PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between puu paa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Luhtanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

paa
vs
Luhtanen

198 cm
23
200 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
18
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, puu paa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Benjamin Luhtanen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck with that takedown attempt from paa.
paa looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Luhtanen is fending him off so far but paa persists. Nope, Luhtanen circles away and we're back to standing.
paa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Luhtanen tries to avoid it but paa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Luhtanen to the ground. Luhtanen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for puu paa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Luhtanen tries to land a front kick but paa steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

Luhtanen feints and as paa raises his hands in defense, Luhtanen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
paa looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
paa wants to control the position but Luhtanen says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Luhtanen content to control rather than advance.
paa manages to get to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Luhtanen has gone for a leg lock! paa slips out almost immediately though and dives into Luhtanen's guard.
Luhtanen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two 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.
paa sitting in guard here, content to control.
Luhtanen looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
paa advances position into side control!
Luhtanen tries to improve position but can't.

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

paa working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
paa wants to stand but Luhtanen has his arm trapped.
Luhtanen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
paa tries to score with some ground and pound. Luhtanen controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

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.
paa scoring with punches and elbows.
Luhtanen has one of paa's arms on lockdown, trying to prevent him from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
You can see the frustration on Luhtanen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
paa trying to control the position but Luhtanen is working away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Luhtanen tries to improve position but can't.
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 puu paa will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

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

paa sneaks out the side door and pushes Luhtanen away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.
paa shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Luhtanen pinned against the cage. Luhtanen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Luhtanen tries to clinch up but paa circles away and keeps his distance.
Luhtanen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and paa counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Luhtanen trying to hold on to paa's head to control him but paa postures up.
paa throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luhtanen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Luhtanen is breathing heavily.
paa stalling.
paa will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Luhtanen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but paa scores with a couple of nice shots.
paa with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
paa looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
paa wants to stand up but Luhtanen is controlling the position.
Luhtanen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

paa is working for a kimura but Luhtanen is defending it quite comfortably.
paa sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Luhtanen defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
paa wants to stand but Luhtanen has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Luhtanen wants to get back to full guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
paa misses with a takedown attempt

and Luhtanen counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Luhtanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
paa is trying to hold Luhtanen in close to prevent damage but Luhtanen has managed to pass into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luhtanen is trying to control. paa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
paa is pressing down on Luhtanen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
paa keeping moving, preventing Luhtanen from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that puu paa will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

paa scores with a one two! Luhtanen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
paa wants to clinch but Luhtanen slips to the side

and Luhtanen counters with a shoot takedown. paa fights it but they end up in guard.
paa wants to stand up but Luhtanen is controlling him.

paa is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Luhtanen rolls with it to try and escape but paa cranks on the arm and Luhtanen is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:46 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). puu paa!