PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hermanni Holopainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tyler Durdun (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Holopainen comes to the cage accompanied by Black&Yellow. Durdun is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Where is My Mind. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Holopainen
vs
Durdun

196 cm
25
280 lbs
10 - 7 - 0

194 cm
26
258 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 7 - 0, fighting out of New York, Hermanni Holopainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of New York, Tyler Durdun!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fray, Chris Saunders and Paul Gruel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Durdun crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Holopainen - the referee stops the clock and Durdun gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Holopainen. Durdun manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Durdun looks gassed!
Durdun uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Holopainen.
Holopainen throws a right and a left that Durdun avoids nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Holopainen fails with the takedown.

Holopainen shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Holopainen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Holopainen stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Durdun to get to his feet.
Holopainen scores with a leg kick.
Holopainen shoots in and drives through. Durdun sprawls well.
Holopainen looks to land a combination but Durdun avoids it well.
Holopainen throws a front kick that sends Durdun stumbling back into the cage.
Holopainen throws a right hand that Durdun ducks under and follows up with a left that Durdun also avoids with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holopainen shoots in looking for a takedown but Durdun manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Holopainen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hermanni Holopainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Durdun stuffs the takedown attempt from Holopainen. Holopainen gets slowly back to his feet.
Durdun misses the jab.
Holopainen shoots in but no luck this time.
Holopainen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Durdun counters with an inside leg kick.
Durdun connects with the punch.

It looks like Hermanni Holopainen has been cut.
Durdun avoids a punch combination nicely.
A head kick from Holopainen lands but Durdun takes it in his stride.

It looks like Tyler Durdun has been cut.
Durdun misses with a leg kick.
Durdun goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hermanni Holopainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Holopainen shoots for a double leg takedown but Durdun sprawls well. He's pushed Holopainen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Holopainen.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Durdun's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Durdun duly obliges.
Tyler Durdun is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Holopainen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Durdun's waist but Durdun gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Holopainen off to one side.
Durdun is looking to score with low kicks.
Durdun swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Holopainen works over Durdun's head and body with a nice combination.
Holopainen throws a head kick that half lands.
Durdun works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Holopainen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Durdun slaps away a takedown attempt from Holopainen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Holopainen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Holopainen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Holopainen.
The fighters circling - Durdun throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Holopainen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Durdun moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Durdun lands a head kick!
Durdun throws a right and a left that Holopainen avoids nicely.
Holopainen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Holopainen shoots in and drives through. Durdun sprawls well.
Holopainen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Durdun moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Holopainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Durdun.
Nice takedown defense from Durdun. No joy for Holopainen on that attempt.
Holopainen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Durdun lands with a kick to the temple. Holopainen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Some wild striking there from Durdun.
Holopainen looks for a takedown but Durdun sprawls well.
Holopainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Durdun feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Holopainen's calf.
Durdun throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Durdun throws a leg kick but Holopainen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Durdun moves into range and connects with a jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Durdun throws a sloppy head kick and Holopainen moves out of range easily.
Durdun cracks a nice hook into Holopainen's ribs.
Holopainen tries to clinch there but Durdun circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Hermanni Holopainen will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Durdun throws a low kick but Holopainen avoids it.
Durdun is looking to land body kicks.
Durdun leaves Holopainen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hermanni Holopainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Holopainen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
A punch lands to the side of Holopainen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Durdun will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.

Holopainen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Durdun's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holopainen wants to control from the top but Durdun keeps moving.
Holopainen passes Durdun's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Holopainen is working for a kimura but Durdun is defending it quite comfortably.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Durdun trying to control from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Holopainen trying to control from half guard but Durdun is working away.

Holopainen is working for a submission of some sort.
Holopainen is trying to control the action in half guard but Durdun is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Holopainen is thwarting Durdun's attempts to control the position.

