PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Soz Sztrova (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Haplopelma Hainanum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sztrova comes to the cage accompanied by In Flames - Delight and Anger. Hainanum is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Kryptonite by Three Doors Down. This should be fireworks!

Sztrova
vs
Hainanum

190 cm
28
215 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

190 cm
27
223 lbs
13 - 6 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid Muay Thai
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Great elbows
Powerful

MMA Exclusive

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Soz Sztrova!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Haplopelma Hainanum!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Hainanum has closed the distance and engaged Sztrova in a clinch.
Sztrova goes for a takedown in the clinch but Hainanum prevents it.
Sztrova struggles to land a body shot inside as Hainanum controls his hands.
Nice elbow from Hainanum.

It looks like Soz Sztrova has been cut.
Sztrova throws a knee to the head but misses.
Hainanum just leaning against Sztrova, taking a breather.
Sztrova blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hainanum lands a damaging elbow.

Soz Sztrova's cut is getting worse.
Hainanum with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sztrova is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Hainanum pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Sztrova can't break the clinch.
Hainanum landing knees to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Sztrova blocking some punches.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hainanum.
Sztrova is trying to break the clinch but Hainanum has him pressed against the cage.

Sztrova breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Hainanum closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Hainanum unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Sztrova is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sztrova effectively controlling the action here.
Hainanum lands with a short shot to the head.
Sztrova managing to block the knees to the body from Hainanum.
Sztrova tries to work over Hainanum's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sztrova throws a punch but it's blocked by Hainanum.
Hainanum with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Sztrova tries a knee to the head but Hainanum blocks it.
Hainanum struggles to land a body shot inside as Sztrova controls his hands.
Hainanum connects with a nasty looking knee right to Sztrova's face.
Hainanum lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Sztrova goes for a takedown attempt but Hainanum pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Soz Sztrova. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hainanum with a knee to the head.

Sztrova is rocked!

Soz Sztrova's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hainanum lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Oh Sztrova is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Hainanum stalls.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Hainanum crunches a lovely knee into Sztrova's ribcage.
Hainanum lands an elbow inside that Sztrova shrugs off.
Sztrova has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hainanum avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Hainanum unloads a knee to the mid-section. Sztrova lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hainanum works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Hainanum has Sztrova pressed against the cage. He pushes Sztrova back and as he springs towards him off the cage, Hainanum throws a beautiful elbow that sends Sztrova crashing to the floor! Hainanum piles on the pressure with more strikes! Sztrova is flailing away but he's not defending himself and the referee steps in to stop the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:32 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Haplopelma Hainanum! Haplopelma Hainanum retains his light heavyweight title!
An out of breath Haplopelma Hainanum thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.