PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Petteri Pyykkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gerhard Rihmakallo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rihmakallo is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Blood For Blood-Living In Exile. Gerhard Rihmakallo is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Pyykkonen
vs
Rihmakallo

198 cm
22
245 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

185 cm
19
245 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Petteri Pyykkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gerhard Rihmakallo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pyykkonen fails to land the takedown.
Rihmakallo swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Pyykkonen swats away the attempt to clinch by Rihmakallo.

Rihmakallo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Pyykkonen keeping moving, preventing Rihmakallo from controlling successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pyykkonen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Pyykkonen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Rihmakallo is controlling him.
Pyykkonen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

Rihmakallo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Pyykkonen trying to keep a closed guard but Rihmakallo is proving a slippery customer.
Pyykkonen is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rihmakallo is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rihmakallo tries to free his leg and advance position but Pyykkonen is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Rihmakallo gets the takedown into side control.
Pyykkonen regains half guard.
Pyykkonen wants to sweep but Rihmakallo has passed to side control!
Pyykkonen struggling a bit here.
Pyykkonen is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Rihmakallo asserts his dominance and retains side control.

Rihmakallo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Pyykkonen is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Rihmakallo is controlling him well.
You can see the frustration on Pyykkonen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

Rihmakallo looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Pyykkonen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Pyykkonen tries to get out of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pyykkonen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Pyykkonen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Rihmakallo manages to get to full guard.
Rihmakallo looking for a sweep. Not yet Rihmakallo, not yet.

Rihmakallo looking for a guillotine here but Pyykkonen defends easily.
Rihmakallo looks gassed!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pyykkonen throws a big right hand that misses.
Pyykkonen wants to get up but he can't break Rihmakallo's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pyykkonen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Rihmakallo bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pyykkonen's guard.
Rihmakallo wants to control from the top but Pyykkonen keeps moving.
Pyykkonen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Pyykkonen wants to stand up but Rihmakallo is controlling him.
Rihmakallo works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Pyykkonen is trying to stand back up but Rihmakallo is controlling him

Rihmakallo is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Pyykkonen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rihmakallo wants to pass the guard but Pyykkonen is defending well.
Rihmakallo is looking to take a break and control but Pyykkonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nice strikes from Rihmakallo there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pyykkonen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rihmakallo works his foot free and advances to mount.
Pyykkonen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Pyykkonen tries to hold on but Rihmakallo pushes him away.
A nice elbow there by Rihmakallo.

Rihmakallo looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.
Pyykkonen is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pyykkonen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Pyykkonen is trying desperately to improve position.

Rihmakallo is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Pyykkonen is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Gerhard Rihmakallo!