PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Niko Ruutikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Stephen Reyes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Ruutikainen
vs
Reyes

182 cm
19
180 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

184 cm
24
170 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Ruutikainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Stephen Reyes!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ruutikainen swings for the body but Reyes moves out of range.
Ruutikainen throws a nice looking combination but Reyes bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
The fight stays on the outside here - Reyes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Reyes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ruutikainen.
Ruutikainen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Ruutikainen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Some wild striking there from Ruutikainen.
Reyes fails in his attempt to clinch.
Reyes tries to close the distance and clinch but Ruutikainen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Ruutikainen tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A telegraphed right hand from Ruutikainen misses the target.
Ruutikainen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A punch combination from Ruutikainen misses.
Reyes dodges the punch combination from Ruutikainen.

Reyes closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruutikainen avoids the elbow strike from Reyes, against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Ruutikainen is trying to break the clinch but Reyes is controlling him.
Reyes prevents a body shot from Ruutikainen.
Reyes lands a nice knee to the body.
Reyes working Ruutikainen over with knees to the body.
Ruutikainen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Reyes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Reyes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.

It looks like Niko Ruutikainen has been cut.
Ruutikainen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Reyes lands a damaging elbow.
Reyes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Reyes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ruutikainen's defenses.
Ruutikainen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Reyes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ruutikainen.
Reyes throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ruutikainen blocks it with crossed arms.
The referee calls for Ruutikainen to work.
Ruutikainen tries to stall but Reyes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Reyes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ruutikainen is defending well for now.
Reyes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ruutikainen's defenses.
Reyes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Reyes lands a damaging elbow.
Reyes keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Ruutikainen's efforts to push away.
Reyes working Ruutikainen over with knees to the body.
Reyes missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Ruutikainen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Ruutikainen misses.
Reyes doesn't manage to clinch there - Ruutikainen circles away.
Reyes is looking to clinch but Ruutikainen is avoiding it.
Reyes tries to clinch there but Ruutikainen circles away.
Reyes tries to clinch but Ruutikainen is having none of it.
Reyes tries to clinch but Ruutikainen is having none of it.
Ruutikainen swinging wildly here.
Reyes tries to clinch there but Ruutikainen circles away.
Ruutikainen throws a jab when Reyes was well out of range.
Reyes defending well as Ruutikainen loads up on a big left hand.
Reyes defending well as Ruutikainen loads up on a big left hand.
Reyes moves out of range as Ruutikainen throws a body kick.
A slow jab from Ruutikainen misses its intended target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes tries to clinch but Ruutikainen is having none of it.
Reyes wants to clinch up but Ruutikainen keeps it at a distance.
Reyes wants to clinch up but Ruutikainen keeps it at a distance.
Reyes is looking to clinch but Ruutikainen is avoiding it.
Reyes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Reyes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ruutikainen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Ruutikainen swinging wildly here.
Ruutikainen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ruutikainen throws a lazy right hand but Reyes sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Reyes slips under a jab.
Reyes tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ruutikainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Ruutikainen swats away the attempt to clinch by Reyes.
Reyes slips under a jab.

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.
Ruutikainen throws a right hand that Reyes ducks under and follows up with a left that Reyes also avoids with ease.

Reyes closes the distance and clinches.
Ruutikainen tries a body shot but Reyes blocks it.
Reyes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Reyes throws a knee to the head but misses.
Reyes with a knee to the head.
Reyes keeps control of Ruutikainen as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Reyes prevents Ruutikainen from breaking the clinch.
Ruutikainen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Reyes.
Reyes lands a knee to the head.
Ruutikainen avoids the elbow strike from Reyes, against the cage.
Ruutikainen gets through Reyes's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Reyes misses with a knee strike.
Ruutikainen tries to stall but Reyes uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Knees to the body from Reyes.
Ruutikainen is breathing heavily.
Reyes tries a knee to the head but Ruutikainen blocks it.
Reyes lands an elbow just above Ruutikainen 's eye.
Ruutikainen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ruutikainen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Reyes throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Ruutikainen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Reyes dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Niko Ruutikainen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Reyes showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Ruutikainen.
Niko Ruutikainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ruutikainen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ruutikainen is looking to chop away at Reyes's legs.
The fight stays on the outside here - Reyes looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Reyes tries to clinch but Ruutikainen is having none of it.
Ruutikainen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Reyes is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Niko Ruutikainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ruutikainen throws a hook but Reyes avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reyes wants to clinch.

