PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Hannu Karpo (ranked 911 p4p, 975 weight class) and Ri Zaadha (ranked 137 p4p, 144 weight class). Zaadha is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: On A Roll. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Karpo
vs
Zaadha

186 cm
35
175
21 - 16 - 1

189 cm
39
177
35 - 24 - 2

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary
Voodoo Nutrition

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 21 - 16 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hannu Karpo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 24 - 2, fighting out of New York, Ri Zaadha!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Bishop, Chris Edwards and William Gold.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A looping hook to the body misses from Zaadha. Karpo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Zaadha throws a head kick but Karpo moves out of range.
Zaadha cracks Karpo with a right hand to the side of the head.
Karpo throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Karpo misses with the combination.
Ri Zaadha seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Zaadha misses with a lunging right hand
and Karpo counters with a nice low kick that buckles Zaadha's knee momentarily.
Zaadha misses the jab.
Karpo appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Zaadha throws a head kick that misses.
Karpo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Zaadha.
Good leg kick by Karpo.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karpo slips under a jab.
Karpo takes one to the chin there.
Karpo blocks a jab.
Karpo looks to land a right hand but Zaadha moved out of range.
Zaadha tries a quick counter leg kick but Karpo is wise to it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Zaadha scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A big right from Zaadha misses.
Karpo misses with a wild body shot.
Zaadha throws a body punch but Karpo moves out of range.
Zaadha works the jab nicely.
Zaadha lunges at Karpo with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Karpo's hand.
Karpo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Karpo connects with a solid leg kick.
Karpo moves forwards but Zaadha connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Zaadha comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Zaadha misses with a kick to the body
and Karpo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Zaadha throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Karpo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zaadha misses the shot to the body.
A little feinted left hand from Karpo on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Karpo lands a body shot.
Zaadha misses with a left hand
enabling Karpo to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A punch lands to the side of Karpo 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Zaadha throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Zaadha fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Karpo manages to avoid it.
Zaadha moves out of range of the body kick.
The fighters circling - Zaadha throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Zaadha throws a body shot but no joy.
Zaadha throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Karpo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Zaadha throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Karpo.

It looks like Hannu Karpo has been cut.
Karpo avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
No joy there for Karpo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Karpo.
Karpo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Zaadha.
Zaadha digs a good body shot into Karpo's ribs.
Zaadha throws a front kick aimed at Karpo's knee but Karpo avoids it well.
Zaadha is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Karpo had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into mush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Karpo ducks under a wild hook from Zaadha.
Zaadha swings widly with a right hand
and Karpo makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Zaadha connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Karpo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Karpo throws a head kick that half lands.

Karpo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Karpo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

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

This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaadha sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Karpo looking for a sweep. Not yet Karpo, not yet.
Zaadha trying to stand up but can't free himself from Karpo's guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Karpo is on top in guard.

Hammerfist, elbow! yells Karpo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karpo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Zaadha pushes Karpo off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Zaadha misses with a looping left.
Karpo scores with a hook to the body. Zaadha takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Zaadha misses with a looping right.
A big right from Zaadha misses.
Karpo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Karpo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Zaadha preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Karpo lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Zaadha trying to control from the bottom.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ri Zaadha will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Hannu Karpo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Karpo lands with a nice body punch.
Zaadha throws a lazy right hand but Karpo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Zaadha tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Karpo is looking to wear down Zaadha with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Karpo slips a jab from Zaadha.
Ri Zaadha seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Zaadha tries to move into range but Karpo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Karpo defending well as Zaadha loads up on a big left hand.
A head kick misses from Zaadha.
Karpo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Zaadha stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Karpo slips under a jab from Zaadha.
Zaadha turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Karpo throws an overhand right that lands on Zaadha's shoulder, as Zaadha tries to avoid the shot.
Zaadha scores with a jab to the jaw.
Karpo connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Zaadha misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Karpo!
Karpo shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Zaadha as he avoids it easily.
Zaadha throws a lazy uppercut
and Karpo counters with a stiff right hand.
Zaadha lands a leg kick that knocks Karpo off balance momentarily.
Zaadha goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Zaadha lands with a cross.
A telegraphed right hand from Karpo misses the target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Zaadha darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Karpo uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Zaadha.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Zaadha attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zaadha.
A low kick lands for Zaadha.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Zaadha displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Karpo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha just misses with a punch to the body.
Zaadha misses the jab.
Zaadha feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Karpos jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nice uppercut there from Zaadha.
Zaadha throws a head kick that misses.
Zaadha ducks under a wild hook from Karpo.
Zaadha let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Karpo cracks Zaadha with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Karpo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Karpo was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Karpo takes one to the chin there.
Ri Zaadha is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Zaadha throws a right hand that misses
and Karpo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Karpo scores with a head kick. Zaadha tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Zaadha misses the shot to the body.
Karpo quickly followed up with a counter body kick but doesn't connect.
Karpo checks a leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha throws a lazy uppercut
and Karpo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Karpo on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Zaadha. Zaadha obviously looking to wear him down.
Zaadha throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Karpo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Karpo defending well as Zaadha loads up on a big left hand.
Karpo bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Karpo swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Zaadha misses with an uppercut. Karpo saw that one coming.
Karpo throws a left and a right that both miss
and Zaadha counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Zaadha scores with a leg kick.
Zaadha pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A shot to the body from Zaadha misses
and Karpo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Karpo slips a jab from Zaadha.
Karpo staying out of range there.
Karpo is looking to counter punch.
Karpo steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Zaadha.
An attempted straight right counter from Karpo misses the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Zaadha. That's going to slow Karpo down.
A big left from Zaadha misses.
Karpo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Zaadha sprawls and moves away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Karpo throws a head kick that half lands.
Karpo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Karpo misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Zaadha takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Decent striking displayed by Karpo there.
Karpo with a hook.
Karpo throws a body shot but no joy.
Karpo throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Karpo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Karpo shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Zaadha is trying to defend but Karpo finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.

