PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Ray Fernandez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jukko Hamalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Fernandez might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Pantera . Hamalainen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: the Finnish National Anthem. The key to victory for Ray Fernandez has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Fernandez
vs
Hamalainen

196 cm
26
245 lbs
7 - 10 - 0

190 cm
35
266 lbs
26 - 17 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very strong

Good wrestler
Good kicks
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Ray Fernandez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 26 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jukko Hamalainen!
The judges for this bout are Micheangelo Fripello, Chris Saunders and Colin Fray.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamalainen lands a nice leg kick that just misses Fernandez's sensitive parts.
Hamalainen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Hamalainen tries to keep at a distance but Fernandez has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hamalainen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Fernandez missing with knees to the body.
Fernandez goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A short right from Hamalainen on the inside.
Hamalainen avoiding damage as Fernandez throws knees to the body.

Hamalainen tightens his grip and picks Fernandez up, before dumping him to the ground. Fernandez manages to land in guard.
Hamalainen wants to pass the guard but Fernandez is keeping the position.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fernandez looking to control.
Hamalainen wants to control from the top but Fernandez keeps moving.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Hamalainen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamalainen tries to free his leg and advance position but Fernandez is retaining full guard.
Hamalainen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Fernandez is looking to stand up but Hamalainen isn't so interested in that idea.
Hamalainen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Fernandez trying to strike off his back.
Fernandez keeping moving, preventing Hamalainen from controlling successfully.
Hamalainen lands a couple of elbows.
Fernandez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Fernandez working for a triangle but Hamalainen defends it easily.
Hamalainen passes Fernandez's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hamalainen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Hamalainen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Fernandez's head.
Hamalainen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Fernandez is looking for a sweep. Hamalainen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hamalainen wants to pass the guard but Fernandez is defending well.
Hamalainen is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Fernandez reverses the position - he's now on top in Hamalainen's guard.
Fernandez preventing the sweep.
Fernandez is looking to work some ground and pound but Hamalainen has wrist control.
Hamalainen wants to sweep but no luck.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hamalainen not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Fernandez tries to free his leg and advance position but Hamalainen is retaining full guard.
Fernandez trying to control but Hamalainen is working from the bottom.
Fernandez pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hamalainen is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen has control of Fernandez's left arm, preventing Fernandez from doing any damage.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Fernandez misses with a combination

and Hamalainen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fernandez tries to roll over but Hamalainen keeps him under control.
Hamalainen wants to take a breather but Fernandez is having none of it.
Hamalainen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Fernandez is looking to improve his position.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Hamalainen connects with a nice short shot to Fernandez's temple.
Hamalainen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez wants to get back to full guard.
Hamalainen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Fernandez does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hamalainen is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

Fernandez bucks Hamalainen off and manages to get back to his feet!

Fernandez darts in and clinches Hamalainen up against the cage.
Hamalainen presses Fernandez against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Hamalainen manages to break the clinch.
A nice leg kick lands there from Fernandez.
A head kick misses from Fernandez.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Fernandez looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fernandez throws a combination that misses

and Hamalainen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Fernandez is breathing heavily.
Hamalainen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Fernandez with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jukko Hamalainen dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Fernandez shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Fernandez was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Fernandez looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Hamalainen is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Hamalainen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Hamalainen tries to reverse the position but Fernandez maintains control.
Jukko Hamalainen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hamalainen regains half guard.
Hamalainen won't allow Fernandez to pass to mount.
Fernandez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Hamalainen keeps working.
Fernandez prevents Hamalainen from improving his position.
Hamalainen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fernandez working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Hamalainen's thigh. Hamalainen counters though and makes it back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hamalainen has his foot on Fernandez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fernandez works his way back into a safe position though.
Hamalainen wants to sweep but no luck.
Fernandez wants to pass the guard but Hamalainen is keeping the position.

