PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Israel Adesanya (ranked 1006 p4p, 1874 weight class) and Han Mariduena (ranked 134 p4p, 230 weight class). Adesanya comes to the cage accompanied by Israel Adesanya Entrance Music. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Adesanya
vs
Mariduena

193 cm
23
184
10 - 3 - 0

190 cm
29
213
8 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Granite chin

HILO NUTRITION
IC&E Nutrition (& 10% Laundry)

HILO THREADS
HILO NUTRITION

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 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Israel Adesanya!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Han Mariduena!
The judges for this bout are Jack Bonds, Timothy Bukovac and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Adesanya swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Mariduena showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Adesanya.
Adesanya tries a low kick but Mariduena avoids it.
Mariduena is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.

Mariduena scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Mariduena lands with a punch from half guard.
Mariduena throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mariduena controlling the pace.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Mariduena tries to pass the half guard into mount. Adesanya knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Adesanya tries to roll over but Mariduena keeps him under control.
Adesanya on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Adesanya tries to get out of the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Adesanya is controlling Mariduena's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Adesanya is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Hilo MMA, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Mariduena throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Mariduena lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Mariduena has been taking part in the yoga sessions down at Hilo MMA. Presumably he's going to look for a slick submission... Or maybe he's looking to avoid one.

Mariduena seems to be looking for submissions.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mariduena connects with a nice short shot to Adesanya's temple.
Adesanya is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mariduena throws a strike but Adesanya avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Adesanya utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Mariduena trying to control but Adesanya is working from the bottom.
Mariduena landing some decent shots from guard.
Mariduena throws a big elbow that misses.
Mariduena postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Adesanya wants to sweep here but Mariduena controlling him for the moment.
Mariduena trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mariduena throws a big elbow that misses.
Adesanya has his hands on Mariduena's head, controlling the position.

Mariduena is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Adesanya is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Adesanya has escaped and now he's on top!

Mariduena pulls Adesanya in close to prevent any damage.
Adesanya showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Mariduena has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

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.
Mariduena is trying to keep Adesanya in close.

Mariduena throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Mariduena has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Adesanya can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Mariduena is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Han Mariduena dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Adesanya tries to close the distance and clinch but Mariduena swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Adesanya stuffs the takedown.
Adesanya is looking for a counter combo.

Mariduena gets tackled into the cage by Adesanya. Adesanya maintains the clinch.

Adesanya manages to break the clinch.
Mariduena connects with the punch.
Mariduena walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Mariduena has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Mariduena misses with a looping right.
Mariduena scores with a sloppy right hand. Adesanya should have avoided that one.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Adesanya is looking to slow Mariduena down with leg kicks.
Mariduena throws a body shot but no joy.
Mariduena looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mariduena blocks a head kick by Adesanya.
Mariduena looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Mariduena shoots and misses

and Adesanya holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Adesanya breaks the clinch.
Adesanya avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Adesanya is looking to counter punch.
Mariduena is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Mariduena swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Adesanya counters with a lovely straight right hand!
A solid leg kick lands there for Adesanya.
Mariduena throws a hook but Adesanya avoids it easily.
Mariduena throws a big shot that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Adesanya fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Mariduena, pushing him back against the cage.
Adesanya lands a nice knee to the body.
Mariduena is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Mariduena wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Mariduena breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mariduena throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Adesanya half committed to a counter leg kick.
Mariduena throws a body punch but Adesanya moves out of range.
Mariduena looks for a takedown but Adesanya sprawls well.
Israel Adesanya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Han Mariduena.
Adesanya looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mariduena shoots for a takedown but Adesanya saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mariduena swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Adesanya is looking to counter punch.
Mariduena tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Mariduena takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mariduena wants to clinch.
Adesanya throws a right and a left that both miss.
No joy there for Adesanya, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Mariduena looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A nice combination there by Adesanya.

It looks like Han Mariduena has been cut.
Han Mariduena seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mariduena throws a right and a left that Adesanya avoids nicely.
Mariduena swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Mariduena takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mariduena shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Adesanya sprawls well. Adesanya wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mariduena gets slowly back to his feet.
Mariduena circles away from the clinch attempt.
Mariduena with a lazy takedown attempt
and Adesanya connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mariduena avoids the head kick by Adesanya.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mariduena swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Adesanya counters with a left and a right that stings Mariduena.
Israel Adesanya is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mariduena keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A shot to the liver by Adesanya. Beautiful body shot.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Israel Adesanya dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Han Mariduena's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Mariduena throws a body punch but Adesanya moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Adesanya.
Mariduena throws the left hand but Adesanya avoids the punch easily.
Mariduena shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Adesanya pinned against the cage. Adesanya gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Adesanya throws a nice looking combination but Mariduena bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A jab from Mariduena misses.
Mariduena cracks a nice hook into Adesanya's ribs.
Mariduena shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Adesanya sprawls well. Adesanya wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Mariduena gets slowly back to his feet.
Adesanya is looking to counter punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Adesanya rushes Mariduena and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Mariduena can't find room to land a body shot as Adesanya controls the action.

Adesanya's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Israel Adesanya is winning the standup battle so far.

Mariduena gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Mariduena is trying to pull guard but Adesanya has him pressed against the cage.
Israel Adesanya has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Han Mariduena.
Adesanya stalling in the clinch.
Mariduena is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Adesanya to keep the fight standing.
Adesanya prevents a body shot from Mariduena.

Adesanya breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mariduena tries to clinch but Adesanya is having none of it.
Nice jab there from Adesanya.
Mariduena throws a combination that misses
and Adesanya counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Mariduena looks to land a right hand but Adesanya moved out of range.
Adesanya takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Mariduena swings widly with a right hand
and Mariduena takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Adesanya with a nice cross.
Adesanya explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Mariduena takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya doesn't manage to clinch there - Mariduena circles away.
Adesanya tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Mariduena was well out of range. Poor timing from Adesanya.
Mariduena lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Adesanya circles away quickly and effectively.
Adesanya throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mariduena tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Adesanya paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Adesanya is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Mariduena.
Mariduena tries to score a power double leg takedown but Adesanya sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Mariduena somewhat.
Adesanya moves in looking to clinch but Mariduena pushes him off.
And Mariduena tries to counter it with a takedown but Adesanya pushes his down on his head and steps out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Adesanya dodges the punch combination from Mariduena.
Mariduena throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Adesanya's waist but Adesanya gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Mariduena off to one side.

Mariduena looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Mariduena lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Adesanya is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Mariduena's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Mariduena's back!
Han Mariduena has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Adesanya keeps control of the position easily here as Mariduena tries to buck him off.
Adesanya'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.

And that's the end of the fight!
Israel Adesanya showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Adesanya has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Jack Bonds scores the fight for Israel Adesanya!
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Israel Adesanya!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Israel Adesanya!

Israel Adesanya wins by unanimous decision!
Israel Adesanya took some time post fight to say the following; 'We love a good one out. We love a good fight. This is part of the culture. Straight up. We’re a country of a warrior race, the Maori. This is part of our culture. If a fight broke out right now, what would you all do? You’d ignore me and you’d watch the fight. It’s in our DNA.'.