PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Helmeri Haapasaari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mukhtar Ibrahim (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.

Haapasaari
vs
Ibrahim

185 cm
26
254 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

199 cm
26
226 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Cuts easily

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Granite chin

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Helmeri Haapasaari!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mukhtar Ibrahim!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Haapasaari throws a sloppy head kick and Ibrahim moves out of range easily.
Haapasaari avoids a kick to the body.

Haapasaari clinches with his opponent.

Ibrahim breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Haapasaari scores with a one two! Ibrahim had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Haapasaari takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Ibrahim closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Haapasaari quickly recovers to half guard.
Haapasaari flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Haapasaari is looking to control Ibrahim's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Haapasaari avoid being mounted?
Haapasaari on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Haapasaari tries to get out of the position.
Ibrahim sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Haapasaari is not content to let Ibrahim control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahim content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.
Haapasaari gets back to full guard.
Haapasaari wants to stand and escape but Ibrahim is having none of it.
Haapasaari controls Ibrahim momentarily but Ibrahim frees himself.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Haapasaari scores with a one two! Ibrahim had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Haapasaari leaves Ibrahim with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nice sprawl there from Ibrahim as Haapasaari shoots in.
Ibrahim has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Haapasaari finds it's way round the side to connect with Ibrahim's head.

Haapasaari moves into the clinch.
Ibrahim trying to land knees to the body.
Ibrahim misses with a punch to the body.

Ibrahim breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Haapasaari tries to clinch up but Ibrahim circles away and keeps his distance.
Haapasaari tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ibrahim swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ibrahim is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.

Haapasaari closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Ibrahim keeps control of Haapasaari as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Haapasaari is pressed up against the cage. Ibrahim has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Haapasaari down to the mat. Haapasaari avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ibrahim looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Haapasaari!
Ibrahim creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Haapasaari sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Ibrahim trying to control the position but Haapasaari is working away.
Haapasaari is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Haapasaari is looking to improve his position.
Ibrahim working over Haapasaari with some ground and pound. Haapasaari looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Haapasaari is looking for a sweep. Ibrahim is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Haapasaari on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahim not doing much here.
Haapasaari tries to get to full guard but Ibrahim has control of the leg.
Ibrahim trying to control the pace.
Ibrahim thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Haapasaari's head.
Ibrahim seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helmeri Haapasaari dominated that round.
That's time! Haapasaari's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ibrahim is defended easily by Haapasaari.
Ibrahim tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Haapasaari swivels and escapes.

Ibrahim rushes Haapasaari and presses him up against the cage.
Haapasaari tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Haapasaari creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

Ibrahim gets control of Haapasaari's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ibrahim will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Haapasaari is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ibrahim is looking for a triangle here but Haapasaari uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Haapasaari connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ibrahim some visible discomfort.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahim is trying to improve his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ibrahim is trying to control Haapasaari's posture but Haapasaari avoids it.
Haapasaari connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ibrahim some visible discomfort.
Haapasaari content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Haapasaari lands a decent elbow from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ibrahim is trying to strike from the bottom but Haapasaari has passed into full mount.
Ibrahim is flailing around like a fish out of water, trying to land strikes.
Ibrahim wants to hold on but Haapasaari pushes him away.
Ibrahim's corner are shouting for him to stand up but that's bad cornering - how is he meant to stand up when he's mounted? He should be looking to improve his position on the ground before trying to stand back up.
Haapasaari dominating with strikes here.
Ibrahim tries to hold on but Haapasaari postures up.
Haapasaari can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ibrahim is looking to escape.
Haapasaari is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ibrahim can do to turn this around?
Haapasaari sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahim is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Haapasaari looking to control but Ibrahim is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.

Haapasaari is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Ibrahim to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Ibrahim shrugs it off.
Ibrahim is squirming around, avoiding Haapasaari's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ibrahim is wriggling around trying to escape.
Haapasaari can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Ibrahim is looking to escape.
Ibrahim is bucking up trying to escape but Haapasaari cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
BOOM! Haapasaari connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Haapasaari breaks from Ibrahim's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Ibrahim is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Helmeri Haapasaari dominated that second round.
That's time! Haapasaari's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Haapasaari slaps away a takedown attempt from Ibrahim, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Haapasaari looks for a takedown but Ibrahim sprawls well.

Haapasaari shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Ibrahim escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Haapasaari gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Ibrahim working a defensive guard here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ibrahim seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ibrahim wants to sweep here but Haapasaari controlling him for the moment.
Ibrahim can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Haapasaari controls the pace.
Ibrahim wants to sweep but no luck.
Ibrahim is looking to sweep but instead, Haapasaari has passed into half guard.
Haapasaari wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ibrahim keeps working.

That's two 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.
Haapasaari is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Helmeri Haapasaari overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ibrahim is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Haapasaari stops Ibrahim from getting back to his feet.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ibrahim doesn't manage to clinch there - Haapasaari circles away.
Helmeri Haapasaari is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ibrahim with a lazy takedown attempt
and Haapasaari counters with a left and a right that stings Ibrahim.
Ibrahim takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A shot to the body from Ibrahim misses
and Haapasaari counters with a straight right hand.

Oooooh!!! Haapasaari has knocked Ibrahim down with a huge combo! Haapasaari steps away and waves a wobbly Ibrahim back to his feet! This one might not go much longer!

Ibrahim is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ibrahim throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Haapasaari counters with a stiff jab, followed by a cross and an uppercut! That's too much punishment for Ibrahim to take - he tumbles to the canvas, blood pouring from his nose, barely conscious. That's the end of the fight! Great knockout by Haapasaari!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:07 of round 3, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Helmeri Haapasaari!