PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gabriel Havran (ranked 1416 p4p, 1580 weight class) and Marcel Romanow (ranked 172 p4p, 194 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.

Havran
vs
Romanow

194 cm
26
255
11 - 9 - 0

175 cm
27
247
8 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Excellent grappler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

NARCOS

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 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gabriel Havran!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 9 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Marcel Romanow!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Havran throws a series of punches but Romanow avoids them all with ease.
Romanow paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Havran just misses with a punch to the body.
Romanow feints the counter takedown.
A slow jab from Havran misses its intended target.
Romanow tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Romanow connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Havran's hands.
Romanow bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Romanow circles away from the clinch attempt.
Romanow with a body punch. A glancing blow.

Havran clinches up against the cage.
Havran scores with a nice hook to the head.
Romanow tries to throw a body punch but Havran avoids it by throwing Romanow back against the cage.
Havran swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Romanow lands with a short shot to the head.

It looks like Gabriel Havran has been cut.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Romanow tries to work over Havran's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
I was talking to Havran's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Havran throws a punch but it's blocked by Romanow.
Romanow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Romanow presses Havran against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Romanow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Havran tries to work over Romanow's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Havran fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Romanow misses with a hook to the ribs.
Havran tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right handed body shot lands from Havran.
A nice right hand lands inside from Romanow.
Havran misses with a hook from the clinch.
Romanow doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Romanow throws a head punch that misses.
Romanow misses with a punch on the inside.
Havran fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Romanow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Havran.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Havran takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Romanow lands a right hand.
Havran tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Romanow lands a nice shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Havran prevents a body shot from Romanow.
Havran lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Romanow backwards.
Romanow lands a shoulder strike.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Romanow is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Havran lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Romanow backwards.

Romanow manages to break the clinch.
Havran feints a jab promting Romanow to slip. Havran then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Romanow slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Romanow getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The fighters circling - Havran throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Havran lands with a straight right. Romanow didn't see that one coming.
Havran misses with a few strikes there.
Havran fails in his attempt to clinch.

Havran moves into range and clinches up with Romanow.
Havran misses with a hook to the ribs.
Romanow is trying to break the clinch but Havran is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Romanow lands with a right to the head.
Havran can't find room to land a body shot as Romanow controls the action.
Romanow tries a body shot but Havran blocks it.
Havran blocks an uppercut.
Romanow misses with a hook from the clinch.
Romanow tries to work over Havran's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Havran stalling in the clinch but Romanow improves position.
Havran goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Romanow throws a punch but it's blocked by Havran.
Romanow misses with a punch to the body.
Havran throws a punch but it's blocked by Romanow.
Romanow has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Havran seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Romanow can turn it around.
A right hook to the body lands for Havran.
Romanow lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Havran.
Romanow working aggressively here.
Havran tries to stall but Romanow uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Havran lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Romanow backwards.
Still in the clinch, Romanow scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romanow tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Havran's elbow.
Havran lands a hook to the side of the head.
Romanow has had enough of the clinch but Havran keeps him there for the moment.
Havran slowing the pace effectively.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Romanow.
Romanow looking for a takedown.
Havran misses with the head strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Havran throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Romanows head.
Romanow blocking some punches.
Havran fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Romanow tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Havran's elbow.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Romanow.
Havran misses with a short punch on the inside.
Romanow lands with a left to the head.
Havran tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Romanow's elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Gabriel Havran will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Gabriel Havran's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Havran loads up on a big right hand but Romanow slips the punch.
A big right from Havran misses.
Havran uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Romanow has time to react.

It looks like Marcel Romanow has been cut.
Havran misses with a looping left.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Gabriel Havran has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Romanow takes a shot to the head.
Havran misses with a hook from the clinch.
Havran is leaning against Romanow and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Havran is trying to maintain a safe position but Romanow gets an underhook and turns Havran into the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Romanow's face as he tries to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Havran can't find room to land a body shot as Romanow controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Romanow.
Romanow has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Havran is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Havran.
Havran lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Romanow backwards.
Romanow goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Romanow lands a hook that snaps the head of Havran backwards.
Romanow wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Havran has him pressed against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Havran.
Havran can't find room to land a body shot as Romanow controls the action.

Romanow tightens his grip and picks Havran up, before dumping him to the ground. Havran manages to land in guard.
Havran will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Romanow trying to control but Havran is working from the bottom.
Havran is looking to stand up but Romanow isn't so interested in that idea.
Romanow postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Havran manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Havran missing with a left hand there. Romanow was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Romanow tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Romanow shoots in for a takedown but Havran shows good takedown defense.
Havran tries to close the distance and clinch but Romanow swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Havran misses with an uppercut. Romanow saw that one coming.
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!
Havran lands the left hand.
Gabriel Havran is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Havran cracks Romanow with a right hand to the side of the head.
Havran pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Romanow feints the counter takedown.
Havran is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Romanow can do to turn this around?
Some wild striking there from Romanow.
Havran moves to clinch but Romanow breaks away

and Romanow decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Havran's guard.

Havran wriggles free and stands up.
Havran misses with a wild body shot.
Romanow tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Romanow avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Romanow avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Romanow with the counter takedown but Havran avoids it easily.
Havran is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Romanow circles away from the clinch attempt.
Havran throws a right hand that Romanow ducks under and follows up with a left that Romanow also avoids with ease.
Romanow tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Havran cracks Romanow with an open hand slap.
Havran swings for the body but Romanow moves out of range.
Romanow keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Havran.
Romanow lands a nice shot to the body.
Havran works the jab nicely.
Romanow staying out of range there.
Romanow moves out of range as Havran strikes.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Romanow blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Havran blocks an uppercut.
Havran is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Gabriel Havran has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Marcel Romanow.
Romanow is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Havran swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Romanow lands with a right to the head.
A short right from Romanow on the inside.
Romanow blocks a body shot from Havran.
Havran lands a left hand that snaps the head of Romanow backwards.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A short right from Havran on the inside.
Romanow fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Romanow is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Havran is defending well.
Havran lands with a right to the head.
Havran tries a body shot but Romanow blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Romanow.
Havran is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Havran blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Romanow blocking some punches.
Romanow is trying to drag Havran to the mat but Havran just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Romanow blocks a punch to the side of the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Gabriel Havran dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Havran's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Havran looks to land a left hand but Romanow moved out of range nicely.
Havran swinging wildly here.
Gabriel Havran seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Havran ducks under a wild hook from Romanow.
Romanow avoids a punch combination nicely.
Havran with a nice cross.
Romanow thows a left - swing and a miss!
Havran is looking to clinch.
And Romanow tries to counter it with a takedown but Havran pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Gabriel Havran is winning the standup battle so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Havran tries to close the distance and clinch but Romanow swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Havran stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Havran cracks Romanow with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

Havran lands a left and a right that send Romanow crashing to the mat, dazed. Havran thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

Romanow is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Havran takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Romanow is still on wobbly legs! Can Havran finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Havran waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Romanow.
Havran circles away before darting back in with a big straight right hand. It connects beautifully and sends Romanow tumbling to the canvas! He's out cold! Havran wins by KO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:10 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Gabriel Havran!