PBP Commentary

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

Hauki
vs
Blasts

188 cm
40
197 lbs
34 - 25 - 1

185 cm
31
193 lbs
16 - 4 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

FORCEE
Zenith Nutrition (160q/225$)

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 34 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Taneli Hauki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rupert Blasts!
The judges for this bout are William Gold, Paul Tew and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hauki lands a body shot.
Hauki misses with a straight right.
Hauki misses with a looping right.
Blasts fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hauki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Blasts misses with a low kick as Hauki jumps back.
A big left from Hauki misses.
Hauki swats away the attempt to clinch by Blasts.
Blasts wants to slow Hauki down by chopping away at his legs.
Hauki checks the leg kick.
Hauki checks the leg kick.
Blasts throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hauki keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
It looked like Hauki was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Blasts.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hauki lands a nice looking body kick.
Blasts is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Blasts throws a low kick but Hauki avoids it.
Blasts looks to score with a jab to the body but Hauki is just out of range.
Blasts scores with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hauki throws the kick towards the body but Blasts avoids it.
Blasts throws a leg kick but Hauki moved away.
Hauki throws a wild body kick that Blasts sees coming a mile off.
Hauki checks a low kick from Blasts.

Blasts moves into the clinch.
Hauki lands a body punch in the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Hauki.
Hauki prevents a body shot from Blasts.
Hauki blocks a body shot from Blasts.
Blasts with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Blasts.
Blasts utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Blasts blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Blasts throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hauki blocks it with crossed arms.
Blasts swings wildly with an uppercut but Hauki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Blasts misses with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hauki tries to work over Blasts's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hauki lands with a short shot to the head.
Blasts misses with a punch to the body.
Blasts misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hauki.
Hauki tries to work over Blasts's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Blasts connects with a knee to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hauki takes a shot to the head.
Blasts scores a nice knee to the body.
Hauki lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Blasts.
Blasts missing with knees to the body.
Blasts missing with knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Hauki fails to land.
Hauki tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hauki lands a right hand.
Blasts is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Hauki is defending well for now.
Blasts stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hauki is working Blasts over against the cage.
Hauki misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Blasts fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blasts throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hauki blocks it with crossed arms.
Blasts tries to land knees in the clinch but Hauki avoids the damage to the body.
Hauki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hauki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Blasts blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hauki blocks an uppercut.
Blasts with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Blasts blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hauki tries a body shot but Blasts blocks it.
Blasts scores with a nice hook to the head.
Hauki doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Blasts has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Hauki seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Blasts can turn it around.
Hauki throws a head punch that misses.
Blasts takes a shot to the head.
Hauki lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hauki misses with a punch to the body.
Knees to the body from Blasts.
Blasts tries a knee to the head but Hauki blocks it.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Blasts tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A short body shot lands from Blasts as the two fighters clinch.
Hauki lands an uppercut.
Blasts with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Blasts goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Blasts with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Blasts tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hauki's elbow.
Blasts tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hauki avoids it.
Blasts goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Hauki tries to work over Blasts's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hauki tries a body shot but Blasts blocks it.
Blasts misses with a body punch.
Hauki lands a nice shot to the body.
Hauki stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Blasts lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hauki.
Hauki pushes Blasts back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Blasts looks winded!
Blasts blocks an uppercut.
Hauki working aggressively here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Rupert Blasts will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Blasts blocks a head kick by Hauki.
Blasts is looking to chop away at Hauki's legs.
Blasts looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Hauki takes a jab right on the kisser.
Blasts misses with a body shot.
Blasts moves forwards but Hauki connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Hauki throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Blasts misses the shot to the body.
Hauki throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Hauki connects with a solid leg kick.
Blasts tries to work over Hauki's front leg with a kick but Hauki checks it.
Blasts lands with a thumping leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blasts takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Hauki throws a hook but Blasts blocks it.
Blasts misses with a low kick.
And Hauki counters with a quick kick to the body but Blasts blocks it.
Blasts throws a good cross that connects.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Blasts fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Hauki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Hauki blocks the leg kick.
Rupert Blasts seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Blasts throws a solid leg kick but Hauki takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Blasts.
Hauki checks a low kick from Blasts.
Blasts uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hauki.
Blasts scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Hauki misses the target.
Hauki tries to work over Blasts's front leg with a kick but Blasts checks it.
Blasts dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Hauki. That did some damage!
Hauki fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Hauki lands with an overhand left.
Hauki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Blasts wants to land a leg kick but Hauki is out of range.
It looked like Hauki wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Blasts takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Blasts fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hauki, pushing him back against the cage.
Blasts with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Hauki fails to land.
Hauki swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hauki swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Knees in the clinch landing for Blasts.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blasts throws a head punch that misses.
