PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Eero Haapasaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Luis Kasongo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Luis Kasongo enters the cage!

Haapasaari
vs
Kasongo

182 cm
25
179 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

188 cm
24
179 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eero Haapasaari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Luis Kasongo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Haapasaari feints and as Kasongo raises his hands in defense, Haapasaari changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Haapasaari stands and throws Kasongo's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Haapasaari in side control lands a decent elbow.
Haapasaari takes a little break here. Kasongo wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.

Haapasaari stands up and beckons Kasongo to his feet.

Haapasaari gets a takedown into half guard.
Haapasaari prevents Kasongo from improving his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapasaari uses his free foot to push down on Kasongo's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Kasongo.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kasongo is trying desperately to improve position.
Haapasaari controlling the pace for now.
Haapasaari lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kasongo hang on?
Haapasaari tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haapasaari is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Haapasaari wants to control the pace but Kasongo is squirming around nicely.
Haapasaari lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Kasongo hang on?
Haapasaari avoids the attempt from Kasongo to control.
Haapasaari looking to control but Kasongo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Kasongo has given up his back here. Will Haapasaari look for the submission or keep pounding away?

Haapasaari is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kasongo is defending well though. Haapasaari let's go of the attempt for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Haapasaari lands a shot to the head.
Haapasaari punishes Kasongo with strikes from the back mount.

Haapasaari is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Kasongo is defending well though. Haapasaari let's go of the attempt for now.
Haapasaari trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Kasongo doesn't escape.
Haapasaari misses with a punch to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haapasaari just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Will Haapasaari go for the finish here or will he try and keep control of the position?

Haapasaari working for a choke but Kasongo reverses nicely into Haapasaari 's guard.
Kasongo slips nicely into half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kasongo tries to stand but can't do so whilst Haapasaari controls his leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eero Haapasaari dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Haapasaari tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kasongo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kasongo dives in for a single leg takedown but Haapasaari sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Haapasaari wants to clinch up but Kasongo keeps it at a distance.

Haapasaari gets a takedown into half guard.
Haapasaari controlling the action here.
Kasongo is trying to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Haapasaari connects with a nice short shot to Kasongo's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kasongo won't allow Haapasaari to pass to mount.

Haapasaari is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Kasongo is just riding it out for now. Haapasaari eventually gives up the hold.
Haapasaari trying to control from Kasongo's half guard. Kasongo has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Haapasaari lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Haapasaari postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Haapasaari stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Haapasaari lands with an overhand left.
Haapasaari throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Haapasaari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Kasongo throws a fast counter high kick but Haapasaari manages to duck under it in time.
Haapasaari goes for a double leg but Kasongo avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Kasongo continues to drive forward.
Haapasaari fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Haapasaari closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Haapasaari has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Kasongo is trying to keep an underhook but Haapasaari manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Kasongo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Haapasaari throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kasongo is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Haapasaari scores with a couple of nice shots.
Kasongo wants to get back to his feet.
Kasongo wants to improve his position but Haapasaari is controlling well.
Kasongo is refusing to be controlled, as Haapasaari sits in half guard.

Haapasaari is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Kasongo is defending against the submission attempts here by Haapasaari.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Kasongo regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Haapasaari.
Haapasaari has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Haapasaari throws a big right hand that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Haapasaari gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Haapasaari moves into range and clinches up with Kasongo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eero Haapasaari dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Haapasaari checks the leg kick.

Haapasaari feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Kasongo working a defensive guard here.

Kasongo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Haapasaari gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Haapasaari trying to control the position from guard on top but Kasongo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Haapasaari is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Kasongo can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Haapasaari tries to free his leg and advance position but Kasongo is retaining full guard.
Kasongo keeping moving, preventing Haapasaari from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapasaari tries to free his leg and advance position but Kasongo is retaining full guard.
Haapasaari trying to control the position from guard on top but Kasongo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haapasaari working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Haapasaari trying to control the position from guard on top but Kasongo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Haapasaari engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Kasongo lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Haapasaari has his hands on Kasongo's head, controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kasongo wants to stand but Haapasaari has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Haapasaari is trying to hold Kasongo in close to prevent damage but Kasongo has managed to pass into half guard.
Kasongo blocks the strikes from Haapasaari.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Haapasaari holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Haapasaari is trying to control but can't.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Kasongo looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Kasongo is taking a breather. Haapasaari says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Decent striking displayed by Kasongo there.
Kasongo is looking to clinch.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
A clash of legs there as Kasongo blocks the low kick.
Kasongo throws a sloppy head kick and Haapasaari moves out of range easily.
Luis Kasongo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Eero Haapasaari is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Haapasaari tries to clinch up but Kasongo circles away and keeps his distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Luis Kasongo.
I think Haapasaari 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eero Haapasaari!