PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Rurik Raivo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ville Luoto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Raivo
vs
Luoto

176 cm
23
163 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

179 cm
18
162 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Very confident

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rurik Raivo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ville Luoto!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raivo has closed the distance and engaged Luoto in a clinch.
Luoto stalling in the clinch but Raivo improves position.

Luoto jumps into guard, dragging Raivo to the mat.
Raivo pushes down on Luoto's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Raivo seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Luoto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Raivo looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Raivo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Raivo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Raivo is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Luoto taking some punishment here, with Raivo in his half guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raivo throwing shots but Luoto is blocking nicely.
Raivo takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Raivo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Raivo throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Raivo throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Luoto to regain full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raivo throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Luoto works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Luoto working a defensive guard here.
Raivo connects with a couple of short punches.
Raivo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Raivo connects with a couple of short punches.
Raivo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Luoto swivels though and keeps the full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raivo working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Luoto is looking to stand up but Raivo isn't so interested in that idea.
Raivo wants to control from the top but Luoto keeps moving.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Raivo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raivo scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Raivo throws an elbow that misses. Luoto uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Raivo's guard. Nice move by Luoto!
Luoto throwing strikes but missing.
Luoto trying to control the position from guard on top but Raivo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Luoto looking to sit in guard and control but Raivo gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Luoto wants to stand and escape but Raivo is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Luoto is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Luoto wants to stand and escape but Raivo is having none of it.
Luoto looks gassed!
Raivo throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

Raivo gets to his feet. Luoto looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Luoto gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Raivo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Luoto misses with a hook. Raivo ducked under it nicely.
Raivo moves in looking to clinch but Luoto pushes him off.
Luoto avoids a punch combination nicely.
Raivo thuds a left hand into Luoto's body.

Raivo fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Luoto sprawls well initially but Raivo persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raivo is nestled in close to Luoto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raivo is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Raivo 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.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Raivo lands a nice short elbow.
Raivo seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Raivo is nestled in close to Luoto, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.

Luoto is rocked!
Ground and pound from Raivo.
Luoto is still in real trouble! Can Raivo finish him?
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Raivo connects with a nice short shot to Luoto's temple.
Raivo winds up and cracks Luoto with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Raivo working Luoto over with strikes.
Raivo is sitting in half guard. He's postured up and lands a nice elbow. Oh, Luoto is hurt! He's hurt bad - Raivo fires away with more strikes and the referee jumps in to save Luoto from any more punishment! Congratulations to Raivo! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Rurik Raivo!
An out of breath Rurik Raivo thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.