PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Abel Koponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Olli Pekka Hartikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hartikainen has chosen Eminem: Just Don't Give a Fuck as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Koponen
vs
Pekka Hartikainen

187 cm
21
215 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

184 cm
20
221 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big right hand

Good takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Abel Koponen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Olli Pekka Hartikainen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hartikainen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Koponen tries to improve position but can't.

Hartikainen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Koponen knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Koponen is trying to get back to half guard.

Hartikainen is trying to get an arm triangle but Koponen is defending well.
Koponen regains half guard.

Koponen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Hartikainen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

Koponen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hartikainen tries to pass to full mount but Koponen defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hartikainen is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Koponen wants to sweep but Hartikainen has passed to side control!
Koponen tries to bench press Hartikainen off him but Hartikainen keeps the position.
Koponen regains half guard.
Hartikainen uses his free foot to push down on Koponen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Koponen.
Koponen is working to get back to half guard.
Koponen tries to hold on but Hartikainen pushes him away.
BOOM! Hartikainen connects with a massive shot to the dome!

Hartikainen moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Koponen has worked his arm free - good work by Koponen!

Hartikainen tries for a kimura but Koponen is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Hartikainen thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

Hartikainen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Koponen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Koponen regains half guard.
Koponen gets back to full guard.

Koponen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Hartikainen is aware though and is defending well.

Koponen has his foot on Hartikainen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Hartikainen works his way back into a safe position though.
Hartikainen wants to pass the guard but Koponen is keeping the position.
Hartikainen advances position into side control!

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Hartikainen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Koponen is trying to control Hartikainen's posture but Hartikainen avoids it.

Hartikainen working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Hartikainen is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Koponen has escaped the position, nice work there.
Koponen manages to work his way to half guard, despite Hartikainen's best efforts.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koponen trying to control here.
Koponen wants to improve his position but Hartikainen is controlling well.

Hartikainen has hold of the far side arm. He's working for the Kimura, can Koponen defend it? Hartikainen steps over the head and cranks it - Koponen is tapping out! That was textbook stuff right there - nice submission victory for Hartikainen!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:17 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Olli Pekka Hartikainen!