PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Niko Rupponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kumina Sato (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rupponen comes to the cage accompanied by SMC Hoodrats. Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Rupponen
vs
Sato

160 cm
19
155 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

167 cm
19
169 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Granite chin

Coffee Shop (SALE!: Q144 for 15$)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Rupponen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kumina Sato!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rupponen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Sato.

Sato gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Rupponen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Sato has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rupponen has managed to get both his arms back between Sato's legs - danger averted.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rupponen tries to free his leg and advance position but Sato is retaining full guard.

Sato has his foot on Rupponen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rupponen works his way back into a safe position though.
Rupponen tries to free his leg and advance position but Sato is retaining full guard.
Sato can't keep his opponent in guard - Rupponen advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sato tries to roll over but Rupponen keeps him under control.
Rupponen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Sato does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Sato tries to roll over but Rupponen keeps him under control.
Rupponen tries to pass to full mount but Sato defends it.
Rupponen wants to advance to full mount but Sato doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sato looking for a sweep. Not yet Sato, not yet.
Sato is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rupponen shoots for a double leg takedown but Sato sprawls well. He's pushed Rupponen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sato has his takedown stuffed

and Rupponen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Sato won't be happy with that.
Sato tries to improve position but can't.
Rupponen is looking to take a break and control but Sato is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rupponen passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Sato!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sato has given up his back here. Will Rupponen look for the submission or keep pounding away?
Sato looking very determined here, making life difficult for Rupponen.
Rupponen has the hooks in. Sato is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
So, who will make the next big move? In this position it could be crucial.
You can see the frustration on Sato's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.
Sato looks gassed!

Rupponen looking for the RNC.
Rupponen tries to get the hooks in deep but Sato pushed the leg off.
Rupponen controlling well, preventing Sato from escaping the position.
Rupponen is looking to control Sato but Sato is wriggling around and keeping busy.
Rupponen biding his time, controlling Sato.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rupponen looking to break Sato's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Sato remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Rupponen will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

Rupponen is persistently looking for the submission but Sato is defending it well.
Rupponen is looking to control Sato but Sato is wriggling around and keeping busy.

Sato is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Rupponen gets his way!
Sato rolls, trying to escape but Rupponen keeps control of the position.
Sato tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!

Rupponen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Sato turns into him and now he's in Rupponen's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato is looking to work some ground and pound but Rupponen has wrist control.
Sato stands and throws Rupponen's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Sato working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rupponen regains half guard.
Rupponen is controlling Sato's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Sato looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rupponen with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rupponen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Sato being controlled here momentarily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rupponen checks a low kick from Sato.
A clash of legs there as Rupponen blocks the low kick.
Rupponen moves out of range as Sato strikes.
Rupponen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Sato.

Rupponen looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Sato!
Sato is wriggling around trying to escape.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rupponen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Sato turns into him and now he's in Rupponen's guard.
Rupponen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rupponen wants to pass the guard but Sato is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rupponen is working hard here to advance position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rupponen trying to control from half guard but Sato is working away.

Sato looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Sato is staying active underneath Rupponen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Niko Rupponen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sato buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Sato.
Kumina Sato seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rupponen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Sato fails with the takedown

and Rupponen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Sato's guard.
Sato working a defensive guard here.
Rupponen pushing down on Sato's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Sato is breathing heavily.

Rupponen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Sato doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rupponen.
Rupponen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Sato keeps working.
Rupponen wants to free his trapped foot but Sato is holding on for dear life with his legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato is staying active underneath Rupponen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rupponen looks to land a right hand but Sato moved out of range.
Sato throws a leg kick but Rupponen moved away.
Sato throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Sato scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rupponen manages to get to full guard.
Rupponen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen is trying to keep Sato in close.
Rupponen keeping moving, preventing Sato from controlling successfully.
Rupponen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Sato throwing strikes but missing.
Rupponen looking for a sweep. Not yet Rupponen, not yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Sato pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Rupponen tries to clinch up.
Sato tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Rupponen closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Sato to the mat! Sato manages to get full guard.
Sato looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Rupponen dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Rupponen moves out of range of the strikes.

Rupponen fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Sato sprawls well initially but Rupponen persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Sato keeps control of the position for the meantime.

Rupponen gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Sato throws a sloppy head kick and Rupponen moves out of range easily.
Rupponen moves out of range of the strikes.
Rupponen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Sato jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rupponen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sato as he avoids it easily.
Sato fails with the takedown

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

Rupponen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Sato is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Sato takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rupponen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Sato knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Sato prevents Rupponen from improving position.
Sato is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Sato can't do much from the bottom here.
Rupponen tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Rupponen trying to control the position but Sato is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Sato comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.

Sato gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.

Sato looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rupponen pushing down on Sato's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Rupponen seems to be working for a kimura but Sato defends the submission attempt.
Sato is not content to let Rupponen control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sato wants to control but Rupponen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rupponen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Sato knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Sato is looking to improve his position.
Kumina Sato has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rupponen has his takedown stuffed

and Sato counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Rupponen!
Rupponen is desperately trying to improve his position but Sato has a good base and remains in mount.
Sato sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sato looking to ground and pound but Rupponen is blocking nicely.
Sato can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rupponen is looking to escape.
Rupponen gets back to half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rupponen manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Sato preventing the sweep.

Rupponen has his foot on Sato's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sato works his way back into a safe position though.
Sato trying to control the position from guard on top but Rupponen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niko Rupponen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rupponen, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight for Niko Rupponen!
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight for Niko Rupponen!
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight for Niko Rupponen!

Niko Rupponen wins by unanimous decision!