PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Henry Torres (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rista Rpa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Torres
vs
Rpa

182 cm
21
236 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

195 cm
23
260 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Bad Man Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Henry Torres!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rista Rpa!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A cross from Torres lands.
Torres definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Rpa looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Rpa misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Torres.

Torres has closed the distance and engaged Rpa in a clinch.
Torres controlling the action here for a moment.
Rpa is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Torres to keep the fight standing.
Torres pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Torres blocking some punches.
Rpa blocks an elbow strike.
Torres is looking to take this one to the mat.
Torres controlling the action here for a moment.
Torres seems to have come into the fight with the intention of avoiding any damage in the clinch, rather than actually showing any aggression.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rpa breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Torres misses with the combination.

Torres darts in and clinches Rpa up against the cage.
Torres lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rpa pressing his opponent against the cage.

Torres has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Rpa regains guard immediately.
Torres is looking to work some ground and pound but Rpa has wrist control.
Rpa being controlled here, momentarily.
Torres is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rpa looking to control.
Torres lands a couple of elbows.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Torres works over Rpa with some ground and pound from guard.
Rpa wants to stand but Torres is controlling the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Torres has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Rpa is proving hard to escape from.
Torres postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Torres might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Torres lands a couple of digs.
Torres distracts Rpa with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Torres working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rpa's head.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Torres working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rpa's head.
Torres is in close to Rpa's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Torres working some strikes from top position.
Torres chips away with some ground and pound.
Torres connects with a couple of short punches.
Torres is working Rpa over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Torres postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Torres is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.

Rpa is rocked!
Torres stands up over Rpa, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rpa is still in real trouble! Can Torres finish him?
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Torres loads up on a big left hand. Rpa felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Torres looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Rpa can't hide his disappointment, as Torres celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Henry Torres!
During a confident post fight interview, Henry Torres thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.