PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jorma Rusakko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Daniel Jovanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jovanovski has chosen Anastasija - Pass Over as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rusakko
vs
Jovanovski

190 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

168 cm
22
159 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jorma Rusakko!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Daniel Jovanovski!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Stewart Dunkirk and Robert Twigg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rusakko scores with a three punch combo!
Jovanovski blocks a jab.
Rusakko scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rusakko really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.

Jovanovski clinches up against the cage.

Jovanovski breaks from the clinch.
Jovanovski slips under a jab.
Rusakko misses with an uppercut. Jovanovski saw that one coming.

Jovanovski closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Jovanovski scoring with punches from side control.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Jovanovski wants to control but Rusakko is keeping him busy.
Rusakko struggling a bit here.
Rusakko is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Jovanovski is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Jovanovski has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rusakko defending against the ground and pound.
Jovanovski misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusakko taking a bit of punishment here - Jovanovski scoring with strikes.
Jovanovski wants to control but Rusakko is keeping him busy.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
A left lands for Rusakko.
Rusakko looks to land a right hand but Jovanovski moved out of range.
Rusakko missing with a left hand there. Jovanovski was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Jovanovski drives through and clinches with Rusakko against the cage.
Jovanovski landing knees to the body.

Jovanovski wants the takedown. Rusakko is fighting it off but Jovanovski persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rusakko's guard against the cage.
Jovanovski with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Jovanovski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rusakko on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rusakko tries to get out of the position.
Jovanovski sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Jovanovski with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jovanovski is working Rusakko over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Jovanovski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Jovanovski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rusakko trying to control the position.
Rusakko wants to sweep but no luck.
Jovanovski postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Jovanovski tries to free his leg and advance position but Rusakko is retaining full guard.
Jovanovski content to stall in guard here.
Rusakko tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rusakko misses with a double jab.
Jovanovski throws a nice looking combination but Rusakko bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rusakko throws a hook but Jovanovski avoids it easily.
Rusakko scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Jovanovski takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Jovanovski fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rusakko.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Jovanovski is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Rusakko can't fight it off and eventually Jovanovski manages to take the fight to the floor. Rusakko looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Jovanovski slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Jovanovski is looking to stand up but Rusakko won't let him.
Jovanovski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rusakko utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jovanovski tries to free his leg and advance position but Rusakko is retaining full guard.
Rusakko being controlled here, momentarily.
Rusakko trying to keep a closed guard but Jovanovski is proving a slippery customer.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Jovanovski moves out of range of the strikes.
Rusakko punishes Jovanovski's body with a nice straight punch.
A telegraphed right hand from Rusakko misses the target.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Jovanovski closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rusakko prevents a takedown attempt there.
Jovanovski controlling the action here for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Jovanovski dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jovanovski instigates a clinch.

Jovanovski drops back looking for a leg! Rusakko is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rusakko manages to kick Jovanovski off! Jovanovski jumps back into Rusakko's guard.
Jovanovski scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rusakko will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Jovanovski throwing strikes but missing.
Jovanovski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rusakko is keeping the position for now.
Rusakko preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rusakko working a defensive guard here.
Rusakko keeping moving, preventing Jovanovski from controlling successfully.
Jovanovski trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rusakko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Jovanovski moves in looking to clinch but Rusakko pushes him off.
Jovanovski wants to clinch up but Rusakko keeps it at a distance.
Jovanovski fails to land with a series of punches.
Rusakko throws a lazy right hand but Jovanovski sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jovanovski dodges the punch combination from Rusakko.
Jorma Rusakko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rusakko is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jovanovski.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Jovanovski clinches.

Jovanovski breaks the clinch.
Rusakko jabs at Jovanovski's body.
Rusakko lands a glancing blow to the side of Jovanovski's head.
Daniel Jovanovski is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A telegraphed right hand from Rusakko misses the target.
Rusakko throws a jab but it's blocked by Jovanovski.

