PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Balal Lama (ranked 1779 p4p, 2410 weight class) and Tommi Ritola (ranked 212 p4p, 280 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Lama
vs
Ritola

195 cm
37
220
21 - 16 - 0

200 cm
25
265
10 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Brooklyn Apothecary

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 21 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Balal Lama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Tommi Ritola!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Wagner Zegers and Daniel Blasius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sloppy strikes from Lama. Those never looked like landing.
Ritola looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Lama rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Ritola moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ritola swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Ritola throws a body punch but Lama moves out of range.

Lama closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Ritola quickly recovers to half guard.
Lama stalling.
Ritola is looking to improve his position.
Lama missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ritola is refusing to be controlled, as Lama sits in half guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lama not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Lama is trying to work for a kimura but Ritola is defending well.
Lama slows the pace down in half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Lama thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Lama tries to pass to full mount but Ritola defends it.
Lama perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ritola is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Lama scores with a couple of nice shots.
Lama is nestled in close to Ritola, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ritola taking some punishment here, with Lama in his half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lama scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Ritola really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Lama. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Lama content to control rather than advance.
Lama trying to mount his opponent but Ritola defends it.
Lama passes to side control.

Lama is trying to get an arm triangle but Ritola is defending well.

Lama is trying to get an arm triangle but Ritola is defending well.
Lama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ritola keeps working.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ritola seems a little lost for a moment, as Lama dominates the positioning.

Lama looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Lama working the ground and pound but Ritola is defending the strikes.
Lama throws an elbow but Ritola slips to the side and avoids it well.
Lama wants to control but Ritola is keeping him busy.
Lama cracks Ritola with a big right hand but Ritola just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Lama takes a little break here. Ritola wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Ritola dodges the ground and pound from Lama.
Lama wants to lay and pray for a moment but Ritola keeps working.
Ritola prevents Lama from improving position.

Lama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ritola, who protects the arm well.

Lama wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Ritola, who protects the arm well.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Lama controls the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Balal Lama dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A head kick misses from Lama.
Lama is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Ritola can do to turn this around?
Lama scores with a nice strike.
Ritola throws a leg kick which misses Lama's front leg but catches the back leg as Lama tries to avoid it.
Balal Lama is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Lama swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ritola thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Lama if he has to take too many more of those.
Ritola blocks a jab.

Lama shoots in and gets a takedown into Ritola's guard.
Lama throws a big right hand that misses.
Ritola keeping moving, preventing Lama from controlling successfully.
Lama slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

Lama has worked his way into a potential kimura here. Ritola is trying to get out of the position but his squirming has just got him deeper into trouble. Lama yanks on the arm and Ritola is forced to tap due to a very painful looking submission! Nice work by Lama.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Balal Lama!
Balal Lama gave a mention to Altitude Clothing in his post fight interview. That will please them (and hopefully generate some sales).