PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jukko Hamalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rin Itoshiki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hamalainen comes to the cage accompanied by the Finnish National Anthem. Itoshiki has chosen Hito toshite Jiku ga Bureteiru (SZS Mod. Rap ver.) as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Hamalainen
vs
Itoshiki

190 cm
34
266 lbs
26 - 15 - 1

195 cm
28
270 lbs
13 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Good kicks
Experienced

BJJ Brown Belt
Dangerous knees
Determined

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 26 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jukko Hamalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Rin Itoshiki!
The judges for this bout are Paul Gruel, Jeff Smith and Roger Salmon.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Itoshiki swinging wildly here.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Itoshiki lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Hamalainen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Hamalainen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.

Itoshiki has managed to clinch.
Itoshiki lands an elbow inside.
Hamalainen tries for a takedown but Itoshiki manages to get underhooks.
Hamalainen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hamalainen tries to pull guard but Itoshiki forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Itoshiki unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hamalainen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Hamalainen is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jukko Hamalainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hamalainen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Itoshiki smiles and moves away.
Hamalainen looks for a takedown but Itoshiki sprawls well.

Itoshiki drives through and clinches with Hamalainen against the cage.
Itoshiki gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A frustrated look appears on Hamalainen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Itoshiki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hamalainen avoids it.
Itoshiki is looking to control Hamalainen's arms but Hamalainen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Itoshiki has his back to the cage.
Hamalainen throws a punch but it's blocked by Itoshiki.

Hamalainen wants the takedown. Itoshiki is fighting it off but Hamalainen persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Itoshiki's guard against the cage.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Hamalainen wants to control from the top but Itoshiki keeps moving.
Itoshiki bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Hamalainen's guard.
Itoshiki showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Itoshiki preventing the sweep.
Itoshiki stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Hamalainen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Itoshiki showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki stopping the sweep attempt from Hamalainen.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Rin Itoshiki.

Itoshiki has Hamalainen up against the cage in a clinch.
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!
Itoshiki putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hamalainen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Itoshiki lands a good knee to the midsection. Hamalainen won't want to take too many of those.
Hamalainen avoiding damage as Itoshiki throws knees to the body.

Hamalainen is trying to trip Itoshiki. He has hold of a leg but Itoshiki is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Hamalainen persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Itoshiki pushes Hamalainen off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Itoshiki bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hamalainen's head backwards.

Itoshiki moves into the clinch successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Hamalainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Itoshiki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice body punch from Itoshiki.
Itoshiki pushes Hamalainen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Itoshiki creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Itoshiki tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Itoshiki blocks a body shot from Hamalainen.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Itoshiki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hamalainen misses with a body punch.
Itoshiki tries to work over Hamalainen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hamalainen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Itoshiki backwards.

It looks like Rin Itoshiki has been cut.
Itoshiki lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Itoshiki lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hamalainen blocks it with crossed arms.
Itoshiki landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hamalainen struggles to land a body shot inside as Itoshiki controls his hands.
Hamalainen avoiding damage as Itoshiki throws knees to the body.
Itoshiki crunches a lovely knee into Hamalainen's ribcage.
Hamalainen is breathing heavily.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Itoshiki takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Itoshiki blocking some punches.
Hamalainen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Itoshiki lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

Itoshiki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hamalainen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Itoshiki clinches with his opponent.

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

Itoshiki clinches with his opponent.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rin Itoshiki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rin Itoshiki's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Itoshiki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Itoshiki stalling in the clinch but Hamalainen improves position.
Itoshiki working Hamalainen over with knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Hamalainen as Itoshiki tries to tie him up.
Itoshiki tries a knee to the head but Hamalainen blocks it.
Hamalainen has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Itoshiki tries a knee to the head but Hamalainen blocks it.
Hamalainen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Itoshiki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Itoshiki dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Itoshiki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hamalainen avoids it.
Hamalainen tries to pull guard but Itoshiki forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Itoshiki.
Hamalainen misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamalainen misses with a body punch.

