PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Riku Vestala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hessu Hopo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riku Vestala has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Vestala
vs
Hopo

180 cm
18
200 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
220 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riku Vestala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Hessu Hopo!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vestala throws a sloppy head kick and Hopo moves out of range easily.
Vestala tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Hopo swivels and escapes.
Vestala fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Vestala tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Vestala throws a hook but Hopo blocks it.
Hopo on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Riku Vestala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hopo fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Vestala has his takedown stuffed

and Hopo counters with a nice double leg into side control. Vestala won't be happy with that.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Riku Vestala. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vestala is looking to regain half guard here but Hopo keeps moving and retains side control.
Vestala struggling a bit here.

Hopo tries for a kimura but Vestala is defending well.

Hopo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Vestala is looking to regain half guard here but Hopo keeps moving and retains side control.

Hopo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Vestala can't do much from the bottom here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vestala is trying to improve his position.
Vestala is trying to buck Hopo off.

Hopo wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Vestala, who protects the arm well.
Hopo looks gassed!
Vestala wants to control but Hopo postures up.
Vestala is looking for a sweep.

Hopo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Vestala is looking to reverse the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Who's going to make the next move?
Vestala is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Hopo off and has taken his back!
Vestala not allowing Hopo to control his hands.
Hopo is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Vestala.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Hopo is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Vestala tries to get the hooks in deep but Hopo pushed the leg off.
Vestala throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Hopo trying to control the hands but Vestala won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hessu Hopo dominated that round.
That's time! Vestala's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Vestala tries to clinch but Hopo is having none of it.
Vestala shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Hopo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Hopo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Hopo drops back looking for a leg! Vestala is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vestala manages to kick Hopo off! Hopo jumps back into Vestala's guard.
Vestala will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopo postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Vestala is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hopo, into his guard.
Vestala trying to control but Hopo is working from the bottom.
Hopo is breathing heavily.
Vestala wants to get up but he can't break Hopo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Vestala won't allow Hopo to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Vestala tries to free his leg and advance position but Hopo is retaining full guard.
Hopo seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Hopo is looking for a triangle but Vestala pushes his legs off easily.
Hopo keeping moving, preventing Vestala from controlling successfully.
Vestala wants to get up but he can't break Hopo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Horrible takedown by Vestala or perhaps it was just good defense by Hopo which made him look bad.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hopo misses with a takedown attempt

and Vestala counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Hopo is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Hopo is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Vestala is just riding it out for now. Hopo eventually gives up the hold.

Hopo looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hopo is pressing down on Vestala's thigh, looking to free his foot. Vestala is holding on for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Hopo seems to be working for a kimura but Vestala defends the submission attempt.
Vestala manages to get to full guard.

Hopo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Hessu Hopo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Vestala fails with the takedown

and Hopo counters with a takedown into side control.

Hopo tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Vestala is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Hopo's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Vestala missing with punches from the bottom.

Hopo is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Vestala trying to control from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hopo is looking for a kimura here.
Vestala is pressing down on Hopo's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Vestala has his hands on Hopo's head, controlling the position.

Hopo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Vestala looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Hopo passes into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Vestala manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Vestala is looking to stand up but Hopo isn't so interested in that idea.
Vestala wants to sweep but no luck.
Hopo wants to pass the guard but Vestala is keeping the position.
Vestala trying to keep a closed guard but Hopo is proving a slippery customer.
Vestala 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.
Vestala trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hopo drops back looking for a leg! Vestala is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Vestala manages to kick Hopo off! Hopo jumps back into Vestala's guard.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Vestala tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Hopo 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.

Hopo has gone for a leg lock! Vestala slips out almost immediately though and dives into Hopo's guard.
Hopo wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vestala pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hopo is keeping the position for now.
Hessu Hopo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hopo keeping moving, preventing Vestala from controlling successfully.
Vestala wants to stand but Hopo is controlling his posture from full guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hessu Hopo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Hopo winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hessu Hopo!