PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Aleksandr Dmitrejv (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Rupponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rupponen has chosen SMC Hoodrats as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Niko Rupponen told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Dmitrejv
vs
Rupponen

180 cm
22
130 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

160 cm
21
155 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aleksandr Dmitrejv!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Rupponen!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dmitrejv avoids the body shot from Rupponen.
Dmitrejv throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Dmitrejv throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rupponen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dmitrejv.
Dmitrejv misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rupponen dodges the punch combination from Dmitrejv.
Dmitrejv swings and misses with a hook to the body.

Rupponen drives through with a really nice takedown into 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.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rupponen is working Dmitrejv over with some ground and pound from side control.
Dmitrejv takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Rupponen trying to control the position but Dmitrejv is working away.
Dmitrejv is looking for a sweep.
Dmitrejv is trying to buck Rupponen off.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dmitrejv tries to buck Rupponen off but Rupponen is having none of it.
Dmitrejv is trying to work for a sweep but Rupponen has mounted him!
Rupponen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rupponen sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Rupponen breaks from Dmitrejv's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Rupponen working the ground and pound effectively.
Rupponen trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Dmitrejv regains half guard.
Dmitrejv is looking for a sweep. Rupponen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dmitrejv tries to kick Rupponen off but Rupponen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Dmitrejv pushes Rupponen off but Rupponen dives into side control.
Rupponen creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Rupponen controlling the position from side mount.
Dmitrejv wants to get back to his feet.
Rupponen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Dmitrejv keeps working.
Dmitrejv tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dmitrejv wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Dmitrejv is not content to let Rupponen control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dmitrejv is looking to get back to his feet here but Rupponen is keeping cool and he's managed to take Dmitrejv's back.
Dmitrejv is really stuck here.
Dmitrejv really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Rupponen lands a shot to the head.
Rupponen lands strikes to the head.
Rupponen is hanging on to Dmitrejv's back as he tries to escape.
Rupponen is riding his opponent, not letting Dmitrejv buck him off.
Rupponen is working the ground and pound. Can Dmitrejv escape?

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dmitrejv controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad position.
Dmitrejv tries to escape but Rupponen has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

Rupponen patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Rupponen tries to get the hooks in deep but Dmitrejv pushed the leg off.
Dmitrejv is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Rupponen lands shots from the back.
Dmitrejv has the hand control, trying to stop the rear naked choke.
Dmitrejv breaks Rupponen's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.

Dmitrejv stands up and waves to Rupponen to follow him.
Dmitrejv is breathing heavily.
Rupponen slips a jab from Dmitrejv.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Decent striking displayed by Dmitrejv there.
Rupponen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Dmitrejv.
Rupponen throws a head kick but Dmitrejv moves out of range.
Aleksandr Dmitrejv seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Rupponen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Rupponen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rupponen has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
Dmitrejv tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Dmitrejv wants to try and get back to his feet.
Rupponen working Dmitrejv over with strikes here.
Dmitrejv manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dmitrejv is staying active underneath Rupponen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rupponen keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Dmitrejv wants to get back to his feet.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Rupponen in particular looking to stall.
Rupponen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Dmitrejv!
Rupponen is breathing heavily.
Dmitrejv is working to get back to half guard.
Dmitrejv gets back to half guard.
Dmitrejv gets back to full guard.

Dmitrejv looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rupponen is working Dmitrejv over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rupponen won't allow Dmitrejv to sweep him here.
Rupponen wants to control from the top but Dmitrejv keeps moving.

Dmitrejv looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rupponen lands a couple of digs.
Rupponen stops Dmitrejv from standing up.
Rupponen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rupponen throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen connects with a couple of short punches.
Dmitrejv working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rupponen.
Dmitrejv looking for a sweep. Not yet Dmitrejv, not yet.
Rupponen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Rupponen trying to control the position from guard on top but Dmitrejv is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Dmitrejv misses with the combination.
A combination from Dmitrejv does no damage.
Dmitrejv misses with a series of wild punches.
Dmitrejv dodges the punch combination from Rupponen.
Aleksandr Dmitrejv is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dmitrejv throws a right hand that Rupponen ducks under and follows up with a left that Rupponen also avoids with ease.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Rupponen lands a jab to the head.
Some wild striking there from Dmitrejv.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rupponen.
Rupponen working the head with strikes.
Dmitrejv gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Rupponen uses his free foot to push down on Dmitrejv's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Dmitrejv.
Rupponen scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Dmitrejv sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Dmitrejv wants to improve his position but Rupponen is controlling well.
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 corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Dmitrejv ducks under a wild hook from Rupponen.
Dmitrejv uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rupponen.
Rupponen throws a chopping leg kick but Dmitrejv manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Dmitrejv throws a nice looking combination but Rupponen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Dmitrejv throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rupponen fails with the takedown.
Rupponen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Dmitrejv stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Dmitrejv swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Rupponen throws a looping overhand right but Dmitrejv ducks down to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dmitrejv throws a combination that misses

and Rupponen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Dmitrejv's guard.
Rupponen trying to control the position from guard on top but Dmitrejv is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dmitrejv looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rupponen is one step ahead there.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rupponen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rupponen's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Rupponen looking to sit in guard and control but Dmitrejv gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rupponen is trying to keep Dmitrejv in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Dmitrejv postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rupponen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Dmitrejv, into his guard.
Rupponen postures up and lands a big shot to Dmitrejv's brow.
Dmitrejv keeping moving, preventing Rupponen from controlling successfully.
Dmitrejv wants to stand up but Rupponen is controlling him.
Dmitrejv will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Rupponen throws a big right hand that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Dmitrejv 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.
Aleksandr Dmitrejv has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rupponen throwing strikes from guard but Dmitrejv blocks nicely.

Dmitrejv working for a triangle but Rupponen defends it easily.
Rupponen works over Dmitrejv with some ground and pound from guard.
Dmitrejv wants to stand but Rupponen is controlling the position.
Dmitrejv working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rupponen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Rupponen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Dmitrejv works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Dmitrejv keeping moving, preventing Rupponen from controlling successfully.
Rupponen throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Dmitrejv chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rupponen can pounce on him.
Rupponen throws a body punch but Dmitrejv moves out of range.
Rupponen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rupponen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Dmitrejv sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dmitrejv throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch combination from Dmitrejv misses.
Rupponen loads up on a big right hand but Dmitrejv slips the punch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rupponen loads up on a big right hand but Dmitrejv slips the punch.
Dmitrejv ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rupponen is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Dmitrejv fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rupponen manages to avoid it.
Dmitrejv pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niko Rupponen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rupponen 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

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