PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Curtis Walker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roope Latvala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Latvala has chosen Tie my rope as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Walker
vs
Latvala

175 cm
26
200 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
19
212 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of London, Curtis Walker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roope Latvala!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No joy there for Latvala, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Walker closes the distance looking to clinch

and Latvala decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Walker's guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Latvala controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Latvala throws a big elbow that misses.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Latvala showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Curtis Walker just wasn't active enough.
Latvala tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Latvala.
Walker is breathing heavily.
Walker is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Latvala has just dragged him back down to the mat.
The referee asks Latvala politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Latvala prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Latvala decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Latvala clinches up with Walker and pushes him back against the cage.

Latvala pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Latvala shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Walker's guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Latvala decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Walker, up you get!

Latvala closes the distance and clinches.

Latvala wants the takedown. Walker is fighting it off but Latvala persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Walker's guard against the cage.

Walker is working an open guard so Latvala takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Latvala scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Latvala with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Roope Latvala.

Latvala shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Walker's guard.

Latvala stands up and waves to Walker to follow him.
Latvala tries to close the distance and clinch but Walker swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Latvala throws a chopping leg kick but Walker manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Latvala fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Walker to the ground. Latvala is now in Walker's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Walker can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Latvala controls the pace.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Latvala stands and steps away. Walker gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Walker gets caught flat footed, as Latvala shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Walker can't keep his opponent in guard - Latvala advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roope Latvala dominated that round.
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.

Latvala shoots in and gets a takedown into Walker's guard.
Walker knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Latvala on the ground.
Walker keeping full guard, as Latvala tries to pass.
Latvala controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Roope Latvala hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Walker tries to keep at a distance but Latvala has taken the fight into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Walker drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Latvala lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Walker or not.

Latvala turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Latvala lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
Latvala happy to just control the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Roope Latvala.
Latvala looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Walker is fending him off so far but Latvala persists. Nope, Walker circles away and we're back to standing.
Latvala tries to bum rush Walker with a series of wild strikes but Walker uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Latvala shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Latvala trying to advance position but Walker counters by regaining guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Latvala controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Latvala gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Latvala throws the kick towards the body but Walker avoids it.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Latvala throws a series of punches but Walker moves out of range.
Latvala throws a solid leg kick but Walker takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Latvala.

Latvala scores a takedown into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roope Latvala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Latvala shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Walker pinned against the cage. Walker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Walker wants to clinch up but Latvala keeps it at a distance.

Latvala gets the takedown into side control.
Latvala controls the position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Latvala throws a strike aimed at the side of Walker's head but Walker avoids it well.
Latvala controls the position.
Latvala working the head and body with strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Latvala decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Latvala gets the takedown into side control.

Latvala tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Walker taking a bit of punishment here - Latvala scoring with strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latvala advances to mount.
Latvala controlling the pace for now.
Curtis Walker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Latvala cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

It looks like Curtis Walker has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Latvala looking to control and managing it successfully.

Latvala throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Walker has his hands clasped together but Latvala breaks the hold and Walker is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Latvala!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Roope Latvala!
Our winner, Roope Latvala, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.