PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nico Oraz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taneli Haapavaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Oraz
vs
Haapavaara

178 cm
22
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
19
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nico Oraz!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taneli Haapavaara!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Horrible takedown by Oraz or perhaps it was just good defense by Haapavaara which made him look bad.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Oraz.
Haapavaara throws a hook but Oraz avoids it easily.
Haapavaara throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Oraz closes this distance looking for a takedown but Haapavaara circles away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nico Oraz. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Oraz shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Haapavaara defends it nicely.
Haapavaara dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Taneli Haapavaara seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Oraz uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Haapavaara.
Haapavaara lands a nice hook to Oraz's body. Oraz takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Oraz uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Haapavaara.
Haapavaara swings for the body but Oraz moves out of range.
Haapavaara throws a series of punches but Oraz moves out of range.
Haapavaara closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Haapavaara misses with a few strikes there.
Haapavaara throws a body punch but Oraz moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Haapavaara. No joy for Oraz on that attempt.
Oraz is breathing heavily.
Haapavaara misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Oraz.
Haapavaara is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Oraz rather than just go for the knockout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapavaara with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Haapavaara scores with a decent looking hook.
Oraz ducks right into an uppercut from Haapavaara.
A punch combination from Haapavaara misses.
Haapavaara bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Haapavaara misses with a takedown attempt

and Oraz counters with a shoot takedown. Haapavaara fights it but they end up in guard.
Oraz trying to control but Haapavaara is working from the bottom.
Oraz won't allow Haapavaara to get back to his feet.
Oraz is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Haapavaara wants to stand up but Oraz is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Oraz advances to half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Haapavaara wants to get back to his feet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Haapavaara misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Oraz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Haapavaara is trying to stand.
Oraz trying to control the action but Haapavaara is working from the bottom.
Oraz looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Oraz has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Haapavaara is looking to escape.
Haapavaara really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Oraz. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Haapavaara is not content to let Oraz control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Haapavaara keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

Oraz shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Oh and he's advanced to full mount straight away.
The referee warns Haapavaara that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Oraz breaks from Haapavaara's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Oraz connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Oraz working Haapavaara over with strikes here.
Haapavaara is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.

Haapavaara somehow manages to escape the mount and get back to his feet!
Oraz avoids a punch combination nicely.
Good shot there by Haapavaara.

Oraz throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Haapavaara was covering up waiting for the punch and Oraz finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Oraz 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.
Haapavaara keeping moving, preventing Oraz from controlling successfully.
Haapavaara is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Haapavaara keeping moving, preventing Oraz from controlling successfully.
Haapavaara wants to stand but Oraz is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nico Oraz will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Oraz shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Haapavaara napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Haapavaara wants to get back to his feet.

Oraz is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Haapavaara knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Haapavaara throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Haapavaara tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Oraz was well out of range. Poor timing from Haapavaara.
Oraz is trying hard to land a takedown here. Haapavaara sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Haapavaara with a lazy takedown attempt

and Oraz counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Oraz is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Haapavaara pushes Oraz off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapavaara is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Oraz.
Haapavaara misses with a body kick.
Haapavaara swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Oraz shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Oraz showed some decent athleticism there.
Oraz is keen to just control but Haapavaara is a slippery customer.
Haapavaara pushes Oraz off looking to stand but Oraz dives back in and keeps control.

Oraz is trying for a kimura here. Haapavaara looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Oraz wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:01 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Nico Oraz!