PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jerry Lawson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Veli Haapasalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Lawson
vs
Haapasalo

182 cm
28
173 lbs
15 - 9 - 1

187 cm
27
217 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good kicks
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 15 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Montreal, Jerry Lawson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Veli Haapasalo!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lawson feints and as Haapasalo raises his hands in defense, Lawson 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.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Lawson trying to control the position from guard on top but Haapasalo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lawson is looking to work some ground and pound but Haapasalo has wrist control.
Haapasalo has his hands on Lawson's head, controlling the position.
Haapasalo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lawson. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Haapasalo wants to sweep here but Lawson controlling him for the moment.
Lawson throwing strikes from guard but Haapasalo blocks nicely.
Haapasalo keeping moving, preventing Lawson from controlling successfully.
Lawson looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Lawson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Haapasalo was well out of range. Poor timing from Lawson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson tries to clinch there but Haapasalo circles away.
Haapasalo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Haapasalo takes a swing at Lawson's ribcage but misses.

Haapasalo tries to sprawl but Lawson drives through with a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Lawson not doing much here.
Lawson lands with a punch from half guard.
Lawson throwing shots but Haapasalo is blocking nicely.
Lawson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Haapasalo regains full guard. Nicely done.
Lawson preventing the sweep.
Lawson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Haapasalo is keeping the position for now.
Haapasalo wants to sweep here but Lawson controlling him for the moment.
Haapasalo preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawson wants to pass the guard but Haapasalo is keeping the position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Haapasalo avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lawson works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Lawson lands strikes from half guard.
Haapasalo trying to control here.
Lawson missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lawson is taking a breather. Haapasalo says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Lawson throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Haapasalo wants to improve his position but Lawson is controlling well.
Lawson slows the pace down in half guard.
Lawson's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lawson tries to pass the half guard into mount. Haapasalo knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

Lawson is looking for a kimura but Haapasalo is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Lawson to get the leverage.
Lawson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Lawson works his way into side control.
Lawson lands an elbow.
Haapasalo struggling a bit here.
Lawson tries to move to mount but Haapasalo blocks the move with his legs.
Lawson is putting a hurting on Haapasalo here, landing some big shots from side control.
Haapasalo manages to get back to half guard.

Lawson is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Haapasalo defends it well.

Haapasalo is defending against the submission attempts here by Lawson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lawson trying to control the action but Haapasalo is working from the bottom.
Lawson uses his free foot to push down on Haapasalo's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Haapasalo.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Lawson goes for an armbar but Haapasalo turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Haapasalo.
Haapasalo sitting in guard, not really doing much.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lawson is pulling down on Haapasalo's head. It's preventing any offense from Haapasalo, at least for the moment.
Lawson is trying to control the position but Haapasalo postures up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jerry Lawson dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lawson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Haapasalo throws a shot to the body.

Lawson is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Haapasalo's half guard.

Haapasalo is defending against the submission attempts here by Lawson.
Haapasalo is looking to improve his position.
Haapasalo is refusing to be controlled, as Lawson sits in half guard.
Lawson lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Lawson is looking to advance position but Haapasalo won't allow it.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Lawson here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Lawson not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lawson has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Lawson lands a nice shot to the head.
Lawson with a couple of short strikes.
Lawson lands with some strikes.
Haapasalo wants to use the cage to get back to his feet here.
Lawson takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Lawson scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Jerry Lawson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Haapasalo holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Lawson tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
BOOM! Lawson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Lawson is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Haapasalo can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.
Lawson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lawson controlling the position easily from mount.
Lawson lands a big elbow.

Lawson working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Haapasalo turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Lawson off and cradles Haapasalo's limp body as Lawson celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:41 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Jerry Lawson!
Jerry Lawson gave a mention to M/S Paint Fightwear in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).