PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Taisto Rahapussi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Dean (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rahapussi comes to the cage accompanied by Caged in A Rage . Dean is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Will Smith-Geting Jiggy with it. The key to victory for Taisto Rahapussi has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Rahapussi
vs
Dean

178 cm
26
190 lbs
15 - 10 - 0

189 cm
20
189 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Powerful

Affordable Quality + Reliable Laundry

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 15 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taisto Rahapussi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Mike Dean!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and Stewart Dunkirk.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Rahapussi misses its intended target.
Rahapussi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rahapussi leaves Dean with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dean on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rahapussi. Rahapussi obviously looking to wear him down.
A punch lands to the side of Dean 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Rahapussi lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rahapussi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Dean fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rahapussi avoids it really well and circles away.
Rahapussi scores with a jab to the body.
Rahapussi stuffs the takedown.
Taisto Rahapussi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Dean.
Rahapussi lands a jab to the nose.
Rahapussi with a jab.
Rahapussi swings for the body but Dean moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rahapussi. That's going to slow Dean down.
Dean tries to land a leg kick but Rahapussi saw it coming and moves away.
Dean shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rahapussi as he avoids it easily.
Dean 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.
Dean staying out of range there.
Dean fails with the takedown.
Rahapussi thows a body shot but no joy.
Rahapussi throws a nice inside leg kick.
Taisto Rahapussi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rahapussi scores with a jab to the head.
Rahapussi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rahapussi feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Deans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Rahapussi misses with a looping left.
Rahapussi misses with a looping left.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi is looking to chop away at Dean's legs.
Dean misses with a takedown
and Rahapussi counters with a nice leg kick.
Rahapussi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dean checks the leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rahapussi throws a half hearted mid kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rahapussi.
Dean has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Rahapussi scores with a leg kick.
Rahapussi throws a low kick but Dean moves out of range easily.
Rahapussi thuds his right hand into Dean's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Rahapussi lands a really nice looking cross but Dean seems unphased.
Dean looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Dean misses with the combination.
Rahapussi keeps the fight on the outside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dean fails with a takedown attempt.
Rahapussi catches Dean with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Dean closes the distance but Rahapussi moves to the side
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Dean throws a low kick but Rahapussi moves out of range easily.
Rahapussi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rahapussi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rahapussi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Dean.
Dean lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rahapussi at a distance.
Dean looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A big right from Rahapussi misses.
Dean is trying desperately to land a takedown but Rahapussi is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Dean.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dean fails with the takedown.
Rahapussi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dean avoids the head kick by Rahapussi.
Rahapussi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Dean blocks a leg kick.
Dean shoots for a double leg takedown but Rahapussi sprawls well. He's pushed Dean's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Dean's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Dean keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Taisto Rahapussi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rahapussi leaves Dean with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Dean changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rahapussi tries to avoid it but Dean manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rahapussi to the ground. Rahapussi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Dean misses with a body shot.
Rahapussi misses with a looping right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Dean moves out of range of the body kick.
Dean tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rahapussi swivels and escapes.
Dean avoids a kick to the body.
Rahapussi scores with a kick to the body.
Dean takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rahapussi delivers a nice body kick.
Rahapussi misses with a looping left.
Rahapussi works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rahapussi throws a looping overhand right but Dean ducks down to avoid it.
Rahapussi takes a swing at Dean's ribcage but misses.
Dean fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Rahapussi swings for the body but Dean moves out of range.
Good leg kick by Rahapussi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahapussi throws out a leg kick but Dean moves out of range and Rahapussi only half commits.
Rahapussi throws a body kick that misses.
Rahapussi thumps Dean with a low kick.
Dean chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rahapussi can pounce on him.
Rahapussi throws a front kick aimed at Dean's knee but Dean avoids it well.
Taisto Rahapussi is winning the standup battle so far.
Dean shoots for a takedown but Rahapussi saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Taisto Rahapussi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Dean.
Rahapussi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rahapussi throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Dean on the side of the head.
Nice body kick from Rahapussi.
Rahapussi thumps Dean with a low kick.
Rahapussi looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Dean shoots and misses
and Rahapussi counters with a nice kick to the body.
Dean keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rahapussi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Dean moves away from the strike by Rahapussi.
Dean slips under a jab.
Rahapussi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Dean on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rahapussi. Rahapussi obviously looking to wear him down.
Dean is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rahapussi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Dean throws a nice looking combination but Rahapussi bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rahapussi slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Dean bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Mike Dean is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dean ducks under a wild hook from Rahapussi.
Rahapussi lands a nice looking body shot.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rahapussi.
Rahapussi looks for the body kick but Dean saw that one coming.
Dean is looking to clinch but Rahapussi is avoiding it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dean ducks under a wild hook from Rahapussi.
Dean moves out of range as Rahapussi throws a body kick.
Rahapussi connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Rahapussi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Dean can do to turn this around?
Dean takes a jab right on the kisser.
Rahapussi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Dean.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Dean.
Rahapussi scores with a spinning back kick!
Rahapussi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rahapussi tests Dean's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rahapussi is looking to land body kicks.
Rahapussi misses with a straight right.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi throws a body kick that misses.
Rahapussi fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Dean might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Rahapussi has got the better of the exchanges.
Dean walks into a stiff left hand from Rahapussi.
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 cracks the inside of Dean's front leg.
Dean shoots in for a takedown but Rahapussi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rahapussi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rahapussi misses with a low kick.