Hamalainen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Fernandez defends well.
Hamalainen looking to control.
Fernandez throws a big right hand that misses.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fernandez tries to free his leg and advance position but Hamalainen is retaining full guard.

Hamalainen has his foot on Fernandez's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Fernandez works his way back into a safe position though.
Fernandez postures up.
Fernandez wants to control from the top but Hamalainen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez looking to pass the guard.
Hamalainen trying to keep a closed guard but Fernandez is proving a slippery customer.
Fernandez stopping the sweep attempt from Hamalainen.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Fernandez misses with the combination.

Fernandez has managed to clinch.
Fernandez lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fernandez swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Fernandez has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Hamalainen clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen manages to reverse the position and now he's in Fernandez's guard. Nice work there by Hamalainen.
Hamalainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Fernandez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hamalainen wants to pass the guard but Fernandez is keeping the position.
Hamalainen passes Fernandez's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Hamalainen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Fernandez trying to hold on to Hamalainen's head to control him but Hamalainen postures up.
Hamalainen working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Fernandez's thigh. Fernandez counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Hamalainen trying to control the position from guard on top but Fernandez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Fernandez being controlled here, momentarily.
Hamalainen trying to control but Fernandez is working from the bottom.
Hamalainen is working Fernandez over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Hamalainen trying to control but Fernandez is working from the bottom.
Hamalainen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Fernandez utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hamalainen wants to pass the guard but Fernandez is keeping the position.

Fernandez is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Hamalainen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Fernandez works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jukko Hamalainen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Fernandez closes the distance and clinches.
Hamalainen prevents a body shot from Fernandez.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hamalainen as Fernandez tries to tie him up.

Fernandez breaks the clinch.

Fernandez clinches up against the cage.
Fernandez stops a takedown attempt from Hamalainen.

Hamalainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fernandez throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hamalainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Hamalainen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fernandez throws a right hand that Hamalainen ducks under and follows up with a left that Hamalainen also avoids with ease.
Ray Fernandez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Fernandez gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Fernandez breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Hamalainen shoots for a takedown but Fernandez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamalainen blocks the body kick.
Fernandez misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hamalainen dodges the punch combination from Fernandez.
Hamalainen tries for a takedown but Fernandez sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Ray Fernandez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jukko Hamalainen.
Fernandez tries to bum rush Hamalainen with a series of wild strikes but Hamalainen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Hamalainen tries a head kick but it misses.

Fernandez darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Fernandez wants to work for an arm triangle but Hamalainen is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Hamalainen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Fernandez is one step ahead there.
Hamalainen has control of Fernandez's left arm, preventing Fernandez from doing any damage.
Hamalainen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Fernandez throwing strikes but missing.
Fernandez won't allow Hamalainen to sweep him here.
Hamalainen pulls Fernandez in close to his closed guard and prevents Fernandez from doing any damage or advancing position.
Jukko Hamalainen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Fernandez won't allow Hamalainen to sweep him here.
Fernandez tries to free his leg and advance position but Hamalainen is retaining full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez trying to control but Hamalainen is working from the bottom.
Hamalainen pulls Fernandez in close to his closed guard and prevents Fernandez from doing any damage or advancing position.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Ray Fernandez just wasn't active enough.

Hamalainen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Hamalainen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Fernandez trying to control from the bottom.
Hamalainen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Fernandez avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Hamalainen.
Fernandez tries to roll over but Hamalainen keeps him under control.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Hamalainen lands a nice short elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fernandez is trying to maintain the position but Hamalainen is very close to passing his half guard.

Hamalainen is looking for a kimura but Fernandez is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Hamalainen to get the leverage.
Fernandez is trying to stand up here but Hamalainen is controlling him well.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Fernandez is looking to improve his position.
Fernandez wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hamalainen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Hamalainen in particular looking to stall.
Ray Fernandez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hamalainen trying to control the action but Fernandez is working from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jukko Hamalainen.
I've got Hamalainen 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 Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 27:30
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fray scores the fight 27:30

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