PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tapio Rautavaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Hunter Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rautavaara comes to the cage accompanied by Humma. The key to victory for Tapio Rautavaara has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Rautavaara
vs
Thompson

198 cm
23
195 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

190 cm
22
202 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Powerful

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Tapio Rautavaara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Hunter Thompson!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Gwen Towbar and Cecil Peabody.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fight stays on the outside here - Thompson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thompson tries to clinch but Rautavaara moves out of range.
Rautavaara shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Thompson sprawls well. Thompson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rautavaara gets slowly back to his feet.
Rautavaara shoots in and drives through. Thompson sprawls well.
Thompson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tapio Rautavaara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rautavaara avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Thompson moves into the clinch successfully.
Rautavaara misses with the head strike.
Thompson just leaning against Rautavaara, taking a breather.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but Rautavaara blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rautavaara has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rautavaara lands with a short shot to the head.
Rautavaara managing to block the knees to the body from Thompson.
Rautavaara looking for a takedown.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Rautavaara gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.
Rautavaara wants to pass the guard but Thompson is keeping the position.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Thompson is on top in guard.

Thompson stands up from guard. Let's bang!
Rautavaara closes the distance and clinches up with Thompson, looking for a takedown. Rautavaara pushes Thompson against the cage but Thompson circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rautavaara avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thompson misses with the combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thompson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rautavaara is trying hard to land a takedown here. Thompson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Thompson forces Rautavaara back against the cage and clinches.
Thompson prevents a takedown attempt there.
Rautavaara is breathing heavily.
Rautavaara tries to pull guard but Thompson won't allow it.
Rautavaara is trying to drag Thompson to the mat but Thompson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Thompson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rautavaara is defending well for now.
Thompson is pressed up against the cage. Rautavaara has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Thompson down to the mat. Thompson avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Thompson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thompson tries to clinch there but Rautavaara circles away.

Thompson clinches up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rautavaara wants a takedown.
Thompson working Rautavaara over with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Thompson obliges.

Thompson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Hunter Thompson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No joy there for Thompson, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Rautavaara takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Thompson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Thompson moves into the clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Thompson manages to break the clinch.
Thompson tries to clinch but Rautavaara is having none of it.

Thompson darts in and clinches Rautavaara up against the cage.
Thompson slows down the pace here.
Thompson using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rautavaara has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rautavaara is trying to drag Thompson to the mat but Thompson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Thompson lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!

Thompson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Thompson darts in and clinches Rautavaara up against the cage.
Thompson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rautavaara is trying to drag Thompson to the mat but Thompson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Thompson's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.

Thompson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thompson scores with a shot to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Thompson pushes Rautavaara up against the cage in a clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Thompson.
Thompson lands a knee to the head.
Thompson tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hunter Thompson dominated that round.
That's time! Rautavaara's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Thompson digs a good body shot into Rautavaara's ribs.
Rautavaara keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rautavaara takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Thompson throws a good cross that connects.
Thompson tries to bum rush Rautavaara with a series of wild strikes but Rautavaara uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thompson is looking to clinch but Rautavaara is avoiding it.
Thompson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Thompson uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rautavaara has time to react.
Some wild striking there from Thompson.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rautavaara.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Thompson tries to clinch up.
Thompson doesn't manage to clinch there - Rautavaara circles away.
An inside leg kick from Thompson misses.
Thompson fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rautavaara swats away the attempt to clinch by Thompson.
Hunter Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rautavaara has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rautavaara there as he acknowledges the shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Thompson lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

Thompson moves into the clinch.
Thompson throws an elbow that misses.
Thompson lands an elbow inside that Rautavaara shrugs off.
Rautavaara can't get the takedown.

Thompson breaks the clinch.
Thompson wants to clinch.
Thompson misses with a series of wild punches.
Rautavaara wants to clinch up but Thompson keeps it at a distance.
Thompson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rautavaara rather than just go for the knockout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rautavaara circles away from the clinch attempt

and Rautavaara counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Thompson stops a takedown attempt from Rautavaara.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tapio Rautavaara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson working Rautavaara over with knees to the body.
Rautavaara working hard to break the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Thompson.
Hunter Thompson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Thompson is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

Thompson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Thompson in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Thompson fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Thompson tries to clinch up but Rautavaara circles away and keeps his distance.
Thompson looks to clinch

and Rautavaara moves into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson stalling against the cage.
Rautavaara wants a takedown but no success here.

Thompson breaks from the clinch.
Thompson tries to clinch there but Rautavaara circles away.

Thompson clinches up with Rautavaara and pushes him back against the cage.
Rautavaara tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Rautavaara doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Thompson lands a nice knee to the body.

Thompson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Thompson connects with a good right hand that stumbles Rautavaara. Rautavaara circles away out of range and recomposes himself.

Thompson moves into the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rautavaara takes a shot right to the bread basket.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Hunter Thompson 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! This is the final round!

Thompson clinches up against the cage.
Rautavaara goes for a takedown in the clinch but Thompson prevents it.
Thompson lands a knee to the body.
Thompson trying to land knees to the body.
Thompson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rautavaara drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thompson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Thompson displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rautavaara up against the cage.

Thompson breaks from the clinch.
Thompson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Thompson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rautavaara at a distance.
Rautavaara circles away from the clinch attempt.

Thompson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Thompson misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rautavaara.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Thompson tries to clinch up.
Thompson darts in trying to clinch

and Rautavaara counters with a shoot takedown. Thompson fights it but they end up in guard.
Rautavaara stops Thompson from standing up.

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

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

Rautavaara thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Thompson lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rautavaara!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thompson stands up from mount. Strange move.
Thompson closes the distance looking to clinch

and Rautavaara counters by clinching up.

Thompson breaks from the clinch.
Thompson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Thompson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rautavaara drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Thompson gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tapio Rautavaara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Rautavaara as Thompson tries to tie him up.

Thompson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thompson doesn't manage to clinch there - Rautavaara circles away.

Thompson takes the fight into the clinch.

Thompson breaks the clinch.
Thompson wants to clinch

and Rautavaara counters by moving into the clinch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Thompson - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Rautavaara taking a breather.
Rautavaara managing to block the knees to the body from Thompson.
Rautavaara is working for takedown but Thompson is calmly controlling the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rautavaara drops down looking for an ankle pick but Thompson pulls his leg out and moves away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rautavaara avoids a wild elbow strike from Thompson.
Rautavaara wants a takedown.
Hunter Thompson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Thompson utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Tapio Rautavaara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rautavaara fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Knees to the body from Thompson.

Thompson manages to break the clinch.
Thompson wants to clinch up but Rautavaara keeps it at a distance.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
A solid leg kick lands there for Thompson.
Thompson closes the distance looking to clinch
and Thompson takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

And that's the end of the fight!
Hunter Thompson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Thompson winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 George Francis scores the fight 26:30
Judge Gwen Towbar scores the fight 26:30
Judge Cecil Peabody scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Hunter Thompson!