PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Toni Vaananen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Henry Thunder (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Vaananen
vs
Thunder

177 cm
19
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

179 cm
20
176 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Toni Vaananen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Henry Thunder!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Vaananen clinches.
Vaananen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Thunder blocks it with crossed arms.
Vaananen tries to land a knee to the head but Thunder blocks with his arms.
Thunder managing to block the knees to the body from Vaananen.
Vaananen misses with a knee to the head.
Vaananen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vaananen gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Thunder.
Thunder tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Vaananen just stands there and leans against the cage.
Vaananen wants to break free but Thunder has control.

Thunder ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Thunder no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.

Thunder working for a triangle but Vaananen defends it easily.
Thunder looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunder manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Vaananen wants to get back to his feet.

Thunder goes for an armbar but Vaananen turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Vaananen.

Thunder has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Vaananen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thunder is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Thunder is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Vaananen is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunder is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Vaananen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thunder wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Vaananen is looking to stand up but Thunder won't let him.
Vaananen preventing the sweep.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Thunder is looking to clinch but Vaananen is avoiding it.
Vaananen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Vaananen misses with a low kick.
Good work by Vaananen as he checks the leg kick.
Vaananen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Vaananen tries to clinch up

and Thunder counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Thunder.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Vaananen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vaananen tries to break the clinch but Thunder is controlling the position.

Thunder decides to pull guard.

Thunder looking for a guillotine here but Vaananen defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Thunder 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.

Vaananen tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Thunder moves into the clinch.

Thunder breaks the clinch.

Vaananen rushes Thunder and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Vaananen gets underhooks to prevent Thunder's takedown attempt.

Vaananen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Vaananen moves into range and clinches up with Thunder.
Thunder tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Vaananen smiles and moves away.
A lazy body kick from Vaananen

and Thunder counters by moving into the clinch.

Thunder drags the fight down to the ground.

Thunder escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Vaananen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Vaananen wants to stand but Thunder is controlling his posture from full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunder is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Thunder looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Thunder is breathing heavily.
Thunder wants to sweep here but Vaananen controlling him for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Vaananen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Thunder's guard.

Thunder looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thunder wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunder is trying to control the position from the bottom.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Vaananen darts in trying to clinch

and Thunder counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Thunder thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Thunder looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Vaananen is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thunder trying to control from half guard but Vaananen is working away.
Thunder throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Thunder looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Vaananen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Thunder.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Thunder is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Vaananen sees it coming and defends easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Henry Thunder showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Vaananen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

No luck for Thunder with that takedown attempt.
Toni Vaananen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Vaananen tries to clinch but Thunder moves away

and Thunder counters with a takedown into side control.
Vaananen is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Thunder asserts his dominance and retains side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The strikes coming from Thunder are missing the target in this wave of attacks.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thunder in side control, trying to ground and pound but not landing this time.
Thunder tries to score with some ground and pound. Vaananen controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.

Thunder tries for a kimura but Vaananen is defending well.
The referee asks Thunder politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Thunder prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Thunder working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.

Thunder decides to stand up, so the ref orders Vaananen to his feet.
Henry Thunder is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thunder shoots for a double leg takedown but Vaananen sprawls well. He's pushed Thunder's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thunder shoots in and drives through. Vaananen sprawls well.
Toni Vaananen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Henry Thunder.
Vaananen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Thunder was well out of range. Poor timing from Vaananen.
Vaananen closes the distance looking to clinch

and Thunder counters with a takedown into side control.
Thunder controlling the position from side mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vaananen tries to escape but Thunder is in control.
Thunder just content to control the position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Henry Thunder comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thunder winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Henry Thunder!