PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jouni Rytkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jacinto Koutras (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rytkonen
vs
Koutras

190 cm
28
220 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

180 cm
31
210 lbs
8 - 17 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jouni Rytkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jacinto Koutras!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Koutras tries to clinch but Rytkonen is having none of it.
Rytkonen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Koutras.
Rytkonen throws a predictable looking body shot

and Koutras counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Koutras.
Rytkonen can't break the clinch.

Rytkonen drags the fight down to the ground.
Koutras throws a big elbow that misses.
Koutras has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Koutras slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rytkonen trying to control the position.
Rytkonen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Koutras passes into half guard.
Rytkonen has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Koutras is working away from the top position though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rytkonen looking for submissions off his back.
Rytkonen knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Koutras on the ground.
Koutras missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Koutras is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rytkonen is just riding it out for now. Koutras eventually gives up the hold.
Rytkonen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rytkonen tries to get out of the position.
Koutras is pressing down on Rytkonen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rytkonen is holding on for now.

Koutras decides to return to a standing position.

Koutras shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Rytkonen is trying to defend but Koutras finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Koutras perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Koutras is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rytkonen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Koutras seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Rytkonen does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Koutras wants to pass the guard but Rytkonen is defending well.
Koutras controlling the action here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Rytkonen is refusing to be controlled, as Koutras sits in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Jacinto Koutras has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Koutras decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.

Rytkonen is defending against the submission attempts here by Koutras.
Koutras is controlling the pace.
Rytkonen is looking to improve his position.
Koutras is looking to take a break and control but Rytkonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Koutras is thwarting Rytkonen's attempts to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rytkonen is refusing to be controlled, as Koutras sits in half guard.
Koutras prevents Rytkonen from improving his position.

Jacinto Koutras has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Koutras shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Koutras is looking to pass Rytkonen's guard but actually Rytkonen recovers to full guard.
Rytkonen is trying to keep Koutras in close.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rytkonen wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Koutras is now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jacinto Koutras dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Koutras tries to clinch there but Rytkonen circles away.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rytkonen. Koutras does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rytkonen misses with a combination
and Koutras counters with a three punch combo that has Rytkonen backing up. Rytkonen nods at Koutras to acknowledge the strikes.
Koutras has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Rytkonen is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Rytkonen misses with a two punch combination.
Rytkonen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

It looks like Jacinto Koutras has been cut.
Jouni Rytkonen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A left and a right from Rytkonen both land. Nice combination.
Koutras 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.
Rytkonen misses with a body shot

and Koutras counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Rytkonen!
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Koutras tries for a kimura but Rytkonen is defending well.
Koutras controlling the position from side mount.
Koutras wants to control but Rytkonen is keeping him busy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koutras content to control the pace. The referee will try and keep them active though.
Rytkonen wants to get back to his feet.
Rytkonen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rytkonen struggling a bit here.
Koutras is looking to take a break and control but Rytkonen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Koutras tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koutras looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Rytkonen is avoiding damage well.
Rytkonen is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.

Koutras wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rytkonen, who protects the arm well.

Koutras swings around for an armbar but Rytkonen sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Koutras's guard.
Jacinto Koutras has got the better of the ground game so far.
Koutras looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rytkonen is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koutras is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Koutras looking for a sweep. Not yet Koutras, not yet.
Rytkonen trying to stand up but can't free himself from Koutras's guard.
Koutras wants to sweep here but Rytkonen controlling him for the moment.
Rytkonen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Koutras's guard.
Rytkonen is trying to control. Koutras wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Koutras manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rytkonen passes Koutras's left leg - he's now in half guard.

Rytkonen is working for a submission of some sort.
Koutras is holding on to half guard well.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Koutras slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Koutras seems keen to control Rytkonen's posture.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jacinto Koutras will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Jacinto Koutras's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Koutras drops his hands momentarily and Rytkonen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Rytkonen misses with a wild combination.
Rytkonen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Rytkonen swinging wildly here.
Rytkonen connects with a single shot there.

Koutras gets a clinch.

Rytkonen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Koutras uses from the top position.
Koutras 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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Koutras stands and throws Rytkonen's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Koutras tries to score with some ground and pound. Rytkonen controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Koutras has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Rytkonen!
Koutras throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Rytkonen because Koutras loaded up on that one.
Rytkonen looking to escape from mount but he's given up his back!
Koutras controlling from the back.

Koutras looking for the choke from the back.
Koutras is not going to allow Rytkonen to sit and survive in this position.
Koutras keeps control of the position as Rytkonen tries to break free.
Jouni Rytkonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Koutras throwing strikes from the back - he gets a warning from the referee for striking the back of the head but all these shots are hurting Rytkonen!

Rytkonen showing good submission defense here.
Koutras throws a big right hand but he misses and hits the mat. Ouch.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rytkonen is defending well here and trying to improve his position.
Koutras tries to keep control of the position but Rytkonen is staying busy.
I would not like to be Rytkonen right now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Koutras thows a huge left but connects with the canvas and not his opponent.

Koutras looking for the choke but no joy.
Rytkonen staying busy and making it hard for Koutras to control.
Jacinto Koutras is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Koutras trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Rytkonen doesn't escape.
Rytkonen is really stuck here.
Rytkonen covering up well under a series of strikes from Koutras.

Koutras is persistently looking for the submission but Rytkonen is defending it well.
Koutras is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Koutras doesn't have the hooks in and Rytkonen manages to turn into his guard.
Koutras bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rytkonen's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Koutras slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

Koutras avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Koutras not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jacinto Koutras comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Koutras 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jacinto Koutras!
Our winner, Jacinto Koutras, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.