PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kazbek Khasiev (ranked 5223 p4p, 6743 weight class) and Heikki Paananen (ranked 556 p4p, 618 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.

Khasiev
vs
Paananen

180 cm
18
180
0 - 0 - 0

178 cm
25
170
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

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 London, Kazbek Khasiev!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Heikki Paananen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paananen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Khasiev counters with a nice uppercut.
Paananen wants to clinch.

Paananen instigates a clinch.

Paananen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Khasiev leaves Paananen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khasiev with a jab.
Khasiev looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Paananen darts in looking for a takedown but Khasiev gets double underhooks and turns Paananen into the cage.
Kazbek Khasiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heikki Paananen.
Khasiev throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Paananen sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paananen walks into a straight right hand from Khasiev.
Paananen slips a jab and a cross from Khasiev.
Paananen shoots in but no luck this time.
Paananen throws a head kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Paananen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Khasiev lands the left hand.
Kazbek Khasiev is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Paananen tries for a takedown but Khasiev sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Khasiev misses with a jab, cross combination.
Paananen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Paananen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Khasiev fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Paananen is looking to clinch but Khasiev is avoiding it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khasiev looks to score with a jab to the body but Paananen is just out of range.
Khasiev blocks a head kick by Paananen.
Paananen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Khasiev counter with a right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Khasiev scores with a decent looking hook.
Khasiev rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Paananen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A jab from Khasiev misses.
Paananen misses with a few strikes there.
Khasiev is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Khasiev lands an overhand right.
Paananen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A little feinted left hand from Khasiev on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Paananen staying out of range there.
Paananen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Khasiev.
Khasiev is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Khasiev misses with a straight left.
Paananen misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khasiev keeps the fight on the outside.
Khasiev was looking to counter that last move with a shot to the body but he didn't commit.
Khasiev is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Paananen has his takedown stuffed
enabling Khasiev to counter with a crisp jab.
Paananen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khasiev.
Paananen wants to counter the offense by Khasiev and move into the clinch position.
Paananen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Khasiev feints a jab promting Paananen to slip. Khasiev then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Paananen slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Khasiev is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Paananen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Paananen there as he acknowledges the shot.
Khasiev swinging wildly here.
Paananen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paananen closes the distance and clinches up with Khasiev, looking for a takedown. Paananen pushes Khasiev against the cage but Khasiev circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A swing and a miss from Khasiev.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Paananen tries to clinch up
and Khasiev cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Khasiev misses with an uppercut
and Paananen counters with an inside leg kick.
Paananen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Khasiev.
Paananen throws a sloppy body shot
and Khasiev counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Paananen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Khasiev throws out the jab.
And Paananen tries to counter it with a takedown but Khasiev pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Khasiev lands with a nice body punch.
Paananen fails with the takedown.
A quick step to the side and Khasiev tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khasiev throws a body punch but Paananen moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kazbek Khasiev dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action.

Paananen slips under a jab.
Paananen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Khasiev connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice body punch from Khasiev.
Paananen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Khasiev sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Paananen somewhat.
Khasiev bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Paananen's head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Khasiev slaps away a takedown attempt from Paananen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Kazbek Khasiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heikki Paananen.
A slow jab from Khasiev misses its intended target.
Khasiev lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Paananen at a distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paananen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Khasiev as he jumps to the side.
Paananen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Khasiev.
Nice defenses there by Paananen.
Paananen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Khasiev blocks a head kick by Paananen.
Khasiev scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Khasiev is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Paananen can do to turn this around?
Paananen tries a head kick but it misses.
It looked like Khasiev wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Khasiev lands the left hand.

