PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tomi Rajala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riku Raakalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tomi Rajala has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Rajala
vs
Raakalainen

180 cm
23
195 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

185 cm
19
185 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Takomo
Combat Pro Design

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Tomi Rajala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Riku Raakalainen!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Yuuki Gou and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raakalainen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Rajala gets a takedown into half guard.
Raakalainen is looking to improve his position.
Rajala missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rajala wants to lay and pray for a moment but Raakalainen keeps working.

Raakalainen actively working from the bottom here.
Raakalainen tries to get to full guard but Rajala has control of the leg.

Raakalainen actively working from the bottom here.
Rajala is looking to take a break and control but Raakalainen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rajala takes a head kick and shrugs it off.

Rajala scores with a takedown into Raakalainen's guard.

Raakalainen is looking for a triangle but Rajala pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raakalainen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rajala with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rajala cracks Raakalainen with a solid left hand.
Rajala makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Raakalainen can't keep his opponent in guard - Rajala advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Rajala perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Rajala landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Raakalainen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rajala takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Raakalainen is trying to get back to full guard.
Raakalainen looks gassed!
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Rajala drops an elbow to the side of Raakalainen's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raakalainen on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Raakalainen is looking to sinch up a gullotine here but Rajala pulls his head out easily.

Raakalainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rajala lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Raakalainen has hold of Rajala's hands but Rajala slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rajala slips a nice elbow through Raakalainen's hands, connecting with Raakalainen's forehead.
Raakalainen wants to improve his position but Rajala is controlling well.
Rajala lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Raakalainen has hold of Rajala's hands but Rajala slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rajala lands with a punch from half guard.
Raakalainen taking some punishment here, with Rajala in his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajala landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rajala is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Nice strikes from Rajala there.
Rajala trying to control the action but Raakalainen is working from the bottom.
Raakalainen trying to control here.
Rajala slips a nice elbow through Raakalainen's hands, connecting with Raakalainen's forehead.
Raakalainen has hold of Rajala's hands but Rajala slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rajala lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.

Raakalainen looking for submissions off his back.
Rajala seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rajala landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rajala takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Raakalainen looking for submissions off his back.
Rajala is nestled in close to Raakalainen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rajala looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Raakalainen is not content to let Rajala control the position.
Rajala is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rajala performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rajala lands with a punch from half guard.
Raakalainen is staying active underneath Rajala, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rajala closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Rajala lands in his opponent's guard.

Rajala avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rajala with a nice head shot there.

Raakalainen has his foot on Rajala's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rajala works his way back into a safe position though.
Rajala has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rajala sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rajala scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Raakalainen is breathing heavily.
Rajala working some strikes from top position.
Rajala is in close to Raakalainen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rajala distracts Raakalainen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raakalainen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rajala content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rajala working some strikes from top position.

Raakalainen had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Rajala is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Raakalainen Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Rajala's back instead.
Raakalainen doesn't have the hooks in and Rajala manages to turn into his guard.
Rajala is in close to Raakalainen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rajala cracks Raakalainen with a solid left hand.
Rajala trying to control the position from guard on top but Raakalainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Raakalainen is looking for a triangle here but Rajala uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Rajala is putting a hurting on Raakalainen here, landing some big shots from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rajala working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rajala landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Raakalainen struggling a bit here.
Rajala is chipping away with strikes.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Raakalainen is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Raakalainen wants to get back to his feet.
Rajala wants to control but Raakalainen is keeping him busy.

Raakalainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rajala working Raakalainen over with strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice strikes from Rajala there.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Rajala in particular looking to stall.
Rajala is nestled in close to Raakalainen, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Tomi Rajala overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A head kick from Raakalainen lands but Rajala takes it in his stride.
Rajala shoots in and drives through. Raakalainen sprawls well.
Rajala shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Raakalainen as he jumps to the side.
Raakalainen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rajala but Rajala pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rajala shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Raakalainen counters with a flying knee. Nice.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomi Rajala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raakalainen tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Raakalainen tries to clinch but Rajala is having none of it.
Rajala closes this distance looking for a takedown but Raakalainen circles away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raakalainen throws a head kick that misses.
Rajala steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Raakalainen. That one must have hurt.
Rajala swats away the attempt to clinch by Raakalainen.
Tomi Rajala is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Raakalainen scores with a three punch combo!
Raakalainen throws a head kick that misses.
Tomi Rajala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rajala misses with a takedown
and Raakalainen counters with a two punch combo.
Raakalainen swinging wilding here.

Rajala looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Raakalainen is staying active underneath Rajala, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Raakalainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Raakalainen tries to roll over but Rajala keeps him under control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tomi Rajala dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Raakalainen doesn't manage to clinch there - Rajala circles away.
Raakalainen lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rajala misses with a takedown attempt - Raakalainen sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rajala shoots and misses
and Raakalainen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Rajala is lucky that one didn't land flush.

Raakalainen darts in and clinches Rajala up against the ropes.
Rajala is pressed up against the ropes. Raakalainen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rajala down to the mat. Rajala avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Rajala doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Raakalainen counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tomi Rajala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raakalainen lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Raakalainen explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Rajala shoots and misses
and Raakalainen counters with a head kick.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Raakalainen scores with a spinning back kick!
Raakalainen lands a head kick. Rajala smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Rajala gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Raakalainen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice sprawl there from Rajala as Raakalainen shoots in.
Rajala has his takedown stuffed
and Raakalainen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Raakalainen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Raakalainen.
Rajala tries for a takedown but Raakalainen circles away easily
and Raakalainen counters with a head kick.
Rajala misses with a takedown attempt
and Raakalainen counters with a head kick. That will keep Rajala thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Rajala will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rajala shoots for a takedown but Raakalainen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Horrible takedown by Raakalainen or perhaps it was just good defense by Rajala which made him look bad.
Raakalainen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

Rajala shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rajala working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Raakalainen's head.
Rajala postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Raakalainen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rajala can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rajala is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rajala tries to free his leg and advance position but Raakalainen is retaining full guard.

Rajala avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rajala with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rajala content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Raakalainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rajala doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rajala manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Raakalainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rajala scoring with some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajala trying to control the position from guard on top but Raakalainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Raakalainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rajala is in close to Raakalainen's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Raakalainen has his foot on Rajala's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rajala works his way back into a safe position though.
Rajala slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Rajala is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Raakalainen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Raakalainen can't keep his opponent in guard - Rajala advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raakalainen moves into full guard.

Raakalainen is looking for a triangle but Rajala pushes his legs off easily.

Raakalainen looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Raakalainen wants to sweep here but Rajala controlling him for the moment.
Rajala postures up.
Rajala postures up and lands a big shot to Raakalainen's brow.

Raakalainen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Raakalainen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rajala can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Raakalainen keeping moving, preventing Rajala from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riku Raakalainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rajala has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Tomi Rajala!
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight for Tomi Rajala!
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight for Tomi Rajala!

Tomi Rajala wins by unanimous decision!