PBP Commentary

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

Runman
vs
Valkeapaa

185 cm
20
180 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

185 cm
18
195 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Solid chin

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 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Rune Runman!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Aslak Valkeapaa!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Igor Prikhodko and Ivan Kurochkin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Runman fails with a takedown attempt.

Runman closes the distance and clinches.
Runman trying to stall but Valkeapaa improves his position.
Valkeapaa gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Runman.
Runman misses with a hook from the clinch.
Valkeapaa working hard to break the clinch.
Valkeapaa tries to pull guard but Runman forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Valkeapaa is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Runman is defending well.
Valkeapaa is trying to break free.
Runman is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Rune Runman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aslak Valkeapaa.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valkeapaa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Runman avoids it.
Valkeapaa tries to pull guard but Runman won't allow it.
Runman keeps control of Valkeapaa as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Valkeapaa stops a takedown attempt from Runman.
Runman is breathing heavily.
Valkeapaa has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Valkeapaa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Runman avoids it.
Valkeapaa missing with knees to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Valkeapaa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Runman jumps guard but Valkeapaa turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Valkeapaa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Runman just stands there and leans against the cage.
Valkeapaa wants to get back to striking at distance but Runman won't allow it.
Runman is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Valkeapaa is defending well.
Runman goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Valkeapaa is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Runman is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Valkeapaa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Runman is defending well for now.
Valkeapaa missing with knees to the body.
Valkeapaa tries to pull guard but Runman won't allow it.

Runman breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Valkeapaa misses with a jab, cross combination.
Runman appears to be looking for a big counter.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valkeapaa looks to throw a body kick

and Runman holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Valkeapaa stops a takedown attempt from Runman.
Valkeapaa tries to land knees in the clinch but Runman avoids the damage to the body.
Valkeapaa tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Runman's elbow.
Valkeapaa tries to circle away but Runman has him pinned against the cage.
Runman tries to break free but Valkeapaa pushes him back against the cage.
Valkeapaa tries to circle away but Runman has him pinned against the cage.
Runman has been working on his balance at Tsar's Iron Addicts Gym, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Valkeapaa.
Runman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Valkeapaa's efforts to push away.
Valkeapaa throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Runman blocks it with crossed arms.
Valkeapaa drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Runman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Valkeapaa's efforts to push away.
A frustrated look appears on Valkeapaa's face as he tries to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Valkeapaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Valkeapaa is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Runman is defending well.

Runman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Valkeapaa doesn't manage to clinch there - Runman circles away.
A little feinted left hand from Runman on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

Runman gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Valkeapaa trying to land knees to the body.
Runman tries to pull guard but Valkeapaa holds him up against the cage and eventually Runman drops back down to his feet.
Runman fails to pull guard.
Valkeapaa misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Valkeapaa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Valkeapaa lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Runman.
Valkeapaa tries to break free but Runman pushes him back against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runman is trying to pull guard but Valkeapaa turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Valkeapaa tries to break the clinch but Runman is controlling the position.
Valkeapaa tries to break the clinch but Runman is controlling the position.
Runman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Valkeapaa tries to circle away but Runman has him pinned against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Valkeapaa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Valkeapaa has had enough of the clinch but Runman keeps him there for the moment.
Valkeapaa is working for takedown but Runman is calmly controlling the position for now.
Valkeapaa is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Runman is defending well for now.

Runman gets control of Valkeapaa's arms and successfully pulls guard. Runman will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Runman is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Valkeapaa is looking to stand up but Runman won't let him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rune Runman will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Valkeapaa chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rune Runman is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Valkeapaa wants to clinch up but Runman keeps it at a distance.
Valkeapaa tries to clinch up but Runman circles away and keeps his distance.
It looked like Runman was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Valkeapaa tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Runman avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Runman shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Valkeapaa as he avoids it easily.

Valkeapaa gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Valkeapaa tries a body shot but Runman blocks it.
Runman is trying to break the clinch but Valkeapaa has him pressed against the cage.
Valkeapaa wants a takedown but no success here.
Runman stops a takedown attempt from Valkeapaa.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Valkeapaa goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Runman keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Valkeapaa's efforts to push away.
Valkeapaa drops down looking for an ankle pick but Runman pulls his leg out and moves away.
Rune Runman has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Aslak Valkeapaa.
Valkeapaa tries a head kick but it misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Valkeapaa.
Valkeapaa throws a head kick but Runman moves out of range.
It looked like Runman was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Valkeapaa tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Runman manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Runman lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Valkeapaa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Valkeapaa throws the kick towards the body but Runman avoids it.

