PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ricardo Ramirez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaska Raatikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Ramirez comes to the cage accompanied by Night Prowler -by- AC/DC. Raatikainen has chosen Children of Bodom - Are you dead yet as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Jaska Raatikainen has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Ramirez
vs
Raatikainen

165 cm
31
147 lbs
23 - 18 - 1

162 cm
28
145 lbs
11 - 11 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 23 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ricardo Ramirez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jaska Raatikainen!
The judges for this bout are , Frank Antenori and Don Winkell.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ramirez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ramirez throws a low kick, looking for Raatikainen's leg but Raatikainen calmly moves out of range.
Raatikainen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ramirez just misses with a punch to the body.
Raatikainen is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ramirez. Raatikainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raatikainen wants to counter with a clinch but Ramirez pushes him away.
Nice uppercut there from Ramirez.
Ramirez tries to clinch but Raatikainen is having none of it.
Ramirez getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A big left from Ramirez misses.
Ramirez scores with a hook to the body. Raatikainen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ramirez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A swing and a miss from Ramirez.
Raatikainen tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Ramirez lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Raatikainen has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Raatikainen and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Jaska Raatikainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ramirez swings for the body but Raatikainen moves out of range.
Raatikainen looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Raatikainen takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Ramirez misses with a wild body shot.
Raatikainen is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Ramirez throws a hook to the side of Raatikainen's head but Raatikainen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Raatikainen wants to counter with a clinch but Ramirez pushes him away.
Ramirez scores with a body shot.
Ramirez feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Raatikainens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Ramirez tried to score with a low kick but Raatikainen checks it.
Raatikainen feints the counter takedown.
Raatikainen blocks a jab.
Raatikainen shapes to counter with a head kick.
Raatikainen slips a jab from Ramirez.
Raatikainen shapes to counter with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez misses with a straight left.
Ramirez misses with a low kick as Raatikainen jumps back.
Raatikainen throws a fast counter high kick but Ramirez manages to duck under it in time.
Ramirez misses with a wild body shot.
Ramirez throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Raatikainen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Ramirez throws a body punch but Raatikainen moves out of range.
Ramirez is looking to chop away at Raatikainen's legs.
Ramirez wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Ramirez throws a leg kick but Raatikainen sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ramirez missing with a left hand there. Raatikainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Ramirez misses with an uppercut. Raatikainen saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ramirez throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Raatikainen was covering up waiting for the punch and Ramirez finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Raatikainen keeping full guard, as Ramirez tries to pass.
Ramirez throws a big right hand that misses.
Ramirez scoring with punches to the head and body.
We've been hearing that Ramirez has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Ramirez wants to control from the top but Raatikainen keeps moving.
Ramirez is in close to Raatikainen's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez is looking to work some ground and pound but Raatikainen has wrist control.
Ramirez throws a strike but Raatikainen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Ramirez lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Ramirez throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Ramirez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ramirez throws a big elbow that misses.
Ramirez trying to control but Raatikainen is working from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ramirez throws a big right hand that misses.
Ramirez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Ramirez dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Raatikainen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Ramirez.
Ramirez misses with a hook. Raatikainen ducked under it nicely.
Raatikainen is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Ramirez sizes up Raatikainen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ramirez misses the shot to the body.
Raatikainen slips a straight right by Ramirez.
Ramirez throws a hook but Raatikainen avoids it easily.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ramirez. Raatikainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ramirez sets himself, and Raatikainen steps forward looking for the clinch! Ramirez avoids it this time.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ramirez. Raatikainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raatikainen shapes to counter with a head kick.
Ramirez misses with the body kick

