PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Melvin Manhoef (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nico Hatjula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hatjula has chosen Mokoma - Takatalvi as his entrance music. Nico Hatjula will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Manhoef
vs
Hatjula

173 cm
21
205 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

185 cm
20
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Melvin Manhoef!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nico Hatjula!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hatjula tries to score a power double leg takedown but Manhoef sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hatjula somewhat.
Manhoef misses with a head kick.
Manhoef looks to land a combination but Hatjula avoids it well.
Melvin Manhoef seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Manhoef fails to land with a series of punches.
Hatjula walks into a left hand.
Hatjula misses with a takedown attempt - Manhoef sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Manhoef stuns Hatjula with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Some wild striking there from Manhoef.
Hatjula is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hatjula tries to close the distance and clinch but Manhoef swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hatjula shoots for a takedown but Manhoef saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nico Hatjula.
Manhoef shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hatjula as he avoids it easily.
Hatjula shoots in for a takedown but Manhoef shows good takedown defense.
Hatjula tries to close the distance and clinch but Manhoef swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef fails to land the takedown.
Manhoef is breathing heavily.
Hatjula slips under a jab from Manhoef.
Hatjula fails with the takedown.

Hatjula fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Manhoef sprawls well initially but Hatjula persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Manhoef misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Hatjula stands up and beckons Manhoef to join him on the feet.
Manhoef throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Hatjula.
Manhoef defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Hatjula.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Hatjula moves out of range.
Manhoef slaps away a takedown attempt from Hatjula, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Hatjula will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hatjula has his takedown stuffed

and Manhoef counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Manhoef.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hatjula is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Manhoef is controlling him.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hatjula is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Manhoef throws a big right hand that misses.
Manhoef stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hatjula swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Hatjula bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Manhoef's guard.

Hatjula is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Manhoef striking off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Manhoef is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Manhoef thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Hatjula trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Manhoef thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Manhoef tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Manhoef throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Hatjula misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Hatjula with a poor takedown

and Manhoef counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hatjula wants to control but Manhoef is keeping busy.
Hatjula might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Manhoef kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hatjula has hold of Manhoef's hands but Manhoef slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hatjula is staying active underneath Manhoef, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Manhoef scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Manhoef slips a nice elbow through Hatjula's hands, connecting with Hatjula's forehead.
Manhoef prevents Hatjula from improving his position.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Manhoef with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hatjula to score with a decent uppercut.
Manhoef catches Hatjula with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Manhoef swinging wilding here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hatjula fails with an attempt to clinch.
Hatjula defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Manhoef.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Manhoef dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hatjula drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Manhoef is working an open guard so Hatjula takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Hatjula clinches but Manhoef breaks the clinch
and Manhoef counters with a three punch combo that has Hatjula backing up. Hatjula nods at Manhoef to acknowledge the strikes.
Hatjula throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Manhoef thows a left - swing and a miss!
Hatjula lands a two punch combo.
Manhoef lands a jab-cross combination.
Hatjula shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Manhoef defends it nicely.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hatjula.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Manhoef is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hatjula off and has taken his back!
Manhoef loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Hatjula hold on?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Manhoef not allowing Hatjula to control his hands.
Manhoef throwing damaging strikes from the back! Hatjula could be in trouble here!
Manhoef lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
Manhoef avoiding Hatjula 's attempts to control his hands.
Hatjula tries to escape but Manhoef has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Hatjula covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Hatjula rolls, trying to escape but Manhoef keeps control of the position.
Hatjula trying to control the action but Manhoef just sinks the hooks in.
Manhoef is working the ground and pound. Can Hatjula escape?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Manhoef is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Hatjula. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Hatjula trying to control the hands but Manhoef breaks the grip.
Manhoef scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Manhoef connects with a big shot to the side of Hatjula's head.
Manhoef landing with strikes.
Manhoef is working the ground and pound here and the referee is taking a close look at Hatjula. He must escape soon or this one will be stopped.
Manhoef lands with a couple of good shots - one to the side of the head and one questionable shot that could be viewed as to the back of the head but the referee lets it go.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Manhoef scores with some strikes to the side of the head there. Good, points scoring shots.
Hatjula is really stuck here.
Manhoef is throwing punches to the body, looking to soften Hatjula up.
Melvin Manhoef overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hatjula manages to reverse the position and now he's in Manhoef's guard. Nice work there by Hatjula.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hatjula has gone for a leg lock! Manhoef slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hatjula's guard.
Manhoef has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Hatjula wants to sweep here but Manhoef controlling him for the moment.

Manhoef decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hatjula, up you get!
Manhoef displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Hatjula.

Manhoef moves into the clinch successfully.
Hatjula jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Manhoef walks away with a smile on his face. Hatjula gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nico Hatjula.
Manhoef throws a left and a right that both miss
and Hatjula counters with a head kick. That will keep Manhoef thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Hatjula scores with the left hand. Manhoef knows he should have avoided that one.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Manhoef throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Hatjula was covering up waiting for the punch and Manhoef finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Manhoef might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Manhoef is in close to Hatjula's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hatjula tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Manhoef lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Manhoef working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Hatjula trying to keep a closed guard but Manhoef is proving a slippery customer.
Manhoef is in close to Hatjula's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hatjula wants to stand but Manhoef is controlling the position.
Manhoef wants to pass the guard but Hatjula is keeping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Melvin Manhoef dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. And we move into the final round!

Hatjula throws a right hand that Manhoef ducks under and follows up with a left that Manhoef also avoids with ease.
Melvin Manhoef is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Manhoef lands a head kick. Hatjula smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

It looks like Nico Hatjula has been cut.
Manhoef throws a series of punches but Hatjula moves out of range.
Hatjula has his takedown stuffed
and Manhoef connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Manhoef avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Manhoef throws a head kick that misses.
Hatjula gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Manhoef counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Hatjula is looking to control Manhoef's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hatjula avoid being mounted?
Manhoef stops Hatjula from getting back to his feet.
Manhoef seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hatjula gets back to full guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Manhoef with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Manhoef working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Hatjula's head.
Hatjula preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Manhoef stands up from guard. Let's bang!

Manhoef looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Hatjula is looking to improve his position.
Manhoef takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Manhoef is looking to advance position but Hatjula won't allow it.
Manhoef throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Manhoef trying to pass the guard but Hatjula defending well.
Manhoef sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hatjula defending well though.

Hatjula makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Hatjula shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Melvin Manhoef has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nico Hatjula.
Manhoef throws a head kick that misses.
Hatjula moves in looking to clinch but Manhoef pushes him off.
Some wild striking there from Manhoef.
Manhoef looks to throw the jab but Hatjula is out of range.
Hatjula fails with the takedown
and Manhoef counters with a straight right hand.
Manhoef is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Manhoef lands a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hatjula looks for a takedown but Manhoef sprawls well.

Hatjula closes the distance and pushes Manhoef back into the cage.
Manhoef is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Hatjula jumps into guard, dragging Manhoef to the mat.

Hatjula looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hatjula not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hatjula is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Manhoef is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Manhoef scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hatjula is on top in guard.
Hatjula trying to control but Manhoef is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hatjula stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hatjula fails with the takedown.
Manhoef swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Hatjula counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Manhoef's guard now.
Hatjula wants to control from the top but Manhoef keeps moving.
Manhoef wants to sweep here but Hatjula controlling him for the moment.
Hatjula being controlled here momentarily.
Nico Hatjula has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Manhoef uses the cage to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Melvin Manhoef showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Manhoef 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Melvin Manhoef!