PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mikko Hovimaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Giacobbe Ruotolo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ruotolo comes into a darkened arena with his song building. I Ratti Della Sabina - Lo Scemo Del Villaggio kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hovimaki
vs
Ruotolo

178 cm
19
163 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

169 cm
26
151 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Decent wrestler
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Can Moonwalk

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mikko Hovimaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Giacobbe Ruotolo!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Saam Ante and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hovimaki lands a jab to Ruotolo's midsection.
Hovimaki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ruotolo.
Hovimaki fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Ruotolo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Giacobbe Ruotolo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ruotolo works Hovimaki's body with a nice hook.
Hovimaki defending well as Ruotolo loads up on a big left hand.
Ruotolo looks to land a right hand but Hovimaki moved out of range.
Ruotolo misses with a hook to the body
and Hovimaki counters with a three punch combo that has Ruotolo backing up. Ruotolo nods at Hovimaki to acknowledge the strikes.
Hovimaki uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Ruotolo.
Ruotolo throws a combination that misses
and Hovimaki counters with a stiff right hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hovimaki connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Hovimaki misses with a hook. Ruotolo ducked under it nicely.
A shot to the liver by Ruotolo. Beautiful body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hovimaki throws a nice looking combination but Ruotolo bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Hovimaki slips under a jab.
Ruotolo scores with the left hand. Hovimaki knows he should have avoided that one.
Hovimaki avoids the head kick by Ruotolo.
Mikko Hovimaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ruotolo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Hovimaki takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Ruotolo lands with a right hand.
Hovimaki ducks right into an uppercut from Ruotolo.
Ruotolo walks into a jab.
Ruotolo punishes Hovimaki's body with a nice straight punch.
Ruotolo walks into a straight right hand from Hovimaki.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruotolo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hovimaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruotolo.
Hovimaki misses the jab.
Ruotolo dives in and grabs Hovimaki's left leg, looking for a takedown. Hovimaki pushes down on Ruotolo's head and hops out.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ruotolo will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ruotolo throws a body punch but Hovimaki moves out of range.
Ruotolo throws a lazy right hand but Hovimaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Ruotolo misses with a hook
enabling Hovimaki to counter with a crisp jab.
Ruotolo shoots in and drives through. Hovimaki sprawls well.
Ruotolo throws out a loose jab but Hovimaki uses good head movement to avoid it.

Hovimaki has managed to clinch.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hovimaki lands an overhand right.
Ruotolo pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Hovimaki fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ruotolo, pushing him back against the cage.

Ruotolo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hovimaki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Ruotolo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Ruotolo wants to land a leg kick but Hovimaki is out of range.
The fighters circle momentarily. Hovimaki darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Ruotolo connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Ruotolo swats away the attempt to clinch by Hovimaki.
Ruotolo misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hovimaki moves out of range of the strikes.
Ruotolo misses with a wild body shot.
Ruotolo cracks Hovimaki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ruotolo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruotolo moves out of range as Hovimaki strikes.
Ruotolo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Hovimaki was well out of range. Poor timing from Ruotolo.
Ruotolo works Hovimaki's body with a nice hook.
Ruotolo scores with a jab to the head.
Ruotolo swings for the body but Hovimaki moves out of range.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Ruotolo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Hovimaki has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Hovimaki blocks a low kick nicely.
Ruotolo throws a big shot that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Mikko Hovimaki will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Ruotolo jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Ruotolo connects with the punch.
Ruotolo looks to land a right hand but Hovimaki moved out of range.
Hovimaki takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Ruotolo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hovimaki avoids it really well and circles away.
Hovimaki swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ruotolo throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Hovimaki counters with a right hand to the body.
Ruotolo wants to clinch up but Hovimaki keeps it at a distance.
Hovimaki misses with a straight right.
Ruotolo throws a hook but Hovimaki blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruotolo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Hovimaki will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Ruotolo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ruotolo connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Hovimaki momentarily.
Giacobbe Ruotolo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ruotolo pivots, looking for a leg kick but Hovimaki is out of range and Ruotolo settles back down.
Ruotolo throws a hook but Hovimaki avoids it easily.
Hovimaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruotolo manages to avoid it.
Ruotolo fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Hovimaki avoids it really well and circles away.
Ruotolo tries to score with a low kick but Hovimaki moves his leg out of the way.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruotolo thows a body shot but no joy.
Hovimaki lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
A lazy left from Ruotolo finds it's target.
Hovimaki throws a hook but Ruotolo avoids it easily.
Ruotolo moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ruotolo ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ruotolo cracks a nice hook into Hovimaki's ribs.
Hovimaki tries to clinch there but Ruotolo circles away.
Ruotolo throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Hovimaki stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Hovimaki ducks under a wild hook from Ruotolo.
Hovimaki is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ruotolo throws a predictable looking body shot
and Hovimaki counters with a straight right hand.
Ruotolo changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Hovimaki slips under a jab.
Hovimaki throws a hook but Ruotolo avoids it easily.
Hovimaki wants to clinch up but Ruotolo keeps it at a distance.
Ruotolo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Ruotolo sizes up Hovimaki with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Hovimaki thows a left - swing and a miss!

