PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Miksu Rupunen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jack Worthington (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rupunen comes to the cage accompanied by Johnny Cash - God's Gonna Cut You Down. Worthington has chosen Hand Covers Bruise- Trent Reznor as his entrance music. Miksu Rupunen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rupunen
vs
Worthington

185 cm
32
205 lbs
19 - 13 - 1

188 cm
28
218 lbs
12 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Miksu Rupunen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jack Worthington!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Anni Minnemäki and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rupunen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rupunen tries to bum rush Worthington with a series of wild strikes but Worthington uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rupunen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Worthington swivels and escapes.
Rupunen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Worthington.
Rupunen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Rupunen tries to sprawl but Worthington drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Worthington trying to control from half guard but Rupunen is working away.
Rupunen manages to get to full guard.
Worthington with a nice head shot there.
Rupunen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Worthington is one step ahead there.
Rupunen trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rupunen working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Worthington has passed into half guard!
Worthington is trying to control the action in half guard but Rupunen is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Worthington seems to be working for a kimura but Rupunen defends the submission attempt.
Rupunen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Worthington pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rupunen is keeping the position for now.
Rupunen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Worthington.

Worthington drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Worthington jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Rupunen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Worthington wants to control from the top but Rupunen keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rupunen is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Worthington is aware though and is defending well.
Worthington trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rupunen is looking to sweep but instead, Worthington has passed into half guard.
Rupunen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rupunen is pressing down on Worthington's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
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!

Rupunen working for submissions but it's allowed Worthington to get to half guard.
Rupunen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Worthington's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Worthington's back!
Rupunen is riding his opponent, not letting Worthington buck him off.
Rupunen tries to get the hooks in deep but Worthington pushed the leg off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rupunen looking for the RNC.
Worthington is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Rupunen just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Rupunen's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Worthington trying to control the position but Rupunen manages to sink in the hooks.

Rupunen tightening his grip on Worthington, looking for the choke.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rupunen is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Worthington defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Rupunen is controlling the position but Worthington somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Worthington holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rupunen is trying to work for a kimura but Worthington is defending well.
Rupunen trying to control the action but Worthington is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miksu Rupunen dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rupunen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Rupunen connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Worthington momentarily.
Rupunen lands a right hook to the body.
Rupunen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Worthington as he jumps to the side.
Rupunen closes the distance and clinches up with Worthington, looking for a takedown. Rupunen pushes Worthington against the cage but Worthington circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Worthington tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rupunen swivels and escapes.
Worthington is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rupunen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rupunen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Rupunen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Worthington moves forwards but Rupunen connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rupunen throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rupunen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Worthington.

Rupunen closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rupunen lands in his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worthington trying to control the position.
Rupunen preventing the sweep.
Rupunen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rupunen controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Rupunen pushing down on Worthington's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Rupunen winds up and cracks Worthington with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rupunen winds up and cracks Worthington with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rupunen wants to control but Worthington is keeping him busy.

Rupunen decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen swinging wildly here.
Rupunen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Worthington shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rupunen is trying to defend but Worthington finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
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!
Worthington trying to mount his opponent but Rupunen defends it.
Worthington prevents Rupunen from standing back up.
Worthington is thwarting Rupunen's attempts to control the position.

Worthington is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Rupunen is pressing down on Worthington's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen is trying to keep Worthington in close.
Worthington won't allow Rupunen to sweep him here.
Rupunen tries to strike from the bottom.

Worthington drops back looking for a leg! Rupunen is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rupunen manages to kick Worthington off! Worthington jumps back into Rupunen's guard.

Rupunen is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Worthington defends well.
Rupunen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Rupunen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen is trying to keep Worthington in close.
Rupunen is looking to stand up but Worthington isn't so interested in that idea.
Worthington sitting in guard here, content to control.
Worthington with a nice head shot there.
Worthington trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Worthington wants to control from the top but Rupunen keeps moving.
Worthington in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Worthington preventing the sweep.
Rupunen trying to control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Miksu Rupunen dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Worthington looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Worthington listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Worthington shoots in but Rupunen avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Worthington misses with a straight right.
Rupunen leaves Worthington with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Miksu Rupunen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jack Worthington.
Rupunen shoots in looking for a takedown but Worthington manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rupunen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rupunen lands a jab to the head.
Miksu Rupunen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rupunen fails with a takedown attempt.
Rupunen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Worthington counters with a straight right hand.
Rupunen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Worthington.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Worthington slips under a jab.
Worthington throws an overhand right that lands on Rupunen's shoulder, as Rupunen tries to avoid the shot.
Rupunen lands a lovely overhand right.
Rupunen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Worthington but Worthington pushes him off and we're back to square one.
No joy there for Rupunen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Worthington dodges the punch combination from Rupunen.
Rupunen just misses with a punch to the body.
Worthington with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rupunen counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Worthington needs to keep his hands up - Rupunen had a free shot at his head there.
Worthington shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Rupunen as he jumps to the side.
Rupunen thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Worthington swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Rupunen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Worthington.
Miksu Rupunen is winning the standup battle so far.

Worthington closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Worthington lands an elbow.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rupunen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Miksu Rupunen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Worthington is looking to take a break and control but Rupunen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Worthington is trying to get an arm triangle but Rupunen is defending well.
Rupunen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Worthington's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen is trying to control but Worthington passes into side control!
Rupunen tries to improve position but can't.
Worthington trying to control the position but Rupunen is working away.

Worthington wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rupunen, who protects the arm well.
Jack Worthington has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rupunen is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Rupunen struggling a bit here.
Rupunen is trying to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rupunen manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Worthington is trying to maintain the position but Rupunen is very close to passing his half guard.
Rupunen wants to stand up but Worthington has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Miksu Rupunen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rupunen is keen to just control but Worthington is a slippery customer.
Worthington wants to control but Rupunen is keeping busy and won't allow it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rupunen stalling.

And that's the end of the fight!
Miksu Rupunen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rupunen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Miksu Rupunen!