PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Reijo Halli (ranked 595 p4p, 850 weight class) and Maurits Assndrop (ranked 91 p4p, 126 weight class). Halli's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Clint Eastwood - Gorillaz. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the prize buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Halli
vs
Assndrop

177 cm
36
150
14 - 8 - 1

168 cm
29
140
14 - 7 - 2

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Hoarse Pills
Bondi MMA 🏝️

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Reijo Halli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 2, fighting out of New York, Maurits Assndrop!
The judges for this bout are Percy O'Donnell, Timothy Bukovac and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Assndrop throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Assndrop jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Assndrop avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Assndrop looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
A jab from Assndrop misses.
Halli moves away from the strike by Assndrop.
Assndrop tried to score with a low kick but Halli checks it.
Halli looks to throw the jab but Assndrop is out of range.
Assndrop has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Halli throws an ugly left hook that misses
enabling Assndrop to counter with a crisp jab.
Assndrop loads up on a big right hand but Halli slips the punch.
Halli was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Halli stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Assndrop.
Assndrop swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Assndrop uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Halli.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Halli takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A lazy left from Halli finds it's target.
Assndrop lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Assndrop throws a leg kick
and Halli counters with a straight right hand.
Halli darts in looking for a takedown but Assndrop gets double underhooks and turns Halli into the cage.
I was talking to Halli's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Halli looking for a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Assndrop breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Assndrop moves away from the strike by Halli.
A jab from Assndrop finds it's way through Halli's defenses.
Halli blocks a jab.
Halli takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Assndrop.
Assndrop misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Halli.
Assndrop misses with a looping right.

Halli has managed to clinch.

Assndrop breaks the clinch.
Halli tries to close the distance and clinch up but Assndrop swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Assndrop throws a lazy right hand but Halli sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Assndrop throws a hook but Halli blocks it.
Halli ducks under a wild hook from Assndrop.
Assndrop connects with a solid leg kick.
Assndrop fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Halli on the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Halli fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Assndrop on the side of the head.
Maurits Assndrop is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Halli fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Assndrop to the ground. Halli is now in Assndrop's guard.

Halli has gone for a leg lock! Assndrop slips out almost immediately though and dives into Halli's guard.

Halli is looking for a triangle but Assndrop pushes his legs off easily.
Assndrop looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Halli is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Assndrop is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halli wants to sweep here but Assndrop controlling him for the moment.
Assndrop content to stall in guard here.

Halli throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Halli escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Assndrop gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Halli seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

Halli looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Halli is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Halli throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Halli looking for a sweep. Not yet Halli, not yet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maurits Assndrop dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Assndrop connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Halli's hands.
Assndrop tests Halli's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Halli uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Assndrop.
Halli moves out of range as Assndrop strikes.
An attempted straight right counter from Halli misses the target.
Halli slips a jab from Assndrop.
Assndrop throws a low kick but it's checked well by Halli.
Assndrop comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Halli darts in trying to clinch
and Assndrop counters with a thumping low kick.
Assndrop keeps the fight on the outside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Assndrop circles away from the clinch attempt
enabling Assndrop to counter with a crisp jab.
Halli defending well as Assndrop loads up on a big left hand.
Halli checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Halli tries to counter with a takedown but Assndrop is quick to defend against it.
Assndrop fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Halli has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Halli blocks the leg kick.
Halli throws out a powerful jab.
Halli throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Halli thows a left - swing and a miss!
Halli with a lazy takedown attempt
and Assndrop connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nice shot lands for Assndrop.
Assndrop misses with a looping right.
Halli tries to close the distance and clinch but Assndrop swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Halli doesn't manage to clinch there - Assndrop circles away.
Assndrop swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Halli looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Assndrop bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Halli's head backwards.
Halli throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Halli shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Assndrop sprawls well. Assndrop wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Halli gets slowly back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Assndrop lands with a right hand.

