PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Reiska Rakennusmies (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sami Salama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Reiska Rakennusmies has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Rakennusmies
vs
Salama

195 cm
21
169 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

180 cm
23
165 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Powerful takedowns
World class boxer
Very strong

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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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 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Reiska Rakennusmies!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Salama!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rakennusmies blocks a head kick by Salama.
Salama takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rakennusmies really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Salama steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rakennusmies.
Rakennusmies bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Salama is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rakennusmies.
Salama uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rakennusmies.
Salama moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Salama takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Salama throws a head kick but Rakennusmies moves out of range.
Salama moves out of range of the strikes.
Salama misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rakennusmies jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rakennusmies just misses with a punch to the body.
Salama throws a sloppy body shot
and Rakennusmies counters with a right hand to the body.
An inside leg kick lands from Salama.

Salama closes the distance and pushes Rakennusmies back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Salama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Salama scores with a shoulder strike.
Salama blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Salama creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salama missing with knees to the body.
Salama scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rakennusmies tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rakennusmies scores with a hook to the body.
Rakennusmies lands with a left to the head.
Salama blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A right hand to the body from Rakennusmies.
Rakennusmies misses with a punch on the inside.
Rakennusmies dodges an elbow strike from Salama.
Rakennusmies misses with a punch on the inside.
Come on Salama - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Salama tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
A head punch on the inside from Rakennusmies fails to land.
Salama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rakennusmies avoids it.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Salama.
Salama trying to land knees to the body.
Salama is trying to maintain a safe position but Rakennusmies gets an underhook and turns Salama into the cage.
Rakennusmies takes an elbow to the forehead.
Rakennusmies misses with a punch on the inside.
Rakennusmies misses with a punch on the inside.
Salama comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Salama throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rakennusmies content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakennusmies blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Salama trying to land knees to the body.
Rakennusmies misses with a short punch on the inside.
A short uppercut from Rakennusmies.

Rakennusmies manages to pull guard.

Rakennusmies working for a triangle but Salama defends it easily.
Rakennusmies is breathing heavily.

Salama avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Salama is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Salama wants to stand but Rakennusmies has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rakennusmies has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Salama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Rakennusmies working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Salama doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Salama manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Salama must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Salama wants to get up but he can't break Rakennusmies's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Rakennusmies is looking for a triangle but Salama pushes his legs off easily.
Salama stays in close to Rakennusmies's body and controls the position.

That's four 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.
Salama works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Salama wants to stand but Rakennusmies has hold of a leg and an arm, so he's trapped for now.
Rakennusmies wants to improve his position but Salama is controlling well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Salama uses his free foot to push down on Rakennusmies's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rakennusmies.
Salama really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rakennusmies. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Salama controlling the position easily from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Reiska Rakennusmies dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Salama tries to clinch but Rakennusmies is having none of it.
Salama looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Salama tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Rakennusmies cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Rakennusmies goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Rakennusmies is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Rakennusmies throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Salama ducks under a wild hook from Rakennusmies.
Salama lands with a nice body kick.
Rakennusmies pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Salama looks to land a body kick but Rakennusmies moved away.
Rakennusmies throws a lazy right hand but Salama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice body kick there by Salama.
Rakennusmies takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rakennusmies throws a jab but it's blocked by Salama.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Salama misses with a head kick.
Rakennusmies throws a lazy right hand but Salama sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rakennusmies throws a looping overhand right but Salama ducks down to avoid it.
Salama misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Salama cracks Rakennusmies with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Salama lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Salama lands a high kick!
Rakennusmies swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Salama counters with a low kick, right behind Rakennusmies 's knee.
Rakennusmies steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Salama. That one must have hurt.
Rakennusmies throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Salama tries to clinch but Rakennusmies moves out of range.
Salama pushes Rakennusmies away with a front kick.
Salama throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Salama tries a head kick but it misses.
Rakennusmies stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Salama.
Rakennusmies misses with a body punch
and Salama counters with a good low kick that Rakennusmies was not able to check.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salama misses with a head kick.
Salama plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
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!

Salama drives through and clinches with Rakennusmies against the cage.
Salama lands an elbow that stopped Rakennusmies in his tracks for a moment.
Salama trying to land knees to the body.
Salama lands with a short punch from the clinch.
A knee to the head by Salama.
Salama lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Salama crunches a lovely knee into Rakennusmies's ribcage.
Rakennusmies misses with a short punch on the inside.
Salama digs a right hand into Rakennusmies's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Rakennusmies's gas tank.
Rakennusmies lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Salama unloads a knee to the mid-section. Rakennusmies lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Rakennusmies has a couple of punches blocked by Salama.
Salama lands a damaging elbow.
Rakennusmies blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rakennusmies has a couple of punches blocked by Salama.
Salama is trying to maintain a safe position but Rakennusmies gets an underhook and turns Salama into the cage.
Rakennusmies managing to block the knees to the body from Salama.
Salama lands an elbow just above Rakennusmies 's eye.
Salama works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Salama utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Salama is leaning against Rakennusmies and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salama with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Salama putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Rakennusmies in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.

