PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Harald Loe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Salamurhaaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Loe
vs
Salamurhaaja

187 cm
20
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

198 cm
19
210 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

Hell's Balls Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Harald Loe!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Seppo Salamurhaaja!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Salamurhaaja misses with a head kick.

Loe moves into the clinch successfully.
Salamurhaaja tries to break the clinch but Loe is controlling the position.
Salamurhaaja is trying to break free.

Salamurhaaja manages to break the clinch.
Salamurhaaja blocks a head kick by Loe.
Loe keeps the fight on the outside.
Loe avoids a punch combination nicely.

Loe drives through and clinches with Salamurhaaja against the cage.

Salamurhaaja breaks the clinch.
Salamurhaaja misses with the combination.

Loe clinches with his opponent.
Loe landing knees to the body.
Loe pushes off an throws an elbow but Salamurhaaja leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.

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

Loe instigates a clinch.
Salamurhaaja is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Loe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Salamurhaaja misses with a two punch combination.
Salamurhaaja throws a series of punches but Loe avoids them all with ease.
A nice inside leg kick there by Loe. That's going to slow Salamurhaaja down.
Salamurhaaja looks gassed!

Loe has managed to clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Salamurhaaja.
Salamurhaaja wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Salamurhaaja takes an elbow to the forehead.

It looks like Seppo Salamurhaaja has been cut.
Loe scores a nice knee to the body.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Loe scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Loe shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Salamurhaaja as he jumps to the side.
Some wild striking there from Salamurhaaja.

Loe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Salamurhaaja can't break the clinch.
Loe wants to stall.

Loe has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Salamurhaaja uses from the top position.
Salamurhaaja has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Loe is proving hard to escape from.
Salamurhaaja postures up.
Loe might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Loe tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Salamurhaaja is looking to stand up but Loe won't let him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salamurhaaja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Loe keeping moving, preventing Salamurhaaja from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loe looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Salamurhaaja puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Salamurhaaja tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Loe slips a jab and a cross from Salamurhaaja.
Salamurhaaja will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Salamurhaaja throws a one two combo.
Loe showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Salamurhaaja.

Loe gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Loe lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Salamurhaaja tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Salamurhaaja can't break the clinch.
Loe lands a damaging elbow.
Salamurhaaja has had enough of the clinch but Loe keeps him there for the moment.
Loe lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Loe.

Salamurhaaja jumps guard.
Salamurhaaja is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Salamurhaaja is pulling down on Loe's head. It's preventing any offense from Loe, at least for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salamurhaaja tries to land a sweep but no joy.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Salamurhaaja is on top in guard.
Salamurhaaja won't allow Loe to get back to his feet.
Loe trying to strike off his back.
Salamurhaaja wants to get up but he can't break Loe's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Loe has his foot on Salamurhaaja's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Salamurhaaja works his way back into a safe position though.

Salamurhaaja gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

Loe gets a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Loe stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Salamurhaaja is trying to break the clinch but Loe has him pressed against the cage.
Nice elbow from Loe.
Nice elbow from Loe.

Loe breaks from the clinch.
Salamurhaaja darts in trying to clinch

and Loe counters by moving into the clinch.

Loe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Loe tries to close the distance and clinch but Salamurhaaja swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Salamurhaaja swinging wilding here.

Loe has Salamurhaaja up against the cage in a clinch.

Loe breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Salamurhaaja moves into the clinch successfully.

Loe breaks the clinch.
Loe wants to clinch up but Salamurhaaja keeps it at a distance.

Loe clinches with his opponent.

Loe has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Salamurhaaja uses from the top position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Loe throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.
Loe looking to hit a scissor sweep but Salamurhaaja is one step ahead there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harald Loe dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Seppo Salamurhaaja's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

No joy there for Salamurhaaja, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A head kick misses from Salamurhaaja.
Loe throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Salamurhaaja shoots in for a double leg but Loe sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
No joy there for Salamurhaaja, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Loe drives through and clinches with Salamurhaaja against the cage.

