PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Marius Matei (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taisto Rahapussi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Rahapussi's choice of entrance music: Caged in A Rage . Taisto Rahapussi acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Matei
vs
Rahapussi

182 cm
30
194 lbs
7 - 9 - 0

178 cm
23
190 lbs
9 - 8 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Good gas tank

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 7 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marius Matei!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taisto Rahapussi!
The judges for this bout are Alyssa Summers, Dean Styles and Russell Pearce.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rahapussi moves out of range of the leg kick from Matei.
Matei throws a lazy head kick
and Rahapussi counters with a leg kick.
Rahapussi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A lazy left from Rahapussi finds it's target.
Matei connects with the punch.
Matei scores with a jab to the head.
A big left from Matei misses.
Matei tried to score with a low kick but Rahapussi checks it.
Marius Matei seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rahapussi uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Matei has time to react.
Rahapussi finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Rahapussi - that will leave a mark!
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Rahapussi moves away from the strike by Matei.
Rahapussi ducks right into an uppercut from Matei.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rahapussi lands a lovely overhand right.
Matei walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rahapussi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Matei looks to score with a jab to the body but Rahapussi is just out of range.
Rahapussi smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Rahapussi checks a low kick from Matei.
Matei lands a jab to the nose.
Rahapussi throws a jab but it's blocked by Matei.
Matei stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Matei misses the shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahapussi scores with a hook to the body. Matei takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rahapussi swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Matei.
Matei tries to clinch there but Rahapussi circles away.
Matei defending well as Rahapussi loads up on a big left hand.
Rahapussi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Matei.
Matei shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
An inside leg kick from Matei misses.
Matei swings widly with a right hand
and Rahapussi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matei lands a really nice looking cross but Rahapussi seems unphased.
Rahapussi tries to move into range but Matei moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Rahapussi connects with an inside leg kick.
Rahapussi jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Matei thows a body shot but no joy.
Rahapussi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Matei's calf.
A head kick misses from Rahapussi.
Matei fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rahapussi has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Matei throws a nice looking combination but Rahapussi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rahapussi avoids a kick to the body.
Matei misses with a hook.
Rahapussi lands with a slapping head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Matei throws out the jab.
A good leg kick by Rahapussi.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Matei, right into the meat.
Matei misses with a jab, cross combination.
Matei tries to clinch there but Rahapussi circles away.
Matei throws a big shot that misses.
Matei throws a hook but Rahapussi avoids it easily.
Rahapussi scores with a jab. Matei acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Rahapussi moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Rahapussi ducks under a wild hook from Matei.
Matei takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Rahapussi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Matei throws a jab when Rahapussi was well out of range.
Rahapussi is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Matei had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
Matei slips a straight right by Rahapussi.
Rahapussi checks a low kick from Matei.
Matei throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Matei takes one to the chin there.
Rahapussi connects with a high kick.
Matei doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Good shot there by Matei.
Decent striking displayed by Rahapussi there.
A jab from Matei misses.
Rahapussi lands with a kick to the ribs.
Rahapussi scores with a hook.
Rahapussi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rahapussi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rahapussi checks a leg kick nicely.
We've been informed that Rahapussi has been working hard on his conditioning in the buildup to the fight.
Matei ducks under a wild hook from Rahapussi.
Rahapussi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Matei misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rahapussi.
Rahapussi waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Matei.
Rahapussi connects with a leg kick. Matei looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Matei jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Matei is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Matei stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rahapussi.
Matei is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Matei throws a head kick but Rahapussi moves out of range.
Rahapussi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Matei sees it coming and avoids it easily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rahapussi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rahapussi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matei throws an overhand right that lands on Rahapussi's shoulder, as Rahapussi tries to avoid the shot.
Rahapussi swings for the body but Matei moves out of range.
A head kick misses from Rahapussi.
Nice straight punches there by Rahapussi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rahapussi.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rahapussi.