Paananen is rocked!
Kazbek Khasiev is winning the standup battle so far.
Khasiev waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Paananen.
Khasiev throws an overhand right that lands on Paananen's shoulder, as Paananen tries to avoid the shot.
Khasiev throws a right hand that Paananen ducks under and follows up with a left that Paananen also avoids with ease.
Khasiev works the jab nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khasiev scores with a jab to the body.
Paananen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Khasiev.
Paananen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Paananen tries to clinch but Khasiev moves out of range.
Khasiev throws a big shot that misses.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khasiev lands a slapping body shot.
Khasiev stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Khasiev wants it to stay on the feet.
Khasiev fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Paananen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Khasiev throws out the jab.
Khasiev swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Paananen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Khasiev.
Paananen shapes to counter with a head kick.
The fight stays on the outside here - Paananen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khasiev throws a body shot but no joy.
Khasiev takes a swing at Paananen's ribcage but misses.
Paananen defending well as Khasiev loads up on a big left hand.
Khasiev throws a shot from downtown. Paananen moves away and avoids it.
Khasiev throws a series of punches but Paananen avoids them all with ease.
Khasiev throws a series of punches but Paananen avoids them all with ease.
As Khasiev backs off Paananen throws a huge counter combo but Khasiev manages to avoid it all.
Khasiev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Paananen is looking to clinch.
Paananen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Heikki Paananen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Khasiev looks to land a left hand but Paananen moved out of range nicely.
A big left from Khasiev misses.
Paananen has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Khasiev swings for the body but Paananen moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Khasiev misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Paananen.
Khasiev throws a jab but it's blocked by Paananen.
Paananen avoids the body shot from Khasiev.
The fight stays on the outside here - Paananen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Khasiev throws a looping overhand right but Paananen ducks down to avoid it.
Paananen throws a low kick, looking for Khasiev's leg but Khasiev calmly moves out of range.
Paananen wants to clinch.
Paananen wants to clinch but Khasiev slips to the side
and Khasiev counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Paananen thinking.
Khasiev thows a left - swing and a miss!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kazbek Khasiev dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Paananen tries to clinch up but Khasiev circles away and keeps his distance.
Khasiev swats away the attempt to clinch by Paananen.
Paananen is trying desperately to land a takedown but Khasiev is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Paananen.
Khasiev throws an overhand right that lands on Paananen's shoulder, as Paananen tries to avoid the shot.
Paananen shoots in but Khasiev avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Khasiev misses with a wild body shot.
Paananen tries to clinch up.
Khasiev misses with a straight right.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Paananen tries to clinch up.
Paananen walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Khasiev avoids the body shot from Paananen.
An attempted straight right counter from Khasiev misses the target.
Sloppy strikes from Khasiev. Those never looked like landing.
Despite the aggression on Paananen's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khasiev. Paananen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Paananen lands a high kick!

It looks like Kazbek Khasiev has been cut.
A telegraphed right hand from Khasiev misses the target.
Paananen tries to counter by closing the distance.
Paananen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Khasiev avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Khasiev seem to be loading up, looking for a big counter.
Paananen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Khasiev tries to avoid it but Paananen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Khasiev to the ground. Khasiev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Paananen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Khasiev lands with a right hand.
Paananen swinging wildly here.
Khasiev changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Paananen misses with a body kick.
Khasiev swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Khasiev throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Khasiev throws a body shot but no joy.
Khasiev moves out of range as Paananen strikes.
Khasiev lands a slapping body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A jab from Khasiev misses.
Paananen closes the distance looking to clinch
enabling Khasiev to counter with a crisp jab.
Paananen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Khasiev tries to avoid it but Paananen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Khasiev to the ground. Khasiev escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Khasiev was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kazbek Khasiev has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Heikki Paananen.
Khasiev misses with a hook.
Paananen wants to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khasiev blocks the body kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Paananen.
Khasiev misses with a few strikes there.
Khasiev swings for the body but Paananen moves out of range.
Khasiev misses with an uppercut. Paananen saw that one coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Khasiev. Paananen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Khasiev misses with a body shot.
Paananen tries to counter by closing the distance.
Paananen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
letting Khasiev counter with a right hand.
Paananen is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Paananen tries to clinch up.
Khasiev tests Paananen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Paananen has his takedown stuffed
and Khasiev counters with a straight right hand.
Paananen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Khasiev looks to score with a jab to the body but Paananen is just out of range.
Paananen unleashes a big counter combination but Khasiev bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Khasiev throws a body punch but Paananen moves out of range.
Paananen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Khasiev paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Khasiev listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Khasiev throws a hook but Paananen avoids it easily.
Paananen is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Paananen slips under a jab from Khasiev.
Khasiev fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Paananen on the side of the head.
Heikki Paananen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Khasiev scores with a three punch combo!

And that's the end of the fight!
Kazbek Khasiev showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Khasiev, 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:26
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:26
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kazbek Khasiev!