Loe pulls guard successfully.
Loe wants to sweep here but Salamurhaaja controlling him for the moment.
Loe controlling Salamurhaaja's posture.

Salamurhaaja drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Loe manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Salamurhaaja has Loe in his guard.
Salamurhaaja trying to control the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salamurhaaja throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Loe slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Salamurhaaja not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Salamurhaaja is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Loe is controlling him.
Loe is pushing down on Salamurhaaja's leg trying to pass to half guard. Salamurhaaja is fighting to maintain full guard but Loe has managed to sneak the leg through.

Salamurhaaja is defending against the submission attempts here by Loe.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Loe stops Salamurhaaja from getting back to his feet.
Loe seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Salamurhaaja does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Salamurhaaja blocking the ground and pound attempt from Loe.

Loe stands up from half guard.
Salamurhaaja lands a head kick!
The fight stays on the outside here - Loe looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Some wild striking there from Salamurhaaja.
Loe doesn't manage to clinch there - Salamurhaaja circles away.

Loe clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Loe decides to pull guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Loe is pulling down on Salamurhaaja's head to control his posture.
Loe looking to hit a scissor sweep but Salamurhaaja is one step ahead there.
Loe is controlling Salamurhaaja's posture.
Loe not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Salamurhaaja has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Loe is proving hard to escape from.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Salamurhaaja preventing the sweep.
Salamurhaaja stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Loe swivels though and keeps the full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Salamurhaaja tries to clinch but Loe moves out of range.
Salamurhaaja tries to bum rush Loe with a series of wild strikes but Loe uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Loe darts in and clinches Salamurhaaja up against the cage.
Salamurhaaja has had enough of the clinch but Loe keeps him there for the moment.

Loe escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Salamurhaaja missing with a left hand there. Loe was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Loe rushes Salamurhaaja and presses him up against the cage.
Loe lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Loe pushes off an throws an elbow but Salamurhaaja leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Loe tries to land knees in the clinch but Salamurhaaja avoids the damage to the body.
Loe keeps control of Salamurhaaja as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Salamurhaaja wants to get back to striking at distance but Loe won't allow it.
Salamurhaaja is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Loe trying to land knees to the body.

Salamurhaaja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salamurhaaja circles away from the clinch attempt.

Loe pushes Salamurhaaja up against the cage in a clinch.
Salamurhaaja wants to get back to striking at distance but Loe won't allow it.
Salamurhaaja is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Loe breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Harald Loe dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Seppo Salamurhaaja's cut.
That's time! Loe's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Salamurhaaja looks to land a combination but Loe avoids it well.
Salamurhaaja throws a series of strikes that have Loe backpedaling.
Salamurhaaja goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Salamurhaaja throws a combination that misses

and Loe holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Loe connects with a nasty looking knee right to Salamurhaaja's face.
Salamurhaaja tries to pull guard but Loe holds him up against the cage and eventually Salamurhaaja drops back down to his feet.
Salamurhaaja tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Salamurhaaja is trying to break the clinch but Loe has him pressed against the cage.

Salamurhaaja breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Loe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Salamurhaaja swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Loe takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Loe keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Harald Loe has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Seppo Salamurhaaja.
Jab from Salamurhaaja.
Salamurhaaja misses with a two punch combination.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Loe lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Salamurhaaja has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Salamurhaaja and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
The fight stays on the outside here - Salamurhaaja looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Loe keeps the fight on the outside.
Salamurhaaja tries to close the distance and clinch up but Loe swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salamurhaaja misses with a double jab

and Loe counters by moving into the clinch.

Salamurhaaja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salamurhaaja shoots in for a takedown but Loe shows good takedown defense.

Loe forces Salamurhaaja back against the cage and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salamurhaaja is looking to break free of the clinch but Loe has double underhooks.
Nice elbow from Loe.

Salamurhaaja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salamurhaaja throws a leg kick which misses Loe's front leg but catches the back leg as Loe tries to avoid it.
Salamurhaaja throws a combination that misses

and Loe moves into the clinch.
Loe using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Salamurhaaja fails to land.

