PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rick James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ukko Joukahainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joukahainen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Moonsorrow-Sankarihauta. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

James
vs
Joukahainen

175 cm
20
172 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

180 cm
20
175 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Top MMA Nutrition

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rick James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Ukko Joukahainen!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Ren Mimura.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Joukahainen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from James.
Joukahainen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt James.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Joukahainen's waist but Joukahainen gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing James off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick James. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Joukahainen closes the distance and clinches.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joukahainen breaks the clinch.
Joukahainen throws a push kick but James slaps the foot to one side.
Joukahainen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
James shoots in but Joukahainen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Joukahainen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Joukahainen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from James.
Joukahainen stuffs the takedown.

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.
Horrible takedown by James or perhaps it was just good defense by Joukahainen which made him look bad.

Joukahainen has managed to clinch.
Joukahainen prevents the takedown attempt.

Joukahainen breaks from the clinch.
James tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Joukahainen counters with a good, hard body kick but James shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James has his takedown stuffed

and Joukahainen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
James manages to get to full guard.
Joukahainen preventing the sweep.
James is breathing heavily.

James keeping busy on the bottom but Joukahainen has passed one foot through into half guard.
Joukahainen controlling the action here.
James is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Joukahainen is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
James is trying to get back to full guard.
Joukahainen controlling the pace.
I looks like Joukahainen might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ukko Joukahainen dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Joukahainen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Joukahainen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
James shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Joukahainen counters with a slapping leg kick.
Rick James is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
James shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Joukahainen moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
James changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Joukahainen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
James with a poor takedown
and Joukahainen counters with a good, hard body kick but James shrugs it off.
James gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Joukahainen counters with a low kick, right behind James 's knee.
Joukahainen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
James has his takedown stuffed
and Joukahainen counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
James tries for a takedown but Joukahainen circles away easily

and Joukahainen moves into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Joukahainen breaks the clinch.
Joukahainen pushes James away with a front kick.
James tries for a takedown but Joukahainen circles away easily

and Joukahainen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in James's guard.
James trying to keep a closed guard but Joukahainen is proving a slippery customer.

James working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Joukahainen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Joukahainen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
James tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James wants to control but Joukahainen passes easily into half guard.

James looking for a kimura from the bottom but Joukahainen passes into side control!
James looks to move to half guard but instead Joukahainen has passed into mount! Damn!
James is trying desperately to improve position.
Joukahainen controlling his opponent.
Joukahainen prevents James from getting the reversal.

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.
Joukahainen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Joukahainen tries to control but James wriggling away.
James is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
James tries to get back to half guard but can't.
James slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Joukahainen not doing much here.
James wants to control the action here but instead Joukahainen manages to pass to full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ukko Joukahainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Joukahainen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Joukahainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
James gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Joukahainen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
James misses with a takedown attempt
and Joukahainen finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Joukahainen fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt James.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Joukahainen drives through and clinches with James against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
James fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rick James. That's going to take a lot out of him.
James fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Joukahainen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.

Joukahainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Ukko Joukahainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
James with a lazy takedown attempt

and Joukahainen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
James will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

Joukahainen breaks the clinch.
James with a poor takedown

and Joukahainen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Joukahainen.
James controls Joukahainen momentarily but Joukahainen frees himself.

James has thrown up a leg looking for a triangle. Joukahainen doesn't defend quickly enough and James has managed to lock this one up! Can Joukahainen escape?! NO! He's tapping out! Damn, that was a quick submission - congrats to James on a fantastic submission victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:53 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle). Rick James!