PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joonas Havulehto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rudolf Nikkanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Joonas Havulehto has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Havulehto
vs
Nikkanen

185 cm
20
185 lbs
0 - 3 - 0

190 cm
19
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Tends to cut

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 0 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joonas Havulehto!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rudolf Nikkanen!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikkanen misses with the combination.
Nikkanen swats away the attempt to clinch by Havulehto.
Havulehto looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nikkanen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nikkanen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Havulehto.

Havulehto fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Nikkanen, pushing him back against the cage.

Havulehto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nikkanen digs a good body shot into Havulehto's ribs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Havulehto looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Havulehto throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nikkanen misses with a double jab.
Nikkanen falls off balance throwing a combination

and Havulehto moves into the clinch.

Havulehto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A thudding body kick lands there by Havulehto!
Havulehto closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Rudolf Nikkanen has been cut.

Havulehto rushes Nikkanen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Havulehto connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nikkanen's face.

Havulehto breaks the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkanen misses with the combination.
Nikkanen looks gassed!
Havulehto ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Havulehto scores with a one two! Nikkanen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

Havulehto has closed the distance and engaged Nikkanen in a clinch.
Nikkanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Havulehto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Havulehto keeps control of Nikkanen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Havulehto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nikkanen misses the jab.
Some wild striking there from Nikkanen.
Havulehto lands a nice shot that snaps Nikkanen's head back.

Havulehto moves into the clinch.
Havulehto's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Havulehto gets a warning from the ref for wasting time.
Havulehto tries for a takedown but Nikkanen manages to get underhooks.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Havulehto crunches a lovely knee into Nikkanen's ribcage.
Nikkanen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nikkanen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Havulehto.
Havulehto has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nikkanen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joonas Havulehto. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Havulehto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Havulehto tries to clinch there but Nikkanen circles away.
Nikkanen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Havulehto counters with a one-two to the body.
Nikkanen throws a hook but Havulehto blocks it.

Havulehto closes the distance and clinches.
Havulehto landing knees to the head.
Havulehto lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Havulehto's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Havulehto gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Havulehto is leaning against Nikkanen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Havulehto is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nikkanen gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Havulehto manages to break the clinch.
Nikkanen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nikkanen misses with a jab, cross combination.
A punch combination from Nikkanen misses.

Havulehto drives through and clinches with Nikkanen against the cage.
Havulehto lands a shot to the body.
Havulehto with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nikkanen has had enough of the clinch but Havulehto keeps him there for the moment.
Havulehto drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nikkanen wants to break the clinch but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkanen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Havulehto breaks from the clinch.
Nikkanen keeps the fight on the outside.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Havulehto misses with a two punch combination.
A telegraphed right hand from Nikkanen misses the target.
Nikkanen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Havulehto moves into the clinch.
Nikkanen wants to get back to striking at distance but Havulehto won't allow it.
Havulehto prevents Nikkanen from breaking the clinch.
Nikkanen is looking to break free of the clinch but Havulehto has double underhooks.
Havulehto tries for a takedown. No joy.

Havulehto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Havulehto takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Nikkanen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Havulehto fails with an attempt to clinch.
Havulehto throws a push kick but Nikkanen slaps the foot to one side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonas Havulehto dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rudolf Nikkanen's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nikkanen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Havulehto dodges the punch combination from Nikkanen.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Nikkanen in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Nikkanen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Havulehto breaks the clinch.
Nikkanen connects with a jab.
Nikkanen missing with a left hand there. Havulehto was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nikkanen throws a right hand that Havulehto ducks under and follows up with a left that Havulehto also avoids with ease.
Havulehto looks to land a combination but Nikkanen avoids it well.
Nikkanen misses with a two punch combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikkanen misses with a two punch combination.
Nikkanen loads up on a big right hand but Havulehto slips the punch.
Nikkanen is breathing heavily.

Havulehto has taken the fight to the clinch.

Havulehto breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nikkanen throws a combination that misses

and Havulehto counters by clinching up.
Nikkanen tries to break the clinch but Havulehto is controlling the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Havulehto escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nikkanen throws a jab when Havulehto was well out of range.
Havulehto scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Havulehto stuns Nikkanen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nikkanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Havulehto fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nikkanen throws a nice looking combination but Havulehto bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Havulehto tries to close the distance and clinch but Nikkanen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nikkanen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Havulehto circles away quickly and effectively.
Nikkanen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A nice leg kick lands there from Havulehto.
Nikkanen slips a jab and a cross from Havulehto.
Havulehto throws a right hand that Nikkanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Nikkanen also avoids with ease.