Rakennusmies successfully pulls guard.
Salama trying to control but Rakennusmies is working from the bottom.

Rakennusmies has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Salama is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Rakennusmies.
Rakennusmies is looking for a sweep.
Salama taking a breather here.
Rakennusmies tries to buck Salama off but Salama is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salama happy to just control the position for now.
Salama wants to control but Rakennusmies is keeping him busy.
Rakennusmies is looking for a sweep.

Salama stands up.
Rakennusmies misses with a hook. Salama ducked under it nicely.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Salama bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Rakennusmies jabs at Salama's body.
Salama throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Salama showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

A nice leg kick lands there from Salama.
Rakennusmies slips under a jab from Salama.
Rakennusmies fails to land with a series of punches.
Salama connects with a solid leg kick.
Salama lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rakennusmies's sensitive parts.
Salama tries to clinch up but Rakennusmies circles away and keeps his distance.
Salama uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rakennusmies.
Rakennusmies throws a left and a right that both miss
and Rakennusmies takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Salama, right into the meat.
Rakennusmies waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Salama.
Rakennusmies blocks a head kick by Salama.
Salama slips under a jab from Rakennusmies.
Salama lands a nice looking kick to the body. Rakennusmies takes a step back to recover.
Salama misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rakennusmies.
Rakennusmies will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Salama throws a nice outside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A solid leg kick lands there for Salama.
Rakennusmies has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Salama.
Rakennusmies steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Salama. That one must have hurt.
A head kick misses from Salama.
Rakennusmies misses with a body punch
and Salama counters with a low kick, right behind Rakennusmies 's knee.
Salama scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Rakennusmies takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Salama tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Salama has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Salama there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nice defenses there by Salama.
Salama throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Rakennusmies chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Salama can pounce on him.
Salama with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rakennusmies misses with a hook. Salama ducked under it nicely.
Salama looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Sami Salama seems to be getting the better of the standup.
An inside leg kick lands from Salama.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Salama throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rakennusmies's head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Salama connects with a body shot.
Salama throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Salama tries a head kick but it misses.
Rakennusmies is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Rakennusmies avoids the head kick by Salama.
Rakennusmies pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A jab from Rakennusmies misses.

Salama forces Rakennusmies back against the cage and clinches.
Salama landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Salama landing knees to the head.
Rakennusmies pushes Salama back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Salama landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Salama using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rakennusmies has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Salama with a knee to the head.
Rakennusmies lands with a short shot to the head.
Salama blocking some punches.
Salama lands a good knee to the midsection. Rakennusmies won't want to take too many of those.
Salama will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rakennusmies up against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Salama with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rakennusmies throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Salamas head.
Salama throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rakennusmies.
Salama tries to land knees in the clinch but Rakennusmies avoids the damage to the body.
Salama is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rakennusmies is keeping busy.
A short right from Rakennusmies on the inside.
Rakennusmies lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Salama backwards.
Rakennusmies holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Salama crunches a lovely knee into Rakennusmies's ribcage.
Salama has Rakennusmies pressed against the cage.
A short right from Rakennusmies.
Rakennusmies fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rakennusmies managing to block the knees to the body from Salama.
Salama throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Salama tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Salama taking a breather.
Rakennusmies pushes Salama back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Rakennusmies lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Salama misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rakennusmies.
Rakennusmies on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rakennusmies has a couple of punches blocked by Salama.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Rakennusmies.
Rakennusmies lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Salama just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rakennusmies's brow.
Salama taking a breather.
Rakennusmies working aggressively here.
Rakennusmies lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salama backwards.
Rakennusmies lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salama backwards.
Rakennusmies working aggressively here.
Rakennusmies scores with a shot to the side of Salama's head.
Stalling in the clinch from Salama.
Salama is trying to stall.
Rakennusmies lands a left hand that snaps the head of Salama backwards.
Rakennusmies lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Salama throws an elbow but it's blocked.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rakennusmies throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Salamas head.
Salama tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Rakennusmies avoids it.
A short right from Rakennusmies.
Nice body punch from Rakennusmies.
Salama is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rakennusmies is keeping busy.
Rakennusmies lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Salama backwards.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Salama comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Salama 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Salama!