PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jukko Hamalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Liddell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hamalainen comes into the arena with the Finnish National Anthem blaring out of the sound system. Liddell is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: DMX Intro. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Hamalainen
vs
Liddell

190 cm
33
266 lbs
23 - 11 - 1

187 cm
31
213 lbs
15 - 15 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jukko Hamalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Mark Liddell!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shirou Masuda and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hamalainen feints and as Liddell raises his hands in defense, Hamalainen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Hamalainen forces his way into half guard.
Hamalainen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Liddell really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Hamalainen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hamalainen lands with a punch from half guard.
Hamalainen trying to control the action but Liddell is working from the bottom.
Hamalainen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hamalainen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Liddell pushes Hamalainen off looking to stand but Hamalainen dives back in and keeps control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hamalainen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Liddell with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Hamalainen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Hamalainen thows a huge punch but Liddell dodges it nicely.
Hamalainen wants to take a breather but Liddell is having none of it.
Hamalainen trying to pass the guard but Liddell defending well.
Hamalainen slips a nice elbow through Liddell's hands, connecting with Liddell's forehead.

Hamalainen is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Liddell is just riding it out for now. Hamalainen eventually gives up the hold.
Hamalainen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Liddell knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamalainen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Hamalainen works his way into full mount!
Liddell tries to buck Hamalainen off but he can't manage it.
Liddell is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Hamalainen raining down hammerfists from mount.
Hamalainen is landing with some decent strikes but Liddell is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hamalainen drops a big elbow. That's hurt Liddell! More shots from Hamalainen and the ref steps in! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:49 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Jukko Hamalainen!
A determined Jukko Hamalainen didn't want to dwell on this fight in his post fight interview. Instead he was more keen to state he wants a title shot. Let's see if he gets it!