PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ari Vanhala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raivo Rape (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Vanhala comes to the cage accompanied by Bad Religion - Generator. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Vanhala
vs
Rape

180 cm
27
198 lbs
13 - 10 - 0

170 cm
25
196 lbs
10 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
Good low kicks
Powerful

Perkele!
Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ari Vanhala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Raivo Rape!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vanhala with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Vanhala throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rape wants to clinch.
Rape shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Vanhala attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rape goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Vanhala just misses with a punch to the body.
A punch lands to the side of Rape 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rape lands a lovely overhand right.
Rape dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Vanhala. That did some damage!
Rape showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vanhala.
Vanhala keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rape.
Vanhala lands a slapping body shot.
Rape cracks the inside of Vanhala's front leg.
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!

Rape pushes Vanhala up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rape cracks Vanhala with a nice body shot.
Rape digs a right hand into Vanhala's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Vanhala's gas tank.
Vanhala tries to throw a body punch but Rape avoids it by throwing Vanhala back against the cage.
Rape lands a body punch in the clinch.
Rape tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vanhala's elbow.
Vanhala struggles to land a body shot inside as Rape controls his hands.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rape.
A hook to the body from Rape.
Vanhala controlling the action here for a moment.
Rape lands a body punch.
Rape struggles to land a body shot inside as Vanhala controls his hands.
Rape struggles to land a body shot inside as Vanhala controls his hands.
Rape misses with the head strike.
Rape lands a right hand that snaps the head of Vanhala backwards.
Vanhala misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vanhala tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rape's elbow.
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!
Vanhala tries to throw a body punch but Rape avoids it by throwing Vanhala back against the cage.
Rape misses with some punches.
Vanhala can't find room to land a body shot as Rape controls the action.
Rape presses Vanhala against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Rape tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rape lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Vanhala.
Rape tries a body shot but Vanhala blocks it.
Vanhala misses with the head strike.
Rape tries to work over Vanhala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vanhala.
Vanhala is looking to control Rape's arms but Rape gets an underhook and turns him. Now Vanhala has his back to the cage.
Rape can't find room to land a body shot as Vanhala controls the action.
Vanhala wants to stall.
Rape misses with a hook to the ribs.
Rape goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanhala blocks an uppercut.
A short left from Vanhala.

Vanhala's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Rape misses with a leg kick
and Vanhala counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rape cracks a nice hook into Vanhala's ribs.
Rape swinging wildly here.
Vanhala throws a front kick aimed at Rape's knee but Rape avoids it well.
Vanhala misses with a hook.
Rape uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Vanhala.
Rape tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Vanhala was well out of range. Poor timing from Rape.
Rape slips a straight right by Vanhala.
Vanhala throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Vanhala lands an overhand right.
Vanhala misses with a wild body shot.
Vanhala avoids the body shot from Rape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Vanhala throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Vanhala fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rape manages to avoid it.

