PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Armen Raikkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sami Pallukka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Raikkonen's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Europe - Final Countdown. Armen Raikkonen has a significant reach advantage - let's see if he can make it count.

Raikkonen
vs
Pallukka

176 cm
20
159 lbs
1 - 4 - 0

150 cm
22
160 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

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 1 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Armen Raikkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sami Pallukka!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Arvi Lind and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raikkonen circles away from the clinch attempt.

Pallukka has managed to clinch.

Raikkonen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Raikkonen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Pallukka tries to stand but Raikkonen is controlling from the bottom.
Pallukka won't allow Raikkonen to get back to his feet.
Pallukka has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Raikkonen is proving hard to escape from.

Pallukka drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Raikkonen dives on top into guard.
Raikkonen prevents Pallukka from getting back to his feet.
Pallukka looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Raikkonen puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raikkonen is taking a breather. Pallukka says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Pallukka should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.
Pallukka wants to improve his position but Raikkonen is controlling well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pallukka is looking to control Raikkonen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Pallukka avoid being mounted?
Raikkonen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Pallukka tries to kick Raikkonen off but Raikkonen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Raikkonen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Pallukka trying to hold on to Raikkonen's head to control him but Raikkonen postures up.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Raikkonen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Sami Pallukka is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raikkonen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Pallukka counters with a head kick. That will keep Raikkonen thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!

That's two 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.
Raikkonen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pallukka lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.

Raikkonen instigates a clinch.
Pallukka holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Raikkonen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Pallukka stops Raikkonen from standing up.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Raikkonen is on top in guard.

Raikkonen 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.
Raikkonen is breathing heavily.
Pallukka is looking to stand up but Raikkonen isn't so interested in that idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raikkonen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

Raikkonen gets to his feet - Pallukka follows without any prompting.
Raikkonen has his takedown stuffed
and Pallukka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Raikkonen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Armen Raikkonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pallukka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Pallukka scores with a head kick.
Raikkonen takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pallukka dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Pallukka throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Raikkonen's head.
Pallukka scores with a kick to the body.
Pallukka throws a series of punches but Raikkonen avoids them all with ease.

Pallukka closes the distance and clinches.
We're hearing some news coming in from back stage. It's official - Pallukka has eaten all the pies!
Raikkonen takes an elbow to the temple.
Pallukka tries to land a knee to the head but Raikkonen blocks with his arms.
Raikkonen goes for a takedown in the clinch but Pallukka prevents it.
Pallukka lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Pallukka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Raikkonen backwards.
Raikkonen fails to pull guard.
Raikkonen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Pallukka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Pallukka leaning his opponent against the cage.
Pallukka continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Pallukka dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pallukka rushes Raikkonen and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Pallukka lands a nice uppercut.
Raikkonen looking for a takedown.
Pallukka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Raikkonen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Pallukka has Raikkonen pushed against the cage.
Raikkonen is working for takedown but Pallukka is calmly controlling the position for now.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Armen Raikkonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pallukka tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Raikkonen tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Pallukka just stands there and leans against the cage.
Pallukka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Raikkonen backwards.
Pallukka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
The is referee keeping an eye on Pallukka - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Pallukka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Raikkonen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Pallukka gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Raikkonen.
Pallukka scores with a knee to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raikkonen fails to pull guard.
Pallukka avoiding damage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pallukka lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Raikkonen looking for a takedown.
Pallukka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Pallukka lands a nice elbow.
Pallukka manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
A knee to the head by Pallukka.
Pallukka prevents the takedown attempt.
Pallukka stops a takedown attempt from Raikkonen.
Raikkonen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Pallukka tries to stall but Raikkonen uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Pallukka lands an elbow inside that Raikkonen shrugs off.
Pallukka has Raikkonen pressed against the cage.
Pallukka with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Raikkonen tries to pull guard but Pallukka won't allow it.
Pallukka lands a nice elbow.

That's two 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.
Raikkonen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pallukka smiles and moves away.
Raikkonen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Pallukka has managed to clinch.
The referee calls for Pallukka to work.
Pallukka receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Pallukka using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raikkonen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Raikkonen tries to pull guard but Pallukka holds him up against the cage and eventually Raikkonen drops back down to his feet.
Raikkonen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Pallukka smiles and moves away.
Pallukka moves out of range of the strikes.

Pallukka gets a clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pallukka looking to throw knees to the head but Raikkonen is blocking nicely.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Pallukka throws a knee to the head but misses.
Raikkonen goes for a takedown attempt but Pallukka pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Pallukka moves into the clinch successfully.
Pallukka is stalling here.
Pallukka prevents the takedown attempt.
Raikkonen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Pallukka pulls his leg out and moves away.
Raikkonen connects with a jab.
Sami Pallukka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Raikkonen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pallukka.
Armen Raikkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pallukka throws a sloppy head kick and Raikkonen moves out of range easily.
Pallukka scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pallukka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Pallukka closes the distance and clinches.
Pallukka misses with a knee strike.
Pallukka looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Raikkonen fails to pull guard.
Pallukka is pressed up against the cage. Raikkonen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pallukka down to the mat. Pallukka avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Raikkonen throws a hook to the side of Pallukka's head but Pallukka sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Raikkonen has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Raikkonen misses with a hook.
Pallukka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Raikkonen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Pallukka counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Raikkonen blocks a head kick by Pallukka.
Pallukka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Pallukka darts in and clinches Raikkonen up against the cage.
Raikkonen jumps guard but Pallukka stands there with Raikkonen around his waist. Raikkonen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Pallukka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Sami Pallukka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Left hook, right uppercut from Raikkonen.
Raikkonen misses with an uppercut.
Raikkonen with a poor takedown
and Pallukka counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Pallukka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Raikkonen blocks a head kick by Pallukka.
Pallukka slips a jab from Raikkonen.
Pallukka scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.

Pallukka gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Pallukka lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Raikkonen backwards.
Nice elbow from Pallukka.
Pallukka gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Pallukka misses with a knee to the head.
Raikkonen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Pallukka makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pallukka connects with a nasty looking knee right to Raikkonen's face.
Pallukka stalls.

Raikkonen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raikkonen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Pallukka is controlling him.
Raikkonen keeping moving, preventing Pallukka from controlling successfully.
Pallukka preventing the sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Raikkonen controls Pallukka momentarily but Pallukka frees himself.

Raikkonen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Pallukka really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Raikkonen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Pallukka takes the fight into the clinch.
Pallukka stalling the fight.
Raikkonen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Raikkonen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Pallukka fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Pallukka throws a head kick but Raikkonen moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pallukka clinches with his opponent.
Pallukka is trying to stall.
Pallukka seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.

Raikkonen pulls Pallukka into guard.
Pallukka wants to pass the guard but Raikkonen is keeping the position.
Raikkonen wants to stand but Pallukka is controlling the position.
Raikkonen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Pallukka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Raikkonen is keeping the position for now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Pallukka has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Raikkonen is proving hard to escape from.
Pallukka wants to control from the top but Raikkonen keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Raikkonen fails with a takedown attempt.
Armen Raikkonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Armen Raikkonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pallukka throws a head kick that half lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Sami Pallukka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Pallukka winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Sami Pallukka!