PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Filip Tubbax (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Trent Haaker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tubbax comes to the cage accompanied by Invaders must die. Haaker comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Im Not Your Boyfriend kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Tubbax
vs
Haaker

180 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
18
175 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Prefers ground

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Inexperienced

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, Filip Tubbax!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Trent Haaker!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haaker throws a head kick but Tubbax moves out of range.
Haaker will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Tubbax gets the takedown into side control.
Haaker wants to get back to his feet but Tubbax drags him back down.
Tubbax trying to control the action but Haaker is working from the bottom.

Tubbax stands up and beckons Haaker to his feet.

Tubbax has managed to clinch.
Tubbax is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Haaker gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tubbax tries a knee to the head but Haaker blocks it.
Haaker on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Tubbax is working for takedown but Haaker is calmly controlling the position for now.
Tubbax jumps guard but Haaker stands there with Tubbax around his waist. Tubbax gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Filip Tubbax. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Haaker gets underhooks to prevent Tubbax's takedown attempt.
Haaker tries to break the clinch but Tubbax is controlling the position.
Tubbax is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Tubbax wants a takedown but no success here.
Tubbax is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

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

Haaker drives through and clinches with Tubbax against the cage.
Tubbax fails to pull guard.
Tubbax pressing his opponent against the cage.
Tubbax goes for a takedown attempt but Haaker pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tubbax.
Tubbax with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Haaker to score with a decent uppercut.
Haaker wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Tubbax fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Tubbax closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Tubbax drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Haaker gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Haaker has had enough of the clinch but Tubbax keeps him there for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haaker has had enough of the clinch but Tubbax keeps him there for the moment.
Tubbax tries for a takedown. No joy.

Tubbax manages to break the clinch.
Haaker misses with a double jab.
Haaker tries to bum rush Tubbax with a series of wild strikes but Tubbax uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Haaker keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Tubbax bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Haaker is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Tubbax has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Tubbax scores with a couple of short elbows.
Tubbax working the ground and pound.
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!
Tubbax is looking to take a break and control but Haaker is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Haaker taking a bit of punishment here - Tubbax scoring with strikes.
Haaker bucks up and tries to throw Tubbax off but instead Tubbax has got his back!
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
Haaker trying to get back to his feet but Tubbax is in full control for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Tubbax scores with a nice shot to the head of his opponent. Haaker is looking for a way out.
Haaker trying to get back to his feet but Tubbax is in full control for now.
Tubbax wants to control but Haaker manages to buck him off and is now in Tubbax's guard! Nice work there by Haaker!
Haaker wanted to stand there but Tubbax had control of the position.

Haaker stands up and waves to Tubbax to follow him.
Tubbax closes the distance and clinches up with Haaker, looking for a takedown. Tubbax pushes Haaker against the cage but Haaker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Haaker rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Tubbax moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Haaker lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Tubbax at a distance.
Tubbax has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Tubbax swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tubbax closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Haaker to the mat! Haaker manages to get full guard.
Tubbax chips away with some ground and pound.
Haaker is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tubbax is controlling him.
Haaker is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Tubbax gets to his feet. Haaker looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Haaker misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Haaker darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Tubbax misses with a takedown attempt - Haaker sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tubbax is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Tubbax drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Haaker takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Haaker takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

Tubbax decides to stand back up. Tubbax steps back and let's Haaker get back to his feet.

Tubbax closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Tubbax trying to control from half guard but Haaker is working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Filip Tubbax dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tubbax pushes Haaker up against the cage in a clinch.
Haaker blocks the elbow strike.
Tubbax stalling the fight.
Haaker gets underhooks to prevent Tubbax's takedown attempt.
Tubbax looking for a takedown.
Haaker tries to break the clinch but Tubbax is controlling the position.
Tubbax looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Filip Tubbax. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tubbax tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Haaker's elbow.
Tubbax wants a takedown.
Haaker wants to break the clinch but can't.
Tubbax lands with a left to the head.
Tubbax is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Haaker gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Tubbax tries for a takedown. No joy.
Tubbax is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Haaker tries to break the clinch but Tubbax is controlling the position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Haaker has had enough of the clinch but Tubbax keeps him there for the moment.
Tubbax drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Haaker gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Tubbax is looking to control Haaker's arms but Haaker gets an underhook and turns him. Now Tubbax has his back to the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haaker wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Haaker is pressed up against the cage. Tubbax has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Haaker down to the mat. Haaker avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Tubbax tries a head kick but it misses.
Haaker lands a nice looking body shot.
Tubbax will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Tubbax showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Haaker.

Tubbax rushes Haaker and presses him up against the cage.
Tubbax lands a damaging elbow.
Tubbax changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Haaker fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Tubbax looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Haaker is fending him off so far but Tubbax persists. Nope, Haaker circles away and we're back to standing.
Filip Tubbax is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Haaker lands a front kick.
Trent Haaker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Tubbax moves into the clinch successfully.

Tubbax has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Haaker uses from the top position.
Tubbax 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.
Tubbax trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tubbax bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Haaker's guard.

