PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Antti Haapasalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Santtu Leinonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Santtu Leinonen has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Antti Haapasalo's chin.

Haapasalo
vs
Leinonen

189 cm
20
245 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

195 cm
21
230 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antti Haapasalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Santtu Leinonen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haapasalo scores with a crisp jab that stopped Leinonen in his tracks.
Leinonen doesn't manage to clinch there - Haapasalo circles away.
Haapasalo thuds a left hand into Leinonen's body.

Haapasalo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Haapasalo gets underhooks to prevent Leinonen's takedown attempt.
Leinonen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Haapasalo has had enough of the clinch but Leinonen keeps him there for the moment.
Leinonen trying to control the position but instead, Haapasalo has worked for underhooks and has pushed Leinonen into the cage.
Haapasalo is pressed up against the cage. Leinonen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Haapasalo down to the mat. Haapasalo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Leinonen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Haapasalo as he jumps to the side.
Antti Haapasalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Santtu Leinonen.
Haapasalo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Leinonen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Leinonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Haapasalo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Haapasalo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Haapasalo tries to clinch there but Leinonen circles away.
Leinonen misses with a kick to the body.

Leinonen moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapasalo tries to break free but Leinonen pushes him back against the cage.
Leinonen has Haapasalo pushed against the cage.
Haapasalo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Haapasalo letting Leinonen take a breather here.
Haapasalo pushes Leinonen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Leinonen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Haapasalo wants to get back to striking at distance but Leinonen won't allow it.
Leinonen keeps control of Haapasalo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Haapasalo tries to break free but Leinonen pushes him back against the cage.

Leinonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Leinonen doesn't manage to clinch there - Haapasalo circles away.
Haapasalo tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Leinonen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Haapasalo stops a takedown attempt from Leinonen.
Haapasalo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Leinonen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Haapasalo's efforts to push away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Leinonen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Haapasalo is keeping busy.
Leinonen stalling the fight.
Leinonen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Haapasalo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Leinonen wants a takedown but no success here.
Leinonen looks gassed!

Leinonen jumps into guard, dragging Haapasalo to the mat.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Haapasalo decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Haapasalo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Haapasalo throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Leinonen wants to clinch
and Haapasalo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Haapasalo moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Leinonen walks into a stiff left hand from Haapasalo.
Antti Haapasalo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Jab, jab by Haapasalo - just one landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Leinonen takes one on the button.
Haapasalo closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Haapasalo clinches with his opponent.
Haapasalo throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Leinonens head.
Haapasalo is trying to break the clinch but Leinonen is controlling him.
Haapasalo pressing his opponent against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Haapasalo.
Haapasalo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Haapasalo tries to circle away but Leinonen has him pinned against the cage.
Haapasalo gets underhooks to prevent Leinonen's takedown attempt.
Haapasalo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Leinonen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Haapasalo's efforts to push away.
Leinonen tries to pull guard but Haapasalo won't allow it.
Haapasalo is trying to break the clinch but Leinonen is controlling him.
Haapasalo tries to break the clinch but Leinonen is controlling the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Leinonen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Haapasalo pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Haapasalo lands a body shot in the clinch.
Haapasalo is trying to force a seperation but Leinonen has the dominant position.
Haapasalo lands with a light punch inside.
Haapasalo stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Haapasalo pushes Leinonen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
A frustrated look appears on Haapasalo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Leinonen has Haapasalo pressed against the cage, preventing Haapasalo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Haapasalo has had enough of the clinch but Leinonen keeps him there for the moment.
Haapasalo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
The is referee keeping an eye on Haapasalo - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Haapasalo tries to break the clinch but Leinonen is controlling the position.
Haapasalo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Haapasalo lands a right hand.
Haapasalo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Leinonen is trying to maintain a safe position but Haapasalo gets an underhook and turns Leinonen into the cage.
Haapasalo can't break the clinch.
Leinonen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Haapasalo dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

The fight stays on the outside here - Leinonen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Leinonen takes one on the chin but seems OK.

