PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Henkka Reem (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jose Lopez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Reem
vs
Lopez

190 cm
23
193 lbs
11 - 1 - 0

186 cm
23
199 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Hellraiser FightGear
Fight Night Nutrition

Hellraiser FightGear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Henkka Reem!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Jose Lopez!
The judges for this bout are Jeff Smith, Roger Salmon and Josh West.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reem shoots in looking for a takedown but Lopez manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Reem's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Reem drives through with a takedown into Lopez's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Lopez keeping full guard, as Reem tries to pass.
Reem in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Lopez looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lopez trying to control the position.
Lopez pulls Reem in to control the position.

Jose Lopez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Lopez doesn't manage to clinch there - Reem circles away.
Lopez tries to clinch but Reem is having none of it.
Reem misses with a hook. Lopez ducked under it nicely.
Reem swats away the attempt to clinch by Lopez.
Reem scores with a decent looking hook.
Reem fails with the takedown.
Lopez stuffs the takedown attempt from Reem. Reem gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henkka Reem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Lopez uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Reem.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reem shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Lopez pinned against the cage. Lopez gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Lopez is looking to clinch but Reem is avoiding it.
Lopez's corner calls for a 1-2. Lopez obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

It looks like Henkka Reem has been cut.
Reem tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Lopez is able to avoid easily.
Reem throws a hook to the side of Lopez's head but Lopez sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Lopez tries to clinch up.
Lopez throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Reem's head.
Lopez stuffs the takedown attempt from Reem. Reem gets slowly back to his feet.
Reem shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lopez tries to clinch but Reem moves out of range.
Reem looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lopez is fending him off so far but Reem persists. Nope, Lopez circles away and we're back to standing.
Henkka Reem seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Lopez needs to keep his hands up - Reem had a free shot at his head there.
Reem lands a two punch combo.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Reem.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Reem tries for a kimura but Lopez is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is trying to improve his position.
Lopez avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Reem.
Lopez can't do much from the bottom here.
Lopez manages to work his way to half guard, despite Reem's best efforts.
Reem prevents Lopez from improving his position.
Lopez trying to control but Reem postures up.
Lopez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Lopez trying to hold on to Reem's head to control him but Reem postures up.
Lopez is controlling Reem's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Lopez wants to control but Reem is keeping busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jose Lopez was stalling too much, according to the referee.
No luck for Reem with that takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez tries to clinch up but Reem circles away and keeps his distance.
Jose Lopez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Reem shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Reem is trying to control. Lopez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Lopez is looking for a sweep. Reem is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Reem is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Lopez doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Reem.
Reem not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Reem has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Lopez trying to hold on to Reem's head to control him but Reem postures up.
Lopez keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reem not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lopez is looking to control Reem's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lopez avoid being mounted?

Reem is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Lopez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Reem is working away from the top position though.
Lopez really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Reem. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Reem trying to mount his opponent but Lopez defends it.
Lopez is trying to maintain the position but Reem is very close to passing his half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jose Lopez was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Reem waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Lopez.
Reem fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lopez throws a chopping leg kick but Reem manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Lopez stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Lopez wants it to stay on the feet.
Reem jabs at Lopez's body.
Lopez fails in his attempt to clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Henkka Reem will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Henkka Reem's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Reem decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Lopez has a hand on Reem's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Reem takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Lopez working to try and regain half guard.
Reem with the ground and pound from mount.
Lopez tries to reverse the position but Reem maintains control.
Reem avoids the attempt from Lopez to control.
Reem fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

Reem wants to finish this one by submission but Lopez is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Reem.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lopez is working to get back to half guard.
Lopez tries to lock up and control but Reem gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Reem looking to secure an arm triangle but Lopez defends it well.
Reem misses with a head shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lopez defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Reem.
Lopez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Reem working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Reem is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Lopez to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Lopez shrugs it off.
Reem lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Lopez gets back to half guard.
Henkka Reem overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Lopez is defending against the submission attempts here by Reem.
Lopez is trying to get back to full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Lopez trying to hold on to Reem's head to control him but Reem postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nice strikes from Reem there.

Reem seems to be working for a kimura but Lopez defends the submission attempt.

Reem is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Reem frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Reem working for a guillotine from mount but Lopez is in no mood to give up.