Hovimaki has taken the fight to the clinch.
Ruotolo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hovimaki avoids it.
Hovimaki is trying to push Ruotolo away but Ruotolo has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruotolo lands a right hand that snaps the head of Hovimaki backwards.
Hovimaki wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ruotolo prevents Hovimaki from breaking the clinch.
Ruotolo keeps control of Hovimaki as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Hovimaki manages to break the clinch.
Ruotolo rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Hovimaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Ruotolo shoots in looking for a takedown but Hovimaki manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Ruotolo's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Mikko Hovimaki has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Giacobbe Ruotolo.
Ruotolo wants to clinch up but Hovimaki keeps it at a distance.

Hovimaki clinches with his opponent.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Ruotolo tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Hovimaki's elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruotolo goes for a takedown attempt but Hovimaki pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Ruotolo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Giacobbe Ruotolo will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Ruotolo tries to keep at a distance but Hovimaki has taken the fight into the clinch.

Hovimaki manages to break the clinch.
Ruotolo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ruotolo pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Hovimaki takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Ruotolo swinging wildly here.
Hovimaki darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nice jab there from Ruotolo.
Ruotolo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Ruotolo scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Hovimaki doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruotolo tried to score with a low kick but Hovimaki checks it.
Hovimaki throws a lazy uppercut

and Ruotolo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Hovimaki wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Ruotolo lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Ruotolo misses with a body punch.

Ruotolo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ruotolo misses with a straight left.
Hovimaki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ruotolo manages to avoid it.
Ruotolo throws out a powerful jab.
Ruotolo circles away from the clinch attempt.
Ruotolo lands a body shot.
Hovimaki ducks under a wild hook from Ruotolo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruotolo dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Hovimaki just misses with a punch to the body.
Hovimaki throws a series of strikes that have Ruotolo backpedaling.
Ruotolo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Hovimaki.
Hovimaki tries to clinch there but Ruotolo circles away.
Ruotolo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Hovimaki manages to avoid it.
Ruotolo scores with a decent looking hook.
Ruotolo misses with a double jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Hovimaki fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ruotolo ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Hovimaki blocks a low kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hovimaki slaps away a takedown attempt from Ruotolo, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ruotolo throws a jab but it's blocked by Hovimaki.
Hovimaki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nice cross by Hovimaki.
Ruotolo throws a lazy right hand but Hovimaki sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Hovimaki moves away from the strike by Ruotolo.
Ruotolo throws a combination that misses
and Hovimaki connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Ruotolo.
Hovimaki misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ruotolo jabs Hovimaki to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Hovimaki is looking to clinch but Ruotolo is avoiding it.
Hovimaki on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Ruotolo looks to land a right hand but Hovimaki moved out of range.
Hovimaki is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Hovimaki drives through and clinches with Ruotolo against the cage.
Ruotolo is looking for a takedown.
Ruotolo throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Hovimaki tries to circle away but Ruotolo has him pinned against the cage.

Ruotolo breaks the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ruotolo misses with a straight left.
Ruotolo wants to clinch.
Hovimaki lands with a right hand.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Giacobbe Ruotolo.
I think Ruotolo has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Giacobbe Ruotolo!
Giacobbe Ruotolo decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.