PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Edmond Chabazian (ranked 1583 p4p, 1989 weight class) and Kulma Rauta (ranked 219 p4p, 262 weight class). Kulma Rauta has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Edmond Chabazian's chin.

Chabazian
vs
Rauta

184 cm
29
184
11 - 7 - 0

190 cm
22
178
6 - 2 - 1

Powerful takedowns
Counter fighter
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

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 11 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Edmond Chabazian!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Kulma Rauta!
The judges for this bout are Illya Tyunina, Dmitry Maklakov and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
An inside leg kick lands from Rauta.
We've been hearing reports that Chabazian has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Chabazian changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rauta tries to avoid it but Chabazian manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rauta to the ground. Rauta escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rauta tests Chabazian's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rauta looks to throw a body kick

and Chabazian decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Rauta's guard.
Chabazian pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rauta is keeping the position for now.
Chabazian postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Chabazian working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rauta's head.

Chabazian postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rauta is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Chabazian, into his guard.

Rauta looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Chabazian tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rauta controlling from the top position.
Rauta stopping the sweep attempt from Chabazian.

Chabazian escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rauta gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Chabazian is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rauta wants to pass the guard but Chabazian is keeping the position.
Chabazian is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Chabazian is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Rauta controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rauta must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Chabazian had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rauta defends it easily.
Chabazian looking for a sweep. Not yet Chabazian, not yet.
Rauta passes into half guard.
Rauta trying to control the pace.
Rauta tries to pass the half guard into mount. Chabazian knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Chabazian is looking for a sweep. Rauta is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rauta trying to control the pace.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Chabazian moves into full guard.
Chabazian looking to control.
Rauta's corner is telling him to maintain position.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Chabazian is on top in guard.

Chabazian trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rauta keeping full guard, as Chabazian tries to pass.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chabazian missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Chabazian is pushing down on Rauta's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rauta is fighting to maintain full guard but Chabazian has managed to sneak the leg through.
Chabazian trying to control from Rauta's half guard. Rauta has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Rauta is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Chabazian postures up in Rauta's guard and throws a big left but Rauta blocks it.
Rauta preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Chabazian stands and throws Rauta's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Chabazian is trying to ground and pound but Rauta uses the momentary lack of control by Chabazian to regain half guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chabazian is just content to waste time from the top position. Rauta takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
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 Edmond Chabazian will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A lazy left from Rauta finds it's target.
Rauta clobbers Chabazian with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Chabazian needs to keep his hands up - Rauta had a free shot at his head there.
A nice leg kick from Rauta, right into the meat of the thigh.
Chabazian closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rauta circles away.
Chabazian takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rauta. Chabazian shrugs it off though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chabazian on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rauta moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Rauta's corner calls for a 1-2. Rauta obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chabazian takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

Chabazian is rocked!
Rauta looks to throw the jab but Chabazian is out of range.
Good shot there by Rauta.
Oh Chabazian is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Rauta throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Chabazian.
Chabazian seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Chabazian seems to have got his legs back now.
A nice leg kick from Rauta, right into the meat of the thigh.
A looping hook to the body misses from Chabazian. Rauta does a little dance to reset his feet.

Rauta lands a big uppercut and Chabazian crumbles to the floor! The ref thinks about stopping the fight but Chabazian looks OK. Rauta waves Chabazian back to his feet!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rauta lands a really nice looking cross but Chabazian seems unphased.
Rauta fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Chabazian on the side of the head.
Nice takedown defense from Rauta. No joy for Chabazian on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rauta throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rauta drops Chabazian with a huge uppercut! Chabazian drops to the floor like a sack of potatoes. Rauta is raining down punches and the ref stops the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:13 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Kulma Rauta!
A relieved looking Kulma Rauta thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.