PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kovojantis Pelikanas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jerry Rasilainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Pelikanas
vs
Rasilainen

190 cm
18
204 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

197 cm
21
199 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kovojantis Pelikanas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jerry Rasilainen!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Yukihiro Shimada and Taro Takaoka.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pelikanas throws a leg kick but Rasilainen moved away.
Rasilainen closes the distance and clinches up with Pelikanas, looking for a takedown. Rasilainen pushes Pelikanas against the cage but Pelikanas circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rasilainen dives in for a single leg takedown but Pelikanas sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.

Pelikanas moves into the clinch successfully.
Rasilainen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Kovojantis Pelikanas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jerry Rasilainen.
Pelikanas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rasilainen prevents it.

Rasilainen drags the fight down to the ground.
Rasilainen wants to improve his position but instead Pelikanas has moved into half guard.
Rasilainen trying to control from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rasilainen has hold of Pelikanas's hands but Pelikanas slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pelikanas working over Rasilainen with some ground and pound. Rasilainen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Pelikanas throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pelikanas perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Rasilainen pushes Pelikanas off looking to stand but Pelikanas dives back in and keeps control.
Rasilainen is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pelikanas scores with a couple of nice shots.
Pelikanas content to control rather than advance.

Rasilainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Pelikanas seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Rasilainen is looking to improve his position.
Pelikanas seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pelikanas throws a series of punches but Rasilainen avoids them all with ease.
Rasilainen fails with the takedown.
Rasilainen fails to land with a series of punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Pelikanas blocks the low kick.

Pelikanas bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
The referee tells the fighters to keep busy.
Pelikanas tries to move to mount but Rasilainen blocks the move with his legs.
Pelikanas wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rasilainen keeps working.
Rasilainen misses with an elbow from the bottom.

Pelikanas wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rasilainen, who protects the arm well.
Pelikanas postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Rasilainen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rasilainen shoots for a double leg takedown but Pelikanas sprawls well. He's pushed Rasilainen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Rasilainen scores with a body shot.

Pelikanas darts in and clinches Rasilainen up against the cage.
Pelikanas stalling in the clinch.
Pelikanas goes for a takedown in the clinch but Rasilainen prevents it.
Rasilainen wants to get back to striking at distance but Pelikanas won't allow it.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Pelikanas drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rasilainen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rasilainen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Pelikanas shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Pelikanas was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!

Rasilainen sneaks out the side door and pushes Pelikanas away - he's back to his feet. The crowd show their appreciation for the escape.

Pelikanas closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rasilainen did well to prevent Pelikanas getting side control.

Rasilainen manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Pelikanas keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.

Pelikanas has Rasilainen pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Pelikanas pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Rasilainen tumbling to the mat - Pelikanas dives into Rasilainen's guard.

Rasilainen manages to escape and get back to his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Pelikanas closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rasilainen quickly recovers to half guard.

Rasilainen manages to escape and get back to his feet!
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Rasilainen misses.
Rasilainen dives in for a single leg takedown but Pelikanas sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rasilainen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Pelikanas but Pelikanas pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rasilainen shoots for a double leg takedown but Pelikanas sprawls well. He's pushed Rasilainen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Kovojantis Pelikanas has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jerry Rasilainen.

Pelikanas shoots in and gets a takedown into Rasilainen's guard.
Rasilainen keeping moving, preventing Pelikanas from controlling successfully.
Pelikanas controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasilainen looking for a sweep. Not yet Rasilainen, not yet.
Rasilainen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Pelikanas wants to control from the top but Rasilainen keeps moving.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pelikanas is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rasilainen.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Rasilainen is defended easily by Pelikanas.
Pelikanas tries to clinch
and Rasilainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rasilainen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Rasilainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Pelikanas looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Rasilainen wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Pelikanas manages to pass to side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasilainen is looking to improve his position.
Pelikanas wants to stand up but Rasilainen is controlling the position.
Rasilainen missing with punches from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jerry Rasilainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Pelikanas tries to clinch but Rasilainen moves out of range.

Pelikanas clinches up against the cage.
Pelikanas is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Pelikanas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rasilainen uses from the top position.
Kovojantis Pelikanas overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rasilainen looking to pass the guard.
Pelikanas is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Pelikanas keeping moving, preventing Rasilainen from controlling successfully.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rasilainen stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasilainen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jerry Rasilainen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rasilainen misses with a double jab

and Pelikanas counters by moving into the clinch.

Pelikanas has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Rasilainen uses from the top position.
Rasilainen trying to control but Pelikanas is working from the bottom.
Rasilainen throwing strikes but missing.
Rasilainen throwing strikes but missing.

Pelikanas has his feet on Rasilainen's thighs here. He's pushed Rasilainen off and worked for a very quick armbar from the bottom! He's flipped onto his stomach and he's cranking hard on the arm! Rasilainen screams in pain and taps out! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kovojantis Pelikanas!