PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Pate Puska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juha Ratila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Juha Ratila is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Puska
vs
Ratila

180 cm
21
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

189 cm
22
185 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pate Puska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Ratila!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Puska shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Ratila as he avoids it easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Ratila.
Puska doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Ratila holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Ratila is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Puska jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Ratila walks away with a smile on his face. Puska gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pate Puska. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Puska shoots and misses

and Ratila counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Puska!
Puska tries to lock up and control but Ratila gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Puska is wriggling around trying to escape.
Puska is working hard here to advance position.
Puska tries to hold on but Ratila postures up.
Ratila has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Puska's face.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ratila sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Puska can't escape the position.
Ratila wants to control the pace but Puska is squirming around nicely.
Puska swinging wildly from the bottom but he's not landing.
Puska really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Puska looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Ratila controlling from the back.
Puska wants to control his opponent's hands but Ratila gets his hands free.
Puska looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Puska is trying to break free.
Puska trying to get back to his feet but Ratila is in full control for now.
Puska is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ratila softening up his opponent with strikes here.
Puska covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.

Ratila working for the choke.

Ratila looking to break Puska's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Puska remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Ratila will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!
Puska wants to control his opponent's hands but Ratila gets his hands free.
Ratila trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Puska doesn't escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Ratila is hanging on to Puska's back as he tries to escape.
Puska holding both Ratila 's hands and preventing any damage.
A lull in the action here.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ratila controlling well, preventing Puska from escaping the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Ratila dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ratila has his takedown stuffed

and Puska counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Puska has Ratila pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ratila manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Puska tries to pull guard but Ratila holds him up against the cage and eventually Puska drops back down to his feet.

Puska pulls guard.
Ratila trying to control but Puska is working from the bottom.
Puska wants to sweep but no luck.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Puska is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Ratila is controlling him.
Puska keeping moving, preventing Ratila from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Puska has an active guard here but Ratila has managed to pass into half guard.

Puska looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Ratila perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

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.
Ratila wants to take a breather but Puska is having none of it.
Puska trying to control here.
Puska is looking to improve his position.
Ratila is taking a breather. Puska says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Puska has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ratila is working away from the top position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ratila prevents Puska from improving his position.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ratila shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Puska is trying to defend but Ratila finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ratila wants to take a breather but Puska is having none of it.
Ratila is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Puska wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ratila perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ratila prevents Puska from improving his position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Puska is refusing to be controlled, as Ratila sits in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Juha Ratila showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Ratila darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Puska controlling the position well.

Puska looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ratila wants to control but Puska is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Puska blocking the ground and pound attempt from Ratila.
Ratila missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Puska is trying to maintain the position but Ratila is very close to passing his half guard.
Ratila winds up and cracks Puska with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

Ratila drives through and clinches with Puska against the cage.
Puska changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Ratila fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Ratila drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ratila is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Puska will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
Puska wants to control but Ratila postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Puska is in a bad position, trying to hold on for dear life but he is really struggling to maintain any sort of control.
Puska is looking for a sweep.
Ratila happy to just control the position for now.
Puska is trying to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ratila throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Puska was covering up waiting for the punch and Ratila finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Puska looking to hit a scissor sweep but Ratila is one step ahead there.
Pate Puska has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ratila's corner is telling him to maintain position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Juha Ratila comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Ratila has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Juha Ratila!