PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Santeri Sikaniska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pate Rakko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Sikaniska might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to 2 Brothers on the 4th floor - Fairytales. The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Sikaniska
vs
Rakko

205 cm
23
300 lbs
5 - 5 - 0

210 cm
23
285 lbs
4 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Santeri Sikaniska!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pate Rakko!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sikaniska closes the distance and clinches.
A hook to the body from Sikaniska.
Sikaniska wants to break free but Rakko has control.
Sikaniska leaning against his opponent.
Sikaniska blocking some punches.
Rakko is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Sikaniska gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Rakko wants a takedown but no success here.
Sikaniska lands a body shot.

Sikaniska pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rakko avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rakko misses with a combination
and Sikaniska counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Santeri Sikaniska seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rakko.
Santeri Sikaniska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pate Rakko.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rakko.
Rakko ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Sikaniska moves away.

Sikaniska clinches with his opponent.
Sikaniska gets underhooks to prevent Rakko's takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rakko has Sikaniska pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sikaniska manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rakko pushes Sikaniska back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Sikaniska breaks from the clinch.
Sikaniska misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Sikaniska has managed to clinch.
Rakko tries to throw a body punch but Sikaniska avoids it by throwing Rakko back against the cage.
Rakko is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rakko drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Sikaniska gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rakko wants to stall.
Rakko looks gassed!
Sikaniska taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Rakko goes for a takedown attempt but Sikaniska pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rakko shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Sikaniska as he avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sikaniska rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rakko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rakko.
A right-left combo lands from Sikaniska.
Sikaniska displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
A left and a right from Sikaniska both land. Nice combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Rakko tries to work over Sikaniska's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Sikaniska lands a nice uppercut.
Rakko has Sikaniska pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sikaniska manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
A body shot lands from Sikaniska.
Rakko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sikaniska avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Sikaniska working some nice short punches in the clinch.

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

Sikaniska has managed to clinch.
Sikaniska is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sikaniska digs a right hand underneath Rakko's ribcage. Rakko let out a lung full of air as it connected.

Sikaniska's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Sikaniska has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rakko goes for a takedown attempt but Sikaniska pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Sikaniska has closed the distance and engaged Rakko in a clinch.
Sikaniska lands a damaging elbow.

It looks like Pate Rakko has been cut.
Rakko has Sikaniska pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Sikaniska manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Rakko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Sikaniska breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rakko is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sikaniska.
Rakko walks into a stiff left hand from Sikaniska.
Sikaniska throws a one two combo.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sikaniska moves into range and clinches up with Rakko.
Rakko taking a breather.
Rakko is trying desperately to land a takedown but Sikaniska is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Rakko.
Sikaniska avoiding damage.
Sikaniska lands a shot to the body.
Sikaniska manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

Sikaniska breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sikaniska lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Rakko has his takedown stuffed
and Sikaniska counters with a left and a right that stings Rakko.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Sikaniska pushes Rakko up against the cage in a clinch.

Sikaniska's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rakko shoots for a takedown but Sikaniska saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santeri Sikaniska dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Pate Rakko's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Sikaniska has taken the fight to the clinch.

Sikaniska manages to break the clinch.
Rakko looks for a takedown but Sikaniska sprawls well.
Rakko is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Sikaniska.
Sikaniska scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Rakko falls off balance throwing a combination

and Sikaniska counters by clinching up.
Come on Sikaniska - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Rakko is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Sikaniska pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Sikaniska's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Sikaniska rushes Rakko and presses him up against the cage.
Rakko is breathing heavily.

Sikaniska breaks from the clinch.

Sikaniska closes the distance and clinches.

Sikaniska's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sikaniska misses with a series of wild punches.
Sikaniska displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Sikaniska has Rakko up against the cage in a clinch.
Rakko can't get the takedown.
Santeri Sikaniska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pate Rakko.
Rakko has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Sikaniska avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Rakko throws a punch but it's blocked by Sikaniska.
Sikaniska works on Rakko's body with a couple of short punches.
Sikaniska is struggling to control the position.
Sikaniska is pressed up against the cage. Rakko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sikaniska down to the mat. Sikaniska avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Sikaniska closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Sikaniska throws a nice looking combination but Rakko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rakko has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.

Sikaniska gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sikaniska's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Santeri Sikaniska is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Sikaniska instigates a clinch.
Sikaniska lands with a short punch from the clinch.