Vanhala moves into the clinch successfully.
A head punch on the inside from Rape fails to land.
Rape misses with a hook to the ribs.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Rape tries to work over Vanhala's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Vanhala is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rape is keeping busy.
Nice body punch from Vanhala - that landed with a thud.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vanhala.
Rape misses with some punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rape goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Vanhala presses Rape against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Rape misses with a hook to the ribs.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raivo Rape dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rape fails with an attempt to clinch.
Vanhala fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rape checks it well.
Vanhala lands a right hook to the body.
Rape fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rape. Vanhala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rape thuds a left hand into Vanhala's body.
Rape throws a head kick that misses.
Rape missing with a left hand there. Vanhala was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Vanhala fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rape is out of range.
A jab lands there for Vanhala.
Vanhala throws a hook to the side of Rape's head but Rape sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rape misses with a straight left.
Rape shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Vanhala defends it nicely.
Rape avoids the body shot from Vanhala.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rape gets a takedown into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Vanhala is staying active underneath Rape, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rape might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Vanhala kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Vanhala avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rape.
Rape trying to pass the guard but Vanhala defending well.
Rape is keen to just control but Vanhala is a slippery customer.
Rape throwing shots but Vanhala is blocking nicely.
Vanhala preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Rape prevents Vanhala from improving his position.
Rape is trying to control the action in half guard but Vanhala is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rape thows a huge punch but Vanhala dodges it nicely.
Vanhala is controlling Rape's trapped leg to prevent Rape from advancing to side control.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Vanhala is looking to chop away at Rape's legs.
Rape tries to clinch but Vanhala moves out of range.
Vanhala takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Vanhala just misses with a punch to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rape.
Vanhala misses with the combination.
Vanhala misses with a wild combination.
No joy there for Vanhala, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vanhala takes a swing at Rape's ribcage but misses.
Rape throws the kick towards the body but Vanhala avoids it.
Rape lands a nice looking kick to the body. Vanhala takes a step back to recover.
Rape is looking to clinch.
Rape is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rape throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rape shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Rape looks to land a right hand but Vanhala moved out of range.
A looping hook to the body misses from Vanhala. Rape does a little dance to reset his feet.
Vanhala closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Vanhala avoids the body shot from Rape.
Vanhala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Vanhala wants it to stay on the feet.
Ari Vanhala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Raivo Rape.

Rape looking to score a takedown here. Vanhala is defending well but Rape drives through and ends up in Vanhala's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Vanhala is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Rape has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rape wants to pass the guard but Vanhala is keeping the position.
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!
Vanhala wants to sweep but no luck.
Rape wants to control from the top but Vanhala keeps moving.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Vanhala wants to control the position but Rape says "no thanks buddy" and passes to half guard.
Rape wants to take a breather but Vanhala is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rape working Vanhala over with strikes.
Rape passes the guard and advances to mount!
Vanhala tries to reverse the position but Rape maintains control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Raivo Rape showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rape showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Vanhala.
Rape scores with a push kick.

Vanhala rushes Rape and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rape lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Vanhala blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vanhala makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Vanhala tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rape's elbow.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rape.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rape.
Vanhala misses with a punch to the body.
Rape goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A right hook to the body lands for Rape.
Vanhala tries to stall but Rape uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Vanhala misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Vanhala tries a body shot but Rape blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rape working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Vanhala lands with a right to the head.
Rape tries a body shot but Vanhala blocks it.
Nice body punch from Rape - that landed with a thud.
Rape has a couple of punches blocked by Vanhala.
Vanhala tries a body shot but Rape blocks it.
Vanhala swings wildly with an uppercut but Rape uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rape lands an uppercut.
Rape lands a right hand.
Rape misses with some punches.
Nice body punch from Vanhala - that landed with a thud.
Vanhala looking to stall.
Rape tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A right hook to the body lands for Rape.
Ari Vanhala has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short left from Rape.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A head punch on the inside from Rape fails to land.
Vanhala lands a nice shot to the body.
Vanhala lands a body shot in the clinch.
Vanhala misses with a short punch on the inside.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Vanhala blocking some punches.
Rape throws a punch but it's blocked by Vanhala.
Rape lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rape lands a left hand.
Vanhala misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rape doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rape tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A right hand to the body from Rape.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rape scores with a nice hook to the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rape.
Rape digs a right hand into Vanhala's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Vanhala's gas tank.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rape lands a right hand.
Rape misses with some punches.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vanhala.
Rape tries a body shot but Vanhala blocks it.
Vanhala blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rape misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Rape misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rape misses with some punches.
Rape tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rape swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Vanhala is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Rape is keeping busy.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Rape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rape blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vanhala misses with a hook to the ribs.
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!
Vanhala tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Raivo Rape is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Rape lands a left hand.
Rape goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A nice left hand lands by Vanhala.
Vanhala goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rape blocks a body shot from Vanhala.
Rape scores with a shot to the side of Vanhala's head.
Vanhala is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Rape misses with the head strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Vanhala.
Rape misses with the head strike.
Vanhala takes a shot to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Raivo Rape comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rape 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Raivo Rape!