PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Vasen Koukku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Amadeus Rilonhaugher (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rilonhaugher has chosen Rammstein - Feuer Frei as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Koukku
vs
Rilonhaugher

200 cm
21
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 1

190 cm
20
215 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Big heart

Good wrestler
Brawler
Very confident

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Vasen Koukku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Amadeus Rilonhaugher!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rilonhaugher gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Rilonhaugher decides to pull guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Rilonhaugher controls Koukku momentarily but Koukku frees himself.
Rilonhaugher controlling the position.
Rilonhaugher keeping moving, preventing Koukku from controlling successfully.
Koukku stands up over Rilonhaugher, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Koukku preventing the sweep.
Koukku wants to control from the top but Rilonhaugher keeps moving.
Koukku working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rilonhaugher's head.
Rilonhaugher not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rilonhaugher has momentary wrist control but Koukku slips an elbow through the middle.
Rilonhaugher wants to sweep but no luck.
Rilonhaugher lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Koukku!
Koukku has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rilonhaugher has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Koukku's face.
Koukku taking shots to the head.
Rilonhaugher really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Koukku. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Koukku tries to hold on but Rilonhaugher pushes him away.
Koukku is wriggling around trying to escape.
Rilonhaugher landing punches.
Rilonhaugher trying to control but Koukku is having none of it.
Koukku is desperately trying to improve his position but Rilonhaugher has a good base and remains in mount.
Koukku has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Rilonhaugher's lack of action.
Rilonhaugher prevents Koukku from improving his position.
Koukku is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rilonhaugher is trying to work for a kimura but Koukku is defending well.
Rilonhaugher performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Koukku wants to get back to full guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rilonhaugher shoots for a takedown but Koukku saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rilonhaugher. Koukku does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rilonhaugher shoots for a takedown but Koukku saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Koukku shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Rilonhaugher counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Koukku keeping full guard, as Rilonhaugher tries to pass.
Rilonhaugher trying to control the position from guard on top but Koukku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koukku keeping full guard, as Rilonhaugher tries to pass.
Koukku trying to keep a closed guard but Rilonhaugher is proving a slippery customer.

Koukku isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Rilonhaugher stacks Koukku on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Rilonhaugher!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rilonhaugher trying to control the action but Koukku is working from the bottom.
Rilonhaugher is working Koukku over with some ground and pound from side control.
Koukku gets back to half guard.
Koukku is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Koukku is staying active underneath Rilonhaugher, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rilonhaugher keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Koukku is pressing down on Rilonhaugher's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amadeus Rilonhaugher dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Rilonhaugher decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Rilonhaugher thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rilonhaugher takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Amadeus Rilonhaugher has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rilonhaugher tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Koukku.
Rilonhaugher trying to pass the guard but Koukku defending well.
Rilonhaugher wants to lay and pray for a moment but Koukku keeps working.
Koukku punching from the bottom.
Koukku wants to improve his position but Rilonhaugher is controlling well.

Rilonhaugher stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rilonhaugher misses with a series of wild punches.
Rilonhaugher throws a head kick but Koukku moves out of range.
Amadeus Rilonhaugher seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rilonhaugher throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rilonhaugher tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Koukku paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Koukku pushes Rilonhaugher up against the cage in a clinch.
Rilonhaugher is trying to force a seperation but Koukku has the dominant position.
Rilonhaugher slows down the pace here.

Rilonhaugher jumps guard.

That's two 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.
Rilonhaugher has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Koukku has passed into side control.

Koukku swings around for an armbar but Rilonhaugher sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Koukku's guard.
Rilonhaugher tries to free his leg and advance position but Koukku is retaining full guard.
Rilonhaugher trying to control the position from guard on top but Koukku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Koukku manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rilonhaugher manages to get himself to full guard.
Koukku won't allow Rilonhaugher to sweep him here.

Rilonhaugher is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rilonhaugher tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Koukku drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rilonhaugher gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rilonhaugher working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Koukku tries to pull guard but Rilonhaugher holds him up against the cage and eventually Koukku drops back down to his feet.
A frustrated look appears on Rilonhaugher's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Rilonhaugher is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Koukku pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rilonhaugher looking for a takedown.
Vasen Koukku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Amadeus Rilonhaugher.
Rilonhaugher is pressed up against the cage. Koukku has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rilonhaugher down to the mat. Rilonhaugher avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Koukku misses with a takedown attempt

and Rilonhaugher counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rilonhaugher.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rilonhaugher wants to control from the top but Koukku keeps moving.
Koukku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rilonhaugher is one step ahead there.

Koukku is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Koukku being controlled here, momentarily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rilonhaugher trying to control but Koukku is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Amadeus Rilonhaugher showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Rilonhaugher misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rilonhaugher throws an overhand right that lands on Koukku's shoulder, as Koukku tries to avoid the shot.
Rilonhaugher fails to land the takedown.

Rilonhaugher takes the fight into the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rilonhaugher jumps guard but Koukku stands there with Rilonhaugher around his waist. Rilonhaugher gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Rilonhaugher tries for a takedown but Koukku manages to get underhooks.
Vasen Koukku has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Amadeus Rilonhaugher.
Rilonhaugher drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Koukku gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rilonhaugher stalling the fight.

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

Koukku moves into the clinch.
Rilonhaugher goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Koukku is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rilonhaugher pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Rilonhaugher wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Koukku has him pressed against the cage.
Rilonhaugher throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

Koukku works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Koukku postures up.
Rilonhaugher tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rilonhaugher is trying to control the position but Koukku postures up.
Koukku preventing the sweep.
Rilonhaugher working a defensive guard here.

Rilonhaugher is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Koukku stops Rilonhaugher from standing up.

Koukku drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Koukku jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

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

Rilonhaugher drives through and clinches with Koukku against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Come on Rilonhaugher - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
A body shot lands from Rilonhaugher.
Rilonhaugher tries to land a knee to the head but Koukku blocks with his arms.
Koukku is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Rilonhaugher wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Koukku is trying to break free.

Rilonhaugher jumps guard and drags Koukku to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Rilonhaugher looking to control.
Rilonhaugher thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Rilonhaugher wants to sweep here but Koukku controlling him for the moment.

Koukku drops back looking for a leg! Rilonhaugher is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rilonhaugher manages to kick Koukku off! Koukku jumps back into Rilonhaugher's guard.

That's four 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.
Rilonhaugher looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Koukku trying to control but Rilonhaugher is working from the bottom.
Rilonhaugher working a defensive guard here.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rilonhaugher fails with the takedown.
Vasen Koukku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Amadeus Rilonhaugher is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rilonhaugher wants to clinch

and Koukku counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Koukku.

And that's the end of the fight!
Vasen Koukku showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rilonhaugher 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Amadeus Rilonhaugher!