PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gerhard Rihmakallo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Lasse Lukottaja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rihmakallo comes to the cage accompanied by Blood For Blood-Living In Exile. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rihmakallo
vs
Lukottaja

185 cm
24
245 lbs
7 - 17 - 0

190 cm
27
239 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent elbows
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gerhard Rihmakallo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Lasse Lukottaja!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rihmakallo with a lazy takedown attempt

so Lukottaja counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Rihmakallo is looking for a triangle but Lukottaja pushes his legs off easily.
Lukottaja pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rihmakallo is keeping the position for now.
Rihmakallo is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Lukottaja is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Lukottaja looking to pass the guard.
Lukottaja stopping the sweep attempt from Rihmakallo.
Rihmakallo is trying to control the position but Lukottaja postures up.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gerhard Rihmakallo wasn't doing enough on the ground.

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

Lukottaja breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Lukottaja swings for the body but Rihmakallo moves out of range.
Rihmakallo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Lukottaja counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lukottaja.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rihmakallo striking off his back but it's not causing Lukottaja any problems.
Lukottaja won't allow Rihmakallo to sweep him here.
Rihmakallo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rihmakallo throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Lukottaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Rihmakallo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Lukottaja works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Lukottaja is trying to work for a kimura but Rihmakallo is defending well.
Lukottaja landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Lukottaja looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Lukottaja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rihmakallo keeps working.
Rihmakallo is looking to improve his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Rihmakallo landing small, sideways elbows.
Rihmakallo tries to roll over but Lukottaja keeps him under control.
Lukottaja trying to control the action but Rihmakallo is working from the bottom.
Rihmakallo punching from the bottom.
Lukottaja thows a huge punch but Rihmakallo dodges it nicely.
Rihmakallo has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rihmakallo wants to improve his position but Lukottaja is controlling well.
Lukottaja not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lukottaja is thwarting Rihmakallo's attempts to control the position.
Lukottaja wants to pass to mount but Rihmakallo is defending the position.
Rihmakallo avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Lukottaja.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukottaja is controlling the pace.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rihmakallo wants to control but Lukottaja is keeping busy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Lukottaja fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rihmakallo sprawls well initially but Lukottaja persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rihmakallo trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Lukottaja manages to pass to mount!
Lukottaja lands with some strikes.
Rihmakallo tries to reverse the position but Lukottaja maintains control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rihmakallo 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.
Rihmakallo wants to get back to his feet.
Lukottaja wants to control but Rihmakallo is keeping him busy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rihmakallo is trying to stand back up but Lukottaja is controlling him
Lukottaja is trying to control the action in half guard but Rihmakallo is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Lukottaja is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rihmakallo is just riding it out for now. Lukottaja eventually gives up the hold.
Rihmakallo wants to get back to his feet.
Lukottaja slows the pace down in half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lasse Lukottaja dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Excellent takedown into side control there by Lukottaja.
You can see the frustration on Rihmakallo's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Lukottaja is maintaining the dominant position - no doubt Rihmakallo will start to get frustrated soon if he's not already.

Lukottaja wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rihmakallo, who protects the arm well.
Lukottaja landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Rihmakallo is trying to buck Lukottaja off.
The referee asks Lukottaja politely if he wouldn't mind getting on with it and actually doing something. Lukottaja prefers to stall for the moment though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Lukottaja working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Lukottaja tries to advance to mount but Rihmakallo denies him.
Rihmakallo wants to get back to his feet.
Lukottaja wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rihmakallo keeps working.
Rihmakallo is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Lukottaja's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rihmakallo looking for submissions off his back.
Lukottaja is trying to control. Rihmakallo wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

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

Rihmakallo kicks Lukottaja off and gets back to his feet.

Lukottaja shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Rihmakallo working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Lukottaja has passed into half guard!

Rihmakallo makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rihmakallo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Lukottaja counters with a nice double leg into side control. Rihmakallo won't be happy with that.
Rihmakallo throws a couple of punches but he's in a bad position and they don't land.
Lasse Lukottaja has got the better of the ground game so far.
Rihmakallo gets back to half guard.

Lukottaja is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rihmakallo is just riding it out for now. Lukottaja eventually gives up the hold.

Rihmakallo looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lukottaja wants to take a breather but Rihmakallo is having none of it.

Lukottaja is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rihmakallo is just riding it out for now. Lukottaja eventually gives up the hold.
Lukottaja missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Lukottaja tries to stand but his arm is trapped.

Rihmakallo manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Gerhard Rihmakallo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rihmakallo shoots and misses

and Lukottaja counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Lukottaja.
Lukottaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Rihmakallo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rihmakallo not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rihmakallo manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Rihmakallo lands a big shot there that rocks Lukottaja but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Lukottaja really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Lukottaja really wants to buck Rihmakallo off and get back to his feet.
Lukottaja is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Lukottaja takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rihmakallo landing shots from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Lasse Lukottaja 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. This is the final round!

Rihmakallo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rihmakallo trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Lukottaja working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Rihmakallo.
Rihmakallo is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rihmakallo is in close to Lukottaja's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rihmakallo stopping the sweep attempt from Lukottaja.
Rihmakallo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Lukottaja keeping moving, preventing Rihmakallo from controlling successfully.
Lukottaja wants to sweep here but Rihmakallo controlling him for the moment.
Rihmakallo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rihmakallo trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rihmakallo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rihmakallo keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Lukottaja's head.
Lukottaja takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rihmakallo cracks Lukottaja with a solid left hand.
Rihmakallo preventing the sweep.
Rihmakallo with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rihmakallo is pushing down on Lukottaja's leg trying to pass to half guard. Lukottaja is fighting to maintain full guard but Rihmakallo has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rihmakallo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Lukottaja regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rihmakallo.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rihmakallo's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rihmakallo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Rihmakallo has gone for a leg lock! Lukottaja slips out almost immediately though and dives into Rihmakallo's guard.
Rihmakallo wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Lukottaja trying to control the position from guard on top but Rihmakallo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rihmakallo looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rihmakallo keeping moving, preventing Lukottaja from controlling successfully.
Lukottaja trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Rihmakallo has an active guard here but Lukottaja has managed to pass into half guard.
Rihmakallo is trying to get back to full guard.
Rihmakallo works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rihmakallo doesn't do any damage with a couple of strikes from the bottom.
Lukottaja looking to pass the guard.
Lukottaja wants to control from the top but Rihmakallo keeps moving.

Rihmakallo escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Lukottaja gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rihmakallo looking to control.
Rihmakallo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Lukottaja not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Lukottaja wants to control from the top but Rihmakallo keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Lasse Lukottaja.
Rihmakallo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Lukottaja counters by clinching up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Lukottaja decides to pull guard.
Rihmakallo preventing the sweep.
Lukottaja not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Gerhard Rihmakallo has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Lukottaja looking for a sweep. Not yet Lukottaja, not yet.
Rihmakallo makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Rihmakallo thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Rihmakallo is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Lukottaja is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Lukottaja has escaped and now he's on top!

Lukottaja avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gerhard Rihmakallo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Lukottaja 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Lasse Lukottaja!