Holopainen is looking for a kimura but Durdun is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Holopainen to get the leverage.
Holopainen thows a huge punch but Durdun dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Durdun blocking the ground and pound attempt from Holopainen.
Durdun trying to control from the bottom.
Holopainen is looking to advance position but Durdun won't allow it.
Durdun really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Holopainen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Holopainen uses his free foot to push down on Durdun's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Durdun.
Durdun tries to lock up and control but Holopainen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Holopainen is standing up, even though he is in mount.
Crunch! Holopainen slams his shin into Durdun's torso.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Holopainen shoots for a double leg takedown but Durdun sprawls well. He's pushed Holopainen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Holopainen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Durdun tries to avoid it but Holopainen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Durdun to the ground. Durdun escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hermanni Holopainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Holopainen does no damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Holopainen.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Durdun, as that shot connected.
Durdun connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice jab there from Durdun.
Holopainen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Holopainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Durdun as he avoids it easily.
Durdun lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Durdun jabs Holopainen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Durdun misses with a series of wild punches.
Durdun scores with a punch to the head.
Durdun fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Holopainen is out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Holopainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Holopainen shoots in and drives through. Durdun sprawls well.
Durdun's jab looks to have found its range, popping Holopainen under the eye.
Durdun thows a body kick. Holopainen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Durdun chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Durdun bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
That kick from Durdun tenderised Holopainen's leg. Holopainen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Durdun lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Durdun misses with an attempted mid kick.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holopainen shoots in for a takedown but Durdun shows good takedown defense.
Durdun tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Durdun, as that shot connected.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Tyler Durdun will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

No joy there for Holopainen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Holopainen pushes Durdun up against the cage in a clinch.
Durdun tries to circle away but Holopainen has him pinned against the cage.

Holopainen breaks from the clinch.
Durdun stuffs the takedown.
Durdun throws a right and a left that Holopainen avoids nicely.
Holopainen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Holopainen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Durdun as he jumps to the side.
Holopainen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Durdun counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Durdun cracks the inside of Holopainen's front leg.
Sloppy strikes from Durdun. Those never looked like landing.
A punch combination from Holopainen misses.
Durdun thumps Holopainen with a low kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Durdun scores with a kick to the midsection.
Durdun ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Holopainen shoots in for a takedown but Durdun shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Hermanni Holopainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Durdun moves into range and connects with a jab.
Tyler Durdun seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Holopainen takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Holopainen staying out of range there.
Durdun looks to throw the jab but Holopainen is out of range.
Holopainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Durdun sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Holopainen somewhat.
Durdun lands an overhand right.
Holopainen shoots in looking for a takedown. Durdun tries to sprawl out of it but Holopainen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Durdun manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Holopainen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Durdun sprawls well. Durdun wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Holopainen gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Durdun moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Durdun misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Holopainen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Durdun but Durdun pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Holopainen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Holopainen tries for a takedown but Durdun sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Durdun connects with a body shot.
Holopainen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Durdun scores with a head kick. Holopainen tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

Hermanni Holopainen's cut is getting worse.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Durdun. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Durdun with a nice cross.
Durdun is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Holopainen shoots in looking for a takedown but Durdun manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Holopainen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Durdun misses with a body kick.
Durdun lands a jab.
Holopainen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Durdun counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Holopainen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
The fight stays on the outside here - Holopainen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Holopainen shoots in and drives through. Durdun sprawls well.
Holopainen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Durdun is fending him off so far but Holopainen persists. Nope, Durdun circles away and we're back to standing.
Durdun works Holopainen's body with a nice hook.
Durdun with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Durdun throws a good cross that connects.
Durdun looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Durdun misses with a few strikes there.
Holopainen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Durdun listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Durdun throws a head kick that misses.
Durdun lands a nice shot that snaps Holopainen's head back.
Durdun stuffs the takedown attempt from Holopainen. Holopainen gets slowly back to his feet.
Jab from Durdun.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Holopainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Durdun as he avoids it easily.
Durdun lands with a shot to the body.
Durdun bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tyler Durdun comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Durdun has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Colin Fray scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 29:29
Judge Paul Gruel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by majority decision... Tyler Durdun!
After the fight, Tyler Durdun was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.