PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between August Spies (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cthulhu Fhtagn (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Spies comes to the cage accompanied by Great Cop by Fugazi. Fhtagn is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Cthulhu Fhtagn!. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Spies
vs
Fhtagn

185 cm
23
219 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

194 cm
24
209 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

[JMFC] 160!

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 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, August Spies!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cthulhu Fhtagn!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fhtagn scores with a hook.
Fhtagn fails in his attempt to clinch.

Fhtagn gets tackled into the cage by Spies. Spies maintains the clinch.
Fhtagn throws an elbow but it misses.
Fhtagn fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Fhtagn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Spies slowing the pace effectively.
Spies landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Spies tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Spies.
Fhtagn wants a takedown but no success here.
Fhtagn is trying to break the clinch but Spies has him pressed against the cage.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Spies.
Fhtagn lands a shot to the body.
Fhtagn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fhtagn scores with a nice hook to the head.
Fhtagn lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Spies blocks an uppercut.
Fhtagn managing to block the knees to the body from Spies.
Spies lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Fhtagn.
Fhtagn tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fhtagn looks gassed!
Spies trying to land knees to the body.
A short body shot lands from Spies as the two fighters clinch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spies tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fhtagn avoids it.

Spies manages to break the clinch.
Fhtagn circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spies tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Fhtagn counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fhtagn.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A body shot lands from Spies.
Spies using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Spies.
Spies works on Fhtagn's body with a couple of short punches.
Spies lands a good knee to the midsection. Fhtagn won't want to take too many of those.

Spies escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Spies fails in his attempt to clinch.

Spies has closed the distance and engaged Fhtagn in a clinch.
Fhtagn tries for a takedown. No joy.
August Spies has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cthulhu Fhtagn.

Spies breaks the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Spies.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Spies darts in and clinches Fhtagn up against the cage.
Spies stalling the fight.
Fhtagn managing to block the knees to the body from Spies.
Fhtagn avoiding damage as Spies throws knees to the body.
Fhtagn misses with a hook from the clinch.
Spies digs a right hand underneath Fhtagn's ribcage. Fhtagn let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Spies missing with knees to the body.
Spies digs a right hand underneath Fhtagn's ribcage. Fhtagn let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Spies lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Fhtagn misses with a punch to the body.
Spies is struggling to control the position.
Spies is looking to control Fhtagn's arms but Fhtagn gets an underhook and turns him. Now Spies has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fhtagn is working for takedown but Spies is calmly controlling the position for now.
Spies is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Spies misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fhtagn.
Spies is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fhtagn is defending well for now.

Spies breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Spies wants to clinch but Fhtagn slips to the side

and Fhtagn counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Fhtagn throws an elbow but it misses.
Spies utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Spies unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Spies tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fhtagn avoids it.
Spies is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Fhtagn throws a head punch that misses.
Spies tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Fhtagn tries to land knees in the clinch but Spies avoids the damage to the body.
A short right from Fhtagn.
Spies landing knees to the head.
Fhtagn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Spies using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Fhtagn throws a punch but it's blocked by Spies.
Fhtagn prevents a body shot from Spies.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Spies as Fhtagn tries to tie him up.
Spies lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Spies tries a knee to the head but Fhtagn blocks it.
Spies tries a body shot but Fhtagn blocks it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fhtagn.
Fhtagn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Spies backwards.
Fhtagn avoiding damage as Spies throws knees to the body.
Spies tries a body shot but Fhtagn blocks it.
Spies misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fhtagn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fhtagn drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Spies gets the underhooks and prevents it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fhtagn.
Spies unloads a knee to the mid-section.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Fhtagn.
Fhtagn wants to break free but Spies has control.
Fhtagn on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Spies using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Fhtagn has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fhtagn.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Spies.

