PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between George Hicks (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Huikea Jamppa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Hicks
vs
Jamppa

180 cm
23
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, George Hicks!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Huikea Jamppa!
The judges for this bout are Sergei Dronov, Konstantin Menshow and Dmitry Maklakov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hicks tries for a takedown but Jamppa sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Jamppa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Hicks but Hicks pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jamppa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hicks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jamppa somewhat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hicks looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Jamppa shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Hicks defends it nicely.
George Hicks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Huikea Jamppa.
Jamppa shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Hicks as he jumps to the side.
Hicks is looking to clinch.

Hicks gets caught flat footed, as Jamppa shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Jamppa throws a big elbow that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jamppa slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Hicks not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Jamppa postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hicks is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Jamppa, into his guard.
Jamppa wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Hicks stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Hicks leaves Jamppa with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hicks shoots in for a double leg but Jamppa sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Hicks displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Jamppa.

Hicks closes the distance and clinches.
Hicks can't find room to land a body shot as Jamppa controls the action.

Hicks breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Jamppa shoots in for a takedown but Hicks shows good takedown defense.
Hicks shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Jamppa sprawls well. Jamppa wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Hicks gets slowly back to his feet.
Jamppa changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Hicks tries to avoid it but Jamppa manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Hicks to the ground. Hicks escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Jamppa looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks wants to clinch.
Jamppa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Hicks.
Hicks fails with the takedown.
Hicks tries to clinch but Jamppa is having none of it.
Hicks wants to clinch.
Jamppa shoots in looking for a takedown. Hicks tries to sprawl out of it but Jamppa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Hicks manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Hicks tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A punch combination from Hicks misses.

Jamppa has Hicks up against the cage in a clinch.
Hicks wants to take the fight to the mat but Jamppa manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Hicks escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hicks misses with an uppercut. Jamppa saw that one coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Hicks scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jamppa fails with a takedown attempt.

Hicks closes the distance and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

George Hicks dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Hicks thows a body kick. Jamppa tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Hicks forces Jamppa back against the cage and clinches.

Hicks pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hicks tries to bum rush Jamppa with a series of wild strikes but Jamppa uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Hicks tries to sprawl but Jamppa drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Hicks is looking for a sweep. Jamppa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Jamppa wants to work for an arm triangle but Hicks is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Hicks looks like he's trying to stand up.
Hicks tries to push off, looking to stand up, but Jamppa manages to move to mount!
Jamppa thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jamppa trying to control but Hicks is having none of it.
Jamppa looking to finish Hicks with some ground and pound. This is bad for Hicks!
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Jamppa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hicks blocking the ground and pound.
Jamppa controlling his opponent.
Hicks keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jamppa looking to control but Hicks is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Jamppa raining down shots from the mount!
Jamppa scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Hicks?
Hicks really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Jamppa unloading with bombs!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jamppa prevents Hicks from getting the reversal.
Hicks tries to hold on but Jamppa postures up.
Jamppa is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Hicks can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Jamppa cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Jamppa avoids the attempt from Hicks to control.
Jamppa trying to control but Hicks is having none of it.
Jamppa lands a nice shot to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hicks is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Jamppa lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Hicks hang on?
Jamppa lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.

Jamppa goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Hicks turns into him and now he's in Jamppa's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hicks trying to control the position from guard on top but Jamppa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Jamppa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hicks's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Huikea Jamppa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Hicks shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Hicks lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Hicks shoots in looking for a takedown but Jamppa manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Hicks's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Jamppa tries to score a power double leg takedown but Hicks sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Jamppa somewhat.
Jamppa shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Hicks sprawls well. Hicks wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Jamppa gets slowly back to his feet.
Hicks tries to clinch up but Jamppa circles away and keeps his distance.
Jamppa looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
George Hicks has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Huikea Jamppa.
Hicks is looking to clinch but Jamppa is avoiding it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Jamppa tries to sprawl but Hicks drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Hicks is looking to advance position but Jamppa won't allow it.
Jamppa is staying active underneath Hicks, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Hicks wants to pass the guard but Jamppa is defending well.
Hicks wants to stand up but Jamppa has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Hicks is looking for a kimura here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jamppa wants to control but Hicks is keeping busy.
Hicks content to control rather than advance.
Hicks tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Jamppa.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hicks trying to control the action but Jamppa is working from the bottom.

The ref stands the fighters back up because George Hicks just wasn't active enough.
Horrible takedown by Jamppa or perhaps it was just good defense by Hicks which made him look bad.
Hicks fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Jamppa avoids it really well and circles away.
Hicks wants to clinch up but Jamppa keeps it at a distance.
Jamppa misses with a takedown attempt

and Hicks holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Jamppa has picked Hicks up - he's going for a ride! Jamppa dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Hicks trying to control here.
Jamppa with the ground and pound but Hicks uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Huikea Jamppa has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jamppa won't allow Hicks to sweep him here.
Hicks is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Jamppa pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hicks is keeping the position for now.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Jamppa trying to control the position from guard on top but Hicks is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
George Hicks showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Hicks has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Sergei Dronov scores the fight 29:28
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 29:28
Judge Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 29:28

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