PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between X XW (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hannu Yabal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Yabal has chosen New Divide, Linkin Park as his entrance music. X XW could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Hannu Yabal's chin.

XW
vs
Yabal

150 cm
22
140 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

170 cm
26
141 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Bare Knuckle Clothing [CBK]
Pandemic Los Angeles [CBK]

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

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Excellent takedown into side control there by XW.
XW in side control, throwing shots but Yabal defends.

XW wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Yabal, who protects the arm well.
Yabal gets back to half guard.
XW trying to control from half guard but Yabal is working away.
The fighters are battling for position here. Yabal manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
XW wants to control from the top but Yabal keeps moving.
XW postures up in Yabal's guard and throws a big left but Yabal blocks it.
XW could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
XW postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Yabal is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. XW is aware though and is defending well.
Yabal trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Yabal lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for XW!
Yabal avoids the attempt from XW to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yabal wants to take XW's back but he can't do it this time.
XW working to try and regain half guard.
Yabal lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
XW is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Yabal looking to finish with strikes here!
Yabal with a couple of short strikes.
Yabal scores with a couple of good head shots there.
XW really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
XW gets back to half guard.
Yabal passes to full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Yabal looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
XW looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Yabal has the hooks in. XW is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Yabal has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

XW defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Yabal's arms.
XW rolls, trying to escape but Yabal keeps control of the position.
XW trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

XW preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Yabal.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

XW preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Yabal.
Yabal looks gassed!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
XW trying to control but not successfully.
Yabal is trying to stick to XW's back but XW is turning into Yabal. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Yabal's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by XW.
Yabal looking for a sweep. Not yet Yabal, not yet.
Yabal keeping moving, preventing XW from controlling successfully.

XW avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
XW trying to control but Yabal is working from the bottom.

That's four 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.
Yabal wants to sweep but no luck.
XW wants to control from the top but Yabal keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Yabal wants to sweep here but XW controlling him for the moment.
Yabal is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
XW tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Yabal was well out of range. Poor timing from XW.
XW throws a head kick that misses.
XW throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Yabal's waist but Yabal gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing XW off to one side.
XW swats away the attempt to clinch by Yabal.
A shot to de liver by Yabal. Beautiful body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannu Yabal dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nice jab there from Yabal.
XW shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
X XW seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
XW shoots in but Yabal avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Yabal tries to clinch but XW is having none of it.
Yabal avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Yabal lands a straight punch to the body, keeping XW at a distance.

Yabal fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with XW, pushing him back against the cage.
XW takes a knee to the side of the body.
A left hand lands to the body for Yabal.
XW tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Yabal just stands there and leans against the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for X XW. That's going to take a lot out of him.
XW is trying to drag Yabal to the mat but Yabal just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
A knee to the head by Yabal.

It looks like X XW has been cut.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Yabal landing some nice looking knees to the body.
XW's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Yabal lands a nice elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
XW is working for takedown but Yabal is calmly controlling the position for now.
XW misses with a punch on the inside.
Yabal working XW over with knees to the body.
Yabal lands an uppercut.
Yabal lands an elbow inside that XW shrugs off.
Yabal scores with a knee to the head.
Yabal scores with an uppercut up the middle.
XW's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Yabal lands an elbow that stopped XW in his tracks for a moment.
Yabal lands an elbow inside that XW shrugs off.
Yabal with a knee to the head.
Yabal landing knees to the body.
XW takes a knee to the side of the body.
Yabal will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning XW up against the cage.
XW tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Yabal lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
XW working hard to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yabal lands with a short punch from the clinch.
XW tries to break the clinch but Yabal is controlling the position.
A shot in the inside from Yabal.
Yabal is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Yabal cracks XW with a nice body shot.
XW tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Yabal lands a left hand that snaps the head of XW backwards.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Yabal.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Yabal.
XW wants to get back to striking at distance but Yabal won't allow it.
XW is trying to break the clinch but Yabal is controlling him.
XW goes for a takedown attempt but Yabal pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Yabal fails with an attempt to clinch.
XW looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Yabal moves into range and clinches up with XW.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yabal with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Yabal lands a shot to the body.
XW throws an elbow but it misses.
XW is working for takedown but Yabal is calmly controlling the position for now.
XW is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Yabal pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Yabal working XW over with knees to the body.
Good body shot from Yabal.
Yabal gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Yabal lands a damaging elbow.
Yabal creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through XW's defenses.