Halli has taken the fight to the clinch.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Assndrop manages to break the clinch.
Halli displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Assndrop throws out the jab.
Halli is looking to counter punch.
Assndrop takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Assndrop motions for Halli to come forward. Assndrop throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Maurits Assndrop seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Halli throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Assndrop sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Assndrop on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Halli misses with a shot to the body
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Halli shoots in and drives through. Assndrop sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Reijo Halli. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Halli lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Halli ducks under a wild hook from Assndrop.
Halli keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Assndrop.
Assndrop slips a straight right by Halli.
Halli backing away here, and Assndrop unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Halli bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Assndrop's head backwards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Assndrop swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Halli dives in for a single leg takedown but Assndrop sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Halli keeps control of Assndrop as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Halli has Assndrop pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Assndrop manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Assndrop prevents a takedown attempt there.
Halli has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Assndrop avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Halli wants to take the fight to the mat but Assndrop manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Assndrop breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Assndrop throws a jab but it's blocked by Halli.
A looping hook to the body misses from Assndrop. Halli does a little dance to reset his feet.
Assndrop with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Halli throws a shot from downtown. Assndrop moves away and avoids it.
Assndrop connects with an inside leg kick.
Halli displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Assndrop throws out the jab.
Halli misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Assndrop.
Halli avoids the body shot from Assndrop.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halli shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Assndrop but Assndrop pushes him off and we're back to square one.
It seemed like Assndrop was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Assndrop misses with a kick to the body.
Assndrop scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Halli doesn't seem bothered though.
Assndrop has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Assndrop lands the left hand.
Assndrop has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Assndrop there as he acknowledges the shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Assndrop throws out a leg kick but Halli moves out of range and Assndrop only half commits.
Assndrop lands with a thumping leg kick.
Assndrop lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

Halli moves into range and clinches up with Assndrop.

Assndrop's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Halli throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Assndrop's waist but Assndrop gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Halli off to one side.
Halli will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
A little jabbing left from Assndrop on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Halli throws a hook to the side of Assndrop's head but Assndrop sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Halli on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Maurits Assndrop showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Assndrop swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice body punch from Assndrop.
Assndrop misses with a left hand
and Assndrop takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Halli is looking to clinch.
Assndrop connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Halli takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Halli swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Jab, jab by Halli - just one landing.
Assndrop scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Halli takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A solid leg kick lands there for Assndrop.
A cross from Assndrop lands.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Jab from Assndrop.
Halli avoids a kick to the body.

Halli fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Assndrop, pushing him back against the cage.
Halli is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Assndrop manages to break the clinch.
Assndrop loads up on a big right hand but Halli slips the punch.
Assndrop steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Halli.
Halli is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Halli looks to land a left hand but Assndrop moved out of range nicely.
Assndrop looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Halli shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Halli seems to be looking for submissions.
Halli trying to mount his opponent but Assndrop defends it.
Halli thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Assndrop's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Halli wants to pass to mount but Assndrop is defending the position.

Halli is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Assndrop doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Halli.

Assndrop is defending against the submission attempts here by Halli.

Halli wants to work for an arm triangle but Assndrop is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Halli passes the guard and advances to mount!
Halli avoids the attempt from Assndrop to control.
Halli wants to control the pace but Assndrop is squirming around nicely.
Halli working the ground and pound effectively.
Assndrop wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Halli.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Halli can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Assndrop is looking to escape.
Assndrop tries to lock up and control but Halli gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Halli swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Assndrop is now in Halli's guard. A big mistake from Halli there, giving up the dominant position!
Halli keeping full guard, as Assndrop tries to pass.

Halli is looking for a triangle but Assndrop pushes his legs off easily.
Reijo Halli has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Assndrop sitting in guard here, content to control.

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 Reijo Halli.
I think Assndrop has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 28:29
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 28:29
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Maurits Assndrop!
An out of breath Maurits Assndrop thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.