Reyes moves into the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes blocks an uppercut.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Ruutikainen.
Ruutikainen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Reyes avoids it.
Reyes trying to land knees to the body.
Reyes landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Ruutikainen working hard to break the clinch.
Reyes is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Ruutikainen missing with knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Reyes.
Reyes scores with a knee to the head.
Reyes landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Reyes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ruutikainen takes an elbow to the temple.
Reyes landing knees to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Reyes lands a good knee to the midsection. Ruutikainen won't want to take too many of those.
Reyes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Reyes misses with a knee to the head.
Reyes utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Reyes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Reyes tries a knee to the head but Ruutikainen blocks it.
Reyes is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Reyes comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Reyes misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ruutikainen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruutikainen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Reyes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Reyes.
Ruutikainen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Ruutikainen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Reyes with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ruutikainen misses with a punch to the body.
Ruutikainen trying to land knees to the body.
Reyes missing with knees to the body.
Ruutikainen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Reyes lands a knee to the head.
Reyes lands an elbow inside that Ruutikainen shrugs off.
Reyes missing with knees to the body.
Reyes comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Ruutikainen looking to throw knees to the head but Reyes is blocking nicely.
Ruutikainen missing with knees to the body.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ruutikainen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Reyes landing knees to the body.
Reyes tries to land knees in the clinch but Ruutikainen avoids the damage to the body.
Ruutikainen is trying to force a seperation but Reyes has the dominant position.
Ruutikainen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Reyes scores a nice knee to the body.
Reyes working Ruutikainen over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reyes lands a damaging elbow.
Reyes tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Ruutikainen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Reyes misses with an elbow strike.
Reyes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nice elbow from Reyes.
Ruutikainen tries to land knees in the clinch but Reyes avoids the damage to the body.
Reyes lands an elbow inside.
Reyes lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Ruutikainen is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Reyes is keeping busy.
Reyes lands an elbow inside.
Reyes working Ruutikainen over with knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Reyes as Ruutikainen tries to tie him up.
Reyes using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Reyes lands an elbow inside that Ruutikainen shrugs off.
Ruutikainen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Reyes blocks it with crossed arms.
Reyes connects with a nasty looking knee right to Ruutikainen's face.
Reyes with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Reyes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Ruutikainen tries to circle away but Reyes has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reyes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Reyes lands an elbow inside that Ruutikainen shrugs off.
Ruutikainen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Reyes lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Ruutikainen managing to block the knees to the body from Reyes.
Ruutikainen dodges an elbow strike from Reyes.
Ruutikainen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nice elbow from Reyes.
Reyes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Reyes obliges.
Reyes blocking some punches.
Ruutikainen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ruutikainen is trying to break free.
Reyes unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Ruutikainen is trying to break the clinch but Reyes is controlling him.
Reyes utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Reyes lands a knee to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Reyes putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ruutikainen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Ruutikainen tries to break the clinch but Reyes is controlling the position.
Reyes is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nice elbow from Reyes.
Reyes lands an elbow just above Ruutikainen 's eye.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Stephen Reyes showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Niko Ruutikainen's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Reyes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ruutikainen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ruutikainen keeps the fight on the outside.
Reyes moves in looking to clinch but Ruutikainen pushes him off.
Reyes wants to clinch.
Reyes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ruutikainen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ruutikainen misses with a double jab.
Reyes takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Reyes moves in looking to clinch but Ruutikainen pushes him off.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Reyes moves in looking to clinch but Ruutikainen pushes him off.
Ruutikainen looks to score with a jab to the body but Reyes is just out of range.
Ruutikainen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Reyes moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Reyes doesn't manage to clinch there - Ruutikainen circles away.
Ruutikainen throws a body kick that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reyes tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ruutikainen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Reyes wants to clinch.
Reyes tries to clinch up but Ruutikainen circles away and keeps his distance.
Reyes doesn't manage to clinch there - Ruutikainen circles away.
Reyes wants to clinch.
Ruutikainen misses with a double jab.
Reyes tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ruutikainen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Reyes fails in his attempt to clinch.

Reyes darts in and clinches Ruutikainen up against the cage.
Ruutikainen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two 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.
A frustrated look appears on Ruutikainen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Reyes lands an elbow inside.
Reyes blocks an uppercut.
Ruutikainen tries to throw a body punch but Reyes avoids it by throwing Ruutikainen back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Reyes lands a knee to the head.
Reyes lands a damaging elbow.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Ruutikainen seems a little flustered. He's come in with the intention of controlling the clinch but Reyes is preventing him from doing so, at least for the moment.
Ruutikainen has had enough of the clinch but Reyes keeps him there for the moment.
Ruutikainen throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Reyes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ruutikainen lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Reyes using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Reyes with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Reyes throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ruutikainen blocks it with crossed arms.
Ruutikainen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ruutikainen is trying to break the clinch but Reyes has him pressed against the cage.
Reyes avoids a wild elbow strike from Ruutikainen.
Ruutikainen misses with an elbow over the top.
Reyes lands an elbow that stopped Ruutikainen in his tracks for a moment.
Stephen Reyes seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A frustrated look appears on Ruutikainen's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruutikainen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Reyes lands an elbow just above Ruutikainen 's eye.
Ruutikainen pushes Reyes back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Ruutikainen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Reyes.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ruutikainen avoids the elbow strike from Reyes, against the cage.
Reyes lands a knee to the body.
Ruutikainen stalling in the clinch but Reyes improves position.
Reyes creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Ruutikainen's defenses.
Ruutikainen stalling in the clinch but Reyes improves position.
Knees in the clinch landing for Reyes.
Reyes trying to land knees to the body.
Reyes landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Reyes landing knees to the head.
Reyes lands an elbow just above Ruutikainen 's eye.
Reyes unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Reyes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Reyes gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Reyes putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Ruutikainen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Reyes unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Niko Ruutikainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Reyes with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Reyes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Reyes lands an elbow inside that Ruutikainen shrugs off.
Knees in the clinch landing for Reyes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Reyes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ruutikainen looking to throw knees to the head but Reyes is blocking nicely.
Reyes crunches a lovely knee into Ruutikainen's ribcage.
Reyes lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Ruutikainen takes an elbow to the temple.
Stephen Reyes is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Reyes obliges.
Reyes dodges an elbow strike from Ruutikainen.
Reyes looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Reyes landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Ruutikainen can't find room to land a body shot as Reyes controls the action.
Reyes is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ruutikainen is defending well for now.
Reyes blocks a body shot from Ruutikainen.
Ruutikainen looking to stall.
Reyes with a knee to the head.
Reyes utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Ruutikainen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Reyes's brow.
A frustrated look appears on Ruutikainen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Ruutikainen is trying to break the clinch but Reyes has him pressed against the cage.
Nice elbow from Reyes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Stephen Reyes comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Reyes 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Stephen Reyes!