PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jalo Ilmarinen (ranked 2405 p4p, 1442 weight class) and Kulma Rauta (ranked 315 p4p, 201 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Ilmarinen
vs
Rauta

178 cm
22
174
6 - 4 - 0

190 cm
22
178
6 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

30th Century Beer Store
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jalo Ilmarinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Kulma Rauta!
The judges for this bout are Gregory Folan, Yves DeLean and Trevor Gratis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ilmarinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rauta feints a counter leg kick.
Rauta misses with a wild body shot.
Ilmarinen seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Ilmarinen throws a jab but it's blocked by Rauta.
Ilmarinen scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Ilmarinen lands with a right hand.

Ilmarinen rushes Rauta and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
I was talking to Ilmarinen's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Rauta lands a shoulder strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ilmarinen lands a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Ilmarinen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Rauta wants to control but Ilmarinen is keeping busy.
Ilmarinen is looking to take a break and control but Rauta is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen controlling the action here.
Ilmarinen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Ilmarinen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Ilmarinen slips a nice elbow through Rauta's hands, connecting with Rauta's forehead.
Ilmarinen trying to mount his opponent but Rauta defends it.
Rauta manages to get to full guard.

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.
Rauta can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Ilmarinen controls the pace.
Ilmarinen throwing strikes from guard but Rauta blocks nicely.
Rauta not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Ilmarinen throwing strikes from guard but Rauta blocks nicely.
Rauta is looking to stand up but Ilmarinen isn't so interested in that idea.
Rauta is adopting a defensive guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen working some strikes from top position.
Rauta is trying to control the position but Ilmarinen postures up.
Ilmarinen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ilmarinen works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Ilmarinen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ilmarinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rauta keeps working.
Ilmarinen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rauta avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ilmarinen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen wants to control but Rauta is keeping him busy.
Rauta controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Ilmarinen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rauta keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ilmarinen thows a huge punch but Rauta dodges it nicely.
Ilmarinen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ilmarinen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rauta defending well though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ilmarinen controlling the action here.
Ilmarinen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rauta!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jalo Ilmarinen dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Ilmarinen is looking to clinch.
Ilmarinen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rauta can do to turn this around?
Ilmarinen misses with a wild body shot.
It seemed like Rauta was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ilmarinen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ilmarinen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Ilmarinen trying to control but Rauta is working from the bottom.
Ilmarinen landing some decent shots from guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rauta pulls Ilmarinen in close to his closed guard and prevents Ilmarinen from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rauta controls Ilmarinen momentarily but Ilmarinen frees himself.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rauta utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ilmarinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Rauta is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rauta looking to control but Ilmarinen passes into half guard.
Rauta avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ilmarinen.
Rauta is not content to let Ilmarinen control the position.
Rauta is pressing down on Ilmarinen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ilmarinen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Rauta managing to control the position.
Ilmarinen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rauta being controlled here, momentarily.
Rauta working a defensive guard here.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Rauta takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rauta circles away from the clinch attempt.
A little jabbing left from Rauta on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Ilmarinen scores with a body shot.
Ilmarinen misses with a wild body shot.
Rauta thinks about the counter body kick.
Ilmarinen swings for the body but Rauta moves out of range.
It seemed like Rauta was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Ilmarinen just misses with a punch to the body.
Rauta only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Rauta uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ilmarinen.
Rauta dodges the punch combination from Ilmarinen.
Rauta looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rauta bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ilmarinen swings widly with a right hand
letting Rauta counter with a right hand.
Ilmarinen throws an off balance right hand
and Rauta counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Ilmarinen jabs Rauta to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Rauta keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Rauta! But no joy.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ilmarinen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rauta doesn't seem bothered though.
Ilmarinen throws a looping overhand right but Rauta ducks down to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jalo Ilmarinen dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Ilmarinen just misses with a punch to the body.
Ilmarinen backing away here, and Rauta unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Ilmarinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Rauta is just out of range.
Rauta unleashes a big counter combination but Ilmarinen bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Ilmarinen with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Ilmarinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rauta was well out of range. Poor timing from Ilmarinen.
Donk. Ilmarinen catches Rauta right on the button with a cross.
Ilmarinen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ilmarinen instigates a clinch.
Still in the clinch, Ilmarinen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ilmarinen tries to work over Rauta's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Ilmarinen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Rauta pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ilmarinen misses with a straight left.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen thuds a left hand into Rauta's body.
Ilmarinen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A nice side step and Rauta releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Rauta on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The fighters circling - Ilmarinen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rauta feints a counter leg kick.
Rauta has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ilmarinen finds it's way round the side to connect with Rauta's head.
Ilmarinen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rauta pinned against the cage. Rauta gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jalo Ilmarinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rauta was well out of range. Poor timing from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ilmarinen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Rauta counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ilmarinen tries to clinch but Rauta moves out of range.
Rauta shapes to counter with a head kick.
Nice straight punches there by Ilmarinen. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen digs a good hook to Rauta's body.
Rauta bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rauta feints a counter leg kick.
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!
A looping hook to the body misses from Ilmarinen. Rauta does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rauta replies with a solid counter kick to the body but Ilmarinen blocks it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Rauta is just out of range.
Ilmarinen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rauta cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kulma Rauta is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ilmarinen misses with a body shot.
Ilmarinen blocks the body kick.
Rauta has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Ilmarinen finds it's way round the side to connect with Rauta's head.
Rauta throws out a loose jab but Ilmarinen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ilmarinen throws an off balance right hand
and Rauta counters with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Ilmarinen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rauta under the eye.
Jalo Ilmarinen is winning the standup battle so far.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rauta tries to work over Ilmarinen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Jalo Ilmarinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ilmarinen.
Rauta lands a nice shot to the body.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rauta's elbow.
Rauta struggles to land a body shot inside as Ilmarinen controls his hands.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Ilmarinen.
Kulma Rauta has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
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!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ilmarinen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jalo Ilmarinen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ilmarinen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yves DeLean scores the fight 30:27
Judge Trevor Gratis scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jalo Ilmarinen!