PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Aki Rikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Carlos Santana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Rikka
vs
Santana

185 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

188 cm
20
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aki Rikka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Carlos Santana!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Santana with that takedown attempt.
Santana cracks Rikka with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Santana is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Rikka looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rikka connects with a nice short shot to Santana's temple.
Rikka is keen to just control but Santana is a slippery customer.
Rikka throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rikka is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Santana on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Santana moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rikka scoring with punches to the head and body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Santana is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Rikka slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Santana takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.

Rikka is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Santana has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rikka works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Rikka works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Rikka has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rikka scores with a couple of short elbows.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rikka cracks Santana with a big elbow.
Rikka wants to control but Santana is keeping him busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rikka scores with punches from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Santana on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Santana is not content to let Rikka control the position.
Santana managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Rikka.
Rikka connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Santana some visible discomfort.
Santana tries to buck Rikka off but Rikka is having none of it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Check out the look on Rikka's face as he threw that strike - that's one determined fighter!
Rikka is working Santana over with some ground and pound from side control.
Santana taking punishment in the form of punches.
Santana looks winded!
Rikka scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Santana to see if he's OK.
Rikka landing strikes.

Santana is rocked!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rikka working the head with strikes.
Santana is still in real trouble! Can Rikka finish him?
Rikka in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.

Rikka is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Santana has escaped the position, nice work there.
Rikka cracks Santana with a big right hand but Santana just smiles back at him and invites him to have another go.
Rikka scores with a big shot from side control... and another... and another! Oh Santana is done here - save him referee! More strikes land and eventually the ref does step in and Rikka can finally stop beating on his defenseless opponent!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:33 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Aki Rikka!
Aki Rikka decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.