Matei gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Rahapussi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
A big right from Rahapussi misses.
Matei attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A telegraphed right hand from Rahapussi misses the target.
Rahapussi throws a head kick that misses.
The crowd cheers as Rahapussi lands an impressive looking overhand right. Matei doesn't seem phased though.
Rahapussi lands a nice looking body shot.
Matei jabbing away but nothing is landing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matei misses with a leg kick
and Rahapussi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rahapussi avoids the head kick by Matei.
A solid body kick from Rahapussi.
Rahapussi lands with a straight right. Matei didn't see that one coming.
Rahapussi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matei.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Rahapussi dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Matei with a nice cross.
Rahapussi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Matei has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rahapussi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rahapussi getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Rahapussi misses the jab.
Rahapussi lands a jab-cross combination.
Rahapussi throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rahapussi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Matei throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Matei chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rahapussi can pounce on him.
Rahapussi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rahapussi lands with a kick to the temple. Matei shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rahapussi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Matei misses with a looping right.
A jab from Matei misses.
Matei misses with a leg kick.
Rahapussi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Matei throws a solid leg kick but Rahapussi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Matei.
Taisto Rahapussi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Matei misses with a wild body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahapussi thuds his shin into the meat of Matei's side.
Good shot there by Rahapussi.
A big right from Matei misses.
Matei throws a lazy right hand but Rahapussi sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rahapussi tests Matei's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rahapussi walks into a jab.
Matei on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Matei swings for the body but Rahapussi moves out of range.
Nice body kick there by Rahapussi.
Rahapussi scores with a hook to the body. Matei takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Rahapussi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rahapussi moves away from the strike by Matei.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A big right from Matei misses.
An inside leg kick lands from Rahapussi.
Rahapussi misses with a wild body shot.
Matei looks to land a right hand but Rahapussi moved out of range.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Matei.
Matei dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rahapussi. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matei bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A leg kick checked by Rahapussi.
Rahapussi throws a wild body kick that Matei sees coming a mile off.
Matei throws a leg kick
and Rahapussi counters with an outside leg kick.
Rahapussi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Matei looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Matei throws a jab when Rahapussi was well out of range.
Rahapussi connects with a body shot that sends Matei's belly button to the back.
Matei misses with a jab, cross combination.
Rahapussi throws the left hand but Matei avoids the punch easily.
Matei throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rahapussi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nice defenses there by Rahapussi.
A jab from Matei misses.
A left lands for Rahapussi.
Rahapussi slips a straight right by Matei.
Rahapussi scores with a push kick.
Rahapussi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Matei.
Matei thuds a left hand into Rahapussi's body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rahapussi lands a nice looking body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rahapussi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Rahapussi scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Matei doesn't seem bothered though.
Matei lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Matei throws a leg kick
and Rahapussi counters with a right hand to the body.
Matei moves out of range as Rahapussi throws a body kick.
Rahapussi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Matei throws a lazy uppercut
and Rahapussi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Matei scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rahapussi connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rahapussi throws a head kick that misses.
Rahapussi on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A right-left combo lands from Matei.
Rahapussi connects with a leg kick. Matei looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rahapussi connects with a looping right hand.
Matei takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Rahapussi pushes Matei away with a front kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matei throws a jab but it's blocked by Rahapussi.
Rahapussi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Matei.
A telegraphed right hand from Matei misses the target.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rahapussi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rahapussi throws a right hand that Matei ducks under and follows up with a left that Matei also avoids with ease.
Donk. Matei catches Rahapussi right on the button with a cross.
Rahapussi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Matei was well out of range. Poor timing from Rahapussi.
A jab from Matei misses.
Good exchange - Rahapussi coming out on top.
Rahapussi lands a leg kick that knocks Matei off balance momentarily.
Matei misses with a double jab.
Matei connects with a solid leg kick.
A jab from Rahapussi misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Matei ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rahapussi lands a nice looking body kick.
Matei slips under a jab.
Rahapussi works Matei's body with a nice hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Rahapussi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rahapussi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Rahapussi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Matei misses with a series of wild punches.
Rahapussi ducks under a wild hook from Matei.
Matei on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rahapussi. Rahapussi obviously looking to wear him down.
Rahapussi lands with a nice combination. Matei backs away looking to recover.
Rahapussi cracks the inside of Matei's front leg.
Rahapussi throws a quick inside leg kick.
A punch combination from Matei misses.
Matei takes one to the side of the head.
Matei misses with a looping left.
Rahapussi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Matei's head.
Matei clobbers Rahapussi with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rahapussi cracks Matei with an open hand slap.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rahapussi lands a nice looking body shot.
Matei throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rahapussi lands a lovely overhand right.
Matei will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Matei drops his hands momentarily and Rahapussi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rahapussi connects with a body shot that sends Matei's belly button to the back.
Rahapussi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rahapussi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rahapussi.
Matei throws a hook but Rahapussi blocks it.

Matei pushes Rahapussi up against the cage in a clinch.
Rahapussi managing to block the knees to the body from Matei.
Matei landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Rahapussi displaying some good clinch control by pressing Matei up against the cage.
Rahapussi looking to stall.
Matei missing with knees to the body.
Rahapussi is looking to control Matei's arms but Matei gets an underhook and turns him. Now Rahapussi has his back to the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Matei lands a nice elbow.
Matei lands a nice knee to the body.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rahapussi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Matei effectively controlling the action here.
Rahapussi is trying to force a seperation but Matei has the dominant position.
Matei with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rahapussi managing to block the knees to the body from Matei.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Matei landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Rahapussi effectively controlling the action here.
Rahapussi is trying to maintain a safe position but Matei gets an underhook and turns Rahapussi into the cage.
Rahapussi is trying to force a seperation but Matei has the dominant position.
Matei is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rahapussi is defending well for now.
Rahapussi can't break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Matei effectively controlling the action here.
Matei misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rahapussi.

Rahapussi breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Matei looks to land a left hand but Rahapussi moved out of range nicely.
Rahapussi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rahapussi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Matei tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rahapussi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rahapussi throws a shot from downtown. Matei moves away and avoids it.
Matei misses with a wild combination.
Rahapussi thuds a left hand into Matei's body.
Matei swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rahapussi lands a jab.
Rahapussi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matei.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Matei misses with a low kick.
Rahapussi throws a looping overhand right but Matei ducks down to avoid it.
Matei fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Taisto Rahapussi is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Matei tries to clinch there but Rahapussi circles away.
Rahapussi moves away from the strike by Matei.
Matei thows a leg kick but Rahapussi checks it
and Rahapussi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nice shot lands for Rahapussi.
Rahapussi throws a head kick that misses.
Matei takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rahapussi avoids the body shot from Matei.
Matei ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rahapussi moves away.
Matei takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rahapussi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Matei.
Rahapussi slips under a jab.
Matei tries to land a front kick but Rahapussi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Marius Matei has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rahapussi scores with a nice body kick.
Matei throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rahapussi sees it coming and avoids it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Taisto Rahapussi.
I've got Rahapussi 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 Alyssa Summers scores the fight 27:30
Judge Dean Styles scores the fight 27:30
Judge Russell Pearce scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taisto Rahapussi!
After winning the bout, Taisto Rahapussi thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.