PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Lewis Hamilton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Filip Suligoj (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Lewis Hamilton has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Hamilton
vs
Suligoj

185 cm
22
205 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
213 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Great low kicks
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Prefers standup

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lewis Hamilton!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Filip Suligoj!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamilton works over Suligoj's head and body with a nice combination.
Suligoj tries to close the distance and clinch but Hamilton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Suligoj moves into the clinch successfully.
Hamilton tries to pull guard but Suligoj holds him up against the cage and eventually Hamilton drops back down to his feet.
Suligoj content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Suligoj is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A right handed body shot lands from Suligoj.
Suligoj tries to land a knee to the head but Hamilton blocks with his arms.
Suligoj taking a breather.
Suligoj tries for a takedown. No joy.
Suligoj misses with a body punch.
Suligoj tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hamilton jumps guard but Suligoj stands there with Hamilton around his waist. Hamilton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Suligoj.
Hamilton looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lewis Hamilton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Suligoj drops down looking for an ankle pick but Hamilton pulls his leg out and moves away.
Suligoj stuffs the takedown.
Lewis Hamilton seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamilton is trying hard to land a takedown here. Suligoj sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Filip Suligoj is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Suligoj tries to clinch but Hamilton is having none of it.
Suligoj stuffs the takedown.
Hamilton fails with the takedown.

Suligoj has managed to clinch.
Suligoj swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Suligoj has hold of one of Hamilton's legs. Hamilton is fighting the takedown attempt but Suligoj gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Suligoj is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suligoj won't allow Hamilton to get back to his feet.

Suligoj decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hamilton, up you get!

Suligoj gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Suligoj looking for a takedown.
Suligoj looks gassed!
Suligoj has a couple of punches blocked by Hamilton.
Suligoj can't find room to land a body shot as Hamilton controls the action.
Hamilton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Suligoj just stands there and leans against the cage.
Suligoj trying to land knees to the body.
Hamilton fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton stops a takedown attempt from Suligoj.
Hamilton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Suligoj smiles and moves away.
Suligoj takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hamilton throws a sloppy head kick and Suligoj moves out of range easily.

Hamilton shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Suligoj should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Hamilton is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Suligoj is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Suligoj's head.
Hamilton thows a huge punch but Suligoj dodges it nicely.
Nice strikes from Hamilton there.
Hamilton lands strikes from half guard.
Ground and pound from Hamilton.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Hamilton missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Hamilton working the head and body with strikes.
Hamilton is looking to take a break and control but Suligoj is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hamilton is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lewis Hamilton 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.

A chopping leg kick lands by Hamilton.
Hamilton closes the distance and clinches up with Suligoj, looking for a takedown. Hamilton pushes Suligoj against the cage but Suligoj circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Hamilton shoots in for a double leg but Suligoj sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Suligoj fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hamilton misses with a head kick.
Hamilton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Suligoj sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hamilton somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lewis Hamilton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hamilton circles away from the clinch attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A solid leg kick lands there for Hamilton.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Suligoj tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hamilton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A head kick by Suligoj misses
and Hamilton counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Suligoj tries to clinch there but Hamilton circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hamilton.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suligoj tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Hamilton paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Hamilton misses with a head kick.
Some wild striking there from Hamilton.
A nice inside leg kick there by Hamilton. That's going to slow Suligoj down.
Suligoj dodges the punch combination from Hamilton.
Good leg kick by Hamilton there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hamilton throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Suligoj's waist but Suligoj gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Hamilton off to one side.

Suligoj has closed the distance and engaged Hamilton in a clinch.
Suligoj tries to throw a body punch but Hamilton avoids it by throwing Suligoj back against the cage.
Hamilton jumps guard but Suligoj stands there with Hamilton around his waist. Hamilton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Suligoj lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suligoj throws a head punch that misses.
Hamilton jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Suligoj walks away with a smile on his face. Hamilton gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Hamilton scores with a head kick.
Hamilton tries to score a power double leg takedown but Suligoj sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Hamilton somewhat.

Suligoj gets a clinch.
Suligoj unloads a knee to the mid-section.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Suligoj in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Hamilton fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Suligoj misses with a knee to the head.
Suligoj using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hamilton has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hamilton as Suligoj tries to tie him up.
Hamilton tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton tries to pull guard but Suligoj won't allow it.
Suligoj effectively controlling the action here.
Hamilton fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hamilton tries to pull guard but Suligoj won't allow it.
Suligoj tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Suligoj tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Suligoj misses with the head strike.
Hamilton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Suligoj smiles and moves away.
Hamilton throws a head kick that misses

and Suligoj counters by clinching up.
Hamilton fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hamilton tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hamilton jumps guard but Suligoj stands there with Hamilton around his waist. Hamilton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Suligoj just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hamilton tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hamilton is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Suligoj pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Hamilton blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Suligoj working aggressively here.
Suligoj manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Hamilton tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Suligoj tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Suligoj trying to control the position but instead, Hamilton has worked for underhooks and has pushed Suligoj into the cage.
Hamilton wants a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Filip Suligoj showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Hamilton throws a combination. Suligoj tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Suligoj tries to clinch up.
Suligoj blocks a head kick by Hamilton.
Suligoj wants to clinch up but Hamilton keeps it at a distance.
Hamilton tries a head kick but it misses.
Hamilton tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice takedown defense from Suligoj. No joy for Hamilton on that attempt.