Reem working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez holds on for dear life.
Lopez has given up his back here. Will Reem look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Lopez wants to escape the position.

Reem is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Lopez is defending well though. Reem let's go of the attempt for now.
You can see the frustration on Lopez's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Lopez just trying to survive but Reem is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.

Reem looking for the RNC.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reem missing with punches from the back.
Lopez rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Lopez is trying to maintain the position but Reem is very close to passing his half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Reem is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lopez is just riding it out for now. Reem eventually gives up the hold.
Lopez is refusing to be controlled, as Reem sits in half guard.
Lopez is trying is best to control the position here.
Reem throwing shots but Lopez is blocking nicely.

Reem is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Lopez is just riding it out for now. Reem eventually gives up the hold.
Lopez is looking to control Reem's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Lopez avoid being mounted?
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Lopez is positioning himself well to prevent Reem advancing to mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henkka Reem dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Henkka Reem's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Reem lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Lopez backs up against the cage.
Reem moves out of range of the body kick.
Jose Lopez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Lopez misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Lopez tries to move into range but Reem moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

Lopez clinches.
Lopez tries a knee to the head but Reem blocks it.
Lopez has Reem pressed against the cage, preventing Reem from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lopez tries to land a knee to the head but Reem blocks with his arms.
Reem lands a hook that snaps the head of Lopez backwards.
Lopez lands a knee to the head.
Lopez misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Reem.
Lopez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lopez has Reem pressed against the cage, preventing Reem from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Lopez tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Reem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lopez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lopez takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Reem breaks the clinch.
Lopez takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez looks to land a right hand but Reem moved out of range.
Lopez tries to clinch but Reem is having none of it.
Lopez defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Reem.
Lopez throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Lopez wants to clinch.
Lopez takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Reem turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Lopez gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Reem trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lopez controls Reem momentarily but Reem frees himself.
Reem advances to half guard.
Lopez won't allow Reem to pass to mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reem trying to control the action but Lopez is working from the bottom.
Lopez trying to control but Reem postures up.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lopez is looking to improve his position.
Lopez trying to control but Reem postures up.

Reem is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Lopez tries to roll over but Reem keeps him under control.
Reem stalling.
Reem throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reem controlling the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Reem throws a series of punches but Lopez avoids them all with ease.
Reem just misses with a punch to the body.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Lopez.
Lopez fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reem manages to avoid it.
Reem looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Lopez is fending him off so far but Reem persists. Nope, Lopez circles away and we're back to standing.
Lopez moves away from the strike by Reem.
Lopez keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Lopez tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Reem paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Reem shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Lopez eats them both and turns towards Reem to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Lopez tried to score with a low kick but Reem checks it.
That kick from Lopez tenderised Reem's leg. Reem is trying to keep his angry face on.
Lopez tried to score with a low kick but Reem checks it.
Reem looks to land a right hand but Lopez moved out of range.
Reem closes the distance and clinches up with Lopez, looking for a takedown. Reem pushes Lopez against the cage but Lopez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henkka Reem. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez fails with an attempt to clinch.
A telegraphed right hand from Reem misses the target.
Lopez lands a jab to Reem's midsection.
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!

Reem shoots in and bounces Lopez off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Lopez controlling the position.
Lopez working a defensive guard here.
Reem throws a big right hand that misses.
Lopez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Reem missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Reem works a leg free and moves into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henkka Reem clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Henkka Reem's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Lopez on the wrong end of a nice hook.

Lopez fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Reem, pushing him back against the cage.
Lopez prevents a body shot from Reem.
Lopez crunches a lovely knee into Reem's ribcage.
Lopez looking to throw knees to the head but Reem is blocking nicely.
Lopez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Lopez scores with a knee to the head.
Lopez lands an elbow that stopped Reem in his tracks for a moment.
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!
Lopez tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Lopez lands a damaging elbow.
Reem tries to break the clinch but Lopez is controlling the position.
Knees to the body from Lopez.
Lopez missing with knees to the body.
Lopez lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Lopez keeps control of Reem as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Reem blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Lopez is working Reem over against the cage.
Lopez with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez landing knees to the body.
Lopez keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Reem's efforts to push away.

Reem jumps guard.
Reem has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Lopez has passed into side control.

