PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Teodors Ozolinsh (ranked 284 p4p, 478 weight class) and Artturi Reinikainen (ranked 37 p4p, 60 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ozolinsh
vs
Reinikainen

178 cm
40
159
38 - 19 - 0

188 cm
29
162
14 - 9 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing
Voodoo Nutrition

Urban Fighter
Ma Balls Is Hot Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teodors Ozolinsh!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 9 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Artturi Reinikainen!
The judges for this bout are Andrew Berry, Steven Brown and Paul Tew.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reinikainen misses with an uppercut. Ozolinsh saw that one coming.
Ozolinsh scores with a hook to the body. Reinikainen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Reinikainen walks into a stiff left hand from Ozolinsh.
Reinikainen avoids a kick to the body.
Ozolinsh throws a looping overhand right but Reinikainen ducks down to avoid it.
Ozolinsh swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ozolinsh slips under a jab.
Ozolinsh on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Ozolinsh walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ozolinsh fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Reinikainen on the side of the head.
Ozolinsh throws a shot from downtown. Reinikainen moves away and avoids it.
Ozolinsh misses with a looping right.
Reinikainen tries a quick counter leg kick but Ozolinsh is wise to it.
Reinikainen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ozolinsh throws a good cross that connects.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ozolinsh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ozolinsh looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ozolinsh misses with a wild body shot.
Ozolinsh on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Ozolinsh changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Ozolinsh misses with a jab to the body
and Reinikainen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Reinikainen misses with a straight left.
Reinikainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozolinsh looks to land a left hand but Reinikainen moved out of range nicely.
Teodors Ozolinsh is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ozolinsh scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Ozolinsh goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Reinikainen looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Ozolinsh needs to keep his hands up - Reinikainen had a free shot at his head there.
The fighters circling - Reinikainen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It looked like Ozolinsh wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Ozolinsh throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Ozolinsh swings for the body but Reinikainen moves out of range.
Reinikainen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Reinikainen tests Ozolinsh's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ozolinsh swings for the body but Reinikainen moves out of range.
Ozolinsh staying out of range there.
Ozolinsh throws the left hand but Reinikainen avoids the punch easily.
Ozolinsh slips a jab from Reinikainen.
A bone on bone clash there as Reinikainen blocks the leg kick.
Ozolinsh pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Reinikainen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Reinikainen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ozolinsh fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Reinikainen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Ozolinsh cracks Reinikainen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Ozolinsh misses with a body kick.
Ozolinsh is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Reinikainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinikainen throws out a loose jab but Ozolinsh uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ozolinsh misses with a hook.
And Reinikainen tries to counter it with a takedown but Ozolinsh pushes his down on his head and steps out.

Reinikainen changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Ozolinsh looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Reinikainen tries to score with some ground and pound. Ozolinsh controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Reinikainen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Reinikainen postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Ozolinsh tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Ozolinsh wants to get back to his feet.
Reinikainen scoring with punches and elbows.
Reinikainen working the strikes but Ozolinsh uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Ozolinsh taking some punishment here, with Reinikainen in his half guard.
Ozolinsh regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Reinikainen.
Ozolinsh looking to hit a scissor sweep but Reinikainen is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reinikainen throws a strike but Ozolinsh rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Reinikainen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Ozolinsh manages to get himself to full guard.

Reinikainen stopping the sweep attempt from Ozolinsh.
Reinikainen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Reinikainen throwing strikes from guard but Ozolinsh blocks nicely.
Reinikainen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Reinikainen throwing strikes but missing.
Reinikainen throws a big right hand that misses.
Reinikainen postures up in Ozolinsh's guard and throws a big left but Ozolinsh blocks it.
Ozolinsh preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Reinikainen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Reinikainen throws an elbow that misses. Ozolinsh uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Reinikainen's guard. Nice move by Ozolinsh!

Reinikainen wants to sweep here but Ozolinsh controlling him for the moment.

Reinikainen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ozolinsh defends well.