Blasts tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hauki lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Blasts obliges.
Nice body punch from Blasts - that landed with a thud.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hauki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Blasts scores with a shoulder strike.
Hauki working aggressively here.
Hauki managing to block the knees to the body from Blasts.
Hauki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hauki misses with a short punch on the inside.
Hauki scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Blasts tries to work over Hauki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hauki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hauki has a couple of punches blocked by Blasts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hauki avoiding damage as Blasts throws knees to the body.
Blasts working Hauki over with knees to the body.
Hauki managing to block the knees to the body from Blasts.
Blasts lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hauki backwards.
Blasts misses with a body punch.
Rupert Blasts seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Blasts blocking some punches.
Blasts lands a hook to the side of the head.
Blasts lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hauki backwards.
Hauki managing to block the knees to the body from Blasts.
Hauki goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Blasts lands a hook that snaps the head of Hauki backwards.
Blasts misses with some punches.
Blasts throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hauki blocks it with crossed arms.
Hauki misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hauki presses Blasts against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Hauki throws a head punch that misses.
Blasts with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nice body punch from Blasts - that landed with a thud.
Blasts blocks an uppercut.
Blasts lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Blasts misses with a body punch.
Hauki fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Blasts misses with a punch on the inside.
Blasts with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Blasts using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Blasts tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Blasts misses with some punches.
Hauki tries a body shot but Blasts blocks it.
Hauki blocking some punches.
Hauki has a couple of punches blocked by Blasts.
Blasts tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Blasts.
Hauki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hauki works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rupert Blasts showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Hauki swings for the body but Blasts moves out of range.
Hauki looks to score with a jab to the body but Blasts is just out of range.
Hauki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blasts moves away.
A low kick from Hauki misses
and Blasts counters with a nice leg kick.
Blasts is looking to score with low kicks.
Blasts throws a low kick but it's checked well by Hauki.
Blasts connects with a solid leg kick.
Hauki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Blasts moves away.
Hauki backing away here, and Blasts unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Blasts connects with a leg kick. Hauki looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Hauki moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Hauki doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Blasts connects with an inside leg kick.
Blasts misses with a wild body shot.
Hauki lands with a shot to the body.
Blasts takes a swing at Hauki's ribcage but misses.
A leg kick checked by Hauki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Blasts is looking to score with low kicks.
Blasts feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Hauki's calf.
Hauki jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hauki, right into the meat.
Blasts throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Hauki loads up on a big right hand but Blasts slips the punch.
Blasts misses with a leg kick
and Hauki counters with a nice uppercut.
Hauki scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hauki.
Hauki throws a lazy right hand but Blasts sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Blasts will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Blasts thumps Hauki with a low kick.
Blasts steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hauki.
Blasts scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Hauki throws a low kick but Blasts moves out of range easily.
Hauki paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Taneli Hauki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Blasts there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Blasts is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hauki rather than just go for the knockout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Blasts just misses with a punch to the body.
A bone on bone clash there as Blasts blocks the leg kick.
Blasts misses with a body shot.
Blasts walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Hauki throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Blasts turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Hauki misses with a looping left.
Hauki checks the leg kick.
Hauki takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Blasts throws a low kick but Hauki avoids it.
Hauki misses with a low kick as Blasts jumps back.
Good work by Hauki as he checks the leg kick.
Blasts fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hauki manages to avoid it.
Blasts tries to work over Hauki's front leg with a kick but Hauki checks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Blasts throws a leg kick
and Hauki counters with a right hand to the body.
Blasts connects with an inside leg kick.
Hauki connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Blasts momentarily.
That kick from Hauki tenderised Blasts's leg. Blasts is trying to keep his angry face on.
Hauki works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nice uppercut lands for Hauki. That snapped Blasts's head back.
Hauki is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Hauki throws a sloppy head kick and Blasts moves out of range easily.
Blasts keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Blasts digs a good body shot into Hauki's ribs.
Hauki checks a leg kick.
Hauki checks the leg kick nicely there.
Blasts uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Hauki.
Blasts misses with a hook to the body
and Hauki counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Hauki looks to throw the jab but Blasts is out of range.
Blasts tries to counter with a clinch but Hauki shakes him off and moves away.
Hauki tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hauki blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hauki misses with a body kick.
Hauki lands a lovely overhand right.
Blasts misses the shot to the body.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Blasts checks a leg kick.
Blasts doesn't manage to clinch there - Hauki circles away.
Blasts scoring well with a low kick there.
Blasts fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Blasts uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Hauki.
Blasts thumps Hauki with a low kick.
Blasts pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hauki is out of range and Blasts settles back down.
Blasts tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Blasts cracks the inside of Hauki's front leg.
Hauki pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hauki checks the leg kick.
A little feinted left hand from Hauki on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Blasts tries a low kick but Hauki avoids it.
Hauki appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.

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 Taneli Hauki.
I think Blasts 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 William Gold scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rupert Blasts!
Rupert Blasts was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.