and Raatikainen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez wants to control but Raatikainen is keeping busy.
Raatikainen wants to stand up but Ramirez manages to regain full guard.
Raatikainen wants to stand but Ramirez is controlling his posture from full guard.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Ramirez is trying to control the position but Raatikainen postures up.
Raatikainen won't allow Ramirez to sweep him here.
Raatikainen tries to stand but Ramirez is controlling from the bottom.
Ramirez is trying to keep Raatikainen in close.
Raatikainen is looking to stand up but Ramirez won't let him.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Ramirez pulls Raatikainen in to control the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ramirez swings for the body but Raatikainen moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Raatikainen checks a low kick from Ramirez.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ramirez. Raatikainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Ramirez looks to throw the jab but Raatikainen is out of range.
Raatikainen raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Raatikainen dodges the punch combination from Ramirez.
Ramirez throws a right hand that misses
and Raatikainen counters with a big head kick but Ramirez shrugs it off.
Ramirez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Raatikainen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Ramirez misses with a looping right.
Ramirez throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Ricardo Ramirez is winning the standup battle so far.
Ramirez misses the shot to the body.
Raatikainen wants to counter with a clinch but Ramirez pushes him away.

Raatikainen gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Ramirez to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Ricardo Ramirez overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ramirez throwing strikes but missing.
Ramirez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Raatikainen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Ramirez in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Raatikainen manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Raatikainen tries to pull guard but Ramirez forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Raatikainen tries to score a body lock takedown but Ramirez shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Raatikainen has Ramirez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Ramirez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Ricardo Ramirez has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jaska Raatikainen.
Raatikainen wants a takedown.
Raatikainen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Ramirez smiles and moves away.
Ramirez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ramirez fails to land with a series of punches.
Raatikainen with the counter takedown but Ramirez avoids it easily.
Ramirez tries a low kick but Raatikainen avoids it.
Raatikainen tries to counter by closing the distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ramirez throws a front kick aimed at Raatikainen's knee but Raatikainen avoids it well.
Raatikainen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Raatikainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ramirez.
Raatikainen stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Ramirez.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Ramirez dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Raatikainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Raatikainen is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Ramirez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raatikainen looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Ramirez lands a nice looking body shot.
Ramirez throws a front kick aimed at Raatikainen's knee but Raatikainen avoids it well.
Ramirez pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Raatikainen throws a big counter head kick but Ramirez avoids it with no problem.
Ramirez throws a looping overhand right but Raatikainen ducks down to avoid it.
Raatikainen looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
Ramirez just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ramirez tries to clinch up but Raatikainen circles away and keeps his distance.
Ramirez lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raatikainen slips under a jab.
Ramirez jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Raatikainen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Raatikainen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Ramirez ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Ramirez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Raatikainen 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.
That kick from Ramirez tenderised Raatikainen's leg. Raatikainen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Ramirez connects with a looping right hand.
Raatikainen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot to the body from Ramirez misses
and Raatikainen counters with a big head kick but Ramirez shrugs it off.
Ramirez fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Raatikainen on the side of the head.
Ramirez throws a leg kick that misses.
Raatikainen tries to counter by closing the distance.
Ramirez throws a low kick but Raatikainen moves out of range easily.
Ramirez waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raatikainen.
Raatikainen throws a big counter head kick but Ramirez avoids it with no problem.
Ramirez misses the shot to the body.
Raatikainen shapes to counter with a head kick.

Ramirez shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Raatikainen is trying to defend but Ramirez finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ramirez wants to control but Raatikainen is keeping him busy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Raatikainen can do to turn this around?
Ramirez looks to land a strike but Raatikainen avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Ramirez slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Ramirez works over Raatikainen with some ground and pound from guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Ramirez accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Ramirez wants to control from the top but Raatikainen keeps moving.
Ramirez throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raatikainen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ramirez has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four 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.
Raatikainen is looking to stand up but Ramirez isn't so interested in that idea.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ramirez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Raatikainen ducks under a wild hook from Ramirez.
Raatikainen throws a big counter head kick but Ramirez avoids it with no problem.
Raatikainen takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Raatikainen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Ramirez swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ramirez connects with a nice looking jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Ramirez clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Ramirez throws a solid leg kick but Raatikainen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ramirez.
Ramirez tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raatikainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Ramirez.
Ramirez lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Ramirez buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Raatikainen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Ramirez throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Raatikainen.

Raatikainen gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ramirez tries to free his leg and advance position but Raatikainen is retaining full guard.
Ramirez is looking to advance position but Raatikainen has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Raatikainen stands up from the dominant position, so we're back on the feet.
Ramirez tries to land a leg kick but Raatikainen saw it coming and moves away.
Raatikainen changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Raatikainen checks a leg kick.