Dean closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rahapussi did well to prevent Dean getting side control.
Rahapussi gets back to full guard.
Rahapussi is trying to control the position but Dean postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Rahapussi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Dean doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Dean manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Rahapussi dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Dean has a takedown stuffed.
Rahapussi thumps Dean with a low kick.
Dean avoids the body shot from Rahapussi.
Rahapussi tries to land a front kick but Dean steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Rahapussi misses with a hook.
Dean takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dean shoots in looking for a takedown but Rahapussi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dean's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rahapussi digs a good body shot into Dean's ribs.
Rahapussi is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Dean moves out of range of the body kick from Rahapussi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dean fails with a takedown attempt.
Taisto Rahapussi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Dean.
Rahapussi thows a body kick. Dean tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Dean takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Rahapussi lands a body shot.
Rahapussi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Dean.
The fighters circling - Rahapussi throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rahapussi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Dean closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rahapussi circles away.
Dean tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rahapussi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rahapussi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Dean 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.
Rahapussi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Dean takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Dean walks into a straight right hand from Rahapussi.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Dean needs to keep his hands up - Rahapussi had a free shot at his head there.
Rahapussi keeps Dean at a distance using the push kick.
Dean with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Rahapussi to score with a decent uppercut.
A jab from Rahapussi finds it's way through Dean's defenses.
Dean shoots in but Rahapussi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Rahapussi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Dean has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Rahapussi.
Dean changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rahapussi tries to avoid it but Dean manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rahapussi to the ground. Rahapussi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rahapussi scores with a hook to the body. Dean takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Dean shoots in looking for a takedown but Rahapussi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Dean's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Rahapussi ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick from Rahapussi lands but Dean takes it in his stride.
Rahapussi scoring well with a low kick there.
Rahapussi misses with a jab to the body
and Dean counters with a head kick. That will keep Rahapussi thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rahapussi lands an overhand right.
Rahapussi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Dean's calf.
Rahapussi connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nice shot lands for Rahapussi.
Dean walks into a left hand.
Rahapussi just misses with a punch to the body.
Rahapussi throws a big shot that misses.
Rahapussi throws out a loose jab but Dean uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rahapussi lands with a straight right. Dean didn't see that one coming.
Rahapussi stuffs the takedown attempt from Dean. Dean gets slowly back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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 stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Taisto Rahapussi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rahapussi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rahapussi connects with an inside leg kick.
No luck for Dean with that takedown attempt.
Rahapussi looks to score with a jab to the body but Dean is just out of range.
Rahapussi throws a head kick but Dean moves out of range.
A nice combination there by Rahapussi.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Crunch! Rahapussi slams his shin into Dean's torso.
Mike Dean has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A punch lands to the side of Dean 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Dean's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rahapussi connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Dean scrambles back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Taisto Rahapussi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rahapussi has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Daniel Franklin scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 30:27
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taisto Rahapussi!
An out of breath Taisto Rahapussi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.