Suligoj clinches.
Hamilton tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Suligoj smiles and moves away.
Hamilton throws a head kick but Suligoj moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Suligoj tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hamilton swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Suligoj leaves Hamilton with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lewis Hamilton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Suligoj looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suligoj tries to clinch up but Hamilton circles away and keeps his distance.

Suligoj gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Suligoj has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hamilton avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hamilton jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Suligoj walks away with a smile on his face. Hamilton gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
A head kick misses from Hamilton.
Suligoj throws a sloppy head kick and Hamilton moves out of range easily.

Hamilton shoots in and bounces Suligoj off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hamilton working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Suligoj's head.
Hamilton throws a big right hand that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Suligoj avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Hamilton working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Hamilton working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hamilton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hamilton thows a big elbow that misses.
Suligoj wants to get back to his feet but Hamilton is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Hamilton throwing strikes but missing.
Hamilton has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hamilton missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hamilton tries for a takedown but Suligoj sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Hamilton shoots in and drives through. Suligoj sprawls well.
Suligoj tries to close the distance and clinch but Hamilton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Suligoj doesn't manage to clinch there - Hamilton circles away.
Hamilton shoots in for a takedown but Suligoj shows good takedown defense.
Suligoj tries to clinch but Hamilton moves out of range.
Hamilton lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Suligoj fails in his attempt to clinch.
Hamilton scores with a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Hamilton scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hamilton misses with a head shot. Suligoj uses the momentum to regain guard.
Hamilton makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Suligoj pushes Hamilton off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Suligoj tries to clinch up.
Hamilton moves out of range as Suligoj strikes.
Hamilton changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Suligoj tries to avoid it but Hamilton manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Suligoj to the ground. Suligoj escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Lewis Hamilton is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hamilton displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lewis Hamilton clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Hamilton will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Suligoj tries to clinch up.

Suligoj moves into range and clinches up with Hamilton.
Suligoj working aggressively here.
Suligoj leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hamilton jumps guard but Suligoj stands there with Hamilton around his waist. Hamilton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Suligoj with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamilton fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Lewis Hamilton. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Suligoj tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Suligoj tries a knee to the head but Hamilton blocks it.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Suligoj gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hamilton.
Suligoj struggles to land a body shot inside as Hamilton controls his hands.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Suligoj misses with a body punch.
Suligoj tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hamilton tries to pull guard but Suligoj won't allow it.
Hamilton prevents a body shot from Suligoj.
Hamilton fails to pull guard.
Hamilton jumps guard but Suligoj stands there with Hamilton around his waist. Hamilton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hamilton tries for a takedown. No joy.
Hamilton tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Hamilton jumps guard but Suligoj stands there with Hamilton around his waist. Hamilton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

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.

Hamilton successfully pulls guard.
Hamilton keeping moving, preventing Suligoj from controlling successfully.
Suligoj stops Hamilton from standing up.
Lewis Hamilton overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Suligoj is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Suligoj stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Suligoj tries to close the distance and clinch but Hamilton swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Hamilton throws a head kick but Suligoj moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Hamilton there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hamilton lands with a nice combination. Suligoj backs away looking to recover.
Suligoj looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Suligoj wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Hamilton tries for a takedown but Suligoj sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A big left from Hamilton misses.
Suligoj wants to clinch.
Hamilton tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Suligoj swivels and escapes.

Suligoj moves into the clinch.
Suligoj misses with a shot to the kidneys.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Suligoj trying to control the position but instead, Hamilton has worked for underhooks and has pushed Suligoj into the cage.
Hamilton jumps guard but Suligoj stands there with Hamilton around his waist. Hamilton gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Filip Suligoj dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hamilton lands with a kick to the ribs.
Hamilton fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Suligoj.

Hamilton changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Suligoj looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Sloppy strikes there by Hamilton.
Check out the look on Hamilton's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Suligoj is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Hamilton has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Suligoj taking a bit of punishment here - Hamilton scoring with strikes.
Hamilton sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Suligoj is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Hamilton throws an elbow but Suligoj slips to the side and avoids it well.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Suligoj can do anything to dispel that myth.
Suligoj takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamilton connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Suligoj some visible discomfort.
Suligoj dodges the ground and pound from Hamilton.
Suligoj wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Hamilton in side control, throwing shots but Suligoj defends.
Suligoj is trying to buck Hamilton off.
Hamilton throwing strikes but Suligoj manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Hamilton seems a little lost for a moment, as Suligoj dominates the positioning.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Suligoj throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Suligoj trying to control the position but Hamilton is working away.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Hamilton slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Hamilton closes this distance looking for a takedown but Suligoj circles away.
Hamilton shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hamilton circles away from the clinch attempt
and Hamilton counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Hamilton will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamilton misses with an uppercut.
Suligoj moves out of range of the body kick.
Suligoj tries to clinch but Hamilton moves out of range.
Suligoj fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hamilton manages to avoid it.

Suligoj gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hamilton loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hamilton throwing strikes from guard but Suligoj blocks nicely.
Hamilton throws and elbow that misses. Suligoj uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hamilton's guard. Nice move by Suligoj!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Suligoj controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Suligoj tries to stand but Hamilton is controlling from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Lewis Hamilton showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hamilton has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 48:47
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 48:47
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lewis Hamilton!
Lewis Hamilton is the new light heavyweight champion!