Reinikainen has his foot on Ozolinsh's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Ozolinsh works his way back into a safe position though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Reinikainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Ozolinsh doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Ozolinsh manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Reinikainen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Ozolinsh keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Artturi Reinikainen will probably get the nod.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Reinikainen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ozolinsh connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Reinikainen throws a big shot that misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Ozolinsh misses the target.
Ozolinsh throws an overhand right that lands on Reinikainen's shoulder, as Reinikainen tries to avoid the shot.
Ozolinsh with a nice cross.
Reinikainen is looking to score with low kicks.
Ozolinsh stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Reinikainen.
Ozolinsh just misses with a punch to the body.
Reinikainen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Reinikainen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ozolinsh tries a head kick but it misses.
Reinikainen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Ozolinsh.
The fighters circling - Reinikainen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Ozolinsh throws a leg kick but Reinikainen checks it.
Ozolinsh fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Reinikainen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Ozolinsh feints and then cracks Reinikainen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Reinikainen down.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ozolinsh misses with a hook to the body
letting Reinikainen counter with a right hand.
Ozolinsh cracks Reinikainen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Reinikainen throws a hook to the side of Ozolinsh's head but Ozolinsh sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reinikainen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ozolinsh fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Reinikainen manages to avoid it.
A big right from Reinikainen misses.
Ozolinsh throws a low kick, looking for Reinikainen's leg but Reinikainen calmly moves out of range.
Reinikainen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Ozolinsh checks it well.
A decent looking cross lands there for Reinikainen.
Ozolinsh ducks under a wild hook from Reinikainen.
Reinikainen throws a hook but Ozolinsh avoids it easily.
Ozolinsh looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Ozolinsh scores with a body shot.
Ozolinsh lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Ozolinsh throws a hook but Reinikainen blocks it.
Reinikainen moves out of range as Ozolinsh strikes.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Reinikainen checks a leg kick.
Ozolinsh slips a straight right by Reinikainen.
Ozolinsh throws a series of punches but Reinikainen moves out of range.
Reinikainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Reinikainen feints and then cracks Ozolinsh's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Ozolinsh down.
Reinikainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Ozolinsh is just out of range.
Ozolinsh half committed to a counter leg kick.
Ozolinsh is looking to chop away at Reinikainen's legs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ozolinsh connects with a leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Reinikainen with a poor takedown
and Ozolinsh counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Reinikainen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Reinikainen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Reinikainen lands a jab.
Ozolinsh avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ozolinsh lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ozolinsh throws a half hearted mid kick.
Reinikainen connects with a nice looking jab.
Ozolinsh bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Reinikainen throws a low kick, looking for Ozolinsh's leg but Ozolinsh calmly moves out of range.
Reinikainen throws an overhand right that lands on Ozolinsh's shoulder, as Ozolinsh tries to avoid the shot.
Ozolinsh checks the leg kick nicely there.
Ozolinsh ducks under a wild hook from Reinikainen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ozolinsh. Reinikainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reinikainen defending well as Ozolinsh loads up on a big left hand.
Ozolinsh throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Reinikainen misses with a hook.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reinikainen throws a leg kick that misses.
Good work by Ozolinsh as he checks the leg kick.
Ozolinsh was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Reinikainen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Ozolinsh is out of range.
Ozolinsh scores with a decent looking hook.
That kick from Ozolinsh tenderised Reinikainen's leg. Reinikainen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Ozolinsh.
Ozolinsh throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ozolinsh misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Reinikainen.
Ozolinsh checks the leg kick.
Reinikainen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Reinikainen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ozolinsh.
Ozolinsh misses with a wild body shot.
Ozolinsh has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Reinikainen finds it's way round the side to connect with Ozolinsh's head.
A leg kick checked by Reinikainen.
Reinikainen defending well as Ozolinsh loads up on a big left hand.
Reinikainen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ozolinsh.
Reinikainen jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Reinikainen connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ozolinsh waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Reinikainen.
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!
Ozolinsh tries to land a leg kick but Reinikainen saw it coming and moves away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ozolinsh. Reinikainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reinikainen thumps Ozolinsh with a low kick.
Ozolinsh's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Reinikainen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Ozolinsh scrambles back to his feet.
A solid body kick from Ozolinsh.
Ozolinsh throws out a powerful jab.
Reinikainen misses with a low kick.
Ozolinsh fails with an attempt to clinch.
Reinikainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Teodors Ozolinsh is winning the standup battle so far.
Ozolinsh swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Reinikainen with a hook.