Ramirez shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Raatikainen is trying to defend but Ramirez finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Ramirez throwing shots but Raatikainen is blocking nicely.

Ramirez seems to be working for a kimura but Raatikainen defends the submission attempt.
Ramirez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Raatikainen's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Raatikainen pushes Ramirez off and gets back to his feet.
Raatikainen moves away from the strike by Ramirez.
Ramirez moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromRaatikainen.
Ramirez misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raatikainen.
Ramirez throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Raatikainen moves out of range of the leg kick from Ramirez.
Raatikainen throws a big counter head kick but Ramirez avoids it with no problem.
Ramirez tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ramirez swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez's jab looks to have found its range, popping Raatikainen under the eye.
Ramirez looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Raatikainen raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ramirez connects with a solid leg kick.
Ramirez throws a body punch but Raatikainen moves out of range.
Ramirez misses with a body shot.
Ramirez just misses with a punch to the body.
Raatikainen throws a big counter head kick but Ramirez avoids it with no problem.
Raatikainen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ramirez.
Ramirez throws a leg kick
and Raatikainen counters with a kick to the head that grazes his opponent. Ramirez is lucky that one didn't land flush.
Ricardo Ramirez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ramirez throws a lazy uppercut

and Raatikainen counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Raatikainen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raatikainen jumps guard but Ramirez stands there with Raatikainen around his waist. Raatikainen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Ramirez is pressed up against the cage. Raatikainen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Ramirez down to the mat. Ramirez avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Ramirez misses with a leg kick.
Raatikainen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Ramirez just misses with a punch to the body.
Ramirez moves out of the way of the counter high kick fromRaatikainen.

Ramirez shoots in and bounces Raatikainen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Ramirez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ramirez postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ramirez throws a big right hand that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricardo Ramirez had his way with Jaska Raatikainen in that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Ramirez throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Raatikainen raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Ramirez throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Raatikainen throws a big counter head kick but Ramirez avoids it with no problem.
Ramirez wants to land a leg kick but Raatikainen is out of range.
Raatikainen feints the counter takedown.
Raatikainen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Raatikainen moves out of range of the body kick.
Raatikainen is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Ramirez lands with a thumping leg kick.
A looping hook to the body misses from Ramirez. Raatikainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Raatikainen is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Ramirez decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Ramirez is trying to control. Raatikainen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

Raatikainen is defending against the submission attempts here by Ramirez.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ramirez thows a huge punch but Raatikainen dodges it nicely.
Raatikainen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ramirez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Raatikainen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ramirez with the ground and pound but Raatikainen uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Ramirez missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Jaska Raatikainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Raatikainen keeping full guard, as Ramirez tries to pass.
Ramirez wants to control from the top but Raatikainen keeps moving.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Ramirez lands with a thumping leg kick.

Ramirez shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.

Raatikainen has one foot on Ramirez's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez throws the left hand but Raatikainen avoids the punch easily.
Raatikainen throws a big counter head kick but Ramirez avoids it with no problem.
Ramirez throws a body punch but Raatikainen moves out of range.
Raatikainen throws a fast counter high kick but Ramirez manages to duck under it in time.
Ramirez throws a solid leg kick but Raatikainen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ramirez.
Raatikainen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Ramirez defends it well.

Ramirez drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Ramirez fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Raatikainen managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Ramirez.
Ramirez with the ground and pound but Raatikainen regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Ramirez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Raatikainen defending well though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ramirez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Raatikainen's head.
Ramirez tries to pass the half guard into mount. Raatikainen knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Ramirez thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Raatikainen's head.

Raatikainen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ramirez pulls his head out easily.
Ramirez sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Raatikainen defending well though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Raatikainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricardo Ramirez showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Ramirez 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Ricardo Ramirez!
Judge Frank Antenori scores the fight for Ricardo Ramirez!
Judge Don Winkell scores the fight for Ricardo Ramirez!

Ricardo Ramirez wins by unanimous decision!
After the big win, Ricardo Ramirez made sure to do all the important stuff like thanking his sponsors Perkele! and telling the interviewer how much he loves him.