PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Tatjaana Rakopaljaana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tibor Stojakovic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rakopaljaana comes to the cage accompanied by Julma-Henri & Syrjäytyneet - Pimeessä Hapuilen. The crowd seem to be enjoying Stojakovic's choice of entrance music: Mutant Cunt Sniffer by Venetian Snares. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rakopaljaana
vs
Stojakovic

171 cm
26
155 lbs
8 - 6 - 0

182 cm
25
151 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tatjaana Rakopaljaana!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Tibor Stojakovic!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Stojakovic throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stojakovic misses with a two punch combination.
Rakopaljaana tries for a takedown but Stojakovic circles away easily
and Stojakovic counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rakopaljaana misses with a wild body shot.
Stojakovic takes a swing at Rakopaljaana's ribcage but misses.
Stojakovic throws a wild body kick that Rakopaljaana sees coming a mile off.
Stojakovic misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rakopaljaana.
Stojakovic blocks a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stojakovic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Stojakovic misses with a left hand
and Rakopaljaana counters with a left to the body.

Rakopaljaana rushes Stojakovic and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stojakovic misses with a hook from the clinch.
Stojakovic is looking to control Rakopaljaana's arms but Rakopaljaana gets an underhook and turns him. Now Stojakovic has his back to the cage.
Stojakovic throws a head punch that misses.
Stojakovic digs a right hand underneath Rakopaljaana's ribcage. Rakopaljaana let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Stojakovic has a couple of punches blocked by Rakopaljaana.

Stojakovic manages to break the clinch.
Stojakovic connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Stojakovic fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

Rakopaljaana gets a clinch.
Stojakovic fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Stojakovic is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Stalling in the clinch from Stojakovic.
Stojakovic throws a head punch that misses.

Stojakovic manages to break the clinch.

Rakopaljaana looking to score a takedown here. Stojakovic is defending well but Rakopaljaana drives through and ends up in Stojakovic's guard.
Stojakovic is controlling Rakopaljaana's posture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Stojakovic escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rakopaljaana gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rakopaljaana trying to control the position from guard on top but Stojakovic is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stojakovic wants to sweep here but Rakopaljaana controlling him for the moment.
Stojakovic wants to stand and escape but Rakopaljaana is having none of it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Stojakovic is on top in guard.
Stojakovic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rakopaljaana is keeping the position for now.
Stojakovic wants to control from the top but Rakopaljaana keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana looking to control.
Rakopaljaana keeping moving, preventing Stojakovic from controlling successfully.

Rakopaljaana throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Stojakovic advances position into side control!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stojakovic wants to control but Rakopaljaana is keeping him busy.

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.

Stojakovic has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Rakopaljaana staying out of range there.
Nice defenses there by Rakopaljaana.
Stojakovic connects with a single shot there.
Rakopaljaana works Stojakovic's body with a nice hook.
Rakopaljaana avoids the body shot from Stojakovic.
Stojakovic misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rakopaljaana misses with a body shot
and Stojakovic counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tibor Stojakovic dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rakopaljaana throws a hook to the side of Stojakovic's head but Stojakovic sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A right-left combo lands from Stojakovic.
Rakopaljaana throws a right hand that misses
and Stojakovic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
A slapping body kick lands there for Stojakovic.
Stojakovic on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Rakopaljaana fails with a takedown attempt.
Stojakovic throws a big shot that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Stojakovic, as that shot connected.
Stojakovic wants to clinch

and Rakopaljaana decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Stojakovic's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana looking to pass the guard.
Stojakovic wants to sweep here but Rakopaljaana controlling him for the moment.
Rakopaljaana sitting in guard here, content to control.
Stojakovic has control of Rakopaljaana's left arm, preventing Rakopaljaana from doing any damage.
Rakopaljaana engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
The fighters circling - Stojakovic throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

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.
Stojakovic feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Rakopaljaanas jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Stojakovic throws a poor cross that misses

and Rakopaljaana counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Rakopaljaana.
Stojakovic holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Stojakovic lands a body punch in the clinch.
Stojakovic prevents Rakopaljaana from breaking the clinch.
Stojakovic has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Rakopaljaana turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!

Rakopaljaana is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Stojakovic knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Stojakovic is looking for a sweep.
Rakopaljaana trying to control the position but Stojakovic is working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rakopaljaana looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Stojakovic is trying to improve his position.
Rakopaljaana trying to control the position but Stojakovic is working away.
Stojakovic tries to improve position but can't.
Rakopaljaana misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Stojakovic takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
Rakopaljaana trying to control the action but Stojakovic is working from the bottom.

Rakopaljaana thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Stojakovic wants to control but Rakopaljaana postures up.
Stojakovic is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Rakopaljaana is staying active.
The strikes coming from Rakopaljaana are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
You can see the frustration on Stojakovic's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatjaana Rakopaljaana dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Horrible takedown by Rakopaljaana or perhaps it was just good defense by Stojakovic which made him look bad.
Rakopaljaana has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rakopaljaana there as he acknowledges the shot.
Rakopaljaana misses with a body shot.
Rakopaljaana rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Stojakovic counters with a head kick. That will keep Rakopaljaana thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Stojakovic throws a right and a left that both miss.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stojakovic looks to land a combination but Rakopaljaana avoids it well.
Stojakovic misses with an uppercut. Rakopaljaana saw that one coming.
Stojakovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rakopaljaana manages to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rakopaljaana feints and as Stojakovic raises his hands in defense, Rakopaljaana changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Stojakovic controlling the position.
Stojakovic trying to control the position.
Rakopaljaana trying to control but Stojakovic is working from the bottom.
Rakopaljaana looking to pass the guard.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Rakopaljaana working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Stojakovic working a defensive guard here.
Stojakovic wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tibor Stojakovic hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Rakopaljaana shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Stojakovic defends it nicely.
Stojakovic misses with a wild combination.
A looping hook to the body misses from Stojakovic. Rakopaljaana does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rakopaljaana takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Stojakovic throws a looping overhand right but Rakopaljaana ducks down to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Stojakovic is fending him off so far but Rakopaljaana persists. Nope, Stojakovic circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tatjaana Rakopaljaana. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Stojakovic lands a jab to the nose.
Stojakovic dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rakopaljaana. That did some damage!
Rakopaljaana walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Stojakovic avoids the body shot from Rakopaljaana.
Nice body punch from Stojakovic.
Tibor Stojakovic is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rakopaljaana takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rakopaljaana lands a body shot.
Stojakovic throws a jab when Rakopaljaana was well out of range.
Stojakovic is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stojakovic fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rakopaljaana manages to avoid it.