Runman moves into the clinch successfully.
Valkeapaa is trying to break the clinch but Runman is controlling him.

Runman manages to pull guard.
Valkeapaa missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Valkeapaa prevents Runman from getting back to his feet.
Valkeapaa looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Runman looking for a sweep. Not yet Runman, not yet.
Valkeapaa has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Runman is proving hard to escape from.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Valkeapaa stands and steps away. Runman gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Valkeapaa lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Valkeapaa moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Nice body kick from Valkeapaa.
Valkeapaa scores with a nice body kick.
Aslak Valkeapaa seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Valkeapaa tries to clinch there but Runman circles away.
Valkeapaa stalks Runman and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Runman's face. Runman staggers backwards, shaken.
Valkeapaa doesn't manage to clinch there - Runman circles away.
Valkeapaa throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Valkeapaa wants to clinch.
Valkeapaa throws a right and a left that Runman avoids nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Runman darts in and clinches Valkeapaa up against the cage.
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!
Valkeapaa tries to break the clinch but Runman is controlling the position.
Runman avoiding damage as Valkeapaa throws knees to the body.
Valkeapaa trying to land knees to the body.

Runman drags the fight down to the ground.
Valkeapaa engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Valkeapaa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Runman tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Valkeapaa postures up in Runman's guard and throws a big left but Runman blocks it.
Runman working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Aslak Valkeapaa showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! And we move into the final round!

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Valkeapaa tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Runman avoids it.
A frustrated look appears on Valkeapaa's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Valkeapaa is trying to force a seperation but Runman has the dominant position.
Valkeapaa doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Valkeapaa tries to break the clinch but Runman is controlling the position.
Runman tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Runman lands a good knee to the midsection. Valkeapaa won't want to take too many of those.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Runman drops down looking for an ankle pick but Valkeapaa pulls his leg out and moves away.
Valkeapaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Runman paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Valkeapaa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Runman, pushing him back against the cage.
Runman is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Valkeapaa is defending well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rune Runman. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Runman.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Valkeapaa's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Valkeapaa looks to land a combination but Runman avoids it well.
Valkeapaa feints and then cracks Runman's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Runman down.
A thudding body kick lands there by Valkeapaa!
Valkeapaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Runman paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Valkeapaa throws a head kick but Runman moves out of range.
Valkeapaa throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Aslak Valkeapaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Valkeapaa rushes Runman and presses him up against the cage.
Runman on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Runman prevents a body shot from Valkeapaa.
Runman avoiding damage as Valkeapaa throws knees to the body.
Runman has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Valkeapaa is looking to break free of the clinch but Runman has double underhooks.
Runman has Valkeapaa pressed against the cage, preventing Valkeapaa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Runman's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Valkeapaa is looking to clinch.
Runman takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Valkeapaa tries to clinch up but Runman circles away and keeps his distance.
Aslak Valkeapaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Valkeapaa lands a nice looking body kick.
Valkeapaa tries to clinch up.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Valkeapaa stuffs the takedown attempt from Runman. Runman gets slowly back to his feet.
Valkeapaa tries to clinch there but Runman circles away.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Valkeapaa, as that shot connected.
Valkeapaa tries to clinch but Runman is having none of it.
Runman will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Valkeapaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Valkeapaa closes the distance but Runman moves to the side
and Runman counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Runman fails with the takedown.
Valkeapaa has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Valkeapaa is looking to clinch but Runman is avoiding it.
Runman swats away the attempt to clinch by Valkeapaa.
Runman swats away the attempt to clinch by Valkeapaa.
Valkeapaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Valkeapaa throws a body kick that misses.
Runman lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.

Valkeapaa gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Runman passes Valkeapaa's left leg - he's now in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Runman trying to control from half guard but Valkeapaa is working away.
Valkeapaa controlling the position well.
Valkeapaa pushes Runman off looking to stand but Runman dives back in and keeps control.
Valkeapaa controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aslak Valkeapaa comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Valkeapaa has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 28:29
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 28:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aslak Valkeapaa!