PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Hale Erwin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roope Latvala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Latvala is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Children of Bodom - Tie my rope. Buckle up people - heeeeeeeeeere we go!

Erwin
vs
Latvala

192 cm
39
222 lbs
24 - 10 - 0

190 cm
30
212 lbs
18 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

Spartan Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the light heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 24 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Hale Erwin!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Roope Latvala!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, Chris Edwards and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Erwin misses with a left hand

and Latvala decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Erwin's guard.
Erwin not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Latvala content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Latvala working some strikes from top position.
Erwin is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Erwin avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Latvala throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Erwin works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Erwin is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Latvala won't allow Erwin to sweep him here.
Latvala throwing strikes from guard but Erwin blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latvala chips away with some ground and pound.
Latvala sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Latvala forces his way into half guard.
Erwin manages to get to full guard.
Latvala working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Erwin's head.
Erwin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Latvala.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latvala is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Latvala throws an elbow that misses. Erwin uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Latvala's guard. Nice move by Erwin!

Erwin trying to control but Latvala is working from the bottom.
Latvala trying to control the position.
Erwin preventing the sweep.
Latvala is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Erwin trying to control but Latvala is working from the bottom.
Latvala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Latvala looking to hit a scissor sweep but Erwin is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Erwin trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Erwin's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Erwin trying to control the position from guard on top but Latvala 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.
Erwin controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Latvala has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Erwin preventing the sweep.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Erwin misses with a wild body shot.
The fighters circling - Erwin throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Latvala attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Latvala throws out a loose jab but Erwin uses good head movement to avoid it.
Erwin throws an off balance right hand

and Latvala decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Erwin's guard.
Latvala throwing strikes but missing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Latvala postures up in Erwin's guard and throws a big left but Erwin blocks it.
Erwin working a defensive guard here.
Latvala throwing strikes but missing.
Latvala trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Latvala throws a big elbow that misses.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Erwin has his hands on Latvala's head, controlling the position.
Latvala throws a big elbow that misses.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roope Latvala dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Erwin throws a half hearted mid kick.
Erwin lands with a thumping leg kick.
Both fighters circling a little - Erwin finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Latvala, as that shot connected.
Erwin doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Erwin throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Latvala slips a straight right by Erwin.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Erwin, right into the meat.
Erwin throws a head kick but Latvala moves out of range.
Erwin pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Erwin misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Latvala.
Erwin fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Latvala cracks Erwin with an open hand slap.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Erwin misses with a straight left.
Erwin looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Erwin walks into a stiff left hand from Latvala.
Nice cross by Latvala.

Erwin fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Latvala, pushing him back against the cage.
Latvala has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Latvala is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Latvala wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Latvala blocks a body shot from Erwin.
Erwin swings wildly with an uppercut but Latvala uses good head movement to avoid it.
Latvala lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Latvala is looking for a takedown.
Latvala works on Erwin's body with a couple of short punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Erwin creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Erwin misses with a punch on the inside.
Latvala scores with a nice hook to the head.
Latvala lands with a right to the head.
Erwin swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Latvala pressing his opponent against the cage.

Latvala turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Latvala manages to end up in side control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Erwin is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Latvala is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Latvala is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Erwin can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Erwin tries to get back to half guard but can't.
A nice elbow there by Latvala.
Latvala sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Latvala prevents Erwin from getting the reversal.
Latvala controlling from the full mount.
Latvala avoids the attempt from Erwin to control.
Latvala controlling the position easily from mount.
Latvala can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Erwin is looking to escape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Latvala has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Erwin's face.
Erwin is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Latvala cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Latvala trying to control but Erwin is having none of it.
Latvala fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Latvala connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Erwin tries to lock up and control but Latvala gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Latvala lands a shot to the body, followed up by a shot to the exposed head of his trapped opponent.

It looks like Hale Erwin has been cut.
Latvala thowing shots but they're missing.
Latvala looking to finish with strikes here!
Erwin is working to get back to half guard.
Latvala scores with a couple of good head shots there.

Erwin is rocked!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roope Latvala showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Hale Erwin's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Erwin circles to his right, straight into a beautiful hook by Latvala. Erwin falls face first into the canvas - great knockout victory for Latvala!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:05 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Roope Latvala!
Roope Latvala is the new light heavyweight champion!
During a confident post fight interview, Roope Latvala thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.