PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Antony Norris (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niilo Hamalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Niilo Hamalainen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Norris
vs
Hamalainen

216 cm
24
194 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

183 cm
24
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antony Norris!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niilo Hamalainen!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hamalainen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Norris on his heels. He'll look to pass Norris's guard now, I'm sure.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hamalainen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Norris is looking for a triangle but Hamalainen pushes his legs off easily.
Hamalainen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamalainen is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Norris looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hamalainen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Hamalainen shoots in and bounces Norris off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Hamalainen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen passes Norris's left leg - he's now in half guard.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.
It looks like Hamalainen might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Norris is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Hamalainen's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Hamalainen's back!
Norris will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Norris is looking to control Hamalainen but Hamalainen is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Hamalainen trying to control the hands but Norris breaks the grip.
Norris really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hamalainen surviving as best he can, preventing damage.
A lull in the action here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen is being controlled on the ground here - he must escape this position otherwise surely the end is near.
Hamalainen trying to get back to his feet but Norris is in full control for now.
Norris is trying to stick to Hamalainen's back but Hamalainen is turning into Norris. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Norris's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Hamalainen.
Hamalainen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Norris swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Norris keeping moving, preventing Hamalainen from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niilo Hamalainen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hamalainen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Norris on his heels. He'll look to pass Norris's guard now, I'm sure.
Hamalainen wants to control from the top but Norris keeps moving.
Hamalainen engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Norris throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamalainen sitting in guard here, content to control.
Hamalainen tries to free his leg and advance position but Norris is retaining full guard.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Hamalainen stays in close to Norris's body and controls the position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Hamalainen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Norris's guard.
Hamalainen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Norris looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hamalainen is one step ahead there.

Norris is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Hamalainen defends well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hamalainen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Hamalainen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Hamalainen showed some decent athleticism there.
Norris is looking for a sweep. Hamalainen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hamalainen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hamalainen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
More stalling from Hamalainen.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Hamalainen with more of the same as he continues to hold on.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
A jab from Norris misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Hamalainen scores with a takedown into Norris's guard.

Hamalainen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niilo Hamalainen 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!

Hamalainen feints and as Norris raises his hands in defense, Hamalainen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Norris is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hamalainen is looking to control Norris's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Hamalainen avoid being mounted?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamalainen controlling the position well.
Niilo Hamalainen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hamalainen tries to kick Norris off but Norris keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamalainen is looking to improve his position.
Hamalainen is positioning himself well to prevent Norris advancing to mount.
Hamalainen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Norris stops Hamalainen from standing up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

Hamalainen looking to score a takedown here. Norris is defending well but Hamalainen drives through and ends up in Norris's guard.
Hamalainen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
Hamalainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Norris is keeping the position for now.
Hamalainen controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen is pushing down on Norris's leg trying to pass to half guard. Norris is fighting to maintain full guard but Hamalainen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Norris is not content to let Hamalainen control the position.
Hamalainen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Norris gets full guard.
Hamalainen trying to control but Norris is working from the bottom.
Hamalainen wants to stand but Norris is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Norris will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Hamalainen forces Norris back against the cage and clinches.

Hamalainen is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Norris can't fight it off and eventually Hamalainen manages to take the fight to the floor. Norris looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Hamalainen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Norris wants to sweep here but Hamalainen controlling him for the moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hamalainen throwing strikes from guard but Norris blocks nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niilo Hamalainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Hamalainen 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niilo Hamalainen!