Rakopaljaana moves into the clinch successfully.
A short body shot lands from Stojakovic as the two fighters clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Stojakovic.
Stojakovic lands on the inside with an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Stojakovic creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.

It looks like Tatjaana Rakopaljaana has been cut.
Stojakovic doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right hand to the body from Stojakovic.
Stojakovic gets underhooks to prevent Rakopaljaana's takedown attempt.
Rakopaljaana blocks an uppercut.
Stojakovic working aggressively here.
Rakopaljaana tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Stojakovic just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short left from Stojakovic.
Stojakovic has Rakopaljaana pressed against the cage, preventing Rakopaljaana from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Stojakovic stalls.
Rakopaljaana fails to pull the fight into his guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tibor Stojakovic really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Tatjaana Rakopaljaana's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stojakovic shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Rakopaljaana eats them both and turns towards Stojakovic to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Rakopaljaana throws a lazy uppercut
and Stojakovic cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Stojakovic misses with a hook

and Rakopaljaana counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Stojakovic is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Rakopaljaana sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rakopaljaana trying to control but Stojakovic is working from the bottom.

Rakopaljaana drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Stojakovic dives on top into guard.
Stojakovic pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rakopaljaana is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Stojakovic controls the pace.
Stojakovic trying to control the position from guard on top but Rakopaljaana is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stojakovic tries to free his leg and advance position but Rakopaljaana is retaining full guard.

Rakopaljaana is looking for a triangle but Stojakovic pushes his legs off easily.
Stojakovic stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rakopaljaana swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stojakovic must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Stojakovic is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Rakopaljaana is looking for a triangle here but Stojakovic uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Stojakovic is looking to take a break and control but Rakopaljaana is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rakopaljaana is being controlled here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana is looking for a sweep.
Rakopaljaana is not content to let Stojakovic control the position.
Rakopaljaana tries to buck Stojakovic off but Stojakovic is having none of it.
Stojakovic controlling the position from side mount.

Stojakovic decides to stand up, so the ref orders Rakopaljaana to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Stojakovic throws a looping overhand right but Rakopaljaana ducks down to avoid it.
Stojakovic cracks Rakopaljaana with a right hand to the side of the head.
Rakopaljaana throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rakopaljaana shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Stojakovic counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Stojakovic takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.

Rakopaljaana has closed the distance and engaged Stojakovic in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Tibor Stojakovic will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Tatjaana Rakopaljaana's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rakopaljaana slips a jab and a cross from Stojakovic.
Tibor Stojakovic seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rakopaljaana moves forwards but Stojakovic connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Rakopaljaana clinches.
Stojakovic throws a head punch that misses.
Stojakovic can't find room to land a body shot as Rakopaljaana controls the action.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Stojakovic stalling against the cage.
Stojakovic lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rakopaljaana backwards.

Rakopaljaana breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Stojakovic throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rakopaljaana throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Stojakovic connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stojakovic connects with a jab.
Stojakovic throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rakopaljaana throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Stojakovic uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rakopaljaana.
Stojakovic swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Rakopaljaana clinches.

Stojakovic wants the takedown. Rakopaljaana is fighting it off but Stojakovic persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rakopaljaana's guard against the cage.
Rakopaljaana looking for a sweep. Not yet Rakopaljaana, not yet.

Stojakovic got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rakopaljaana has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Stojakovic has managed to get both his arms back between Rakopaljaana's legs - danger averted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana trying to control the position.
Stojakovic wants to pass the guard but Rakopaljaana is keeping the position.
Rakopaljaana might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rakopaljaana keeping moving, preventing Stojakovic from controlling successfully.
Stojakovic wants to pass the guard but Rakopaljaana is keeping the position.
Stojakovic trying to control but Rakopaljaana is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Stojakovic looking to sit in guard and control but Rakopaljaana gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana tries to free his leg and advance position but Stojakovic is retaining full guard.
Stojakovic looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Stojakovic not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rakopaljaana controls from within his opponent's guard.

Tibor Stojakovic has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Stojakovic throws the left hand but Rakopaljaana avoids the punch easily.

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.
Rakopaljaana uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Stojakovic.
Stojakovic takes a swing at Rakopaljaana's ribcage but misses.
A slow jab from Stojakovic misses its intended target.
Stojakovic turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Stojakovic misses with a looping left.
Donk. Rakopaljaana catches Stojakovic right on the button with a cross.
Tatjaana Rakopaljaana has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rakopaljaana avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rakopaljaana looks to land a combination but Stojakovic avoids it well.
Rakopaljaana takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
A nice combination there by Stojakovic.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tibor Stojakovic comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Stojakovic has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Andi Peters scores the fight 46:49
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 46:49
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tibor Stojakovic! Tibor Stojakovic retains his featherweight title!