Jovanovski forces Rusakko back against the cage and clinches.

Jovanovski gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Rusakko is trying to control but can't.
Jovanovski working the head and body with strikes.
Rusakko knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Jovanovski on the ground.
Ground and pound from Jovanovski.
Rusakko tries to roll over but Jovanovski keeps him under control.
Jovanovski trying to control from half guard but Rusakko is working away.
Nice strikes from Jovanovski there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jovanovski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rusakko defending well though.
Rusakko taking some punishment here, with Jovanovski in his half guard.
Rusakko wants to improve his position but Jovanovski is controlling well.

Jovanovski is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rusakko defends it well.
Rusakko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jovanovski.
Rusakko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jovanovski.
Rusakko blocking the ground and pound attempt from Jovanovski.

Jovanovski is looking for a kimura here.
Daniel Jovanovski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Jovanovski is breathing heavily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

Jovanovski has closed the distance and engaged Rusakko in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Rusakko gets underhooks to prevent Jovanovski's takedown attempt.

Jovanovski has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Rusakko is trying to keep an underhook but Jovanovski manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Jovanovski seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Jovanovski looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rusakko tries to roll over but Jovanovski keeps him under control.
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. Jovanovski connects with a nice short shot to Rusakko's temple.
Ground and pound from Jovanovski.
Jovanovski wants to control but Rusakko is keeping him busy.
Jovanovski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Jovanovski thows a huge punch but Rusakko dodges it nicely.
Jovanovski not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Jovanovski 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!

Rusakko throws a jab but it's blocked by Jovanovski.
Rusakko misses with an uppercut. Jovanovski saw that one coming.
Rusakko thows a body shot but no joy.
Jovanovski throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

Jovanovski has managed to clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Rusakko's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Rusakko is fighting off a takedown attempt but Jovanovski is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Rusakko to the mat. Rusakko regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Rusakko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Jovanovski is looking to work some ground and pound but Rusakko has wrist control.
Jovanovski is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Jovanovski trying to control but Rusakko is working from the bottom.
Rusakko wants to get back to his feet but Jovanovski is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jovanovski wants to control from the top but Rusakko keeps moving.
Jovanovski missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Jovanovski looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rusakko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Jovanovski is one step ahead there.
Rusakko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Jovanovski pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rusakko is keeping the position for now.
Rusakko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jovanovski postures up and lands a big shot to Rusakko's brow.
Jovanovski throwing strikes but missing.
Jovanovski trying to control the position from guard on top but Rusakko is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Jovanovski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Jovanovski dips to his left and cracks Rusakko with an uppercut!
Jovanovski drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Rusakko throws a big shot that misses.
Nice defenses there by Jovanovski.
A cross from Rusakko lands.
Rusakko scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Jovanovski looks to land a combination but Rusakko avoids it well.
Rusakko throws a jab but it's blocked by Jovanovski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jovanovski drives through and clinches with Rusakko against the cage.

Jovanovski gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Rusakko is looking to control Jovanovski's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rusakko avoid being mounted?
Jovanovski not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Jovanovski drops an elbow to the side of Rusakko's head.
Jovanovski thows a huge punch but Rusakko dodges it nicely.
Daniel Jovanovski is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Jovanovski with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.
Jovanovski's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

Jovanovski stands up from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jovanovski avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rusakko closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Jovanovski misses with a jab, cross combination.
Jovanovski gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Rusakko is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Jovanovski moves out of range of the strikes.

Jovanovski takes the fight into the clinch.
Rusakko is trying to break the clinch but Jovanovski is controlling him.
Jorma Rusakko has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jovanovski presses Rusakko against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

Jovanovski lands a takedown into guard.
Jovanovski sitting in guard, not really doing much.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

And that's the end of the fight!
Daniel Jovanovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Jovanovski 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 27:30
Judge Robert Twigg scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Daniel Jovanovski!