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.
Fhtagn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fhtagn jumps guard but Spies stands there with Fhtagn around his waist. Fhtagn gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Spies looking to throw knees to the head but Fhtagn is blocking nicely.
Spies lands a knee to the body.
Spies works on Fhtagn's body with a couple of short punches.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Spies just misses with a elbow thrown towards Fhtagn's brow.
Spies tries to land knees in the clinch but Fhtagn avoids the damage to the body.
Fhtagn pressing his opponent against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Fhtagn.
Fhtagn tries to pull guard but Spies won't allow it.

Spies's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Spies tries to clinch up

and Fhtagn holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A nice left hand lands by Fhtagn.
Spies takes an elbow to the temple.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Fhtagn managing to block the knees to the body from Spies.
Fhtagn lands with a short shot to the head.
Fhtagn presses Spies against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

August Spies dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Decent striking displayed by Fhtagn there.
Fhtagn tries to clinch but Spies moves out of range.

Fhtagn rushes Spies and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Spies escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Spies tries to clinch up

and Fhtagn moves into the clinch.
Fhtagn scores with a nice hook to the head.
Spies tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fhtagn avoids it.
Spies tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fhtagn misses with a punch on the inside.
Fhtagn misses with a short punch on the inside.
Fhtagn using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Spies has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Come on Spies - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Spies misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fhtagn.
Spies is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Fhtagn wants to break free but Spies has control.

Spies's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Fhtagn wants to clinch up but Spies keeps it at a distance.
Fhtagn tries to clinch but Spies moves out of range.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spies tries to clinch but Fhtagn moves away

and Fhtagn counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Spies is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Fhtagn.

Fhtagn breaks the clinch.

Fhtagn takes the fight into the clinch.
Fhtagn managing to block the knees to the body from Spies.
Fhtagn throws a punch but it's blocked by Spies.
Fhtagn working aggressively here.
Fhtagn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Spies lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Spies throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Fhtagn blocks it with crossed arms.
Spies misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fhtagn.
Fhtagn lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Spies backwards.

Fhtagn escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Spies tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Fhtagn moves into the clinch.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
August Spies has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Fhtagn turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Fhtagn manages to end up in side control.

Fhtagn decides to stand back up. Fhtagn steps back and let's Spies get back to his feet.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spies misses with a hook to the ribs.

Fhtagn ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Fhtagn no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Fhtagn scrambles and gets back to his feet.
August Spies is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Spies tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Fhtagn paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Spies drives through and clinches with Fhtagn against the cage.
Spies blocks an elbow strike from Fhtagn.
Fhtagn misses with a knee to the head.
Spies tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Fhtagn avoiding damage as Spies throws knees to the body.
Spies is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fhtagn is defending well for now.
Fhtagn stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Spies trying to land knees to the body.

Fhtagn manages to break the clinch.
Fhtagn is looking to clinch.
Spies tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Fhtagn moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Fhtagn scores with a hook to the body.
Fhtagn tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Fhtagn.

Fhtagn breaks the clinch.
Fhtagn tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Spies manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Spies moves to clinch but Fhtagn breaks away

and Fhtagn counters by clinching up.
Spies with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Spies missing with knees to the body.
Spies doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Spies blocks an elbow strike from Fhtagn.
Fhtagn connects with a knee to the head.
Fhtagn jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Spies walks away with a smile on his face. Fhtagn gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Spies keeps the fight on the outside.
Fhtagn wants to clinch

and Spies holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Spies blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fhtagn avoiding damage as Spies throws knees to the body.
Fhtagn avoiding damage as Spies throws knees to the body.
Spies tries to land knees in the clinch but Fhtagn avoids the damage to the body.
Fhtagn lands a damaging elbow.

Fhtagn manages to break the clinch.

Fhtagn drives through and clinches with Spies against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fhtagn gets through Spies's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Spies tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fhtagn avoids it.

Spies's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Fhtagn has managed to clinch.
Spies missing with knees to the body.
Fhtagn swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Spies struggles to land a body shot inside as Fhtagn controls his hands.
Spies misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fhtagn.
Fhtagn lands a right hand.
Spies goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Fhtagn creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Spies.
Spies lands a shot to the body.

