PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Haapasalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lex Luther (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Haapasalo comes into the arena with Thin Lizzy - The Rocker blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Haapasalo
vs
Luther

191 cm
23
243 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

198 cm
21
270 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
World class MT
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Seppo Haapasalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lex Luther!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice straight punches there by Haapasalo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Haapasalo.
Luther pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Luther throws a combination that misses
and Haapasalo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Luther avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Luther moves out of range of the strikes.
Luther swinging wildly here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapasalo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Haapasalo throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
A jab from Haapasalo misses.
Haapasalo throws a hook to the side of Luther's head but Luther sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Haapasalo throws a leg kick
and Luther connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Haapasalo throws a lazy right hand but Luther sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Luther moves out of range of the body kick from Haapasalo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haapasalo tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Luther manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Haapasalo throws a looping overhand right but Luther ducks down to avoid it.
Luther misses with a head kick.
Haapasalo wants to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Haapasalo blocks a head kick by Luther.
A solid leg kick lands there for Luther.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Haapasalo misses with a looping left.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Haapasalo dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Luther throws a sloppy head kick
and Haapasalo counters with a three punch combo that has Luther backing up. Luther nods at Haapasalo to acknowledge the strikes.
Haapasalo throws a lazy uppercut
and Luther counters with a flying knee. Nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Danga de danga de dang - Haapasalo scores with a four punch combination!

It looks like Lex Luther has been cut.
Haapasalo misses with an uppercut. Luther saw that one coming.
A low kick from Haapasalo misses
and Luther counters with a head kick. That will keep Haapasalo thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Luther throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Luther misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A big right from Haapasalo misses.
Haapasalo is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Luther's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Haapasalo misses with a hook. Luther ducked under it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Haapasalo blocks a head kick by Luther.
Haapasalo misses with a low kick as Luther jumps back.
Haapasalo takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Haapasalo throws an overhand right that lands on Luther's shoulder, as Luther tries to avoid the shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luther plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Luther blocks a jab.
Haapasalo throws a leg kick
and Luther counters with a thumping low kick.
Luther throws a lazy right hand but Haapasalo sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Luther scores with a head kick. Haapasalo tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Luther avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Luther swings for the body but Haapasalo moves out of range.
A head kick by Haapasalo misses
enabling Luther to counter with a crisp jab.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Luther throws a head kick but Haapasalo moves out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lex Luther showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Lex Luther's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Luther throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Luther throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Haapasalo throws a series of punches but Luther moves out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Luther throws a head kick but Haapasalo moves out of range.
Haapasalo misses with a hook
and Haapasalo takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Haapasalo takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
The fight stays on the outside here - Haapasalo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Haapasalo throws a leg kick but Luther checks it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Luther misses with a series of wild punches.
Luther tries to move into range but Haapasalo moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Seppo Haapasalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Luther tries a head kick but it misses.
Haapasalo misses with a straight right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Haapasalo wants to clinch up but Luther keeps it at a distance.
Luther throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Haapasalo throws a lazy uppercut
and Luther counters with a straight right hand.
Haapasalo lands a two punch combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Haapasalo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Luther was well out of range. Poor timing from Haapasalo.
Luther misses with a combination
and Haapasalo counters with a right hand to the body.
Seppo Haapasalo is winning the standup battle so far.
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!
Haapasalo misses with a right hand
and Luther counters with a head kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Haapasalo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Haapasalo has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seppo Haapasalo!