PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Raivo Rape (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vasara Markku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vasara Markku has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Raivo Rape's chin.

Rape
vs
Markku

170 cm
21
196 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

185 cm
24
185 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Very quick

Dangerous GnP
Counter striker
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Raivo Rape!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Vasara Markku!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markku's corner calls for a 1-2. Markku obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Markku tries to clinch up.

Rape looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Markku 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.
Rape trying to control the position from guard on top but Markku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rape trying to move into half guard but instead Markku has managed to sweep!
Rape is looking to sweep but instead, Markku has passed into half guard.
Rape is looking to control Markku's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Rape avoid being mounted?
Rape might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rape wants to control the action here but instead Markku manages to pass to full mount!
Rape is looking to get to half guard.
Markku can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rape is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Markku.
Rape is working to get back to half guard.
Markku avoids the attempt from Rape to control.
Markku is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rape can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Markku with a couple of short strikes.
Markku looking to control but Rape is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Rape is looking to improve his position but Markku isn't that keen on the idea.
Markku can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Rape is looking to escape.
Rape really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Markku working Rape over with strikes here.
Rape sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.
Rape wants to control but Markku is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Markku trying to control the action but Rape is working from the bottom.
Rape tries to get to full guard but Markku has control of the leg.
Markku wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rape keeps working.
Rape is controlling Markku's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Markku trying to control the pace.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rape blocking the ground and pound attempt from Markku.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markku is thwarting Rape's attempts to control the position.

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

and Rape counters with a single leg into guard. Markku didn't expect that.
Rape trying to control but Markku is working from the bottom.
Markku is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rape pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Markku is keeping the position for now.
Markku keeping moving, preventing Rape from controlling successfully.
Rape passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rape lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
An elbow from Rape crashes against the mat.
Rape wants to control but Markku is keeping him busy.

Rape wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Markku, who protects the arm well.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Markku is looking for a sweep.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vasara Markku will probably get the nod.
That's time! Rape's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Rape lands a body shot.
Rape closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Markku drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Markku sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rape trying to keep a closed guard but Markku is proving a slippery customer.
Markku postures up and lands a big shot to Rape's brow.
Rape wants to sweep here but Markku controlling him for the moment.
Markku must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Markku is pushing down on Rape's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rape is fighting to maintain full guard but Markku has managed to sneak the leg through.
Markku lands with a punch from half guard.

Rape actively working from the bottom here.
Rape makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rape.
Rape is trying to control the position from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Markku trying to control but Rape is working from the bottom.
Markku pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rape is keeping the position for now.
Rape controlling Markku's posture.
Rape manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Markku manages to get himself to full guard.
Markku has control of Rape's left arm, preventing Rape from doing any damage.
Markku doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rape lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rape pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Markku is keeping the position for now.
Rape wants to control from the top but Markku keeps moving.
Rape is pushing down on Markku's leg trying to pass to half guard. Markku is fighting to maintain full guard but Rape has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Markku is looking to improve his position.

Rape looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Rape is looking to stall here but Markku recovers full guard.
Markku trying to control the position.

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.
Rape slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
An elbow from Rape crashes against the mat.

Rape has an Americana. Markku didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Rape is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Rape hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:47 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Raivo Rape!