QFC Tournament 38 Round 2 PBP Commentary

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Vasara Hai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Eaton (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mark Eaton told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Hai
vs
Eaton

181 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
25
167 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Very quick

Decent wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vasara Hai!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mark Eaton!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hai tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Eaton swivels and escapes.
Eaton throws a series of strikes that have Hai backpedaling.
Vasara Hai seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hai shoots for a takedown but Eaton saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Hai.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Vasara Hai. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Eaton has closed the distance and engaged Hai in a clinch.

Hai turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Hai fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Eaton is trying to get back to half guard.
Eaton struggling a bit here.

Hai decides to stand back up. Hai steps back and let's Eaton get back to his feet.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Eaton misses with a double jab.
Eaton scoring well with a low kick there.
Eaton keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eaton cracks a nice hook into Hai's ribs.
Hai shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Eaton as he jumps to the side.
Eaton thumps Hai with a low kick.
Mark Eaton is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Hai takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Eaton looks to land a combination but Hai avoids it well.
Eaton slaps away a takedown attempt from Hai, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A head kick from Eaton lands but Hai takes it in his stride.
Hai fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Eaton avoids it really well and circles away.
Eaton displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Hai is breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice combination there by Eaton.

Hai is rocked!
No joy there for Eaton, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Oh Hai is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Eaton is pawing at Hai, trying to feel the distance before throwing out a cross that crashes into Hai's nose. Hai is badly hurt! Eaton pounces, throwing wild strikes as both fighters end up on the ground! Hai tries desperately to hold on but Eaton is relentless in his assault! As Hai receives an ever increasing number of unanswered strikes the referee pulls Eaton away and this one is in the books!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mark Eaton!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
87%

Undercard bout

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Meenny Vattalles (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Chak Rapthlaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Meenny Vattalles has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Vattalles
vs
Rapthlaka

172 cm
25
145 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

176 cm
25
159 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Decent elbows
KO power

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Meenny Vattalles!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Chak Rapthlaka!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rapthlaka scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Rapthlaka cracks Vattalles with an elbow. That is naaassty.
Sloppy strikes there by Rapthlaka.
Sloppy strikes there by Rapthlaka.
Vattalles is being controlled here.

Rapthlaka tries for a kimura but Vattalles is defending well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Vattalles parries the strikes from Rapthlaka easily there. Rapthlaka is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Vattalles to escape.
Vattalles managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rapthlaka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rapthlaka has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Rapthlaka raining down hammerfists from mount.
Rapthlaka has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Vattalles's face.
Rapthlaka unloading with bombs!
Rapthlaka with shots to the head and body - Vattalles looks very uncomfortable down there.
Rapthlaka cracks Vattalles with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rapthlaka lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Vattalles is rocked!
Rapthlaka has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rapthlaka is landing with some decent strikes but Vattalles is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Oh Vattalles is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rapthlaka lands a big shot to the head and Vattalles winces in pain. He's tapped out due to strikes!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Strikes). Chak Rapthlaka!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
57%

Co-main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Kyle Kirkham (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valko Hai (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Kirkham
vs
Hai

175 cm
25
167 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
166 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Good takedowns
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kyle Kirkham!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valko Hai!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hai closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Kirkham did well to prevent Hai getting side control.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Kirkham is trying to control but can't.
Hai throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hai trying to control the action but Kirkham is working from the bottom.
Hai is just content to waste time from the top position. Kirkham takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Hai postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Kirkham is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hai is aware though and is defending well.
Hai stops Kirkham from standing up.
Kirkham controls Hai momentarily but Hai frees himself.
Hai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kirkham keeping full guard, as Hai tries to pass.
Hai throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kirkham trying to keep a closed guard but Hai is proving a slippery customer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kirkham is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Hai throwing strikes but missing.
Kirkham utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hai preventing the sweep.
Kirkham utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Hai controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Hai throwing strikes but missing.
Hai preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kirkham keeping moving, preventing Hai from controlling successfully.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hai shoots in looking for a takedown. Kirkham tries to sprawl out of it but Hai keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Kirkham manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Kirkham tries to clinch up but Hai circles away and keeps his distance.
Hai with a lazy takedown attempt

and Kirkham counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Kirkham.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kirkham throws a big right hand that misses.
Kirkham trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Hai escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Kirkham gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Kirkham trying to control but Hai is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Kirkham is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Kirkham throws an elbow that misses. Hai uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Kirkham's guard. Nice move by Hai!
Hai trying to move into half guard but instead Kirkham has managed to sweep!
Hai is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Kirkham is stalling in the full guard.
Hai is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kirkham got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hai has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Kirkham has managed to get both his arms back between Hai's legs - danger averted.
Kirkham is working Hai over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Kirkham throwing strikes from guard but Hai blocks nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Kirkham trying to control but Hai is working from the bottom.
Kirkham makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
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 Kyle Kirkham will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hai shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hai gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Kirkham counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Hai!
Hai manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Kirkham connects with a nice short shot to Hai's temple.
Hai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kirkham.
Kyle Kirkham overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hai is refusing to be controlled, as Kirkham sits in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hai keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kirkham sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hai defending well though.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kirkham wants to control but Hai is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Kirkham is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hai has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hai tries to get to full guard but Kirkham has control of the leg.
Hai is staying active underneath Kirkham, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kirkham not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Kirkham trying to control the action but Hai is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hai is pressing down on Kirkham's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Kirkham throws a strike but Hai rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Hai throws an elbow that misses. Kirkham uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Hai's guard. Nice move by Kirkham!
Kirkham wants to control from the top but Hai keeps moving.

