PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Jake Roberts (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Iko Rapada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Roberts comes to the ring accompanied by RUN DMC - Down With The King. Rapada has chosen M83-We Own The Sky as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Roberts
vs
Rapada

185 cm
22
185 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

185 cm
22
196 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

MMADNESS clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jake Roberts!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iko Rapada!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rapada gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Roberts pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rapada is keeping the position for now.
Rapada will have to put a bit more behind his punches if he's going to do any damage from this position.
Roberts advances position into side control!

Roberts tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Rapada regains half guard.

Rapada looking for submissions off his back.

Roberts is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Rapada defends it well.

Rapada actively working from the bottom here.
Rapada slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Roberts thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Roberts postures up.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Rapada looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Roberts stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rapada swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Roberts avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Roberts drops back looking for a leg! Rapada is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Rapada manages to kick Roberts off! Roberts jumps back into Rapada's guard.
Roberts wants to pass the guard but Rapada is keeping the position.
Roberts is breathing heavily.
Roberts is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Rapada is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Roberts pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rapada is keeping the position for now.

Roberts has gone for a leg lock! Rapada slips out almost immediately though and dives into Roberts's guard.
Rapada must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Rapada is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Roberts wants to sweep here but Rapada controlling him for the moment.

Rapada gets to his feet. Roberts looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Rapada throws a right and a left that Roberts avoids nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts shoots in looking for a takedown. Rapada tries to sprawl out of it but Roberts keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Rapada manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Roberts shoots in for a double leg but Rapada sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rapada.
Rapada throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Roberts.

It looks like Jake Roberts has been cut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rapada scores with a three punch combo!

Roberts is rocked!
Rapada misses with a two punch combination.
Rapada drops Roberts with a left and a right! Oh, Roberts is hurt - Rapada dives into side control looking to finish!
Oh Roberts is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Rapada thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Roberts seems to have got his legs back now.
Roberts is looking to regain half guard here but Rapada keeps moving and retains side control.
Roberts is not content to let Rapada control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iko Rapada dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Roberts's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

A left and a right from Rapada both land. Nice combination.
A punch combination from Rapada misses.
Rapada fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Roberts.
No joy there for Rapada, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rapada stuffs the takedown attempt from Roberts. Roberts gets slowly back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rapada.
Rapada connects with a good right hand that stumbles Roberts. Roberts circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Rapada misses with a series of wild punches.

Roberts bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Rapada manages to get back to half guard.

Roberts looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Rapada is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Roberts pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Roberts is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rapada doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Roberts.
Rapada moves into full guard.

Rapada has his foot on Roberts's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Roberts works his way back into a safe position though.
Robertsis looking to pass into half guard but Rapada pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Rapada is in guard.

Rapada thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Roberts keeping busy on the bottom but Rapada has passed one foot through into half guard.

Roberts actively working from the bottom here.
Rapada trying to pass the guard but Roberts defending well.
Roberts tries to get to full guard but Rapada has control of the leg.
Rapada works his way into side control.

Rapada looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Roberts taking a bit of punishment here - Rapada scoring with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roberts manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Roberts is looking for a sweep. Rapada is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Roberts looking for submissions off his back.
Roberts is looking to improve his position.

Rapada is looking for a kimura here.
Roberts moves into full guard.
Rapada keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Roberts's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iko Rapada showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jake Roberts's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rapada defending well as Roberts loads up on a big left hand.
Roberts looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rapada is fending him off so far but Roberts persists. Nope, Rapada circles away and we're back to standing.
Roberts fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Roberts shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Roberts throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Rapada's waist but Rapada gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Roberts off to one side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Roberts. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

A head kick lands from Rapada that sends Roberts to the canvas. Roberts tries to scramble back to his feet but Rapada brings him back down into side control.

