PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ishmael Egyptian (ranked 460 p4p, 608 weight class) and Ilari Rahamies (ranked 38 p4p, 54 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Egyptian
vs
Rahamies

175 cm
29
146
13 - 7 - 1

175 cm
31
145
15 - 8 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

FF Gear
Conviction

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Ishmael Egyptian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilari Rahamies!
The judges for this bout are Eddie Farnsworth, Lou da Vinci and Alyssa Summers.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Egyptian works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Egyptian fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rahamies manages to avoid it.
Rahamies walks into a left hand.
Egyptian ducks under a wild hook from Rahamies.
Rahamies defending well as Egyptian loads up on a big left hand.
Egyptian on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Ilari Rahamies seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Egyptian fails with an attempt to clinch.
A punch lands to the side of Rahamies 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rahamies throws a sloppy head kick and Egyptian moves out of range easily.
Egyptian shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rahamies defends it nicely.
Rahamies throws an overhand right that lands on Egyptian's shoulder, as Egyptian tries to avoid the shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Egyptian misses with a double jab
enabling Rahamies to counter with a crisp jab.
Egyptian on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rahamies. Rahamies obviously looking to wear him down.
Egyptian fails to land the takedown.
Egyptian misses with a body shot
and Rahamies counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahamies scores with a punch to the head.
Egyptian darts in looking for a takedown but Rahamies gets double underhooks and turns Egyptian into the cage.
Rahamies only half commits to the counter leg kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ishmael Egyptian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rahamies misses with a hook to the ribs.
Egyptian is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Rahamies to keep the fight standing.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Egyptian.
Rahamies misses with a body punch.

Rahamies manages to break the clinch.
Rahamies throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Egyptian scores with a three punch combo!
Egyptian on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Egyptian lands a two punch combo.
Rahamies throws a right hand that misses

and Egyptian counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rahamies told us pre-fight that he has been working on his escapes in training. Let's see if he can call on some of his new skills to get back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rahamies wants to get back to his feet.
Egyptian trying to control from half guard but Rahamies is working away.

Egyptian is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rahamies is just riding it out for now. Egyptian eventually gives up the hold.
Egyptian working Rahamies over with strikes.
We've been hearing good reports from Egyptian's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies is trying to stand back up but Egyptian is controlling him
Egyptian landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rahamies is trying to stand up here but Egyptian is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rahamies on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Egyptian is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rahamies looks like he's trying to stand up.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Egyptian connects with a nice short shot to Rahamies's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Egyptian wants to control but Rahamies is keeping him busy.
Egyptian stops Rahamies from getting back to his feet.
Egyptian throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rahamies kicks Egyptian off and gets back to his feet.
Egyptian cracks a nice hook into Rahamies's ribs.
Egyptian rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rahamies moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Egyptian avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rahamies throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rahamies throws a lazy uppercut

and Egyptian counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rahamies won't be happy with that.

Egyptian wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rahamies, who protects the arm well.
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!
Egyptian lands an elbow.
Rahamies is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Egyptian is controlling him well.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Egyptian scores with punches from side control.
Egyptian has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rahamies is trying to get back to his feet.

Egyptian is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rahamies is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Egyptian has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Rahamies is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

Rahamies throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Rahamies scores with a head kick.
Rahamies moves forwards but Egyptian connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rahamies defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Egyptian.
Rahamies connects with an inside leg kick.
Rahamies throws a shot from downtown. Egyptian moves away and avoids it.
Egyptian ducks under a wild hook from Rahamies.
Egyptian moves out of range of the leg kick from Rahamies.
Rahamies jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rahamies swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Egyptian jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A little jabbing left from Rahamies on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Egyptian throws a series of punches but Rahamies moves out of range.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ishmael Egyptian will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Egyptian connects with a body shot that sends Rahamies's belly button to the back.
Egyptian slips a straight right by Rahamies.
Egyptian connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rahamies. Rahamies circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Ilari Rahamies seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Egyptian tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahamies was well out of range. Poor timing from Egyptian.
Rahamies looks to throw the jab but Egyptian is out of range.
Rahamies keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Egyptian ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rahamies moves away.
Rahamies misses with a hook. Egyptian ducked under it nicely.
Egyptian fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Egyptian lands a nice hook to Rahamies's body. Rahamies takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahamies sizes up Egyptian with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Rahamies avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Egyptian looks to clinch
and Rahamies cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rahamies tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rahamies lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rahamies.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahamies tries to bum rush Egyptian with a series of wild strikes but Egyptian uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Egyptian changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rahamies feints and then cracks Egyptian's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Egyptian down.
Rahamies misses with an uppercut. Egyptian saw that one coming.
Rahamies tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Egyptian was well out of range. Poor timing from Rahamies.
Rahamies connects with a body shot that sends Egyptian's belly button to the back.
Rahamies uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Egyptian.
Rahamies misses with a combination

so Egyptian counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Egyptian trying to control but Rahamies is working from the bottom.
Rahamies is looking to stand up but Egyptian isn't so interested in that idea.
Egyptian trying to control but Rahamies is working from the bottom.
Egyptian lands a couple of digs.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Egyptian throwing strikes but missing.
Egyptian distracts Rahamies with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Egyptian trying to control but Rahamies is working from the bottom.
Egyptian stops Rahamies from standing up.
Egyptian is looking to work some ground and pound but Rahamies has wrist control.

