PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Max Hazelett (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Risto Retkikello (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Retkikello is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by SMC Hoodrats. Both these guys are coming into the fight with injuries so let's see if that has a bearing on the fight. Risto Retkikello told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hazelett
vs
Retkikello

180 cm
23
198 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

180 cm
20
195 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Frank`s TASTE 'Q147 Recovery*40$

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Max Hazelett!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Risto Retkikello!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hazelett uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Retkikello.

Retkikello shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Retkikello was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Hazelett is looking to get to half guard.

Retkikello jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Hazelett manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Hazelett tries to bench press Retkikello off him but Retkikello keeps the position.
Hazelett sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Hazelett is breathing heavily.

Hazelett is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Retkikello pulls his head out easily.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hazelett keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Retkikello is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
The referee warns Hazelett that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Hazelett is in a horrible position here. Retkikello smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Hazelett can't escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hazelett is working hard here to advance position.
Retkikello tries to control but Hazelett wriggling away.
Retkikello lands with some strikes.
Retkikello lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Retkikello lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Retkikello really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hazelett. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Retkikello trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Hazelett keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Retkikello looking to control but Hazelett is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Hazelett really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hazelett in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Retkikello raining down shots from the mount!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hazelett is looking to improve his position but Retkikello isn't that keen on the idea.
Hazelett regains half guard.
Retkikello wants to take a breather but Hazelett is having none of it.

Retkikello looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hazelett manages to get to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retkikello wants to control from the top but Hazelett keeps moving.
Retkikello in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hazelett throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
Hazelett lands a good elbow from the bottom.

Retkikello got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hazelett has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Retkikello has managed to get both his arms back between Hazelett's legs - danger averted.
Retkikello stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hazelett swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Retkikello throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Hazelett works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Hazelett is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hazelett is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Retkikello defends well.
Hazelett tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Retkikello showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Retkikello in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hazelett keeping moving, preventing Retkikello from controlling successfully.
Retkikello is looking to work some ground and pound but Hazelett has wrist control.

Hazelett throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Retkikello chips away with some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Risto Retkikello 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.

Retkikello jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Retkikello tries a head kick but it misses.
Retkikello slips a jab from Hazelett.
Risto Retkikello is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Hazelett bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Hazelett wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Retkikello, who protects the arm well.
Retkikello is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.

Hazelett seems to be working for a kimura but Retkikello defends the submission attempt.
Retkikello wants to control but Hazelett is keeping busy.

Retkikello is defending against the submission attempts here by Hazelett.
Retkikello is trying to stand up here but Hazelett is controlling him well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hazelett looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Hazelett is working for a submission of some sort.

Hazelett is looking for a kimura but Retkikello is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hazelett to get the leverage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Retkikello fails to land with a series of punches.
Retkikello scores with a jab. Hazelett acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Retkikello misses with a two punch combination.
Hazelett doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Retkikello counters with a takedown into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Retkikello avoids the strikes from the bottom by Hazelett.
Hazelett is trying to get back to half guard.
Retkikello passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Hazelett!
Hazelett keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Retkikello scoring with strikes but Hazelett is staying in there.
Retkikello lands a nice shot to the head.
Retkikello thowing shots but they're missing.
Hazelett keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Hazelett sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.

Hazelett looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hazelett is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Retkikello pulls his head out easily.
Retkikello seems to have lost interest with the ground game and is thinking about standing back up.
The fighters are battling for position here. Hazelett manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Retkikello stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hazelett with a poor takedown

and Retkikello counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hazelett wants to sweep here but Retkikello controlling him for the moment.
Risto Retkikello has got the better of the ground game so far.
Retkikello trying to control the position from guard on top but Hazelett is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hazelett throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Retkikello stopping the sweep attempt from Hazelett.

Hazelett looking for subs off his back but Retkikello has passed one foot through into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Retkikello decides to return to a standing position.

Hazelett closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Retkikello to the mat! Retkikello manages to get full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Retkikello 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.
Hazelett loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Hazelett drops back looking for a leg! Retkikello is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Retkikello manages to kick Hazelett off! Hazelett jumps back into Retkikello's guard.
Retkikello wants to stand but Hazelett is controlling the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Risto Retkikello showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hazelett closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Retkikello keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Retkikello is trying to maintain the position but Hazelett is very close to passing his half guard.
Retkikello is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Hazelett is staying active.
Retkikello wants to improve his position but Hazelett is controlling well.

Hazelett is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Retkikello is just riding it out for now. Hazelett eventually gives up the hold.
Retkikello is looking to improve his position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hazelett is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Retkikello is just riding it out for now. Hazelett eventually gives up the hold.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Retkikello tries to roll over but Hazelett keeps him under control.
Retkikello blocking the ground and pound attempt from Hazelett.
Retkikello wants to control but Hazelett is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Hazelett frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Retkikello throwing punches from his back but nothing is landing.

Hazelett working for a guillotine from mount but Retkikello is in no mood to give up.
Retkikello keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

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.
Hazelett throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Retkikello trying desperately to get to his feet.

Hazelett goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Retkikello turns into him and now he's in Hazelett's guard.
Hazelett keeping moving, preventing Retkikello from controlling successfully.
Retkikello slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Hazelett is not content to let Retkikello control the position.
Retkikello throws a strike aimed at the side of Hazelett's head but Hazelett avoids it well.
Hazelett is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Retkikello's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Retkikello seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hazelett does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Hazelett works his way to full guard. Good work.

Hazelett is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Retkikello passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Hazelett manages to work his way to half guard, despite Retkikello's best efforts.
Hazelett is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Retkikello's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Retkikello's back!

Hazelett is persistently looking for the submission but Retkikello is defending it well.
Retkikello breaks Hazelett's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Hazelett wants to sweep here but Retkikello controlling him for the moment.
Retkikello postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Retkikello avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Retkikello advances to half guard.
Retkikello controlling the pace.
Hazelett is pressing down on Retkikello's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Hazelett is looking for a triangle but Retkikello pushes his legs off easily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hazelett is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Risto Retkikello is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Retkikello tries to get to full guard but Hazelett has control of the leg.
Retkikello is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Max Hazelett has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Hazelett is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.

And that's the end of the fight!
Max Hazelett showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Retkikello has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 28:29
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 28:29
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Risto Retkikello!