PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Dos Santos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mikkel Koch (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Dos Santos
vs
Koch

190 cm
25
190 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
185 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Big right hand

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Dos Santos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikkel Koch!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dos Santos slaps away a takedown attempt from Koch, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Koch moves away from the strike by Dos Santos.

Dos Santos instigates a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Dos Santos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Koch gets control of Dos Santos's arms and successfully pulls guard. Koch will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Dos Santos trying to control the position from guard on top but Koch is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Dos Santos knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Koch on the ground.

Koch looking for a guillotine here but Dos Santos defends easily.

Koch is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Dos Santos defends well.

Koch had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Dos Santos defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Koch escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Dos Santos gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Dos Santos stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Koch swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Koch is looking for a triangle but Dos Santos pushes his legs off easily.
Dos Santos is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Dos Santos wants to get up but he can't break Koch's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Dos Santos has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koch working a defensive guard here.
Koch keeping full guard, as Dos Santos tries to pass.
Koch wants to sweep here but Dos Santos controlling him for the moment.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Dos Santos takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

Dos Santos has closed the distance and engaged Koch in a clinch.
Koch prevents Dos Santos from breaking the clinch.
Koch tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dos Santos just stands there and leans against the cage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Dos Santos.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Koch pulls Dos Santos into guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Koch holds on and takes a little breather.
Dos Santos trying to stand up but can't free himself from Koch's guard.

Koch looking for a guillotine here but Dos Santos defends easily.
Koch looks winded!
Dos Santos wants to pass the guard but Koch is keeping the position.
Koch throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
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.
Koch trying to keep a closed guard but Dos Santos is proving a slippery customer.
Dos Santos stays in close to Koch's body and controls the position.

Dos Santos drops back looking for a leg! Koch is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Koch manages to kick Dos Santos off! Dos Santos jumps back into Koch's guard.
Dos Santos trying to control but Koch is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Dos Santos is looking to stand up but Koch won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Dos Santos dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Dos Santos defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Koch.
Dos Santos scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Mikkel Koch is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Dos Santos fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Koch, pushing him back against the cage.
Dos Santos blocks an elbow strike.
Koch is trying to pull guard but Dos Santos has him pressed against the cage.
Koch drops down looking for an ankle pick but Dos Santos pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rafael Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikkel Koch.
Koch takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.

Dos Santos gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Dos Santos lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Koch.
Dos Santos can't break the clinch.
Dos Santos lands a shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Dos Santos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dos Santos cracks Koch with a nice body shot.
Koch has Dos Santos pressed against the cage, preventing Dos Santos from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Koch is breathing heavily.
Dos Santos working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Dos Santos.

Dos Santos breaks from the clinch.
Nice uppercut lands for Dos Santos. That snapped Koch's head back.
Koch moves forwards but Dos Santos connects with a nice, crisp jab.

Dos Santos moves into the clinch successfully.
Dos Santos is trying to push Koch away but Koch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dos Santos is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dos Santos tries to break free but Koch pushes him back against the cage.

Dos Santos manages to break the clinch.

Dos Santos clinches with his opponent.
Dos Santos is trying to force a seperation but Koch has the dominant position.
Dos Santos is trying to break free.
Dos Santos tries to circle away but Koch has him pinned against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Dos Santos.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dos Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Koch has him pressed against the cage.
Dos Santos is trying to break the clinch but Koch is controlling him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is pressed up against the cage. Koch has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Dos Santos down to the mat. Dos Santos avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Dos Santos darts in and clinches Koch up against the cage.
Dos Santos is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dos Santos makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Dos Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Koch has him pressed against the cage.
Dos Santos working hard to break the clinch.
Koch can't break the clinch.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Dos Santos creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Dos Santos is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Dos Santos lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Koch backwards.
Dos Santos lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Koch backwards.
Dos Santos tries to break the clinch but Koch is controlling the position.