Kirkham decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Hai, up you get!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hai will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kyle Kirkham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valko Hai.
Hai changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Kirkham tries to avoid it but Hai manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Kirkham to the ground. Kirkham escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Hai is breathing heavily.
Kirkham goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Hai misses with a takedown attempt

and Kirkham counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hai is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Kirkham gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Kirkham is trying to control the action in half guard but Hai is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Hai blocking the ground and pound attempt from Kirkham.
Kirkham moves nicely into side control.
Hai is letting Kirkham control him for a moment.
Kirkham trying to control the action but Hai is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kirkham tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Kirkham trying to control the action but Hai is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hai is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kyle Kirkham dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Kirkham leaves Hai with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Hai with a poor takedown

and Kirkham counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hai won't be happy with that.
Kirkham throws an elbow but Hai slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hai is looking to regain half guard here but Kirkham keeps moving and retains side control.
Kirkham throws an elbow but Hai slips to the side and avoids it well.
Hai manages to get back to half guard.
Kirkham is keen to just control but Hai is a slippery customer.
Hai moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hai takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Hai not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hai wants to sweep but no luck.
Kirkham is stalling in the full guard.
Kirkham trying to control the position from guard on top but Hai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Kyle Kirkham.

Kirkham gets a clinch.
Hai has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Kirkham avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Kyle Kirkham has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Valko Hai.

Kirkham ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Kirkham no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Kirkham is pulling down on Hai's head to control his posture.
Valko Hai has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kirkham manages to escape and get back to his feet.

Kirkham feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Hai avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kirkham wants to pass the guard but Hai is keeping the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hai looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Kirkham stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hai swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kirkham is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kirkham trying to control but Hai is working from the bottom.
Hai working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kirkham.
Kirkham slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Kirkham stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hai swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Kirkham stands and steps away. Hai gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Hai dives in and grabs Kirkham's left leg, looking for a takedown. Kirkham pushes down on Hai's head and hops out.

Kirkham scores with a takedown into Hai's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kirkham trying to control the position from guard on top but Hai is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kirkham sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kirkham is pushing down on Hai's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hai is fighting to maintain full guard but Kirkham has managed to sneak the leg through.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kirkham is working for a kimura but Hai is defending it quite comfortably.
Kyle Kirkham is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Kirkham is pressing down on Hai's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hai is holding on for now.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kyle Kirkham showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Kirkham, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Kyle Kirkham!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Kyle Kirkham!
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight for Kyle Kirkham!

Kyle Kirkham wins by unanimous decision!

C
A

C
B

energy
A | B

hype
A | B

pop
A | B

mgr
A | B

FIGHT
RATING
39%

Main event

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between John Anderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ollilan Jorma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Anderson
vs
Jorma

176 cm
25
155 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
25
165 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

Decent wrestler
Great elbows
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Anderson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ollilan Jorma!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Anderson fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Anderson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Anderson trying to land knees to the body.
Anderson tries to break free but Jorma pushes him back against the cage.
Jorma throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Anderson blocks it with crossed arms.
Jorma lands a good knee to the midsection. Anderson won't want to take too many of those.
Anderson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Anderson is trying to break the clinch but Jorma has him pressed against the cage.
Anderson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Jorma landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Jorma lands a damaging elbow.
Jorma lands a good knee to the midsection. Anderson won't want to take too many of those.
Jorma lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Jorma landing knees to the body.
Anderson is breathing heavily.
A knee to the head by Jorma.
Jorma lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Jorma putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Anderson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Stalling in the clinch from Jorma.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jorma lands a damaging elbow.
Jorma manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Jorma obliges.
Anderson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Jorma lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Anderson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Jorma lands a damaging elbow.
Jorma lands an elbow that stopped Anderson in his tracks for a moment.
Jorma lands an elbow inside that Anderson shrugs off.
Anderson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Anderson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nice elbow from Jorma.
Anderson is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Jorma pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for John Anderson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Jorma is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jorma scores with a knee to the head.

Anderson is rocked!
Jorma gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Oh Anderson is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Jorma comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Anderson takes an elbow to the temple.
Anderson takes an elbow to the forehead.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Jorma comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Jorma lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Knees to the body from Jorma.
Jorma lands an elbow inside.
Anderson takes an elbow to the forehead.
Clinched against the cage, Jorma lands a big elbow that drops Anderson! The ref dives in to save him from more shots - Anderson is complaining that he's OK but he was done.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:31 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ollilan Jorma!