PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roope Hartikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Craig Whitehead (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hartikainen comes into the arena with Smash Mouth - Why can't we be friends blaring out of the sound system. This should be a great matchup!

Hartikainen
vs
Whitehead

187 cm
21
180 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

185 cm
24
170 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of London, Roope Hartikainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of London, Craig Whitehead!
The judges for this bout are Sam Margolis, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hartikainen throws an off balance right hand
and Whitehead cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Hartikainen misses with a straight right.
Hartikainen swings and misses with a shot to the body
enabling Whitehead to counter with a crisp jab.

Hartikainen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Whitehead to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Whitehead in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hartikainen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Whitehead throws and elbow that misses. Hartikainen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Whitehead's guard. Nice move by Hartikainen!

Hartikainen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hartikainen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Whitehead's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hartikainen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Whitehead has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Hartikainen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Whitehead utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hartikainen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Whitehead working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hartikainen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hartikainen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartikainen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hartikainen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Hartikainen tries to stand but Whitehead is controlling from the bottom.
Hartikainen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Hartikainen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Whitehead on the ground.

Whitehead looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Hartikainen wants to control from the top but Whitehead keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartikainen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Hartikainen wants to stand but Whitehead is controlling his posture from full guard.
Hartikainen wants to pass the guard but Whitehead is keeping the position.

Hartikainen is trying to tuck his arms in to keep them safe but Whitehead has managed to isolate one of them and has got a loose triangle. Hartikainen is looking to defend but Whitehead has done well to lock his legs together - this could be big trouble for Hartikainen! Whitehead pulls down on the head and a little smile comes across his face - he knows he's got it. Yep, Hartikainen taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Craig Whitehead!