Zaadha manages to escape and get back to his feet!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ri Zaadha will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Hannu Karpo's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Zaadha throws the left hand but Karpo avoids the punch easily.
Karpo feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Hannu Karpo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Karpo gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Zaadha.
Zaadha looks to throw the jab but Karpo is out of range.
Zaadha misses with a body shot
and Karpo counters with a stiff right hand.
Zaadha takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Zaadha throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Karpo lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Zaadha throws a hook but Karpo avoids it easily.
Zaadha throws a poor cross that misses
and Karpo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big left from Zaadha misses.
Zaadha tries to land a leg kick but Karpo saw it coming and moves away.
Zaadha misses with a looping right.
Karpo drops down looking for a counter takedown but Zaadha sprawls and moves away.
Zaadha bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Karpo's head backwards.
Zaadha swings widly with a right hand
letting Karpo counter with a right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Karpo.
Zaadha lands a leg kick that knocks Karpo off balance momentarily.
Zaadha throws a right hand that misses
and Karpo counters with an inside leg kick.
Karpo misses with a takedown attempt - Zaadha sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Zaadha ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Karpo moves away.
Zaadha connects with a good right hand that stumbles Karpo. Karpo circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Karpo ducks under a wild hook from Zaadha.
Zaadha stuffs the takedown.
A slapping leg kick lands for Zaadha.
A punch lands to the side of Karpo 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Zaadha's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Zaadha thumps Karpo with a low kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Karpo needs to keep his hands up - Zaadha had a free shot at his head there.
Zaadha's corner calls for a 1-2. Zaadha obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Zaadha throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Karpo takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Zaadha lands a head shot.
Karpo looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Karpo avoids the body shot from Zaadha.
Zaadha lands with a shot to the body.
Zaadha lands a slapping body shot.
Zaadha misses with a straight left.
Zaadha digs a good hook to Karpo's body.
Zaadha throws a looping overhand right but Karpo ducks down to avoid it.
Karpo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Zaadha throws the left hand but Karpo avoids the punch easily.
Karpo walks into a left hand.
Zaadha looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Zaadha scores with a nice strike.
A good leg kick by Karpo.
Karpo jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ri Zaadha is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Zaadha misses with an uppercut. Karpo saw that one coming.
Karpo has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Zaadha finds it's way round the side to connect with Karpo's head.
Zaadha misses with a right hand
and Karpo counters with a stiff right hand.
Zaadha misses with a right hand
and Karpo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Zaadha connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Zaadha just misses with a punch to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Karpo just misses with a punch to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Zaadha.
Both fighters circling a little - Karpo finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Zaadha has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Zaadha chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Zaadha has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Zaadha there as he acknowledges the shot.
Zaadha keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Zaadha throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Karpo checks the leg kick nicely there.
A big right from Zaadha misses.
Karpo throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Zaadha stuns Karpo with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Zaadha shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A low kick lands for Zaadha.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ri Zaadha comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Zaadha 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 Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight 27:30
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Ri Zaadha!
An out of breath Ri Zaadha thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.