PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eino Leino (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Hovi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Leino
vs
Hovi

182 cm
22
192 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

183 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Eino Leino!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Seppo Hovi!
The judges for this bout are Wesley Smith, George Francis and Gwen Towbar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Leino scores with a takedown into Hovi's guard.
Leino lands a couple of digs.
Leino postures up.
Leino stopping the sweep attempt from Hovi.
Leino pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hovi is keeping the position for now.

Leino is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Hovi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Leino pushes down on Hovi's leg and manages to get into half guard.

Leino is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hovi is just riding it out for now. Leino eventually gives up the hold.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Leino missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Leino is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Leino tries to pass the half guard into mount. Hovi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Hovi tries to kick Leino off but Leino keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Leino thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hovi wants to improve his position but Leino is controlling well.

Leino is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hovi defends it well.
Leino is breathing heavily.
Leino prevents Hovi from standing back up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Hovi scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Leino regains full guard. Nicely done.
Leino looking for a sweep. Not yet Leino, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hovi lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Hovi trying to control the position from guard on top but Leino is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hovi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Leino's head.
Hovi keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Leino's head.
Hovi stands and throws Leino's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Leino is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hovi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Leino keeps working.
Leino sneaks back into half guard.
Leino is pressing down on Hovi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Leino looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
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!
Leino manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hovi manages to get himself to full guard.
Leino advances position into side control!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Leino has hold of Hovi's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Hovi tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Leino cranks the arm and Hovi screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Hovi, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:20 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Eino Leino!