PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Paul Irwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hempii Sapponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Irwin
vs
Sapponen

190 cm
19
205 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
23
213 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good takedowns
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Battalion Athletics

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Paul Irwin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Hempii Sapponen!
The judges for this bout are John Mangel, Damien Edna and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Irwin bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Sapponen's head.

Sapponen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Sapponen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Sapponen unloads with some shots from mount but Irwin bucks and avoids them well.
Sapponen throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Sapponen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Sapponen throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Sapponen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Irwin is looking to escape.
Irwin really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Sapponen looking to land elbow strikes but Irwin uses the position to regain half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sapponen 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.
Sapponen throwing shots but Irwin is blocking nicely.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Irwin misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Irwin's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Irwin duly obliges.

It looks like Hempii Sapponen has been cut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sapponen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Irwin sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Sapponen somewhat.
A punch combination from Irwin misses.
Hempii Sapponen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sapponen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Sapponen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Irwin but Irwin pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Irwin scores with a nice head shot.
Irwin scores with a nice head shot.
Sapponen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Irwin defends it nicely.
Paul Irwin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Hempii Sapponen.

Sapponen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Sapponen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Irwin wants to get back to striking at distance but Sapponen won't allow it.
Sapponen fails to pull the fight into his guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Irwin looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Sapponen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Irwin pulls his leg out and moves away.
Irwin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Irwin wants it to stay on the feet.
Sapponen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sapponen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Irwin sprawls well. Irwin wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Sapponen gets slowly back to his feet.
Paul Irwin is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Irwin tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Irwin misses with a double jab.
Sapponen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Irwin defends it nicely.
Sapponen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Irwin stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Irwin wants it to stay on the feet.
Irwin throws out a leg kick but Sapponen moves out of range and Irwin only half commits.
Irwin's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Irwin duly obliges.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sapponen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Irwin tries to avoid it but Sapponen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Irwin to the ground. Irwin escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Sapponen looks gassed!
Sapponen shoots in but Irwin avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Sapponen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Irwin connects with the punch.

Irwin drops Sapponen with a beautiful combination! Sapponen stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Irwin is looking for the KO!

Sapponen is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Irwin closes the distance and lands a vicious right hand that drops Sapponen! Irwin dives in looking to finish! Sapponen is still trying to defend himself but he's taking too many shots and the referee has no choice but to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Paul Irwin!