Rapada looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

Rapada decides to stand back up.
Roberts takes one to the side of the head.
Rapada lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Rapada stuffs the takedown attempt from Roberts. Roberts gets slowly back to his feet.
Nice combo by Rapada! Oh, that's hurt him - Roberts falls to the canvas and Rapada follows him into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Rapada tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Rapada has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Roberts is looking for a sweep.
Roberts is trying to work for a sweep but Rapada has mounted him!
Roberts is desperately trying to get back to half guard.

Rapada has control of Roberts's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Roberts regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Roberts tries to reverse the position but Rapada maintains control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roberts is wriggling around here but as he tries to escape, Rapada has taken his back.
Rapada keeps control of the position as Roberts tries to break free.

Rapada patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Rapada is looking for the choke from the back position but Roberts is controlling his hands well.
Roberts manages to reverse the position and now he's in Rapada's guard. Nice work there by Roberts.
Roberts won't allow Rapada to sweep him here.

Roberts avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Rapada is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rapada is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Rapada is trying to work for a kimura but Roberts is defending well.

Roberts is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Rapada pulls his head out easily.
Roberts is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iko Rapada really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jake Roberts's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rapada misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Roberts shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Roberts wants to pass to mount but Rapada is defending the position.

Rapada looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Roberts is pressing down on Rapada's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rapada is holding on for now.
Rapada punching from the bottom.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roberts looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.

Roberts is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Roberts is working for a kimura here but Rapada manages to reverse the position and he's now in Roberts's guard.
Rapada advances position into side control!
Rapada wants to lay and pray for a moment but Roberts keeps working.
Roberts is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Rapada throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Roberts tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Rapada tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Rapada wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Roberts, who protects the arm well.
Roberts is looking to reverse the position.

Rapada tries for a kimura but Roberts is defending well.
Roberts manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rapada trying to control the action but Roberts is working from the bottom.

Roberts looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Roberts tries to roll over but Rapada keeps him under control.
Rapada is looking to take a break and control but Roberts is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Roberts is looking for a sweep. Rapada is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Roberts is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Rapada pulls his head out easily.

Rapada postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Roberts to stand up.
Rapada misses with an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Roberts shoots in and drives through. Rapada sprawls well.
Roberts closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rapada circles away.
Roberts fails to land the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Roberts. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rapada looks to land a combination. Roberts sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rapada connects with a crisp jab.
Roberts shoots in for a double leg but Rapada sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Iko Rapada dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Jake Roberts's cut.
That's time! Roberts's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rapada connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Roberts showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rapada.
Roberts shoots in for a double leg but Rapada sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Roberts fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Roberts misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jake Roberts. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

Rapada lands a high kick to the side of Roberts's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Rapada dives into guard, looking to finish.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rapada slips nicely into half guard.
Rapada thows a huge punch but Roberts dodges it nicely.
Rapada passes to side control.
Roberts is looking for a sweep.
Rapada works to advance to full mount. Roberts defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Roberts is in all sorts of trouble here.

Rapada gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Rapada tries to bum rush Roberts with a series of wild strikes but Roberts uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roberts closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rapada circles away.
Roberts shoots in for a takedown but Rapada shows good takedown defense.
Rapada pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Roberts changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rapada tries to avoid it but Roberts manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rapada to the ground. Rapada escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Roberts tries to clinch up but Rapada circles away and keeps his distance.
Rapada lands a nice looking body shot.
Rapada takes a swing at Roberts's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Left hook, right uppercut from Rapada.
Roberts shoots in for a double leg but Rapada sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Horrible takedown by Roberts or perhaps it was just good defense by Rapada which made him look bad.
Rapada misses with a head kick.
Roberts shoots in looking for a takedown. Rapada tries to sprawl out of it but Roberts keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Rapada manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A big right from Rapada misses.
Rapada throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Rapada stuffs the takedown.
Jake Roberts has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rapada cracks Roberts with a good jab.
Jake Roberts is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rapada works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

And that's the end of the fight!
Iko Rapada comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rapada 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 44:50
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 43:50
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 43:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Iko Rapada!
Iko Rapada is the new middleweight champion!