Havulehto drives through and clinches with Nikkanen against the cage.
Havulehto wants a takedown but no success here.
Nikkanen tries to break the clinch but Havulehto is controlling the position.

Havulehto pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Havulehto misses with a double jab.
Nikkanen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nikkanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nikkanen throws a series of punches but Havulehto avoids them all with ease.
Nikkanen falls off balance throwing a combination

and Havulehto moves into the clinch.

Havulehto manages to break the clinch.
Nikkanen swats away the attempt to clinch by Havulehto.
Havulehto swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nikkanen looks to throw the jab but Havulehto is out of range.
Nikkanen lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nikkanen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Havulehto counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.

Havulehto has closed the distance and engaged Nikkanen in a clinch.
Knees to the body from Havulehto.
Nikkanen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Havulehto lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Havulehto lands a takedown into guard.

Nikkanen pushes Havulehto off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Havulehto staying out of range there.
Nikkanen throws out a loose jab but Havulehto uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikkanen misses with a wild combination.

Havulehto pushes Nikkanen up against the cage in a clinch.
A short body shot lands from Havulehto as the two fighters clinch.
Havulehto blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nikkanen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Havulehto manages to break the clinch.
A right-left combo lands from Havulehto.

Havulehto moves into range and clinches up with Nikkanen.

Havulehto lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Havulehto wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkanen pushes Havulehto off looking to stand but Havulehto dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Havulehto trying to control the pace.
Havulehto stops Nikkanen from getting back to his feet.
Havulehto trying to control from half guard but Nikkanen is working away.

Nikkanen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Havulehto pulls his head out easily.

Nikkanen has one foot on Havulehto's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joonas Havulehto dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rudolf Nikkanen's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nikkanen throws a combination that misses

and Havulehto counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Havulehto.
Nikkanen wants to get back to striking at distance but Havulehto won't allow it.
The referee calls for Havulehto to work.
Nikkanen is looking to break free of the clinch but Havulehto has double underhooks.
Nikkanen wants to break free but Havulehto has control.

Havulehto breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nikkanen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Havulehto moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Havulehto clinches with his opponent.
Nikkanen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikkanen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Havulehto has him pressed against the cage.
Havulehto has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nikkanen avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Havulehto connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nikkanen's face.

Havulehto breaks the clinch.
Havulehto showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nikkanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkanen is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Havulehto.

Havulehto clinches with his opponent.
Havulehto unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nikkanen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Havulehto ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Havulehto no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Nikkanen tries to stand but Havulehto is controlling from the bottom.
Havulehto is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Havulehto is looking to stand up but Nikkanen isn't so interested in that idea.

Nikkanen decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Nikkanen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Havulehto scores with a three punch combo!
Havulehto goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nikkanen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Joonas Havulehto is winning the standup battle so far.
Havulehto stalks Nikkanen and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nikkanen's face. Nikkanen staggers backwards, shaken.
Havulehto is looking to clinch.
Havulehto tries to clinch but Nikkanen moves out of range.
Nikkanen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Havulehto counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Havulehto misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Havulehto misses with a jab, cross combination.
Havulehto rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nikkanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Joonas Havulehto is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nikkanen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nikkanen throws a series of punches but Havulehto avoids them all with ease.

Havulehto clinches with his opponent.
Nikkanen tries to break the clinch but Havulehto is controlling the position.
Nikkanen stops a takedown attempt from Havulehto.
Nikkanen wants to get back to striking at distance but Havulehto won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Havulehto breaks from the clinch.
A combination from Nikkanen does no damage.
Nikkanen misses with a body shot.
Havulehto fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nikkanen might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Havulehto tries to clinch up but Nikkanen circles away and keeps his distance.
Havulehto is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nikkanen misses with a wild combination.
Nikkanen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Jab, jab by Nikkanen - just one landing.
Nikkanen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Havulehto closes the distance and pushes Nikkanen back into the cage.
Nikkanen wants to get back to striking at distance but Havulehto won't allow it.
Nikkanen is trying to break the clinch but Havulehto has him pressed against the cage.
Nikkanen takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's four 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.

Nikkanen is fighting off a takedown attempt but Havulehto is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Nikkanen to the mat. Nikkanen regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Nikkanen is looking to stand up but Havulehto isn't so interested in that idea.
Havulehto preventing the sweep.
Nikkanen is wriggling around but Havulehto manages to pass to half guard.
Nikkanen wants to get back to his feet.

Nikkanen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Havulehto pulls his head out easily.

Nikkanen looking for submissions off his back.
Rudolf Nikkanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joonas Havulehto is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nikkanen tries to kick Havulehto off but Havulehto keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joonas Havulehto showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Havulehto 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joonas Havulehto!