Haapasalo rushes Leinonen and presses him up against the cage.
Haapasalo stalling.
Haapasalo makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Leinonen goes for a takedown attempt but Haapasalo pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Haapasalo lands with a shot to the body.
Antti Haapasalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haapasalo scores with a jab. Leinonen acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Haapasalo moves into range and clinches up with Leinonen.
Leinonen is breathing heavily.
Leinonen is trying to break free.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Haapasalo wants to get back to striking at distance but Leinonen won't allow it.
A frustrated look appears on Haapasalo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Haapasalo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Haapasalo can't break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leinonen is trying to stall.
Leinonen jumps guard but Haapasalo stands there with Leinonen around his waist. Leinonen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Haapasalo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Leinonen has Haapasalo pressed against the cage.
Haapasalo has had enough of the clinch but Leinonen keeps him there for the moment.
Leinonen keeps control of Haapasalo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Haapasalo tries to break the clinch but Leinonen is controlling the position.
Leinonen tries to pull guard but Haapasalo holds him up against the cage and eventually Leinonen drops back down to his feet.
Antti Haapasalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Santtu Leinonen.
Haapasalo lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Leinonen looking to stall.
Leinonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Haapasalo just leaning against Leinonen, taking a breather.

That's two 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.

Leinonen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Haapasalo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Haapasalo has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Haapasalo content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Leinonen holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Haapasalo works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Leinonen keeps control of Haapasalo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Leinonen looking to stall.
Leinonen can't break the clinch.
Leinonen has Haapasalo pressed against the cage, preventing Haapasalo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Haapasalo is looking to break free of the clinch but Leinonen has double underhooks.
Leinonen is looking to control Haapasalo's arms but Haapasalo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Leinonen has his back to the cage.
Haapasalo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Haapasalo wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Haapasalo working hard to break the clinch.
Leinonen wants to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Haapasalo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Haapasalo throws a series of punches but Leinonen avoids them all with ease.
Leinonen is looking to clinch but Haapasalo is avoiding it.
Leinonen tries to close the distance and clinch but Haapasalo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Haapasalo gets a clinch.
Haapasalo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Haapasalo as Leinonen tries to tie him up.
Haapasalo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Leinonen breaks the clinch.

Haapasalo rushes Leinonen and presses him up against the cage.
Haapasalo taking a breather.
Leinonen wants a takedown.
Haapasalo wants to get back to striking at distance but Leinonen won't allow it.
Leinonen taking a breather.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Leinonen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Haapasalo's efforts to push away.
Haapasalo wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Haapasalo wants to break free but Leinonen has control.
Leinonen is trying to stall.
Haapasalo tries to circle away but Leinonen has him pinned against the cage.
Haapasalo working hard to break the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Haapasalo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Leinonen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Haapasalo is keeping busy.

Haapasalo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Haapasalo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Haapasalo scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Leinonen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Haapasalo rushes Leinonen and presses him up against the cage.
Haapasalo pushes Leinonen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Leinonen is trying to drag Haapasalo to the mat but Haapasalo just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Haapasalo dominated that second round.
That's time! Haapasalo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Haapasalo scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Haapasalo lands a really nice looking cross but Leinonen seems unphased.
Leinonen tries to clinch but Haapasalo moves away
and Haapasalo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Haapasalo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Leinonen darts in trying to clinch

and Haapasalo moves into the clinch.
Haapasalo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Leinonen trying to stall but Haapasalo improves his position.
Leinonen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Haapasalo is trying to break the clinch but Leinonen has him pressed against the cage.

Leinonen lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Haapasalo looks like he's trying to stand up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapasalo trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Leinonen is taking a breather. Haapasalo says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Haapasalo is trying to stand up here but Leinonen is controlling him well.
Leinonen prevents Haapasalo from improving his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Haapasalo tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Leinonen has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Leinonen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Haapasalo on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Haapasalo tries to get out of the position.
Haapasalo is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leinonen gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!

Haapasalo closes the distance and pushes Leinonen back into the cage.
Leinonen tries to pull guard but Haapasalo won't allow it.
Leinonen has Haapasalo pressed against the cage, preventing Haapasalo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Leinonen looking to slow down the pace here.
Haapasalo is looking to break free of the clinch but Leinonen has double underhooks.
Still in the clinch, Haapasalo scores with a nice short uppercut.
A frustrated look appears on Haapasalo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Haapasalo scores with a nice short uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Haapasalo.
Haapasalo looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Haapasalo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Haapasalo gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Leinonen.
Leinonen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Haapasalo walks away with a smile on his face. Leinonen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Antti Haapasalo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Santtu Leinonen.
Haapasalo keeps the fight on the outside.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Haapasalo.
Haapasalo fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Haapasalo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Leinonen moves into the clinch.
Leinonen is trying to maintain a safe position but Haapasalo gets an underhook and turns Leinonen into the cage.
Antti Haapasalo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A frustrated look appears on Haapasalo's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Leinonen has Haapasalo pressed against the cage, preventing Haapasalo from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Santtu Leinonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Leinonen keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Haapasalo's efforts to push away.
Haapasalo lands with a light punch inside.
Haapasalo is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antti Haapasalo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Haapasalo, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Haapasalo!