Dos Santos manages to break the clinch.
Dos Santos throws a shot to the body.
Sloppy strikes from Dos Santos. Those never looked like landing.

Dos Santos moves into the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos is trying to push Koch away but Koch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dos Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Koch has him pressed against the cage.
Dos Santos lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Koch taking a breather.
Dos Santos wants to get back to striking at distance but Koch won't allow it.
Koch takes a shot to the head.
Dos Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Koch has him pressed against the cage.
Dos Santos is trying to break free.
Koch drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Koch has Dos Santos pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Dos Santos manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Dos Santos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dos Santos tries to circle away but Koch has him pinned against the cage.
Dos Santos has had enough of the clinch but Koch keeps him there for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koch tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Dos Santos just stands there and leans against the cage.
Dos Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Koch has him pressed against the cage.
A short uppercut from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos can't break the clinch.
Dos Santos working some nice short punches in the clinch.
A short body shot lands from Dos Santos as the two fighters clinch.
Dos Santos lands with a left to the head.
Dos Santos lands a body shot in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nice body punch from Dos Santos - that landed with a thud.

Dos Santos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dos Santos uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Dos Santos connects with a nice looking jab.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Koch on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Koch walks into a left hand.
Dos Santos with a nice cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rafael Dos Santos dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Dos Santos has Koch up against the cage in a clinch.
Dos Santos lands with a light punch inside.
Dos Santos wants to break free but Koch has control.
Koch is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Dos Santos is trying to break free.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Koch is trying to break the clinch but Dos Santos is controlling him.
Dos Santos works on Koch's body with a couple of short punches.
Koch is trying to pull guard but Dos Santos turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Rafael Dos Santos has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Dos Santos is trying to push Koch away but Koch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Koch manages to pull guard.
Dos Santos trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Koch takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Dos Santos sitting in guard, not really doing much.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dos Santos trying to stand up but can't free himself from Koch's guard.

Koch is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Dos Santos is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Rafael Dos Santos has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.

Dos Santos clinches with his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos wants to get back to striking at distance but Koch won't allow it.
Dos Santos is trying to force a seperation but Koch has the dominant position.
A frustrated look appears on Dos Santos's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Koch wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Koch tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Dos Santos is trying to push Koch away but Koch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Dos Santos looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dos Santos keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Koch's efforts to push away.
Dos Santos managing to block the knees to the body from Koch.
Dos Santos wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Koch has him pressed against the cage.
Dos Santos digs a right hand underneath Koch's ribcage. Koch let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Dos Santos breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Dos Santos is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Dos Santos bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Dos Santos paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Dos Santos.
Dos Santos with a hook.
Dos Santos fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Koch on the side of the head.
Rafael Dos Santos seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Dos Santos has managed to clinch.
Dos Santos tries to circle away but Koch has him pinned against the cage.
Dos Santos looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Koch takes a shot to the head.
Dos Santos wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Dos Santos lands a body shot in the clinch.
Dos Santos lands with a short shot to the head.
Dos Santos is trying to push Koch away but Koch has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Koch is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Dos Santos to keep the fight standing.
Rafael Dos Santos has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mikkel Koch.
Dos Santos is trying to break free.
Dos Santos is looking to break free of the clinch but Koch has double underhooks.
Mikkel Koch has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dos Santos lands a shot to the body.
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!
Dos Santos lands a body shot.
Good body shot from Dos Santos.
Dos Santos wants to break the clinch but can't.
Dos Santos wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Koch drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Dos Santos gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Dos Santos wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dos Santos tries to circle away but Koch has him pinned against the cage.
Dos Santos lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Dos Santos can't break the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dos Santos looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Dos Santos working hard to break the clinch.
A short left from Dos Santos.

Dos Santos breaks from the clinch.
Dos Santos paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Dos Santos showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Dos Santos 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:26
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Dos Santos!
A very excited looking Rafael Dos Santos made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.