PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matias Eskelinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Rupponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rupponen has chosen SMC Hoodrats as his entrance music. 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.

Eskelinen
vs
Rupponen

173 cm
23
144 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

160 cm
21
155 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

STEEL PENN NUTRITION - STEEL RESERVE 158+ ONLY$89

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matias Eskelinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Rupponen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A jab lands there for Rupponen.
Rupponen digs a good body shot into Eskelinen's ribs.
Eskelinen misses with an uppercut.
Eskelinen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rupponen sprawls well. Rupponen wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Eskelinen gets slowly back to his feet.
Decent striking displayed by Rupponen there.
Eskelinen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rupponen is fending him off so far but Eskelinen persists. Nope, Rupponen circles away and we're back to standing.
Rupponen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nice cross by Rupponen.
Eskelinen shoots in looking for a takedown. Rupponen tries to sprawl out of it but Eskelinen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rupponen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Matias Eskelinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rupponen misses with a straight right.
Eskelinen loads up on a big right hand but Rupponen slips the punch.
Niko Rupponen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Eskelinen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rupponen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Eskelinen.

Eskelinen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Eskelinen showed some decent athleticism there.
Rupponen is concentrating on defense, preventing Eskelinen from advancing position.

Eskelinen is looking for a kimura but Rupponen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Eskelinen to get the leverage.

Rupponen is defending against the submission attempts here by Eskelinen.
Rupponen is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.

Eskelinen is looking for a kimura but Rupponen is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Eskelinen to get the leverage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen tries to roll over but Eskelinen keeps him under control.
Rupponen trying to control but Eskelinen postures up.

Eskelinen is looking for submissions but instead, Rupponen has regained full guard.
Rupponen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Eskelinen!
Rupponen content just to control the position here.
Eskelinen working to try and regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Rupponen lands a big shot there that rocks Eskelinen but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Eskelinen is trying desperately to improve position.
Rupponen raining down shots from the mount!
Eskelinen gets back to half guard.

Eskelinen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Eskelinen is breathing heavily.

Eskelinen actively working from the bottom here.
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. Rupponen connects with a nice short shot to Eskelinen's temple.
Eskelinen has hold of Rupponen's hands but Rupponen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rupponen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Eskelinen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

Eskelinen looking for submissions off his back.

Eskelinen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rupponen uses his free foot to push down on Eskelinen's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Eskelinen.
Eskelinen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Rupponen controlling the position easily from mount.

Rupponen goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Eskelinen turns into him and now he's in Rupponen's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Rupponen dominated that round.
That's time! Eskelinen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rupponen misses with a body shot.
Nice shot by Rupponen.

Rupponen scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.

Eskelinen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rupponen trying to mount his opponent but Eskelinen defends it.
Rupponen is looking to take a break and control but Eskelinen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eskelinen is looking for a sweep. Rupponen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Eskelinen has hold of Rupponen's hands but Rupponen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

Eskelinen actively working from the bottom here.

Eskelinen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rupponen working the head and body with strikes.
Well, if Rupponen is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Eskelinen is refusing to be controlled, as Rupponen sits in half 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.

Rupponen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Eskelinen sees it coming and defends easily.
Rupponen takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

Eskelinen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Eskelinen trying to hold on to Rupponen's head to control him but Rupponen postures up.
Rupponen wants to control but Eskelinen is keeping him busy.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Eskelinen fails with the takedown
and Rupponen counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Eskelinen thinking.
Eskelinen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rupponen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Eskelinen's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rupponen 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Eskelinen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rupponen trying to control the position from guard on top but Eskelinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rupponen connects with a couple of short punches.
Rupponen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Eskelinen looking for a guillotine here but Rupponen defends easily.
Rupponen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Eskelinen's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rupponen is in close to Eskelinen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rupponen content to stall in guard here.

Rupponen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Eskelinen has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rupponen has managed to get both his arms back between Eskelinen's legs - danger averted.
Rupponen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rupponen works over Eskelinen with some ground and pound from guard.

Eskelinen has his foot on Rupponen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rupponen works his way back into a safe position though.
Rupponen is stalling in the full guard.
Rupponen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rupponen controlling from the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Rupponen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rupponen throws a front kick aimed at Eskelinen's knee but Eskelinen avoids it well.
Rupponen swings for the body but Eskelinen moves out of range.
Rupponen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Eskelinen.
Rupponen misses with a low kick as Eskelinen jumps back.

Rupponen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rupponen has control of an arm but Eskelinen manages to advance to Rupponen's back!

Eskelinen is persistently looking for the submission but Rupponen is defending it well.
Eskelinen is trying to stick to Rupponen's back but Rupponen is turning into Eskelinen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Eskelinen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Rupponen.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eskelinen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rupponen defends it easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Eskelinen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rupponen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Eskelinen had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rupponen defends it easily.

Eskelinen is looking for a triangle but Rupponen pushes his legs off easily.

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.
Rupponen lands a couple of elbows.
Rupponen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Eskelinen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rupponen is aware though and is defending well.

Eskelinen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rupponen lands a couple of elbows.
Niko Rupponen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rupponen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Eskelinen keeping moving, preventing Rupponen from controlling successfully.
Rupponen sitting in guard here, content to control.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Eskelinen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rupponen controls from within his opponent's guard.
Eskelinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Matias Eskelinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four 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.

Eskelinen has his foot on Rupponen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rupponen works his way back into a safe position though.

Eskelinen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rupponen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Eskelinen can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Rupponen controls the pace.

Eskelinen has his foot on Rupponen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rupponen works his way back into a safe position though.
Rupponen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Rupponen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Eskelinen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rupponen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rupponen lands a couple of elbows.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niko Rupponen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rupponen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niko Rupponen!