PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Keijo Keijukainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lari Hakkarainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Keijukainen
vs
Hakkarainen

160 cm
24
140 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
132 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Keijo Keijukainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lari Hakkarainen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Keijukainen scores a takedown into full mount!
Hakkarainen is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Keijukainen avoids the attempt from Hakkarainen to control.

Keijukainen is looking to secure an arm. He's managed it! He's pivoting for an armbar - that looks tight! But Hakkarainen has managed to get out of it and now he's in a dominant position. Nice work from Hakkarainen!
Keijukainen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Hakkarainen being controlled here momentarily.
Hakkarainen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Keijukainen looking for a sweep. Not yet Keijukainen, not yet.

Hakkarainen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Keijukainen dives on top into guard.
Hakkarainen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Keijukainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Keijukainen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hakkarainen dives on top into guard.
Keijukainen keeping moving, preventing Hakkarainen from controlling successfully.
Hakkarainen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Hakkarainen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hakkarainen wants to control from the top but Keijukainen keeps moving.

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.

Hakkarainen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Keijukainen looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Keijukainen looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Keijukainen!

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Keijukainen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Keijukainen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!

Keijukainen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Keijukainen is breathing heavily.

Keijukainen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Hakkarainen, who protects the arm well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Keijukainen tries to advance to mount but Hakkarainen denies him.
Hakkarainen gets back to half guard.
Hakkarainen pushes Keijukainen off looking to stand but Keijukainen dives back in and keeps control.
Keijukainen blocks the strikes from Hakkarainen.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hakkarainen won't allow Keijukainen to pass to mount.
Hakkarainen pushes Keijukainen off looking to stand but Keijukainen dives back in and keeps control.

Hakkarainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Keijukainen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hakkarainen doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Keijukainen.

That's four 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.
Hakkarainen tries to get to full guard but Keijukainen has control of the leg.
Hakkarainen is trying to stand back up but Keijukainen is controlling him

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Keijukainen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Hakkarainen!
Hakkarainen tries to lock up and control but Keijukainen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Keijukainen looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.

Keijukainen working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Keijukainen jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Hakkarainen manages to avoid the submission attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Keijo Keijukainen dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Hakkarainen shoots for a double leg takedown but Keijukainen sprawls well. He's pushed Hakkarainen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Hakkarainen misses with a body kick.

Keijukainen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Keijukainen looking to pass the guard.
Hakkarainen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Keijukainen looking to pass the guard.
Hakkarainen looking to control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hakkarainen keeping full guard, as Keijukainen tries to pass.
Keijukainen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Keijukainen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Keijukainen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hakkarainen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Keijukainen tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Hakkarainen is looking to reverse the position.

Keijukainen has an Americana. Hakkarainen didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Keijukainen is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Keijukainen hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:05 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Keijo Keijukainen!