Sikaniska breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Sikaniska tries to close the distance and clinch but Rakko swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Santeri Sikaniska is winning the standup battle so far.
Sikaniska moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Sikaniska instigates a clinch.
Rakko tries for a takedown but Sikaniska manages to get underhooks.

Sikaniska manages to break the clinch.
Some wild striking there from Sikaniska.
Rakko has a takedown stuffed.

Sikaniska drives through and clinches with Rakko against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakko goes for a takedown attempt but Sikaniska pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Sikaniska misses with a jab, cross combination.

Sikaniska forces Rakko back against the cage and clinches.

Sikaniska breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Sikaniska tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rakko swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sikaniska tries to clinch there but Rakko circles away.

Rakko tries to keep at a distance but Sikaniska has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rakko misses with a hook to the ribs.
Sikaniska stops a takedown attempt from Rakko.
Sikaniska lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rakko backwards.
Sikaniska lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rakko struggles to land a body shot inside as Sikaniska controls his hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sikaniska gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rakko.

Sikaniska escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Sikaniska misses with a wild combination.
Sikaniska displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Sikaniska instigates a clinch.

Sikaniska manages to break the clinch.
Rakko dives in and grabs Sikaniska's left leg, looking for a takedown. Sikaniska pushes down on Rakko's head and hops out.
Some wild striking there from Sikaniska.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sikaniska gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Rakko drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Sikaniska prevents the takedown attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Santeri Sikaniska dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Pate Rakko's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rakko tries to keep at a distance but Sikaniska has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rakko looking to stall.
Sikaniska gets underhooks to prevent Rakko's takedown attempt.

Sikaniska breaks the clinch.

Sikaniska fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rakko, pushing him back against the cage.
Rakko goes for a takedown in the clinch but Sikaniska prevents it.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Sikaniska.
Sikaniska is pressed up against the cage. Rakko has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Sikaniska down to the mat. Sikaniska avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Santeri Sikaniska has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pate Rakko.
Sikaniska will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Left hook, right uppercut from Sikaniska.
Sikaniska scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rakko in his tracks.
A right-left combo lands from Sikaniska.
Sikaniska is working the combinations to good effect here.
Rakko takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Sikaniska gets a clinch.
Santeri Sikaniska has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Sikaniska lands a nice uppercut.
A bit of stalling here from Rakko.
Rakko is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A hook to the body from Sikaniska.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Sikaniska.

Sikaniska pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rakko fails with the takedown.

Sikaniska pushes Rakko up against the cage in a clinch.
A shot in the inside from Sikaniska.
Sikaniska prevents a takedown attempt there.

Sikaniska breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Sikaniska fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Rakko, pushing him back against the cage.
Sikaniska leaning his opponent against the cage.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Sikaniska as Rakko tries to tie him up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sikaniska breaks from the clinch.

Sikaniska has Rakko up against the cage in a clinch.
Rakko trying to stall but Sikaniska improves his position.
Rakko misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Sikaniska breaks from the clinch.

Sikaniska gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Sikaniska gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Rakko.
A right hook to the body lands for Sikaniska.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sikaniska softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Sikaniska is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rakko can do to turn this around?

Sikaniska's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sikaniska fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rakko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rakko will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Sikaniska lands a jab to Rakko's midsection.
Danga de danga de dang - Sikaniska scores with a four punch combination!

Sikaniska moves into the clinch.
Sikaniska is working Rakko over against the cage.
Sikaniska lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Rakko trying to stall but Sikaniska improves his position.

Sikaniska manages to break the clinch.
Sikaniska lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Sikaniska throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.

Sikaniska moves into range and clinches up with Rakko.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sikaniska manages to break the clinch.
Sikaniska wants to clinch.
Rakko slips a jab and a cross from Sikaniska.
Sikaniska tries to bum rush Rakko with a series of wild strikes but Rakko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rakko.
Pate Rakko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Sikaniska pushes Rakko up against the cage in a clinch.
Rakko can't get the takedown.
Rakko is leaning against Sikaniska and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Sikaniska escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Santeri Sikaniska is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Santeri Sikaniska is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sikaniska closes the distance and lands a one-two.

And that's the end of the fight!
Santeri Sikaniska showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Sikaniska has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:24
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:24
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Santeri Sikaniska!