Fhtagn pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Fhtagn darts in and clinches Spies up against the cage.
Fhtagn is trying to break the clinch but Spies is controlling him.
Fhtagn throws an elbow but it misses.
Spies misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fhtagn.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Fhtagn working aggressively here.
Spies is looking to break free of the clinch but Fhtagn has double underhooks.
Fhtagn looking to throw knees to the head but Spies is blocking nicely.
Spies tries to work over Fhtagn's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cthulhu Fhtagn showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Spies closes the distance looking to clinch
and Fhtagn counters with a series of strikes. Spies will be more careful next time no doubt.
Spies wants to clinch but Fhtagn slips to the side

and Fhtagn counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Fhtagn.
Fhtagn connects with a knee to the head.
Spies throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fhtagn with a knee to the head.
Fhtagn goes for a takedown in the clinch but Spies prevents it.
Spies with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Fhtagn goes for a takedown in the clinch but Spies prevents it.
Fhtagn throws an elbow but it misses.
Spies throws a knee to the head but misses.
Fhtagn has a couple of punches blocked by Spies.
Fhtagn with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Spies blocks an uppercut.
Fhtagn wants a takedown.
August Spies has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Cthulhu Fhtagn.
Spies misses with a knee to the head.
Spies misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Fhtagn.
Fhtagn tries to pull guard but Spies holds him up against the cage and eventually Fhtagn drops back down to his feet.
Spies crunches a lovely knee into Fhtagn's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Spies obliges.
Fhtagn taking a breather.

Spies's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Spies circles away from the clinch attempt.
Spies pushes Fhtagn away with a front kick.
Fhtagn throws a body punch but Spies moves out of range.
Spies has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Fhtagn.

Fhtagn rushes Spies and presses him up against the cage.
Spies blocking some punches.
Spies is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Spies lands a nice knee to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Spies obliges.
Spies taking a breather.
Spies blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Fhtagn tries to score a body lock takedown but Spies shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Fhtagn avoiding damage as Spies throws knees to the body.
Spies unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Spies misses with a knee to the head.
Fhtagn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fhtagn scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spies looking to stall.
Fhtagn trying to stall but Spies improves his position.
Fhtagn working aggressively here.

Spies breaks from the clinch.
Fhtagn looks to land a combination but Spies avoids it well.
Spies avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Spies darts in trying to clinch
and Fhtagn counters with a solid body kick.
Fhtagn moves in looking to clinch but Spies pushes him off.

Spies tries to keep at a distance but Fhtagn has taken the fight into the clinch.
Spies looking to slow down the pace here.
Fhtagn blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Fhtagn misses with a punch on the inside.
Fhtagn lands an elbow inside.
Fhtagn looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Spies trying to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fhtagn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fhtagn lands with a right to the head.
Spies connects with a knee to the head.

Fhtagn manages to break the clinch.
Fhtagn tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Spies tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Spies tries to keep at a distance but Fhtagn has taken the fight into the clinch.
Fhtagn has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Spies avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Fhtagn tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Spies trying to land knees to the body.
Fhtagn changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Spies fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Spies moves in looking to clinch but Fhtagn pushes him off.
Spies tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Fhtagn manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Spies looks to clinch
and Fhtagn counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Fhtagn circles away from the clinch attempt

and Fhtagn moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spies missing with knees to the body.

Fhtagn's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Spies has Fhtagn up against the cage in a clinch.

Fhtagn breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fhtagn will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Fhtagn rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Spies moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Fhtagn misses with a jab, cross combination.
Spies is looking to clinch but Fhtagn is avoiding it.

Spies clinches up against the cage.
Fhtagn wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Spies has him pressed against the cage.
Fhtagn wants to break the clinch but can't.
Spies lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Spies unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Spies tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Spies landing knees to the body.
Spies tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Fhtagn lands a takedown into guard.

Spies is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Fhtagn is aware though and is defending well.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to August Spies.
I think Spies 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!