X XW's cut is getting worse.
Yabal unloads a knee to the mid-section. XW lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Yabal lands with a short shot to the head.
XW takes an elbow to the temple.
Yabal leaning against his opponent.
Yabal creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through XW's defenses.
XW misses with a knee to the head.
Yabal lands a left hand.
Yabal lands an elbow inside.
Yabal lands an elbow that stopped XW in his tracks for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yabal scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Knees in the clinch landing for Yabal.
Yabal controlling the action here for a moment.
XW takes a knee to the side of the body.
A short left from Yabal.
Yabal with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
XW takes an elbow to the forehead.
Yabal lands a good knee to the midsection. XW won't want to take too many of those.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
XW goes for a takedown in the clinch but Yabal prevents it.
Yabal landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Yabal lands a knee to the head.

X XW's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Yabal lands an elbow inside that XW shrugs off.
Yabal lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt XW or not.
Yabal crunches a lovely knee into XW's ribcage.
Yabal comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hannu Yabal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on X XW's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Yabal connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
XW fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Yabal tries to clinch there but XW circles away.
Yabal connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
XW dives in and grabs Yabal's left leg, looking for a takedown. Yabal pushes down on XW's head and hops out.
XW shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Yabal as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for X XW. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Yabal lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Yabal connects with a good right hand that stumbles XW. XW circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
XW swings away with a body shot that misses
and Yabal connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
X XW is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Yabal connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Yabal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Yabal connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed XW momentarily.

Yabal lands a left and a right that send XW crashing to the mat, dazed. Yabal thinks about following him to the mat but decides to wave him back up to his feet!

XW is rocked!

Yabal drives through and clinches with XW against the cage.
Oh XW is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Yabal lands a body punch in the clinch.
XW seems to have got his legs back now.
Yabal unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Yabal unloads a knee to the mid-section. XW lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hannu Yabal seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Still in the clinch, Yabal scores with a nice short uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Yabal landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Yabal lands a nice knee to the body.
Yabal lands an elbow just above XW 's eye.
Yabal connects with a nasty looking knee right to XW's face.
Yabal connects with a nasty looking knee right to XW's face.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
XW tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yabal smiles and moves away.
XW takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Yabal fails with an attempt to clinch.
Yabal lands a front kick.
Yabal bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Yabal thuds a left hand into XW's body.
Yabal has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Yabal clinches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Yabal unloads a knee to the mid-section.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Yabal lands with a short shot to the head.
Yabal using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Yabal lands an elbow that stopped XW in his tracks for a moment.
Yabal gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Yabal takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
XW wants a takedown.
XW swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Yabal managing to block the knees to the body from XW.
Yabal lands a body punch in the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Yabal working XW over with knees to the body.
Yabal connects with a nasty looking knee right to XW's face.

Jeez, X XW's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Yabal lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Yabal is stalling here.
Yabal digs a right hand underneath XW's ribcage. XW let out a lung full of air as it connected.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Yabal pressing his opponent against the cage.
XW jumps guard but Yabal stands there with XW around his waist. XW gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
XW tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Yabal working XW over with knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Yabal.
Knees to the body from Yabal.
Knees in the clinch landing for Yabal.
Yabal utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
XW trying to stall but Yabal improves his position.
Yabal scores a nice knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Yabal obliges.
Knees in the clinch landing for Yabal.
Yabal connects with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Yabal will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning XW up against the cage.
Yabal lands an elbow that stopped XW in his tracks for a moment.
Yabal works on XW's body with a couple of short punches.
Yabal lands a good knee to the midsection. XW won't want to take too many of those.
XW has Yabal pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Yabal manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
XW changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Yabal fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Yabal has managed to clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Yabal lands with a right to the head.
X XW has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
XW tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Yabal smiles and moves away.
Yabal throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hannu Yabal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Yabal has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hannu Yabal!