PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Iivari Kuusela (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Raymond Rabago (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Iivari Kuusela has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Kuusela
vs
Rabago

160 cm
18
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
170 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter fighter
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Tends to cut

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Iivari Kuusela!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Raymond Rabago!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kuusela tries for a takedown but Rabago circles away easily

and Rabago counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Kuusela!
Rabago cracks Kuusela with an elbow. That is naaassty.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kuusela tries to bench press Rabago off him but Rabago keeps the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuusela manages to get back to half guard.
Rabago really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Kuusela. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Kuusela wants to get back to full guard.
Rabago looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rabago lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Kuusela lands a couple of sideways elbows.
Rabago trying to mount his opponent but Kuusela defends it.
Rabago is nestled in close to Kuusela, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Kuusela wants to control but Rabago is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Kuusela has hold of Rabago's hands but Rabago slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rabago sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Kuusela defending well though.
Kuusela is pressing down on Rabago's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rabago postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Kuusela working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rabago doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Oh but Kuusela is tightening it up a little... Rabago has to be careful here... He's got his foot tucked under now, this looks tight! Rabago reacted too slowly and this one could be over in a matter of seconds! YES! Rabago taps out! Nice BJJ there by Kuusela!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:29 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Triangle Choke). Iivari Kuusela!