PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matt Mylly (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Armas Ruutana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruutana comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Ennio Morricone - Man With A Harmonica kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Mylly
vs
Ruutana

173 cm
19
160 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

174 cm
20
156 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Basic striking
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent knees
Determined

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 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matt Mylly!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Armas Ruutana!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mylly dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Mylly misses with a wild body shot.
Ruutana steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Mylly.
Mylly throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ruutana throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Mylly.
Ruutana lunges at Mylly with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Mylly's hand.
Mylly throws a half hearted mid kick.
Ruutana throws a body punch but Mylly moves out of range.
Ruutana fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Mylly manages to avoid it.
Mylly tries to clinch up but Ruutana circles away and keeps his distance.
Ruutana ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Mylly moves away.
Ruutana dips to his left and cracks Mylly with an uppercut!
Ruutana throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruutana jabs at Mylly's body.

Mylly darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mylly seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Ruutana does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ruutana desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Ruutana is looking for a sweep. Mylly is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mylly throws a strike but Ruutana avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Ruutana has momentary wrist control but Mylly slips an elbow through the middle.
Mylly with a nice head shot there.

Mylly avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Ruutana keeping moving, preventing Mylly from controlling successfully.
Ruutana controls Mylly momentarily but Mylly frees himself.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Mylly accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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.
Ruutana is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Mylly trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ruutana is trying to keep Mylly in close.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Mylly tries to clinch but Ruutana is having none of it.
Mylly misses with a body punch
and Ruutana counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Mylly keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ruutana.
Ruutana misses with the combination.
Mylly throws a nice looking combination but Ruutana bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Mylly keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ruutana.
Mylly fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mylly throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mylly swings for the body but Ruutana moves out of range.

Mylly decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ruutana keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mylly is just content to waste time from the top position. Ruutana takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Ruutana wants to sweep here but Mylly controlling him for the moment.
Ruutana trying to keep a closed guard but Mylly is proving a slippery customer.
Ruutana avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Mylly throws and elbow that misses. Ruutana uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Mylly's guard. Nice move by Ruutana!
Mylly manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Mylly raining down shots from the mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruutana is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Mylly postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Ruutana looks a forlorn figure.
Ruutana taking shots to the head.
Mylly with shots to the head and body - Ruutana looks very uncomfortable down there.
Mylly trying to control but Ruutana is having none of it.
Mylly scoring with strikes but Ruutana is staying in there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Ruutana scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Matt Mylly seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Mylly tries to clinch up.
Ruutana sizes up Mylly with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Mylly misses with an uppercut. Ruutana saw that one coming.
Ruutana displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Mylly.
Ruutana tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Mylly is able to avoid easily.
A slow jab from Ruutana misses its intended target.
Mylly misses with a wild body shot.
Mylly avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ruutana goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
A solid leg kick lands there for Ruutana.
Ruutana goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Mylly cracks Ruutana with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Mylly shoots in for a double leg but Ruutana sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Mylly shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mylly. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ruutana lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Mylly throws a jab but it's blocked by Ruutana.
Ruutana lands with a slapping head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruutana with a hook.
Ruutana throws a sloppy head kick and Mylly moves out of range easily.
Armas Ruutana is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mylly. Ruutana does a little dance to reset his feet.

Ruutana moves into range and clinches up with Mylly.
Ruutana connects with a nasty looking knee right to Mylly's face.
Ruutana with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Mylly tries to break the clinch but Ruutana is controlling the position.
Ruutana misses with a knee strike.
Mylly is working for takedown but Ruutana is calmly controlling the position for now.
Mylly can't get the takedown.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Ruutana takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ruutana scores with a knee to the head.
Ruutana is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mylly drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ruutana gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ruutana makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Ruutana lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ruutana is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ruutana.
Ruutana prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ruutana unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mylly lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Ruutana lands a nice uppercut.
Ruutana scores with a nice hook to the head.
Mylly tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nice body punch from Ruutana.
Ruutana on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Ruutana throws a punch but it's blocked by Mylly.
Ruutana with a knee to the head.
Ruutana prevents the takedown attempt.
Mylly is trying to drag Ruutana to the mat but Ruutana just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ruutana throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Mylly blocks it with crossed arms.
Ruutana lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Ruutana lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Ruutana scores with a shot to the side of Mylly's head.
Ruutana lands a hook to the side of the head.
Mylly takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruutana using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mylly has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Mylly is working for takedown but Ruutana is calmly controlling the position for now.
Ruutana using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mylly has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ruutana lands an elbow inside.
Ruutana working Mylly over with knees to the body.
Ruutana lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Mylly backwards.
Mylly is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ruutana pulls him back up using the underhooks.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ruutana.
Mylly is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ruutana is keeping busy.
Ruutana unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ruutana displaying some good clinch control by pressing Mylly up against the cage.
Ruutana digs a right hand into Mylly's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Mylly's gas tank.
Mylly takes a knee right on the jaw!
Ruutana tries to land a knee to the head but Mylly blocks with his arms.
Ruutana is trying to maintain a safe position but Mylly gets an underhook and turns Ruutana into the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Ruutana.
Ruutana lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Mylly stalling against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruutana has Mylly pressed against the cage.
Ruutana looking to throw knees to the head but Mylly is blocking nicely.
Ruutana is pushing Mylly up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Ruutana using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mylly has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ruutana is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Mylly is defending well for now.
Ruutana lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Ruutana looking to throw knees to the head but Mylly is blocking nicely.

