PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Suman Giovanni (ranked 5519 p4p, 134 weight class) and Jonathon Harel (ranked 3880 p4p, 106 weight class). Suman Giovanni has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Giovanni
vs
Harel

155 cm
25
133 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
25
179 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Suman Giovanni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jonathon Harel!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Harel shoots in looking for a takedown. Giovanni tries to sprawl out of it but Harel keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Giovanni manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Giovanni throws a right and a left that both miss.

Harel manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Giovanni on his heels. He'll look to pass Giovanni's guard now, I'm sure.
Harel scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Harel trying to control the position from guard on top but Giovanni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Harel must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Harel is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Giovanni doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Harel wants to control from the top but Giovanni keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Giovanni has his foot on Harel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Harel works his way back into a safe position though.
Harel looking to sit in guard and control but Giovanni gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Harel is trying to control the position but Giovanni postures up.
Giovanni working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Harel throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Harel tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Giovanni slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Giovanni wants to control but Harel is keeping him busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Harel is looking to regain half guard here but Giovanni keeps moving and retains side control.
Giovanni works to advance to full mount. Harel defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Harel wants to control but Giovanni is having none of it.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.

Giovanni looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Harel keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harel is squirming around, avoiding Giovanni's attempts to control the action.
Harel is working to get back to half guard.
Harel takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Harel is desperately trying to improve his position but Giovanni has a good base and remains in mount.
Harel really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Giovanni. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Giovanni looking to control but Harel is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Giovanni avoids the attempt from Harel to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni throws some wild stikes that Harel manages to avoid easily.
Harel manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Giovanni is keen to just control but Harel is a slippery customer.
Giovanni missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Giovanni is thwarting Harel's attempts to control the position.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Harel can do anything to dispel that myth.
Harel flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Giovanni trying to control from Harel's half guard. Harel has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Harel is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Suman Giovanni dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Harel changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Giovanni looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Harel misses with the ground and pound.
Harel controlling from side mount.
Giovanni sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Giovanni is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Harel's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Harel's back!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good control from Giovanni.
Giovanni could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Harel tries to escape the position.
Harel is still trying to improve position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harel trying to control the action but Giovanni just sinks the hooks in.
Giovanni lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Giovanni struggling to keep hold of the position.
You can see the frustration on Harel's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Harel looking very determined here, making life difficult for Giovanni.
Giovanni is hanging on to Harel's back as he tries to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Giovanni working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Harel is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Giovanni.
Harel covering up well under a series of strikes from Giovanni.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Giovanni's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Giovanni is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Harel is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
I really don't envy Harel right now.
Giovanni thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.
Suman Giovanni overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Giovanni doesn't have the hooks in and Harel manages to turn into his guard.
Harel is looking to stand up but Giovanni won't let him.

Giovanni has his foot on Harel's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Harel works his way back into a safe position though.
Harel preventing the sweep.
Giovanni is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Harel can do to turn this around?
Giovanni keeping moving, preventing Harel from controlling successfully.
Harel cracks Giovanni with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harel has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Giovanni is proving hard to escape from.
Giovanni keeping moving, preventing Harel from controlling successfully.
Harel's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Harel is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Harel is looking to work some ground and pound but Giovanni has wrist control.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Harel trying to control the position from guard on top but Giovanni is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Harel passes Giovanni's left leg - he's now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Suman Giovanni dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Harel avoids the head kick by Giovanni.

Harel closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Harel lands in his opponent's guard.
Harel would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Giovanni might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Harel controlling from the top position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Harel looking to sit in guard and control but Giovanni gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Harel working a defensive guard here.
Giovanni slips nicely into half guard.
Harel controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Giovanni wants to stand up but Harel is controlling the position.
Harel wants to get back to full guard.
Giovanni is trying to control. Harel wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Harel wants to improve his position but Giovanni is controlling well.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Giovanni avoids the body shot from Harel.

Harel scores with a takedown into Giovanni's guard.

Harel is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Giovanni is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Giovanni has escaped and now he's on top!

Giovanni is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Harel is looking to stand up but Giovanni isn't so interested in that idea.
Harel has Giovanni pulled in close to control his posture.
Giovanni trying to control the position from guard on top but Harel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Giovanni throwing strikes but missing.
Giovanni trying to control the position from guard on top but Harel is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Jonathon Harel has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Suman Giovanni is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Harel looking for a guillotine here but Giovanni defends easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Suman Giovanni.
Well Giovanni has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Suman Giovanni!