PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between John Reyes (ranked 24927 p4p, 6263 weight class) and Heigar Helderson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Reyes
vs
Helderson

180 cm
25
145
1 - 2 - 0

165 cm
25
138
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Reyes!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Heigar Helderson!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Helderson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Helderson throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Helderson is looking to take a break and control but Reyes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Helderson wants to stand but Reyes is controlling his arm.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Helderson tries to score with some ground and pound. Reyes controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Helderson lands an elbow.
Helderson tries to get to his feet but he's trapped momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helderson is looking to take a break and control but Reyes is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Reyes seems a little lost for a moment, as Helderson dominates the positioning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helderson trying to control the position but Reyes is working away.

Helderson swings around for an armbar but Reyes sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Helderson's guard.
Helderson is trying to control the position but Reyes postures up.
Reyes definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Reyes sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Reyes throws a big right hand that misses.
Helderson is looking to sweep but instead, Reyes has passed into half guard.
Reyes trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helderson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Reyes wants to control but Helderson is keeping him busy.
Reyes sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Helderson defending well though.

Reyes is trying to work for a kimura but Helderson is defending well.

Helderson is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Reyes pulls his head out easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Reyes is looking for a kimura but Helderson is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Reyes to get the leverage.
Reyes prevents Helderson from improving his position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Reyes shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Helderson defends it nicely.
Helderson is looking to clinch but Reyes is avoiding it.
Helderson doesn't manage to clinch there - Reyes circles away.
Helderson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Reyes as he avoids it easily.
Helderson throws a right hand that Reyes ducks under and follows up with a left that Reyes also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Helderson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Reyes, pushing him back against the cage.
Helderson fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Reyes avoiding damage as Helderson throws knees to the body.
Helderson wants a takedown but no success here.
John Reyes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heigar Helderson.
Reyes has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Helderson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Reyes jumps guard but Helderson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Reyes is trying to push Helderson away but Helderson has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Reyes stops a takedown attempt from Helderson.
Reyes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Helderson backwards.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Reyes wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Helderson pressing his opponent against the cage.
Reyes lands an uppercut.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that John Reyes will probably get the nod.
That's time! Reyes's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Horrible takedown attempt by Helderson or perhaps it was just good defense by Reyes, which made it look bad.
Helderson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Reyes swivels and escapes.
Helderson avoids the head kick by Reyes.
Helderson looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Reyes looks to land a combination. Helderson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.

It looks like Heigar Helderson has been cut.
Helderson shoots in for a takedown but Reyes shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Reyes feinted with a counter takedown.
John Reyes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heigar Helderson.
Reyes fails to land with a series of punches.
Helderson tries to counter with a clinch but Reyes shakes him off and moves away.
Helderson tries to clinch there but Reyes circles away.

Reyes rushes Helderson and presses him up against the cage.
Reyes is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Helderson can do to turn this around?
Reyes goes for a takedown attempt but Helderson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Helderson checks a low kick from Reyes.

Reyes gets caught flat footed, as Helderson shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.

Reyes escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Helderson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reyes is trying to keep Helderson in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes keeping moving, preventing Helderson from controlling successfully.
Helderson throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Reyes seems keen to control Helderson's posture.
Helderson trying to control but Reyes is working from the bottom.
Reyes bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Helderson's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Reyes throws an elbow that misses. Helderson uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Reyes's guard. Nice move by Helderson!

Helderson avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Reyes keeping moving, preventing Helderson from controlling successfully.
Helderson looking to sit in guard and control but Reyes gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Helderson trying to keep a closed guard but Reyes is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helderson keeping moving, preventing Reyes from controlling successfully.
Helderson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

Reyes stands up and waves to Helderson to follow him.
Helderson stuffs the takedown attempt from Reyes. Reyes gets slowly back to his feet.
Helderson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Reyes.
Helderson shoots in for a double leg but Reyes sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Reyes shoots for a double leg takedown but Helderson sprawls well. He's pushed Reyes's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helderson darts in looking for a takedown but Reyes gets double underhooks and turns Helderson into the cage.

Helderson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Helderson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Reyes swats away the attempt to clinch by Helderson.
Reyes fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Helderson shoots in but no luck this time.

Helderson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Reyes, pushing him back against the cage.
Helderson prevents a takedown attempt there.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Helderson manages to pull guard.
John Reyes overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Helderson had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Reyes defends it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that John Reyes will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Heigar Helderson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Helderson shoots in and drives through. Reyes sprawls well.
Helderson fails to land the takedown.
Helderson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Reyes defends it nicely.
John Reyes has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heigar Helderson.
Helderson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Reyes.
Helderson throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Reyes rushes Helderson and presses him up against the cage.
Helderson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Reyes just leaning against Helderson, taking a breather.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes shoots in looking for a takedown. Helderson tries to sprawl out of it but Reyes keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Helderson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Reyes displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Helderson.
Helderson pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Helderson throws a head kick but Reyes moves out of range.
Reyes looks for a takedown but Helderson sprawls well.
Reyes slaps away a takedown attempt from Helderson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Helderson tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Reyes swivels and escapes.
Helderson tries to clinch but Reyes is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helderson throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Reyes tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Helderson manages to circle out of the way.

Helderson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Reyes, pushing him back against the cage.
Reyes goes for a takedown attempt but Helderson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Reyes.
Helderson fails in his attempt to clinch.
Helderson dodges the punch combination from Reyes.
Helderson goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Reyes fails to land with a series of punches.
Helderson steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Reyes.
Helderson fails with a takedown attempt.

Helderson has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helderson is trying to pull guard but Reyes turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

Helderson manages to pull guard.
Helderson doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Helderson bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Reyes's guard.

Reyes really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Helderson throws a big elbow that misses.
Reyes manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Helderson manages to get himself to full guard.

Helderson is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Helderson looking to control but Reyes passes into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Helderson is not content to let Reyes control the position.
Reyes works his way into full mount!
Helderson is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Heigar Helderson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
John Reyes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Reyes controlling his opponent.

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 John Reyes.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Reyes, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Reyes!