PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Fotos Hasapis (ranked 697 p4p, 639 weight class) and Charles Bukowski (ranked 93 p4p, 84 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Hasapis
vs
Bukowski

185 cm
28
185
10 - 6 - 0

183 cm
31
190
18 - 16 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Granite chin

Heavy Metal Drugs
30th Century Beer Store

30th Century Beer Store

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Fotos Hasapis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Charles Bukowski!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hasapis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bukowski misses with an attempted mid kick.
We've been informed that Bukowski has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Hasapis tests Bukowski's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Bukowski wants to clinch up but Hasapis keeps it at a distance.
Hasapis throws a jab when Bukowski was well out of range.
Hasapis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hasapis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Bukowski.
Hasapis moves out of range of the body kick from Bukowski.
Bukowski looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hasapis thuds his right hand into Bukowski's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Hasapis checks the leg kick.
Hasapis blocks the body kick.
Bukowski misses with a body shot.
Hasapis drops down looking for a counter takedown but Bukowski sprawls and moves away.
Hasapis moves out of range as Bukowski throws a body kick.
Bukowski throws a body kick that misses.
We've been hearing reports that Hasapis has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukowski wants to clinch.
Hasapis lands an overhand right.
Bukowski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hasapis manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski closes the distance but Hasapis moves to the side
and Hasapis counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Bukowski comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hasapis just misses with a punch to the body.
Bukowski feints a counter leg kick.
Hasapis misses with a series of wild punches.
Bukowski is looking to clinch.

Bukowski clinches with his opponent.
Hasapis is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Bukowski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Bukowski leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hasapis drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bukowski blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hasapis tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Bukowski's elbow.
Hasapis throws a head punch that misses.
Bukowski lands with a light punch inside.
Bukowski content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Bukowski manages to break the clinch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski misses with the body kick
and Hasapis counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Charles Bukowski is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Bukowski lands a nice shot to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hasapis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bukowski.
Bukowski is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hasapis rather than just go for the knockout.
Bukowski throws a body punch but Hasapis moves out of range.
Hasapis slips a jab from Bukowski.
Bukowski throws a leg kick
enabling Hasapis to counter with a crisp jab.
Bukowski changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bukowski fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hasapis was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Hasapis scores with a jab to the head.
Hasapis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bukowski throws a push kick but Hasapis slaps the foot to one side.
Hasapis is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bukowski.
Bukowski needs to keep his hands up - Hasapis had a free shot at his head there.
Bukowski is looking to land body kicks.
Bukowski looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Bukowski looks to throw a body kick
and Hasapis makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hasapis misses with a straight right.
Hasapis throws the left hand but Bukowski avoids the punch easily.
Hasapis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Donk. Bukowski catches Hasapis right on the button with a cross.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hasapis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bukowski.
Hasapis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bukowski ducks under a wild hook from Hasapis.
Nice sprawl there from Bukowski as Hasapis shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fotos Hasapis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Bukowski throws a body shot but no joy.
Hasapis lands a jab-cross combination.
Hasapis changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Bukowski throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hasapis misses with an uppercut.
And Bukowski responds with a good body kick, but Hasapis manages to step out the way in time.
Hasapis on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Bukowski throws a leg kick that is checked
letting Hasapis counter with a right hand.
Bukowski throws a leg kick but Hasapis checks it.
Hasapis tries to counter with a takedown but Bukowski is quick to defend against it.
Bukowski is looking to clinch but Hasapis is avoiding it.
Hasapis shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Bukowski defends it nicely.
Bukowski steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Hasapis moves away from the strike by Bukowski.
Bukowski moves in looking to clinch but Hasapis pushes him off.
Hasapis just misses with a punch to the body.
Hasapis staying out of range there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hasapis works over Bukowski's head and body with a nice combination.
Bukowski lands with a nice body punch.
Hasapis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bukowski let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Bukowski tried to score with a low kick but Hasapis checks it.
The crowd cheers as Hasapis lands an impressive looking overhand right. Bukowski doesn't seem phased though.
Bukowski swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Bukowski closes the distance and pushes Hasapis back into the cage.
Hasapis gets through Bukowski's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Bukowski working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Bukowski trying to stall but Hasapis improves his position.
Hasapis is trying to drag Bukowski to the mat but Bukowski just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Bukowski breaks the clinch.
Bukowski doesn't manage to clinch there - Hasapis circles away.
Hasapis lands a jab to Bukowski's midsection.
Bukowski throws a low kick, looking for Hasapis's leg but Hasapis calmly moves out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hasapis checks a leg kick nicely.
A quick step to the side and Hasapis tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Bukowski lands a right hook to the body.
Bukowski ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
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 Fotos Hasapis will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Hasapis swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bukowski takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Bukowski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Fotos Hasapis is winning the standup battle so far.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hasapis scores with a shot to the side of Bukowski's head.
Bukowski is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Bukowski lands a left hand.
Bukowski throws a head punch that misses.
A short right from Bukowski on the inside.
Bukowski throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hasapiss head.
Hasapis is trying to drag Bukowski to the mat but Bukowski just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Bukowski can't find room to land a body shot as Hasapis controls the action.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bukowski misses with a punch on the inside.

Bukowski breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Bukowski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Hasapis manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Hasapis fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Hasapis fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Bukowski manages to avoid it.
Hasapis throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Bukowski.

