Johan Vänttinen and Juho Valamaa were matched up in June in an unexpected pairing of two top Finnish fighters. In the much anticipated welterweight bout in Fight Night Finland’s (FNF) first trip to Helsinki, the two battled for three rounds at Helsinki Fight Night in an all out war.
Following in the footsteps of Alexander Gustafsson versus Jon Jones at UFC 165 (2013), Mikkel Parlo Versus Simon Carlsen at Royal Arena 2 (2012), Janne Tulirinta vs Claes Beverlöv, Cage Challengers 2 (2011), the Helsinki Fight Night battle becomes the 4th winner of MMAViking.com’s annual ‘Fight of the Year’ award.
It was June 14th that the 15 minute exchange went down over 3 rounds at the Pasilan Urheiluhalli. Vänttinen was awarded the winner in a decision at the end of the back and forth fight, which came down to a scramble in the last two minutes to decide the even matchup. Check out the fight video and post-fight interview with Vänttinen here.
Fight Video
Post-Fight Interview
For a complete list of 2014 awards so far and a history of the yearly winners.
