PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Daavid Haapalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kristofir Lytle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Haapalainen
vs
Lytle

175 cm
26
155 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

175 cm
19
146 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Elite Golden Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daavid Haapalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kristofir Lytle!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haapalainen throws a right and a left that Lytle avoids nicely.

Lytle takes the fight into the clinch.
Haapalainen stops a takedown attempt from Lytle.
Haapalainen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Lytle smiles and moves away.
Haapalainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Lytle as he avoids it easily.
Haapalainen stuffs the takedown attempt from Lytle. Lytle gets slowly back to his feet.
Lytle shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Daavid Haapalainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kristofir Lytle.
Haapalainen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lytle tries to score a power double leg takedown but Haapalainen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Lytle somewhat.

Lytle feints and as Haapalainen raises his hands in defense, Lytle changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Haapalainen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Lytle defends it easily.
Lytle trying to control but Haapalainen is working from the bottom.

Haapalainen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Lytle really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Haapalainen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Haapalainen is looking for a triangle but Lytle pushes his legs off easily.
Lytle pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haapalainen is keeping the position for now.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Lytle avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lytle wants to control from the top but Haapalainen keeps moving.
Haapalainen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Lytle controls the pace.
I looks like Lytle 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.
Lytle trying to control but Haapalainen is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Kristofir Lytle wasn't active enough on the ground.
Lytle misses with a wild body shot.
Haapalainen keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Lytle.
Kristofir Lytle seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Haapalainen throws a right and a left that both miss.
Lytle throws a left and a right that both miss

and Haapalainen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.

Lytle looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Lytle is trying to maintain the position but Haapalainen is very close to passing his half guard.

Haapalainen 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.
Lytle is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haapalainen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Lytle misses with some strikes from the bottom.

Haapalainen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Haapalainen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Haapalainen trying to control from half guard but Lytle is working away.
The fighters are battling for position here. Lytle manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Lytle working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daavid Haapalainen dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Lytle.
Lytle is trying hard to land a takedown here. Haapalainen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Lytle. No joy for Haapalainen on that attempt.
Haapalainen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Lytle.
Daavid Haapalainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kristofir Lytle.
Haapalainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Lytle shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Lytle showed some decent athleticism there.
Lytle trying to control the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapalainen gets back to full guard.
Lytle has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Haapalainen is proving hard to escape from.

Haapalainen looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Lytle has picked Haapalainen up and slammed him! Haapalainen can't keep hold of the triangle and Lytle manages to pass to side control!
Haapalainen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Haapalainen moves nicely into side control.

Haapalainen tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Haapalainen has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Lytle is trying to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haapalainen prevents Lytle from escaping the position.
The strikes coming from Haapalainen are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

Haapalainen is trying to get an arm triangle but Lytle is defending well.

Haapalainen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Lytle has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Lytle's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Haapalainen creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Lytle sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Haapalainen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Haapalainen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Haapalainen wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Lytle, who protects the arm well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lytle is looking for a sweep.
You can see the frustration on Lytle's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Haapalainen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Lytle is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Haapalainen tries to move into full mount but can't pass Lytle's legs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daavid Haapalainen dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Haapalainen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Lytle.
Lytle tries to close the distance and clinch but Haapalainen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lytle fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Haapalainen manages to avoid it.
Lytle throws a head kick that misses
and Haapalainen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Lytle misses with a head kick.
Lytle cracks Haapalainen with a good jab.
Nice takedown defense from Haapalainen. No joy for Lytle on that attempt.
The fight stays on the outside here - Lytle looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Daavid Haapalainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lytle dives in and grabs Haapalainen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Haapalainen pushes down on Lytle's head and hops out.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lytle doesn't manage to clinch there - Haapalainen circles away.
Lytle tries to close the distance and clinch up but Haapalainen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Lytle fails with a takedown attempt.
Daavid Haapalainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kristofir Lytle.
Haapalainen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lytle backs up against the ropes.

Lytle shoots in and gets a takedown into Haapalainen's guard.
Lytle must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Lytle takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Lytle wanted to stand there but Haapalainen had control of the position.
Haapalainen is trying to keep Lytle in close.
Lytle wants to stand but Haapalainen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Haapalainen looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Lytle passes into side control.

Lytle has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Lytle fails with the takedown.
Haapalainen checks a low kick from Lytle.
Lytle fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Lytle takes a swing at Haapalainen's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haapalainen throws a right and a left that Lytle avoids nicely.
Haapalainen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Haapalainen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Lytle shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Haapalainen defends it nicely.
Haapalainen throws an overhand right that lands on Lytle's shoulder, as Lytle tries to avoid the shot.
Lytle shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haapalainen as he avoids it easily.
Haapalainen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Lytle.
Lytle moves in looking to clinch but Haapalainen pushes him off.

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.
Lytle fails with a takedown attempt.
Haapalainen slips a straight right by Lytle.
Lytle looks for a takedown but Haapalainen sprawls well.
Haapalainen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Haapalainen scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Haapalainen keeps the fight on the outside.

Lytle closes the distance and clinches.

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 Daavid Haapalainen.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Haapalainen, 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daavid Haapalainen!