Lopez stands up.
Reem throws a looping overhand right but Lopez ducks down to avoid it.
A solid body kick from Lopez.
Lopez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Lopez tries to close the distance and clinch but Reem swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Lopez avoids the body shot from Reem.
A low kick from Reem is predictable there

and Lopez holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
A short left from Lopez.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Lopez obliges.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Lopez misses with a punch on the inside.
Lopez working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Jose Lopez seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Reem jumps guard but Lopez stands there with Reem around his waist. Reem gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Reem jumps guard but Lopez turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Reem misses with the head strike.
Lopez prevents Reem from breaking the clinch.
Reem wants to get back to striking at distance but Lopez won't allow it.

Reem jumps guard and drags Lopez to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Lopez wants to control from the top but Reem keeps moving.
Lopez controls from within his opponent's guard.

Reem is working an open guard so Lopez takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Reem circles away from the clinch attempt.

Reem drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Reem drops back looking for a leg! Lopez is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Lopez manages to kick Reem off! Reem jumps back into Lopez's guard.
Lopez trying to control the position.
Reem being controlled here momentarily.
Lopez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Lopez controls Reem momentarily but Reem frees himself.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Reem accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Lopez wants to stand but Reem is controlling the position.

Jose Lopez has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Lopez closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Reem can't find room to land a body shot as Lopez controls the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reem blocks an elbow strike.
Reem blocks an elbow strike from Lopez.
Lopez with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Come on Reem - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Lopez trying to land knees to the body.
Reem jumps guard but Lopez stands there with Reem around his waist. Reem gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Henkka Reem. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reem lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A body shot lands from Reem.
Reem tries to land knees in the clinch but Lopez avoids the damage to the body.
Lopez looking to throw knees to the head but Reem is blocking nicely.
Lopez pushes Reem back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lopez keeps control of Reem as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Reem breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lopez takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Reem shoots in but Lopez avoids the takedown attempt easily.
A head kick misses from Lopez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jose Lopez dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Henkka Reem's cut.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Lopez plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Lopez is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Reem blocks a head kick by Lopez.
Lopez takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
The crowd cheers as Reem lands an impressive looking overhand right. Lopez doesn't seem phased though.
Lopez tries to clinch but Reem moves out of range.
Lopez drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Lopez lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Reem shoots in and drives through. Lopez sprawls well.
A swing and a miss from Reem.
Reem stuns Lopez with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Lopez tries a low kick but Reem avoids it.

Reem closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Lopez did well to prevent Reem getting side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Lopez is trying to get back to full guard.
Reem wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lopez keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lopez tries to get to full guard but Reem has control of the leg.
Lopez is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Reem is keen to just control but Lopez is a slippery customer.
Lopez controlling the position for now.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Reem scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Lopez misses with a head kick.
Reem shoots in but Lopez avoids the takedown attempt easily.

Reem closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Lopez quickly recovers to half guard.

Reem is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Lopez is trying to maintain the position but Reem is very close to passing his half guard.
Jose Lopez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lopez wants to improve his position but Reem is controlling well.
Reem is trying to control the action in half guard but Lopez is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Lopez works his way to full guard. Good work.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Lopez working a defensive guard here.
Reem trying to control but Lopez is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

Reem drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Reem jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Reem trying to control the position from guard on top but Lopez is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lopez keeping full guard, as Reem tries to pass.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lopez is pulling down on Reem's head to control his posture.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Lopez doesn't manage to clinch there - Reem circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Reem.
Lopez is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Reem's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Lopez is refusing to be controlled, as Reem sits in half guard.

Reem looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Lopez misses with some strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lopez wants to get back to full guard.
Reem thows a huge punch but Lopez dodges it nicely.
Lopez is looking for a sweep. Reem is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Reem is working for a kimura but Lopez is defending it quite comfortably.

Reem is working for a submission of some sort.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reem missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Lopez tries to roll over but Reem keeps him under control.

Reem is trying to work for a kimura but Lopez is defending well.
Henkka Reem is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Lopez misses with some strikes from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Henkka Reem showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Reem 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 49:46
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 49:47
Judge Josh West scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henkka Reem!
Henkka Reem is the new middleweight champion!
Henkka Reem decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.