Rahamies pushes Egyptian off and scrambles back to his feet.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Egyptian shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rahamies as he avoids it easily.
Rahamies jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rahamies moves forwards but Egyptian connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Egyptian throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Egyptian scores with the left hand. Rahamies knows he should have avoided that one.
Egyptian throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rahamies throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Egyptian's head.
Rahamies on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Egyptian thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rahamies scoring well with a low kick there.
Rahamies thows a leg kick but Egyptian checks it
and Egyptian counters with a right hand to the body.
Egyptian shoots in looking for a takedown. Rahamies tries to sprawl out of it but Egyptian keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rahamies manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ishmael Egyptian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Egyptian defending well as Rahamies loads up on a big left hand.
Rahamies swings widly with a right hand

and Egyptian counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Egyptian.
Egyptian loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Rahamies kicks Egyptian off and gets to his feet.
Rahamies loads up on a big right hand but Egyptian slips the punch.
Egyptian drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
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!
Rahamies thows a leg kick but Egyptian checks it
and Egyptian counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Ilari Rahamies is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
An inside leg kick from Rahamies misses.
Egyptian throws a hook but Rahamies avoids it easily.
Egyptian with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rahamies to score with a decent uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies throws a leg kick but Egyptian sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Rahamies misses with an uppercut.
Rahamies attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Egyptian is looking to wear down Rahamies with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
No luck for Egyptian with that takedown attempt.
Rahamies misses with a wild body shot.
Egyptian swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Egyptian ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rahamies moves away.
A low kick from Rahamies is predictable there

and Egyptian decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rahamies's guard.

Rahamies manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.

Rahamies breaks from the clinch.
Rahamies loads up on a big right hand but Egyptian slips the punch.
A jab from Rahamies finds it's way through Egyptian's defenses.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahamies is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Egyptian.
Egyptian changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Rahamies keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rahamies connects with a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilari Rahamies showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rahamies looks to throw the jab but Egyptian is out of range.
Egyptian avoids the head kick by Rahamies.
Rahamies thuds his right hand into Egyptian's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Egyptian is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rahamies with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Egyptian scores with a body shot.
No joy there for Egyptian, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Egyptian pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rahamies jabs Egyptian right on the nose. Egyptian blinks but takes it well.
Rahamies scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Egyptian takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Egyptian bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Egyptian keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Rahamies lands a head kick. Egyptian smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Egyptian misses with the combination.
Rahamies throws a leg kick that is checked

so Egyptian counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Egyptian postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Rahamies kicks Egyptian off and gets to his feet.
A head kick misses from Rahamies.
Egyptian connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rahamies.
Egyptian chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rahamies can pounce on him.
A swing and a miss from Rahamies.
Egyptian blocks a leg kick.
Egyptian changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Egyptian scores with a jab.
Rahamies lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Egyptian misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Egyptian tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rahamies sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Egyptian somewhat.
Rahamies throws a body shot but no joy.
Egyptian changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Egyptian closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rahamies to the mat! Rahamies manages to get full guard.
Rahamies wants to get back to his feet but Egyptian passes into half guard.

Ground and pound from Egyptian.
Egyptian prevents Rahamies from standing back up.
Egyptian is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rahamies blocking the ground and pound attempt from Egyptian.
Egyptian landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rahamies wants to get back to his feet.
Egyptian winds up and cracks Rahamies with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Egyptian winds up and cracks Rahamies with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Egyptian stops Rahamies from getting back to his feet.
Rahamies is staying active underneath Egyptian, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Rahamies manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Egyptian keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Rahamies lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Rahamies throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Egyptian jumps guard but Rahamies turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Egyptian blocks an uppercut.
Egyptian softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Egyptian working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Rahamies lands a left hand that snaps the head of Egyptian backwards.
Rahamies prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ishmael Egyptian. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rahamies throws a head punch that misses.
Rahamies tries to throw a body punch but Egyptian avoids it by throwing Rahamies back against the cage.
Egyptian has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rahamies.
Egyptian is pushing Rahamies up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Rahamies lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Egyptian is trying to force a seperation but Rahamies has the dominant position.
Rahamies blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Rahamies breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Egyptian.
A telegraphed right hand from Rahamies misses the target.
Egyptian misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Egyptian avoids the body shot from Rahamies.
Egyptian throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rahamies thumps Egyptian with a low kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Egyptian moves out of range of the strikes.
Egyptian keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rahamies throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Egyptian lands a body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Egyptian uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rahamies.
Rahamies walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Egyptian checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Egyptian tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Egyptian scores with a takedown into Rahamies's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilari Rahamies comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rahamies 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 Eddie Farnsworth scores the fight 28:29
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 28:29
Judge Alyssa Summers scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilari Rahamies!
Our winner, Ilari Rahamies, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
In defeat, Ishmael Egyptian stepped up to the mic, saying 'What the hell was that?'.