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

Loe gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Loe gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Salamurhaaja wants to break the clinch but can't.
Salamurhaaja takes a knee right on the jaw!
Loe prevents Salamurhaaja from breaking the clinch.
Loe keeps control of Salamurhaaja as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Loe lands a nice elbow.
Salamurhaaja is looking to break free of the clinch but Loe has double underhooks.
Salamurhaaja has had enough of the clinch but Loe keeps him there for the moment.
Salamurhaaja wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Harald Loe has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Loe breaks from the clinch.
Salamurhaaja circles away from the clinch attempt
and Salamurhaaja counters with a one-two to the body.

Loe gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Salamurhaaja tries to break the clinch but Loe is controlling the position.
Salamurhaaja wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Loe has him pressed against the cage.
Salamurhaaja wants to break free but Loe has control.
Loe holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Loe is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Salamurhaaja is keeping busy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Loe throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Salamurhaaja blocks it with crossed arms.

Loe manages to break the clinch.
Salamurhaaja will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Loe is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Salamurhaaja.

It looks like Harald Loe has been cut.
Seppo Salamurhaaja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
A punch combination from Salamurhaaja misses.
Salamurhaaja fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Loe on the side of the head.
Loe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Loe tries to move into range but Salamurhaaja moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Loe fails in his attempt to clinch.
Salamurhaaja looks to land a combination. Loe sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Loe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Salamurhaaja fails to land with a series of punches.

Loe closes the distance and clinches.

Loe breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Salamurhaaja avoids the body shot from Loe.

Loe clinches up with Salamurhaaja and pushes him back against the cage.
Salamurhaaja letting Loe take a breather here.
Loe comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Loe tries to pull guard but Salamurhaaja holds him up against the cage and eventually Loe drops back down to his feet.
Loe landing knees to the body.
Salamurhaaja is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Loe leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salamurhaaja takes an elbow to the forehead.
Salamurhaaja fails to pull guard.
Still in the clinch, Loe scores with a nice short uppercut.
Loe unloads a knee to the mid-section. Salamurhaaja lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Loe using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Loe prevents Salamurhaaja from breaking the clinch.
Loe throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.

Salamurhaaja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Salamurhaaja tries to score with a low kick but Loe moves his leg out of the way.
Seppo Salamurhaaja seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Some wild striking there from Loe.
Loe takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Salamurhaaja misses with the combination.
Salamurhaaja fails to land with a series of punches.
Salamurhaaja misses with a series of wild punches.
Salamurhaaja throws a series of punches but Loe moves out of range.
Salamurhaaja throws a nice looking combination but Loe bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Loe pushes Salamurhaaja up against the cage in a clinch.
Salamurhaaja wants to get back to striking at distance but Loe won't allow it.

Loe breaks from the clinch.
Loe throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Salamurhaaja counters with a series of strikes. Loe will be more careful next time no doubt.
Salamurhaaja fails to land with a series of punches.
Loe tries to close the distance and clinch but Salamurhaaja swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salamurhaaja shoots in looking for a takedown. Loe tries to sprawl out of it but Salamurhaaja keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Loe manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Salamurhaaja lands an overhand right.
Good work by Loe as he checks the leg kick.
Loe is looking to clinch.
A good leg kick by Salamurhaaja.

Loe has closed the distance and engaged Salamurhaaja in a clinch.
Loe is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Salamurhaaja lands with a light punch inside.
A knee to the head by Loe.

Salamurhaaja breaks the clinch.
Loe avoids a punch combination nicely.

Loe clinches with his opponent.
Salamurhaaja is pressed up against the cage. Loe has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Salamurhaaja down to the mat. Salamurhaaja avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Salamurhaaja gets a takedown into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Loe wants to improve his position but Salamurhaaja is controlling well.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Salamurhaaja comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Loe has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 for Harald Loe!
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight for Harald Loe!
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight for Harald Loe!

Harald Loe wins by unanimous decision!