Mylly has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Ruutana is trying to keep an underhook but Mylly manages to get the takedown into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ruutana avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Mylly.
Mylly thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ruutana's head.
Ruutana keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armas Ruutana 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. This is the final round!

Mylly closes the distance looking to clinch
and Ruutana counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mylly throws the left hand but Ruutana avoids the punch easily.
Mylly looks to score with a jab to the body but Ruutana is just out of range.
Ruutana throws a body punch but Mylly moves out of range.
Ruutana fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Ruutana throws an overhand right that lands on Mylly's shoulder, as Mylly tries to avoid the shot.
Mylly will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Mylly lands a jab to Ruutana's midsection.
Mylly throws a jab but it's blocked by Ruutana.
Ruutana tests Mylly's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Mylly swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Mylly takes the fight into the clinch.
Mylly blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Mylly misses with a body punch.
Mylly is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mylly is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Ruutana pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Ruutana with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ruutana using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Mylly has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Ruutana tries to land knees in the clinch but Mylly avoids the damage to the body.
Ruutana tries a knee to the head but Mylly blocks it.
Ruutana with a knee to the head.
Ruutana scores with a shot to the side of Mylly's head.
Ruutana throws a head punch that misses.
Mylly trying to stall but Ruutana improves his position.
Ruutana with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ruutana takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Mylly takes a knee right on the jaw!
Mylly misses with a punch to the body.
Ruutana throws an elbow but it misses.
Mylly takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ruutana lands a knee to the head.
Ruutana stops a takedown attempt from Mylly.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matt Mylly. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mylly blocks a body shot from Ruutana.
Ruutana crunches a lovely knee into Mylly's ribcage.
Mylly has Ruutana pushed against the cage.
Ruutana lands with a short shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruutana prevents a takedown attempt there.
Ruutana connects with a nasty looking knee right to Mylly's face.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Mylly takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Ruutana scores with a knee to the head.
Mylly is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ruutana gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Ruutana lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mylly has had enough of the clinch but Ruutana keeps him there for the moment.
Ruutana makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A knee to the head by Ruutana.
Mylly is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Ruutana is keeping busy.
Mylly is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ruutana holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Ruutana unloads a knee to the mid-section. Mylly lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Ruutana landing knees to the head.
Ruutana is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Mylly is stalling here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Ruutana on the inside.
Ruutana lands with a short shot to the head.
Ruutana tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Mylly avoids it.
Mylly wants a takedown but no success here.
Mylly has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Ruutana is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Ruutana is pressed up against the cage. Mylly has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ruutana down to the mat. Ruutana avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ruutana connects with a nice looking jab.
Ruutana lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Ruutana lands with a kick to the temple. Mylly shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Armas Ruutana is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice jab there from Ruutana.
A jab lands there for Mylly.
Ruutana scores with a head kick.
Mylly shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Mylly throws a body punch but Ruutana moves out of range.

Mylly shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Mylly showed some decent athleticism there.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Mylly connects with a nice short shot to Ruutana's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruutana wants to control the action here but instead Mylly manages to pass to full mount!
Ruutana can't escape the position.
Ruutana is in a horrible position here. Mylly smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Ruutana really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Ruutana is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Mylly punishing his opponent with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Armas Ruutana comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ruutana 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Armas Ruutana!