that.
Hilli lands a couple of digs.
Clampenture wants to sweep but no luck.
Hilli trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hilli trying to control the position from guard on top but Clampenture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hilli stops Clampenture from standing up.
Hilli stands and throws Clampenture's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Clampenture is not content to let Hilli control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Clampenture is trying to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hilli working the head and body with strikes.
Clampenture tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Hilli happy to just control the position for now.
You can see the frustration on Clampenture's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Hilli trying to control the position but Clampenture is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
You can see the frustration on Clampenture's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Clampenture closes the distance and pushes Hilli back into the cage.
Hilli prevents a takedown attempt there.

Hilli pulls guard effortlessly.

Clampenture drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hilli manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Clampenture has Hilli in his guard.
Clampenture keeping moving, preventing Hilli from controlling successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Clampenture is looking to stand back up but Hilli counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Clampenture.
Hilli wants to free his trapped foot but Clampenture is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Clampenture missing with punches from the bottom.
Hilli is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Hilli tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Clampenture trying to control here.
Still in half guard, Hilli seems content to control.

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

Clampenture looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Clampenture clinches but Hilli breaks the clinch

and Hilli counters with a shoot takedown. Clampenture fights it but they end up in guard.
John Clampenture has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hilli lands a couple of decent looking shots.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kuki Hilli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hilli winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Kuki Hilli!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Kuki Hilli!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Kuki Hilli!

Kuki Hilli wins by unanimous decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
50%

Main event

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Bubba Allister (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gunnar Hoffman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gunnar Hoffman is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Allister
vs
Hoffman

190 cm
20
267 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
230 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Great low kicks
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Bubba Allister!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gunnar Hoffman!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Allister with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Allister with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hoffman looks gassed!
Allister seems to be stalking Hoffman here. He circles momentarily and then unleashes a devastatic head kick! Hoffman drops like a stone, out cold! WOW! Are you kidding me!? What a knockout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:09 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Bubba Allister!