PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Aro Niemi (ranked 4794 p4p, 4790 weight class) and Usko Raikkonen (ranked 429 p4p, 431 weight class). Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Usko Raikkonen enters the cage!

Niemi
vs
Raikkonen

190 cm
18
226
0 - 1 - 0

185 cm
18
204
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Experienced

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aro Niemi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Usko Raikkonen!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Patrick Alders and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niemi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Niemi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Raikkonen defends it nicely.

Raikkonen darts in and clinches Niemi up against the cage.
Niemi jumps guard but Raikkonen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Niemi wants to get back to striking at distance but Raikkonen won't allow it.

Raikkonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niemi tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Raikkonen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.

Raikkonen rushes Niemi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Niemi wants to take the fight to the mat but Raikkonen manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Aro Niemi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Niemi looking for a takedown.
Raikkonen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Niemi avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Raikkonen has Niemi pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Niemi manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Niemi jumps guard but Raikkonen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Raikkonen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Raikkonen lands a body shot in the clinch.
Raikkonen can't get the takedown.
Raikkonen works on Niemi's body with a couple of short punches.
Niemi is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Niemi with an attempt at a knee that misses.

Raikkonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Niemi avoids the head kick by Raikkonen.
Niemi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raikkonen misses with a takedown attempt
and Niemi counters with a nice uppercut.
Niemi closes this distance looking for a takedown but Raikkonen circles away.
Niemi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Niemi tries to clinch there but Raikkonen circles away.
Niemi looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Raikkonen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Raikkonen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Niemi's waist but Niemi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Raikkonen off to one side.
Raikkonen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Niemi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Raikkonen somewhat.
Raikkonen tries for a takedown but Niemi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Niemi is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Raikkonen.

Raikkonen moves into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Raikkonen jumps guard and drags Niemi to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Raikkonen looks winded!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niemi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Raikkonen's guard.
Raikkonen managing to control the position.
Raikkonen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Niemi engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Raikkonen doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Niemi wants to stand but Raikkonen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Raikkonen 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.

Niemi thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Raikkonen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've been informed that Raikkonen has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
The fight stays on the outside here - Niemi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Niemi dives in and grabs Raikkonen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Raikkonen pushes down on Niemi's head and hops out.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Usko Raikkonen dominated that round.
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.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Niemi tries to circle away but Raikkonen has him pinned against the cage.
Raikkonen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Niemi walks away with a smile on his face. Raikkonen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Raikkonen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Raikkonen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
As Raikkonen tries to get set, Niemi tries to push him back and clinch up but Raikkonen manages to avoid the attempt.
Aro Niemi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usko Raikkonen.
Raikkonen swinging wildly here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niemi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Niemi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niemi lets loose with a powerful body kick. Raikkonen will feel that in the morning.
Raikkonen blocks a head kick by Niemi.

Raikkonen pushes Niemi up against the cage in a clinch.
Niemi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Raikkonen pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Raikkonen gets through Niemi's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Niemi tries for a takedown. No joy.
Raikkonen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Raikkonen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Niemi jumps guard but Raikkonen turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Niemi gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Raikkonen.
Raikkonen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Niemi smiles and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Raikkonen is defended easily by Niemi.
Raikkonen is breathing heavily.
Raikkonen has a takedown stuffed.
Niemi shoots in but Raikkonen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Niemi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Raikkonen gets a clinch.
Niemi goes for a takedown attempt but Raikkonen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raikkonen moves into the clinch successfully.
Raikkonen tries to throw a body punch but Niemi avoids it by throwing Raikkonen back against the cage.
Raikkonen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Niemi pulls his leg out and moves away.
Raikkonen closes this distance looking for a takedown but Niemi circles away.
Niemi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Niemi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Raikkonen swivels and escapes.
Niemi stuffs the takedown attempt from Raikkonen. Raikkonen gets slowly back to his feet.
Raikkonen tries a head kick but it misses.
Niemi went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Aro Niemi is winning the standup battle so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Raikkonen rushes Niemi and presses him up against the cage.
Raikkonen wants to take the fight to the mat but Niemi manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Niemi is looking to break free of the clinch but Raikkonen has double underhooks.
Niemi goes for a takedown attempt but Raikkonen pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Niemi tries to clinch
enabling Raikkonen to counter with a crisp jab.

Raikkonen takes the fight into the clinch.

Raikkonen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Niemi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Raikkonen but Raikkonen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Raikkonen shoots in for a double leg but Niemi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
It looked like Niemi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Niemi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Raikkonen defends it nicely.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Usko Raikkonen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Raikkonen fails to land the takedown.
It looked like Niemi was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.

Raikkonen clinches up with Niemi and pushes him back against the cage.
Niemi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Niemi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Niemi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Raikkonen is defending well for now.

Raikkonen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niemi has a takedown stuffed.
Raikkonen wants to counter with a clinch but Niemi pushes him away.

Raikkonen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Niemi to the mat! Niemi manages to get full guard.

Niemi pushes Raikkonen off and scrambles back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niemi wants to clinch up but Raikkonen keeps it at a distance.
Niemi is looking to clinch but Raikkonen is avoiding it.
Raikkonen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Niemi shoots in for a takedown but Raikkonen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Raikkonen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Niemi gets tackled into the cage by Raikkonen. Raikkonen maintains the clinch.
Niemi wants to stall.

Raikkonen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Raikkonen clinches up against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raikkonen is looking for a takedown.
Aro Niemi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Usko Raikkonen.
Raikkonen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Raikkonen tries to land a knee to the head but Niemi blocks with his arms.
Niemi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Niemi fails to pull guard.

Raikkonen drags the fight down to the ground.
Niemi chips away with some ground and pound.
Niemi with a nice head shot there.
Raikkonen is striking from the bottom but Niemi uses the opportunity to pass into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Raikkonen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niemi keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Niemi prevents Raikkonen from improving his position.
Niemi has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Niemi controlling the pace for now.
Niemi trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Raikkonen wants to control but Niemi is having none of it.
Niemi controlling from the full mount.
Raikkonen wants to control but Niemi is having none of it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Niemi looking to control and managing it successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Aro Niemi.
I think Raikkonen 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Usko Raikkonen!