Hamalainen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Itoshiki rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hamalainen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Itoshiki cracks Hamalainen with a good jab.
Itoshiki looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Hamalainen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Itoshiki as he jumps to the side.
Itoshiki cracks Hamalainen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Itoshiki rushes Hamalainen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Hamalainen can't find room to land a body shot as Itoshiki controls the action.
Itoshiki lands an elbow that stopped Hamalainen in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Jukko Hamalainen has been cut.
Hamalainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Itoshiki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Hamalainen has a couple of punches blocked by Itoshiki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Itoshiki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Itoshiki clinches up with Hamalainen and pushes him back against the cage.
A short left from Itoshiki.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Itoshiki throws an elbow that misses.
Itoshiki looking to stall.
Itoshiki is trying to slow the pace down but that's a couple of times in a row that he's tried to get underhooks and Hamalainen has denied him.
Hamalainen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Itoshiki looking to slow down the pace here.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
The crowd are getting on Itoshiki's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Rin Itoshiki.
Itoshiki connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Itoshiki fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Hamalainen, pushing him back against the cage.
Itoshiki unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hamalainen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Rin Itoshiki seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Hamalainen lands a shot to the body.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head.
Itoshiki throws a knee to the head but misses.
Itoshiki lands a damaging elbow.
Itoshiki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Hamalainen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Hamalainen takes an elbow to the temple.
Hamalainen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Itoshiki using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Itoshiki putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hamalainen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Itoshiki lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Itoshiki connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hamalainen's face.

Jukko Hamalainen's cut is getting worse.
Itoshiki controlling the action here for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Itoshiki lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hamalainen backwards.
Hamalainen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Itoshiki looking to slow down the pace here.

Hamalainen is fighting off a takedown attempt but Itoshiki is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Hamalainen to the mat. Hamalainen regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Itoshiki sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Itoshiki preventing the sweep.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Itoshiki works a leg free and moves into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Itoshiki trying to control the pace.
Hamalainen wants to control but Itoshiki is keeping busy and won't allow it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rin Itoshiki showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
That's time! Hamalainen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Itoshiki lands with a kick to the ribs.

Itoshiki darts in and clinches Hamalainen up against the cage.
Itoshiki is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Itoshiki throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Hamalainen wants a takedown.
Itoshiki is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hamalainen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Itoshiki is looking to control Hamalainen's arms but Hamalainen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Itoshiki has his back to the cage.
Itoshiki landing knees to the head.
Itoshiki taking a breather.
A frustrated look appears on Hamalainen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hamalainen tries to work over Itoshiki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Itoshiki working Hamalainen over with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itoshiki looking to throw knees to the head but Hamalainen is blocking nicely.
Itoshiki scores a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Itoshiki lands an elbow inside that Hamalainen shrugs off.
Nice elbow from Itoshiki.
Itoshiki lands a right hand.
Itoshiki landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Knees to the body from Itoshiki.
Itoshiki lands an elbow that stopped Hamalainen in his tracks for a moment.
Itoshiki putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hamalainen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Itoshiki crunches a lovely knee into Hamalainen's ribcage.
Itoshiki lands a nice knee to the body.
Itoshiki is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Hamalainen is keeping busy.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head.
Itoshiki lands a shot to the body.
Itoshiki with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Itoshiki lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Itoshiki is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Hamalainen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Itoshiki's elbow.
Itoshiki lands a good knee to the midsection. Hamalainen won't want to take too many of those.
Jukko Hamalainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Itoshiki lands a left hand.
Itoshiki effectively controlling the action here.
Hamalainen misses with a body punch.
Itoshiki has Hamalainen pressed against the cage.

Itoshiki breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Itoshiki connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.

Itoshiki moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamalainen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Itoshiki's elbow.
Hamalainen working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Itoshiki tries to land a knee to the head but Hamalainen blocks with his arms.

Hamalainen pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Itoshiki gets a clinch.
Itoshiki tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Hamalainen manages to break the clinch.

Itoshiki darts in and clinches Hamalainen up against the cage.
Itoshiki landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Itoshiki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Hamalainen takes one to the chin there.
Itoshiki lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Itoshiki darts in and clinches Hamalainen up against the cage.
Hamalainen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rin Itoshiki is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

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

Itoshiki gets to his feet - Hamalainen follows without any prompting.
Hamalainen slips a jab and a cross from Itoshiki.
Hamalainen gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Itoshiki.

Itoshiki clinches up with Hamalainen and pushes him back against the cage.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Itoshiki connects with a knee to the head.

Jukko Hamalainen's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Hamalainen works on Itoshiki's body with a couple of short punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Itoshiki throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hamalainen blocks it with crossed arms.
Hamalainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Itoshiki uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hamalainen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rin Itoshiki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Itoshiki 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 Paul Gruel scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jeff Smith scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roger Salmon scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rin Itoshiki!
Rin Itoshiki tried to hype himself up post fight but didn't word it too well and it ended up with him sounding like a bit of a tool.