PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jerry Rasilainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Cash Money (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rasilainen
vs
Money

197 cm
21
199 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

189 cm
18
205 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jerry Rasilainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Cash Money!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Money lands a right hook to the body.
Money throws an overhand right that lands on Rasilainen's shoulder, as Rasilainen tries to avoid the shot.
Money swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Money throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rasilainen tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Money manages to circle out of the way.
Rasilainen shoots in looking for a takedown. Money tries to sprawl out of it but Rasilainen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Money manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Money as Rasilainen shoots in.
Money avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rasilainen fails to land the takedown.
Money doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jerry Rasilainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rasilainen.
We've been informed that Money has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Rasilainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Money fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasilainen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Money counters with a left and a right that stings Rasilainen.
Rasilainen keeps the fight on the outside.

Rasilainen instigates a clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Money is looking to break free of the clinch but Rasilainen has double underhooks.
Money doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Money throws a punch but it's blocked by Rasilainen.
Money throws a knee to the head but misses.
Money misses with a knee to the head.
Money misses with a body punch.
Money misses with a punch to the body.
Money tries to land a knee to the head but Rasilainen blocks with his arms.

Rasilainen manages to break the clinch.
Rasilainen misses with an attempted mid kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Rasilainen.
Money is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rasilainen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rasilainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Rasilainen fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Money lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rasilainen's sensitive parts.
Money blocks a low kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasilainen shoots in for a double leg but Money sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Money throws a series of punches but Rasilainen moves out of range.
Money lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Rasilainen avoids the body shot from Money.
Rasilainen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Money looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Money lands with a hook. Rasilainen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Money throws a right hand that Rasilainen ducks under and follows up with a left that Rasilainen also avoids with ease.
Money punishes Rasilainen's body with a nice straight punch.
Rasilainen is breathing heavily.

Rasilainen closes the distance and clinches.

Money escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
The fight stays on the outside here - Money looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rasilainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Money sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Rasilainen somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Money feints a jab promting Rasilainen to slip. Money then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Rasilainen slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Money clinches up against the cage.
Money has Rasilainen pressed against the cage.
A hook to the body from Money.
Money doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Money is trying to stall.
Money misses with a shot to the kidneys.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cash Money dominated that 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.

Rasilainen throws a right and a left that Money avoids nicely.

Rasilainen instigates a clinch.
Rasilainen avoiding damage as Money throws knees to the body.
Money throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rasilainen just leaning against Money, taking a breather.
Money throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Money swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Money pushes Rasilainen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Money throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rasilainen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Rasilainen dodges an elbow strike from Money.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Money tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rasilainen blocking some punches.
Rasilainen blocks an uppercut.
Money prevents Rasilainen from breaking the clinch.
Money tries to land knees in the clinch but Rasilainen avoids the damage to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasilainen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rasilainen is working for takedown but Money is calmly controlling the position for now.
Money misses with a hook to the ribs.
Money tries to land knees in the clinch but Rasilainen avoids the damage to the body.

Rasilainen successfully pulls guard.

Rasilainen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Money doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Money manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Money trying to control the position from guard on top but Rasilainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rasilainen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Money must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Money tries to stand but Rasilainen is controlling from the bottom.

Rasilainen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Money wants to control from the top but Rasilainen keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Money fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rasilainen manages to avoid it.
Money rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rasilainen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasilainen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Cash Money is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rasilainen goes for a double leg but Money avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Money continues to drive forward.
Money throws a right and a left that Rasilainen avoids nicely.
Rasilainen fails with the takedown
and Money counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jerry Rasilainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Money tries to land a knee to the head but Rasilainen blocks with his arms.
Money can't find room to land a body shot as Rasilainen controls the action.
Rasilainen tries to pull guard but Money forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Money can't find room to land a body shot as Rasilainen controls the action.

Rasilainen pulls Money into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rasilainen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Money wants to stand but Rasilainen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Money trying to control the position from guard on top but Rasilainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Money wants to stand and escape but instead Rasilainen has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Rasilainen gets to his feet. Money looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Money stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Money wants it to stay on the feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Cash Money showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Rasilainen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Money keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Money has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Money looks to land a combination but Rasilainen avoids it well.

Money rushes Rasilainen and presses him up against the cage.
Money throws a head punch that misses.
Money tries a body shot but Rasilainen blocks it.
A head punch on the inside from Money fails to land.
Money tries to work over Rasilainen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A nice right hand lands inside from Money.
Rasilainen blocks an elbow strike.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Money using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rasilainen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rasilainen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Money lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Rasilainen is trying to trip Money. He has hold of a leg but Money is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Rasilainen persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Money wants to get back to his feet but Rasilainen passes into half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Money tries to roll over but Rasilainen keeps him under control.
Money tries to kick Rasilainen off but Rasilainen keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Money is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Rasilainen seems to be looking for submissions.
Money trying to control from the bottom.
Cash Money is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Rasilainen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Money's head.
Rasilainen is trying to control the action in half guard but Money is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rasilainen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Money regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Rasilainen.
Money trying to keep a closed guard but Rasilainen is proving a slippery customer.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Money swings and misses with a shot to the body

and Rasilainen holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Money is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rasilainen is defending well for now.
Money tries to land a knee to the head but Rasilainen blocks with his arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasilainen missing with knees to the body.
Money fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rasilainen avoiding damage as Money throws knees to the body.
Money prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jerry Rasilainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rasilainen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Money throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Rasilainen is looking for a takedown.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Money with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Rasilainen tries to circle away but Money has him pinned against the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasilainen prevents a body shot from Money.
Money throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Rasilainen looking for a takedown.
Money pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Rasilainen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Money gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rasilainen can't get the takedown.
Nice body punch from Money - that landed with a thud.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Money misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rasilainen tries to break free but Money pushes him back against the cage.
Jerry Rasilainen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rasilainen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Cash Money comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Money winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Cash Money!
Cash Money seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.