PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Roope Hartikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mac Avelli (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hartikainen's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Smash Mouth - Why can't we be friends. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Hartikainen
vs
Avelli

187 cm
22
180 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

180 cm
25
184 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
KO power

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

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 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, Roope Hartikainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of London, Mac Avelli!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Chris Edwards and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hartikainen misses with a double jab
and Avelli makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Hartikainen misses with a right hand
and Avelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hartikainen misses with a double jab
and Avelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hartikainen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
enabling Avelli to counter with a crisp jab.
Hartikainen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Avelli counters with a nice uppercut.
Avelli throws a right and a left that Hartikainen avoids nicely.
Hartikainen misses with an uppercut
and Avelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hartikainen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Avelli counters with a series of strikes. Hartikainen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Hartikainen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Avelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A low kick from Hartikainen is predictable there
and Avelli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hartikainen swings widly with a right hand
and Avelli counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avelli throws a series of punches but Hartikainen avoids them all with ease.
Hartikainen misses with a body shot.

Avelli pushes Hartikainen up against the cage in a clinch.
A short right from Avelli on the inside.
Avelli lands a right hand.
Avelli blocks a body shot from Hartikainen.
Hartikainen tries a body shot but Avelli blocks it.
Avelli using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hartikainen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hartikainen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Avelli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Avelli is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Hartikainen had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Hartikainen misses with a double jab
and Avelli counters with a stiff right hand.
Hartikainen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Avelli counter with a right hand.
Hartikainen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Avelli counters with a left and a right that stings Hartikainen.
Hartikainen misses with a combination
letting Avelli counter with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartikainen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Avelli.
Roope Hartikainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Avelli misses with a series of wild punches.

Avelli has Hartikainen up against the cage in a clinch.
Hartikainen tries to break the clinch but Avelli is controlling the position.
Hartikainen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Avelli breaks the clinch.
Hartikainen misses with a double jab
enabling Avelli to counter with a crisp jab.
Hartikainen throws a right hand that misses
and Avelli counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartikainen with a jab.
Hartikainen throws an off balance right hand
and Avelli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hartikainen moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Avelli avoids the head kick by Hartikainen.
Avelli shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hartikainen as he avoids it easily.
Hartikainen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Hartikainen misses with a right hand

and Avelli holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Avelli breaks from the clinch.
Hartikainen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Avelli counters with a stiff right hand.
Hartikainen throws a sloppy head kick
and Avelli counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Avelli takes one to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hartikainen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Hartikainen misses with an uppercut
and Avelli counters with a one-two to the body.
Hartikainen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Avelli counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Avelli might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Hartikainen throws an off balance right hand
and Avelli counters with a straight right hand.
Hartikainen misses with an uppercut
and Hartikainen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Hartikainen misses with a combination

and Avelli counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Hartikainen's guard now.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Avelli postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hartikainen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hartikainen wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Avelli is now in half guard.
Avelli uses his free foot to push down on Hartikainen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Hartikainen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mac Avelli dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hartikainen misses with a leg kick
and Avelli counters with a left and a right that stings Hartikainen.

Avelli clinches with his opponent.
Hartikainen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hartikainen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Avelli gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Avelli lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hartikainen is trying to break the clinch but Avelli has him pressed against the cage.
Avelli tries for a takedown. No joy.
A bit of stalling here from Avelli.
Hartikainen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Avelli's elbow.
Avelli leaning his opponent against the cage.

Avelli manages to break the clinch.
Hartikainen misses with a right hand
and Avelli counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hartikainen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Avelli counters with a series of strikes. Hartikainen will be more careful next time no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Avelli throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Avelli connects with a right hand. Hartikainen shakes it off.
Hartikainen throws a combination that misses
and Avelli counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Avelli lands a two punch combo.
Avelli throws a series of punches but Hartikainen moves out of range.
Hartikainen misses with a combination
and Avelli counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Avelli throws a looping overhand right but Hartikainen ducks down to avoid it.
Hartikainen misses with a left hand
and Avelli counters with a nice uppercut.
Hartikainen misses with a double jab
enabling Avelli to counter with a crisp jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hartikainen throws a combination that misses
and Avelli makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Hartikainen really felt that one!
Hartikainen misses with a jab to the body
and Hartikainen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Avelli has managed to clinch.
Avelli has a couple of punches blocked by Hartikainen.

