PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mohammed Hossain (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Raju (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hossain's entrance music is Ghuraba. A fine choice. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Hossain
vs
Raju

189 cm
23
203 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

185 cm
23
200 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Takomo

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 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mohammed Hossain!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teppo Raju!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Raju shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Raju is pressing down on Hossain's thigh, looking to free his foot. Hossain is holding on for now.
Hossain controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Hossain is in trouble now - Raju has advanced to mount!
Hossain tries to lock up and control but Raju gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hossain is trying to get back to his feet but can't.
Hossain is trying to escape the mount.
Hossain blocking the ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Raju working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.

Raju is working for a guillotine from mount but Hossain frees his head quite easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hossain is looking to improve his position but Raju isn't that keen on the idea.
Raju lands a nice shot to the head.
Hossain is trying to stand.
Hossain tries to hold on but Raju postures up.
Hossain is looking to get to half guard.
Raju landing strikes, looking to finish!
A nice elbow there by Raju.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Raju goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Hossain is on top in guard.

Raju had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Hossain is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Raju Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Hossain's back instead.
Hossain knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Raju on the ground.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Hossain needs to remain patient if he's going to get out of this sticky situation.
Raju controlling well, preventing Hossain from escaping the position.
Hossain trying to control but he's just got himself in more trouble.

Raju tightening his grip on Hossain, looking for the choke.
Raju not allowing Hossain to control his hands.
Hossain is trapped and Raju is scoring with shots to the head and body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Raju working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Raju looks gassed!

Raju is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Hossain defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Raju has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hossain rolls, trying to escape but Raju keeps control of the position.

Raju tightening his grip on Hossain, looking for the choke.
Hossain turns into Raju and is now in his guard.
Hossain trying to control but Raju is working from the bottom.
Hossain not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Raju keeping moving, preventing Hossain from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Raju looking to hit a scissor sweep but Hossain is one step ahead there.

Hossain stands and steps away. Raju gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Raju fails with a takedown attempt.
A nice leg kick lands there from Hossain.
A chopping leg kick lands by Hossain.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hossain.
Hossain throws a sloppy head kick and Raju moves out of range easily.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hossain.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
An inside leg kick lands from Hossain.
Good leg kick by Hossain there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Hossain wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Hossain pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A punch combination from Hossain misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammed Hossain dominated that round.
That's time! Hossain's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Some wild striking there from Hossain.
The fight stays on the outside here - Hossain looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Hossain misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Hossain jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hossain lands with a thumping leg kick.
Raju throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Hossain with a hook.
Hossain tries to clinch but Raju is having none of it.
Hossain closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Raju shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Hossain as he avoids it easily.
Hossain connects with a high kick.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hossain lands a nice leg kick that just misses Raju's sensitive parts.
Mohammed Hossain seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hossain throws a head kick that lands with a deafening thwack! The crowd roars as Raju stumbles backwards and falls to the mat. Hossain follows into mount!

Raju is rocked!
Raju can't escape the position.
Raju is breathing heavily.
Hossain trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hossain is really struggling to control Raju but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Raju really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Raju is squirming around, avoiding Hossain's attempts to control the action.
Raju really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Hossain controlling his opponent.
Raju is looking to get to half guard.
Hossain controlling the position easily from mount.

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.
Hossain wants to control the pace but Raju is squirming around nicely.
Hossain content just to control the position here.
Raju is squirming around, avoiding Hossain's attempts to control the action.

The referee stands the fighters back up. Mohammed Hossain just wasn't active enough from the dominant position.
Danga de danga de dang - Hossain scores with a four punch combination!
Raju takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Hossain throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Hossain.

Hossain gets caught flat footed, as Raju shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Raju pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hossain is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hossain pulls Raju in close to prevent any damage.
Hossain is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Raju is controlling him.
Raju tries to free his leg and advance position but Hossain is retaining full guard.
Hossain controlling Raju's posture.
Raju postures up.
Hossain wants to get back to his feet but Raju is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Raju avoids a low kick by using good footwork.

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.
Hossain throws a head kick that misses.
Mohammed Hossain is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raju will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Hossain throws a sloppy head kick and Raju moves out of range easily.
Hossain buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Hossain stuffs the takedown attempt from Raju. Raju gets slowly back to his feet.
Mohammed Hossain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Raju.
Hossain lands a nice looking body kick.
Raju avoids the head kick by Hossain.
Hossain lands a front kick.
Hossain fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Raju.
Hossain throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Hossain fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Raju.
Hossain connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A slapping leg kick lands for Hossain.
Mohammed Hossain is winning the standup battle so far.
Hossain throws a head kick that Raju semi-blocks.
Hossain throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Raju.
Raju avoids the head kick by Hossain.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mohammed Hossain dominated that second round.
That's time! Hossain's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Hossain connects with a nice looking jab.
Hossain finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Raju.
Hossain looks to land a left hand but Raju moved out of range nicely.
Raju lands the left hand.
Raju's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Hossain misses the shot to the body.
Hossain lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hossain looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Hossain connects with a high kick.
Horrible takedown by Raju or perhaps it was just good defense by Hossain which made him look bad.
Hossain throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hossain throws a head kick that Raju semi-blocks.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hossain pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Hossain throws a nice head kick!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Hossain, right into the meat.
Hossain feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Raju's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hossain scores with a sloppy right hand. Raju should have avoided that one.
Hossain throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Hossain is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Raju can do to turn this around?
Raju has a takedown stuffed.
Mohammed Hossain has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Raju.
Nice body kick from Hossain.
Hossain lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Raju tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Raju takes a head kick and keeps coming.
A head kick misses from Hossain.

Raju drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Teppo Raju has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hossain keeping moving, preventing Raju from controlling successfully.
Raju trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Hossain controlling the position.
Hossain trying to keep a closed guard but Raju is proving a slippery customer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hossain wants to control but instead he gets his guard passed and Raju is now in half guard.
Raju wants to pass to mount but Hossain is defending the position.
Raju sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Hossain defending well though.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Hossain throws a leg kick but Raju checks it.
Raju fails with a takedown attempt.
Raju doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Hossain lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hossain lands with a nice body kick.
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!
Hossain with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hossain scores with a crisp jab that stopped Raju in his tracks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raju steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Hossain. That one must have hurt.
Hossain connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Raju has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Hossain.
Hossain lands a jab to the nose.
Hossain pushes Raju away with a front kick.
Hossain lands with a kick to the ribs.
Hossain fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Raju manages to avoid it.
Mohammed Hossain is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hossain lands with a shot to the body.
Raju tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Mohammed Hossain is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hossain connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Hossain has closed the distance and engaged Raju in a clinch.
Raju tries to score a body lock takedown but Hossain shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Hossain unloads a knee to the mid-section. Raju lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Hossain breaks from the clinch.
Good shot there by Hossain.
Hossain throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hossain lands with a thumping leg kick.
Hossain pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raju looks for a takedown but Hossain sprawls well.
Hossain throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hossain throws a head kick that Raju semi-blocks.
Hossain comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Hossain throws a quick inside leg kick.
Hossain scores with a leg kick.
Hossain lands a head kick!
Hossain scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Hossain throws a right and a left that Raju avoids nicely.
Raju chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Hossain can pounce on him.
Raju shoots in but no luck this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hossain misses with a head kick.
Hossain connects with a solid leg kick.
Hossain throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Raju.
Teppo Raju has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hossain plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Hossain lands a high kick!

And that's the end of the fight!
Mohammed Hossain showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Hossain, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:26
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mohammed Hossain!