PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between rolf rolfson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rocko Itleri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

rolfson
vs
Itleri

185 cm
24
170 lbs
4 - 8 - 0

181 cm
23
170 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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 4 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, rolf rolfson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rocko Itleri!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Itleri is trying hard to land a takedown here. rolfson sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rocko Itleri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice takedown defense from rolfson. No joy for Itleri on that attempt.
Itleri shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
rolf rolfson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocko Itleri.
rolfson lands with a kick to the temple. Itleri shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

rolfson clinches up against the cage.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from rolfson.

rolfson breaks from the clinch.

Itleri shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
rolfson trying to hold on to Itleri's head to control him but Itleri postures up.
rolfson tries to get to full guard but Itleri has control of the leg.
Itleri looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
rolfson wants to improve his position but Itleri is controlling well.
rolfson moves into full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

rolfson looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
rolfson trying to control the position.
Itleri looking to pass the guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
rolfson tries to clinch but Itleri moves out of range.
rolfson tries to clinch but Itleri moves out of range.
rolfson tries to close the distance and clinch up but Itleri swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nice sprawl there from rolfson as Itleri shoots in.
Itleri misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
rolfson throws a series of punches but Itleri moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

rolfson forces Itleri back against the cage and clinches.
Itleri drops down looking for an ankle pick but rolfson pulls his leg out and moves away.
Itleri looks gassed!

rolfson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

rolfson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
rolfson tries to clinch up.
Itleri tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but rolfson swivels and escapes.
rolfson wants to clinch.

Itleri scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Itleri is thwarting rolfson's attempts to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Itleri wants to free his trapped foot but rolfson is holding on for dear life with his legs.
rolfson is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rolfson is trying to control but can't.
Itleri tries to stand but his hand is stuck under rolfson.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

rolfson has closed the distance and engaged Itleri in a clinch.

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.
rolfson landing knees to the body.

rolfson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

rolfson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Itleri did well to prevent rolfson getting side control.

rolfson decides to stand and escape the position.
Itleri fails with the takedown

and rolfson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Itleri on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

rolfson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Itleri swats away the attempt to clinch by rolfson.

rolfson looking for a takedown here - he's got it.

rolfson has gone for a leg lock! Itleri slips out almost immediately though and dives into rolfson's guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
rolfson controls Itleri momentarily but Itleri frees himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

rolf rolfson dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

rolfson moves in looking to clinch but Itleri pushes him off.
Itleri lands a lovely overhand right.
Itleri tries for a takedown but rolfson circles away easily

and rolfson holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Itleri tries to score a body lock takedown but rolfson shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
rolfson with a knee to the head.

rolfson manages to break the clinch.
rolfson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Itleri looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
rolfson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Itleri doesn't succeed with the takedown

and rolfson counters by moving into the clinch.
rolf rolfson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocko Itleri.
rolfson stalling in the clinch but Itleri improves position.
rolfson tries to land a knee to the head but Itleri blocks with his arms.

rolfson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
rolfson keeps the fight on the outside.
rolfson is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

rolfson darts in and clinches Itleri up against the cage.
Itleri on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Itleri goes for a takedown in the clinch but rolfson prevents it.
rolfson tries to circle away but Itleri has him pinned against the cage.
Itleri goes for a takedown attempt but rolfson pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

rolfson closes the distance and clinches.

rolfson pulls guard effortlessly.
rolfson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
rolfson manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Itleri manages to get himself to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
rolfson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Itleri swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Itleri utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Itleri controls rolfson momentarily but rolfson frees himself.

rolfson drops back, looking for a kneebar! Itleri looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Itleri looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Itleri!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
rolfson is looking for a sweep.
Itleri wants to lay and pray for a moment but rolfson keeps working.
rolfson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Itleri controls the position.

Itleri stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Itleri doesn't succeed with the takedown
and rolfson counters with a one-two to the body.

rolfson takes the fight into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

rolfson breaks from the clinch.

rolfson has managed to clinch.
Itleri tries to pull guard but rolfson won't allow it.
rolfson tries to land knees in the clinch but Itleri avoids the damage to the body.
Itleri is working for takedown but rolfson is calmly controlling the position for now.

rolfson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
rolfson is looking to clinch but Itleri is avoiding it.
Itleri misses with a takedown
and rolfson counters with a right hand to the body.
rolfson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Itleri.

rolfson drives through and clinches with Itleri against the cage.
rolfson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
rolfson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Itleri is defending well for now.

rolfson breaks from the clinch.
The fight stays on the outside here - rolfson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Itleri closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming rolfson to the mat! rolfson manages to get full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

rolf rolfson dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

rolfson tries to clinch but Itleri moves out of range.
Itleri gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and rolfson counters by clinching up.

rolfson has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Itleri regains guard immediately.

rolfson is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Itleri is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Itleri has escaped and now he's on top!
rolfson can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Itleri controls the pace.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
rolfson thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
rolfson is trying to control the position from the bottom.

rolfson throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Itleri escapes and throws rolfson's legs to the side, diving into side control!
rolfson can't do much from the bottom here.
Itleri is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt rolfson will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.
rolfson tries to improve position but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
rolfson tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Itleri happy to just control the position for now.
rolfson can't do much from the bottom here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itleri wants to control but rolfson is keeping him busy.

Itleri stands up.
rolfson tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

rolfson instigates a clinch.
Itleri takes an elbow to the forehead.
rolfson misses with a knee strike.
Itleri looking for a takedown.
A knee to the head by rolfson.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
rolfson tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Itleri wants a takedown.
rolf rolfson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rocko Itleri.
Itleri jumps guard but rolfson stands there with Itleri around his waist. Itleri gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

rolfson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Itleri tries for a takedown but rolfson circles away easily

and rolfson counters by moving into the clinch.

rolfson breaks from the clinch.
rolfson lands with a nice body kick.
rolfson goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
rolfson is looking to clinch but Itleri is avoiding it.
Itleri shoots and misses

and rolfson counters by clinching up.
rolfson misses with a knee to the head.

rolfson pulls guard effortlessly.

rolfson isolates an arm and boxes in a triangle. Itleri stacks rolfson on his neck as he steps over and passes to the side. He's now in a much more dominant position where he can look to do some serious damage. Nice move by Itleri!
Rocko Itleri has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
rolf rolfson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
rolfson can't do much from the bottom here.

And that's the end of the fight!
rolf rolfson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for rolfson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... rolf rolfson!