Bukowski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Bukowski misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Bukowski misses with a punch to the body.
Hasapis lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

Bukowski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hasapis throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hasapis fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Bukowski looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Bukowski stuffs the takedown attempt from Hasapis. Hasapis gets slowly back to his feet.
A jab lands there for Hasapis.
Hasapis misses with a body shot.
The fighters circling - Hasapis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hasapis checks a low kick from Bukowski.
Hasapis slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Bukowski walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Bukowski takes a swing at Hasapis's ribcage but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A jab from Hasapis does it's job there.
Bukowski keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hasapis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bukowski.
Bukowski steps in looking to counter with the mid kick but it doesn't connect.
Charles Bukowski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hasapis takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Bukowski throws a body shot but no joy.
Bukowski wants to slow Hasapis down by chopping away at his legs.
Bukowski misses with a lunging right hand
and Hasapis counters with a nice uppercut.
Hasapis throws a good cross that connects.
Bukowski fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hasapis manages to avoid it.
Bukowski avoids the body shot from Hasapis.
Bukowski fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Hasapis checks it well.
No luck for Hasapis with that takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Fotos Hasapis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hasapis rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Bukowski moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Bukowski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hasapis was well out of range. Poor timing from Bukowski.
Hasapis just misses with a punch to the body.
Bukowski tries to counter with a clinch but Hasapis shakes him off and moves away.
Left hook, right uppercut from Hasapis.
Hasapis ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

Bukowski drives through and clinches with Hasapis against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Bukowski misses with a body punch.
Hasapis swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Bukowski tries to throw a body punch but Hasapis avoids it by throwing Bukowski back against the cage.
Come on Bukowski - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Hasapis misses with the head strike.
Hasapis lands a left hand that snaps the head of Bukowski backwards.
Hasapis changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Bukowski fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hasapis's corner calls for a 1-2. Hasapis obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Bukowski slips a jab from Hasapis.
Hasapis checks a low kick from Bukowski.
Bukowski blocks a jab.
Bukowski misses with a body shot.
Hasapis misses with a straight left.
Hasapis is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Bukowski.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hasapis throws a hook to the side of Bukowski's head but Bukowski sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A telegraphed right hand from Hasapis misses the target.
Bukowski displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hasapis throws out the jab.
A looping hook to the body misses from Bukowski. Hasapis does a little dance to reset his feet.
Hasapis looks to land a left hand but Bukowski moved out of range nicely.
Bukowski walks into a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bukowski.
Hasapis avoids the body shot from Bukowski.
Hasapis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bukowski.
Hasapis lands a nice hook to Bukowski's body. Bukowski takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Bukowski misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hasapis.
Bukowski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Hasapis moves away.
Bukowski blocks a jab.
Hasapis takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Bukowski throws a body kick that misses.
Hasapis feinted with a counter takedown.
Hasapis lands a jab to the nose.
Nice uppercut there from Bukowski.
Hasapis throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Bukowski sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Bukowski has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Bukowski tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hasapis was well out of range. Poor timing from Bukowski.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Fotos Hasapis dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Bukowski gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Hasapis uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Bukowski.
Hasapis misses with a looping left.
Bukowski pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hasapis lands with a right hand.
Bukowski is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hasapis blocks the body kick.
Hasapis throwing a counter right hand but Bukowski manages to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Hasapis throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Hasapis misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Bukowski.
Hasapis connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Bukowski momentarily.
Bukowski misses with a leg kick
and Hasapis counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Bukowski tries to clinch up but Hasapis circles away and keeps his distance.
Bukowski tries to clinch up but Hasapis circles away and keeps his distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hasapis cracks Bukowski with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Bukowski goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hasapis is looking for a counter combo.
Bukowski closes the distance looking to clinch
and Hasapis counters with a left and a right that stings Bukowski.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bukowski tries to kick Hasapis off in order to stand up. Hasapis Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bukowski wants to control but Hasapis postures up.
Bukowski manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hasapis's best efforts.
Hasapis slips a nice elbow through Bukowski's hands, connecting with Bukowski's forehead.
Bukowski is trying to get back to full guard.
Hasapis wants to take a breather but Bukowski is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hasapis stalling away here and it's allowed Bukowski to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Bukowski keeping moving, preventing Hasapis from controlling successfully.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Bukowski is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Hasapis is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hasapis trying to control the position from guard on top but Bukowski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Hasapis misses with a hook. Bukowski ducked under it nicely.
Bukowski throws a body kick that misses.
Hasapis throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hasapis pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Bukowski doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Bukowski tries to land a front kick but Hasapis steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Bukowski tries to clinch but Hasapis is having none of it.
Bukowski misses with a body shot.
Hasapis was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Hasapis connects with a body shot that sends Bukowski's belly button to the back.
Bukowski jabs at Hasapis's body.
Bukowski throws a jab but it's blocked by Hasapis.
Hasapis throwing a counter right hand but Bukowski manages to avoid it.
Bukowski takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Hasapis swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Bukowski scores with a decent looking hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bukowski tries a low kick but Hasapis avoids it.
Hasapis scores with a hook.
Bukowski is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Hasapis misses with a two punch combination.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Hasapis gets tackled into the cage by Bukowski. Bukowski maintains the clinch.
Hasapis wants a takedown but no success here.
Bukowski goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Bukowski will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Hasapis up against the cage.
Bukowski goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short uppercut from Hasapis.
Bukowski tries to throw a body punch but Hasapis avoids it by throwing Bukowski back against the cage.

Hasapis escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hasapis checks a leg kick.
Hasapis was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Bukowski throws a body punch but Hasapis moves out of range.
Hasapis scores with a jab to the jaw.
Charles Bukowski has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bukowski tries to move into range but Hasapis moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Bukowski.

And that's the end of the fight!
Fotos Hasapis showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hasapis, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Fotos Hasapis!
During a confident post fight interview, Fotos Hasapis thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.