PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Niilo Hamalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlito Barzini (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hamalainen kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Face the Pain. Carlito Barzini will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Hamalainen
vs
Barzini

183 cm
24
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
24
190 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Granite chin

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niilo Hamalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Carlito Barzini!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hamalainen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Barzini defends well and Hamalainen ends up having to push Barzini into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Hamalainen darts in looking for a takedown but Barzini gets double underhooks and turns Hamalainen into the cage.
Horrible takedown attempt by Hamalainen or perhaps it was just good defense by Barzini, which made it look bad.
Barzini feints the counter takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Niilo Hamalainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Barzini tries for a takedown but Hamalainen sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Hamalainen.
Barzini tries to bench press Hamalainen off him but Hamalainen keeps the position.
Hamalainen trying to control the action but Barzini is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Barzini is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamalainen just content to control the position.
Hamalainen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Barzini on the ground.
Hamalainen wants to control but Barzini is keeping him busy.
Hamalainen working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Hamalainen in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Barzini tries to buck Hamalainen off but Hamalainen is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Barzini is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Hamalainen asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Hamalainen working the body and head with strikes.
Barzini is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Hamalainen is controlling him well.
Barzini tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The referee asks Hamalainen politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Hamalainen prefers to stall for the moment though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Hamalainen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Barzini sprawls well initially but Hamalainen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Hamalainen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen drops an elbow to the side of Barzini's head.
Hamalainen working Barzini over with strikes.
Barzini is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Hamalainen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Hamalainen has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Barzini looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hamalainen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Hamalainen stuffs the takedown.

Hamalainen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niilo Hamalainen dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

No luck with that takedown attempt from Hamalainen.
Hamalainen with a poor takedown

and Barzini counters with a single leg into guard. Hamalainen didn't expect that.
Barzini pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hamalainen is keeping the position for now.
Hamalainen seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Hamalainen is looking to stand up but Barzini isn't so interested in that idea.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hamalainen controls Barzini momentarily but Barzini frees himself.
My spies in MMA Sanok Training Center inform me that Barzini has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Barzini would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barzini has gone for a leg lock! Hamalainen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Barzini's guard.

Hamalainen has a momentary lapse of concentration, allowing Barzini to throw up a leg and lock on what appears to be a pretty tight triangle! Hamalainen is fighting it off but it's all too little too late - Barzini pulls down on the head and he's put Hamalainen to sleep! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:37 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Carlito Barzini!
The defeated Niilo Hamalainen had this to say: 'There is no second place for me. I'll come back stronger!'.