Avelli breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hartikainen misses with a lunging right hand
and Avelli counters with a two punch combo.
Hartikainen misses with a left hand
and Avelli counters with a right hand to the body.

Avelli closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Hartikainen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Avelli controlling the action here for a moment.
Hartikainen lands a left hand that snaps the head of Avelli backwards.
Hartikainen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Avelli.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Hartikainen wants to break the clinch but can't.
Avelli prevents the takedown attempt.
Avelli gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Hartikainen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Roope Hartikainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Avelli throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Hartikainens head.
Avelli scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hartikainen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hartikainen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Hartikainen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Avelli just stands there and leans against the cage.
Hartikainen is working for takedown but Avelli is calmly controlling the position for now.

Avelli pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hartikainen throws an ugly left hook that misses

and Avelli counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hartikainen goes for a takedown attempt but Avelli pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Hartikainen falls off balance throwing a combination

and Avelli counters with a shoot takedown. Hartikainen fights it but they end up in guard.
Avelli postures up in Hartikainen's guard and throws a big left but Hartikainen blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avelli pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hartikainen is keeping the position for now.
Hartikainen is trying to keep Avelli in close.
Hartikainen working a defensive guard but Avelli manages to pass into side control anyway.
The strikes coming from Avelli are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Avelli works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Check out the look on Avelli's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!

Hartikainen is rocked!
Hartikainen avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Avelli.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mac Avelli showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Some wild striking there from Avelli.
Hartikainen misses with a shot to the body
and Avelli counters with a series of strikes. Hartikainen will be more careful next time no doubt.
Avelli throws a lazy right hand but Hartikainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hartikainen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Avelli moves into the clinch.
Avelli blocks a body shot from Hartikainen.
Avelli lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Hartikainen backwards.

Avelli has hold of one of Hartikainen's legs. Hartikainen is fighting the takedown attempt but Avelli gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Avelli accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Avelli thows a big elbow that misses.
Hartikainen keeping moving, preventing Avelli from controlling successfully.

Avelli gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hartikainen throws a left and a right that both miss
letting Avelli counter with a right hand.
Avelli has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hartikainen misses with a body punch
and Avelli counters with a two punch combo.
Roope Hartikainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hartikainen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Hartikainen swings away with a body shot that misses

and Avelli counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Avelli.
Hartikainen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Avelli.
Hartikainen tries a body shot but Avelli blocks it.

Avelli breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Avelli gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Avelli content to slow the pace in the clinch.

Avelli wants the takedown. Hartikainen is fighting it off but Avelli persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Hartikainen's guard against the cage.
Hartikainen wants to improve his position but instead Avelli has moved into half guard.
Avelli sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hartikainen defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Avelli wants to control but Hartikainen is keeping him busy.
Avelli has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hartikainen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Avelli.
Avelli not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Hartikainen trying to hold on to Avelli's head to control him but Avelli postures up.
Hartikainen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Avelli.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Avelli takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Hartikainen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Avelli stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Hartikainen to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hartikainen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Avelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice cross by Hartikainen.
Hartikainen throws a left and a right that both miss

and Avelli moves into the clinch.
Avelli controlling the action here for a moment.
Avelli looking to stall.
Avelli stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Avelli throws a punch but it's blocked by Hartikainen.
Hartikainen stalling the fight.
Hartikainen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hartikainen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hartikainen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Avelli taking a breather.

Avelli breaks the clinch.
Hartikainen misses with a body shot.
Hartikainen throws a poor cross that misses
and Avelli counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Hartikainen scores with a jab to the head.
Hartikainen throws a leg kick
and Avelli counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Roope Hartikainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mac Avelli is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hartikainen misses with a combination
and Avelli connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mac Avelli comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Avelli has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight for Mac Avelli!
Judge Chris Edwards scores the fight for Mac Avelli!
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight for Mac Avelli!

Mac Avelli wins by unanimous decision!