Ozolinsh pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ozolinsh just misses with a punch to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Reinikainen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Ozolinsh sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Ozolinsh swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Reinikainen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Ozolinsh is trying to stand back up but Reinikainen is controlling him
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Artturi Reinikainen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Ozolinsh loads up on a big right hand but Reinikainen slips the punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Reinikainen. Ozolinsh does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ozolinsh lands a body shot.
Good work by Reinikainen as he checks the leg kick.
Reinikainen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Reinikainen loads up on a big right hand but Ozolinsh slips the punch.
Reinikainen swings widly with a right hand
and Ozolinsh counters with a stiff right hand.
Reinikainen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Reinikainen misses with a looping left.
Reinikainen cracks Ozolinsh with an open hand slap.
Ozolinsh pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Reinikainen is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Ozolinsh with a body shot.
Reinikainen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Reinikainen shoots and misses
enabling Ozolinsh to counter with a crisp jab.
Reinikainen lands with a cross.
Reinikainen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ozolinsh defending well as Reinikainen loads up on a big left hand.
A cross from Ozolinsh lands.
Reinikainen lands a jab to the nose.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ozolinsh connects with a body shot.
Ozolinsh throws a body shot but no joy.
A big right from Ozolinsh misses.
Reinikainen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Ozolinsh checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Ozolinsh swings for the body but Reinikainen moves out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Ozolinsh checks a leg kick.
Ozolinsh with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Reinikainen scores with a decent looking hook.
Reinikainen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ozolinsh. That did some damage!
Ozolinsh throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Reinikainen motions for Ozolinsh to come forward. Reinikainen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Reinikainen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Ozolinsh blocks a jab.
Ozolinsh scores with a crisp jab that stopped Reinikainen in his tracks.
Reinikainen misses with a lunging right hand
and Ozolinsh counters with an outside leg kick.
Ozolinsh avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Reinikainen with a nice cross.
Reinikainen connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ozolinsh pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Reinikainen now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Teodors Ozolinsh has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinikainen misses with a straight right.
Good standup being displayed there by Ozolinsh as he connects with a hook.
Ozolinsh throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Reinikainen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Ozolinsh checks a leg kick.
Ozolinsh keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Reinikainen.
Ozolinsh just misses with a punch to the body.
Reinikainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ozolinsh was well out of range. Poor timing from Reinikainen.
Reinikainen misses with a low kick.
And Ozolinsh counters with a quick kick to the body but Reinikainen blocks it.
Reinikainen fails with the takedown.
Ozolinsh tries to clinch but Reinikainen is having none of it.
Reinikainen fails to land the takedown.
Teodors Ozolinsh has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Artturi Reinikainen.
Nice body punch from Ozolinsh.
Ozolinsh moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Reinikainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reinikainen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Ozolinsh.
Ozolinsh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reinikainen.
Ozolinsh takes one to the side of the head.
A nice leg kick from Ozolinsh, right into the meat of the thigh.
Reinikainen misses with a hook.
Ozolinsh throws a poor cross that misses
and Reinikainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ozolinsh drops his hands momentarily and Reinikainen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
A slapping leg kick lands for Reinikainen.
Ozolinsh has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Reinikainen finds it's way round the side to connect with Ozolinsh's head.
A swing and a miss from Ozolinsh.
Ozolinsh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reinikainen.
Reinikainen scores with a nice right hand.
Ozolinsh throws a sloppy head kick and Reinikainen moves out of range easily.
Nice takedown defense from Ozolinsh. No joy for Reinikainen on that attempt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reinikainen throws out a leg kick but Ozolinsh moves out of range and Reinikainen only half commits.
Reinikainen throws a leg kick
and Ozolinsh counters with a left to the body.
Ozolinsh works Reinikainen's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ozolinsh throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Reinikainen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ozolinsh defends it well.
Ozolinsh fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
The crowd cheers as Ozolinsh lands an impressive looking overhand right. Reinikainen doesn't seem phased though.
Ozolinsh lands an overhand right.
Reinikainen misses with a straight right.
Reinikainen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A slow jab from Ozolinsh misses its intended target.
Ozolinsh feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Reinikainens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ozolinsh tries to clinch up.
Ozolinsh scores with a nice strike.
Ozolinsh throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Decent striking displayed by Ozolinsh there.
Reinikainen throws a looping overhand right but Ozolinsh ducks down to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ozolinsh steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Reinikainen.
Ozolinsh swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Ozolinsh thuds his right hand into Reinikainen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Ozolinsh fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ozolinsh has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ozolinsh there as he acknowledges the shot.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Teodors Ozolinsh.
I think Reinikainen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Andrew Berry scores the fight 28:29
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 30:28
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Artturi Reinikainen!
Artturi Reinikainen spent the whole post fight interview bigging himself up. It didn't go down that well with the fans after a while as they thought it was a bit arrogant.