Tubbax decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Haaker, up you get!
Tubbax closes this distance looking for a takedown but Haaker circles away.

Tubbax drives through with a takedown into guard.
Filip Tubbax overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Tubbax trying to control the position from guard on top but Haaker is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Tubbax throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Haaker wants to stand and escape but Tubbax is having none of it.

Haaker pushes Tubbax off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Haaker throws a head kick but Tubbax moves out of range.
Tubbax fails with the takedown.
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!
Haaker tries to close the distance and clinch up but Tubbax swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Tubbax throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Haaker's waist but Haaker gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Tubbax off to one side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tubbax has a takedown stuffed.
Haaker throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Tubbax fails with a takedown attempt.
Trent Haaker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Tubbax closes this distance looking for a takedown but Haaker circles away.

Tubbax looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Haaker!

Tubbax looking for a guillotine from mount but Haaker is having none of it.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Tubbax cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Haaker takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Haaker is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Tubbax with the ground and pound from mount.
Haaker squirming around on the bottom, looking to escape.

Haaker bucks up and throws Tubbax to the side - he's got back to his feet. Great escape!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tubbax is looking to clinch but Haaker is avoiding it.
Haaker swats away the attempt to clinch by Tubbax.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Haaker!
Tubbax fails with the takedown.
Haaker throws a head kick that misses

so Tubbax counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Tubbax content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Tubbax trying to control but Haaker is working from the bottom.

Haaker manages to escape and get back to his feet.
Haaker throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Tubbax counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Haaker!
Tubbax punishing his opponent with strikes.

Haaker is rocked!
Haaker is trying to stand.
Haaker is still in real trouble! Can Tubbax finish him?
Tubbax breaks from Haaker's wrist control and lands an elbow.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Tubbax cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Tubbax punishing his opponent with strikes.
Tubbax lands a nice shot to the head.
Tubbax raining down shots from the mount!
Haaker is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Tubbax shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Haaker as he avoids it easily.
Tubbax misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
No joy there for Tubbax, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Some wild striking there from Tubbax.
Tubbax throws a sloppy head kick and Haaker moves out of range easily.
Haaker stuffs the takedown.
Tubbax misses with a jab, cross combination.
Tubbax shoots for a takedown but Haaker saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Filip Tubbax. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A combination from Tubbax does no damage.
Tubbax tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Haaker swivels and escapes.
Tubbax shoots in looking for a takedown. Haaker tries to sprawl out of it but Tubbax keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Haaker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Haaker keeps the fight on the outside.
Tubbax shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Haaker as he jumps to the side.
Tubbax misses with a few strikes there.
Tubbax shoots in and drives through. Haaker sprawls well.
Haaker keeps the fight on the outside.
Haaker seems to have recovered his senses.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tubbax avoids the head kick by Haaker.
Haaker tries to clinch there but Tubbax circles away.
No luck for Tubbax with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tubbax closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Tubbax lands in his opponent's guard.
Tubbax prevents Haaker from getting back to his feet.
Tubbax in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Tubbax postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tubbax has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Tubbax lands a couple of digs.
Tubbax distracts Haaker with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Tubbax postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Tubbax lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tubbax landing with the ground and pound.
Tubbax postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Haaker wants to stand and escape but Tubbax is having none of it.
Haaker keeping moving, preventing Tubbax from controlling successfully.
Haaker is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Tubbax is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haaker utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Haaker keeping full guard, as Tubbax tries to pass.
Tubbax is stalling in the full guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Tubbax's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nice takedown defense from Haaker. No joy for Tubbax on that attempt.
Tubbax avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Tubbax shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Haaker pinned against the cage. Haaker gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Tubbax shoots in looking for a takedown. Haaker tries to sprawl out of it but Tubbax keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Haaker manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
A chopping leg kick lands by Tubbax.
Tubbax looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Tubbax closes the distance and clinches up with Haaker, looking for a takedown. Tubbax pushes Haaker against the cage but Haaker circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tubbax fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Haaker fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tubbax, pushing him back against the cage.
Tubbax tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

Tubbax breaks the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Haaker. No joy for Tubbax on that attempt.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Tubbax.
Check out the look on Tubbax's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Haaker pushes Tubbax away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Tubbax gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Tubbax working the ground and pound.

Haaker explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Haaker misses with a double jab.
Tubbax tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Haaker swivels and escapes.

Haaker moves into the clinch successfully.
Tubbax looking for a takedown.
Haaker is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Tubbax manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Haaker gets to his feet. Tubbax looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Tubbax looks for a takedown but Haaker sprawls well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Tubbax looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Tubbax scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Tubbax working the head and body with strikes.
Haaker is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Trent Haaker has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tubbax tries to advance to mount but can't.
Haaker wants to get back to his feet but Tubbax drags him back down.
Tubbax is working Haaker over with some ground and pound from side control.
Haaker wants to get back to his feet but Tubbax drags him back down.
Tubbax lands a decent elbow from side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Haaker wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Filip Tubbax showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Tubbax, 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Filip Tubbax!