PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Iko Rapada (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Trent Swinger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rapada kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is M83-We Own The Sky. 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.

Rapada
vs
Swinger

185 cm
23
197 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

190 cm
19
185 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
KO power

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Blueprint Clothing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Iko Rapada!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Trent Swinger!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Arvi Lind and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Swinger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rapada was well out of range. Poor timing from Swinger.
A telegraphed right hand from Swinger misses the target.
Rapada blocks a jab.
Swinger swings for the body but Rapada moves out of range.
A big right from Swinger misses.
Rapada uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Swinger.
Swinger uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rapada.
Swinger throws a predictable looking body shot

and Rapada counters with a leg kick then a big left hand that sends Swinger down! Rapada is looking to finish but Swinger is intelligently defending himself.

Swinger is rocked!
Rapada sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Swinger's guard.
Swinger is looking for a sweep. Rapada is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Rapada is looking for a kimura but Swinger is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rapada to get the leverage.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Rapada is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Swinger has managed to free his arm - good work.
Swinger is trying to stand up here but Rapada is controlling him well.

Rapada is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Swinger defends it well.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Swinger is trying to get back to full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Rapada throws a body punch but Swinger moves out of range.
Swinger throws a shot from downtown. Rapada moves away and avoids it.
A nice combination there by Rapada.

It looks like Trent Swinger has been cut.
No joy there for Rapada, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Swinger misses with a shot to the body
and Swinger takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Swinger is still on wobbly legs! Can Rapada finish him?
Swinger just misses with a punch to the body.
Trent Swinger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rapada cracks Swinger on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Swinger falls backwards against the ropes. Rapada follows up with more strikes that drop Swinger to his knees. Rapada keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Swinger! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:46 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Iko Rapada!
Iko Rapada retains his middleweight title!