PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Rami Ilotalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Akseli Pystyrupi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd giving both fighters a great reception on their way into the arena. That's good to see.

Ilotalo
vs
Pystyrupi

165 cm
19
159 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

177 cm
22
150 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Combat Pro Design
Combat Pro Design

Takomo(Sale 50%!!!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rami Ilotalo!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Akseli Pystyrupi!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Pystyrupi. No joy for Ilotalo on that attempt.

Pystyrupi tries to keep at a distance but Ilotalo has taken the fight into the clinch.
Pystyrupi trying to stall but Ilotalo improves his position.
Pystyrupi wants to break the clinch but can't.

Ilotalo has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Pystyrupi clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Pystyrupi is trapped and Ilotalo is scoring with shots to the head and body.
Pystyrupi covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Pystyrupi manages to reverse the position and now he's in Ilotalo's guard. Nice work there by Pystyrupi.
Pystyrupi wants to control from the top but Ilotalo keeps moving.
Pystyrupi is looking to stand up but Ilotalo won't let him.

Pystyrupi drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Pystyrupi jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Pystyrupi gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ilotalo misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Ilotalo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
A short right from Ilotalo.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilotalo tries for a takedown. No joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rami Ilotalo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pystyrupi blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Ilotalo manages to break the clinch.
Pystyrupi wants to clinch.

Ilotalo feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Ilotalo is breathing heavily.
Pystyrupi lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ilotalo!
Pystyrupi moves to back control.

Pystyrupi is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

Pystyrupi is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Ilotalo knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Ilotalo for a finish.
Pystyrupi is trying to stick to Ilotalo's back but Ilotalo is turning into Pystyrupi. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Pystyrupi's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Ilotalo.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ilotalo postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Pystyrupi looking for a sweep. Not yet Pystyrupi, not yet.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Pystyrupi escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Ilotalo gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pystyrupi has momentary wrist control but Ilotalo slips an elbow through the middle.
Ilotalo slips nicely into half guard.
Pystyrupi taking some punishment here, with Ilotalo in his half guard.
Ilotalo prevents Pystyrupi from standing back up.
Pystyrupi taking some punishment here, with Ilotalo in his half guard.
Pystyrupi tries to get to full guard but Ilotalo has control of the leg.
Ilotalo is looking to advance position but Pystyrupi won't allow it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ground and pound from Ilotalo.
Pystyrupi tries to roll over but Ilotalo keeps him under control.

Pystyrupi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Ilotalo trying to control the action but Pystyrupi is working from the bottom.
Pystyrupi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ilotalo lands with a punch from half guard.
Ilotalo scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Ilotalo tries to pass to full mount but Pystyrupi defends it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Pystyrupi wants to control but Ilotalo is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four 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.
Pystyrupi tries to roll over but Ilotalo keeps him under control.
Ilotalo slips a nice elbow through Pystyrupi's hands, connecting with Pystyrupi's forehead.
Ilotalo landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Pystyrupi is trying to get back to full guard.

Ilotalo decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Pystyrupi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pystyrupi takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.

Ilotalo drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Pystyrupi is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ilotalo working the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rami Ilotalo dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Ilotalo looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Pystyrupi!
Pystyrupi is working to get back to half guard.
Ilotalo punishing his opponent with strikes.
Pystyrupi manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Pystyrupi is looking to improve his position.
Pystyrupi moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Pystyrupi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Ilotalo trying to control the position from guard on top but Pystyrupi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Pystyrupi looking for a guillotine here but Ilotalo defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pystyrupi is working an open guard so Ilotalo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Pystyrupi gets caught flat footed, as Ilotalo shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Ilotalo trying to control the position from guard on top but Pystyrupi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Pystyrupi working for a triangle but Ilotalo defends it easily.
Pystyrupi wants to sweep but no luck.
Ilotalo landing some decent shots from guard.
Rami Ilotalo overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ilotalo trying to control but Pystyrupi is working from the bottom.
Ilotalo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ilotalo wants to stand and escape but instead Pystyrupi has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.

Pystyrupi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Ilotalo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Pystyrupi's guard.

Pystyrupi looking for a guillotine here but Ilotalo defends easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ilotalo passes Pystyrupi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pystyrupi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Ilotalo passes to full mount!
Pystyrupi is in all sorts of trouble here.
Pystyrupi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Ilotalo with the ground and pound from mount.
Ilotalo prevents Pystyrupi from getting the reversal.
Ilotalo breaks from Pystyrupi's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Pystyrupi is in all sorts of trouble here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ilotalo is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Ilotalo lands a nice shot to the head.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Ilotalo cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Pystyrupi can't escape the position.
Ilotalo landing strikes, looking to finish!
Ilotalo landing strikes, looking to finish!
Pystyrupi tries to reverse the position but Ilotalo maintains control.
Ilotalo working Pystyrupi over with strikes here.
Pystyrupi can't escape the position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pystyrupi regains half guard.

Pystyrupi manages to escape and get back to his feet!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rami Ilotalo will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Pystyrupi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Ilotalo.
Ilotalo closes the distance and clinches up with Pystyrupi, looking for a takedown. Ilotalo pushes Pystyrupi against the cage but Pystyrupi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Ilotalo is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Ilotalo tries to close the distance and clinch but Pystyrupi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Pystyrupi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Pystyrupi is looking to clinch.
Ilotalo misses with a wild body shot.
Pystyrupi tries to clinch there but Ilotalo circles away.
Pystyrupi tries to close the distance and clinch but Ilotalo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Pystyrupi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pystyrupi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pystyrupi moves in looking to clinch but Ilotalo pushes him off.
Pystyrupi tries to clinch but Ilotalo is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Pystyrupi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ilotalo swats away the attempt to clinch by Pystyrupi.
Pystyrupi cracks Ilotalo with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Pystyrupi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pystyrupi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ilotalo swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pystyrupi tries to close the distance and clinch but Ilotalo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Akseli Pystyrupi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ilotalo closes the distance and clinches up with Pystyrupi, looking for a takedown. Ilotalo pushes Pystyrupi against the cage but Pystyrupi circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Pystyrupi is looking to clinch.
Pystyrupi tries to clinch up but Ilotalo circles away and keeps his distance.
Pystyrupi throws a right hand that Ilotalo ducks under and follows up with a left that Ilotalo also avoids with ease.
Pystyrupi dodges the punch combination from Ilotalo.
Ilotalo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Ilotalo swats away the attempt to clinch by Pystyrupi.
Pystyrupi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Pystyrupi is looking to clinch but Ilotalo is avoiding it.
Ilotalo tries for a takedown but Pystyrupi sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rami Ilotalo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Pystyrupi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Ilotalo swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pystyrupi is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pystyrupi fails with an attempt to clinch.
Pystyrupi tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ilotalo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Pystyrupi tries to clinch up but Ilotalo circles away and keeps his distance.
The fight stays on the outside here - Pystyrupi looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Pystyrupi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ilotalo stuffs the takedown attempt from Pystyrupi. Pystyrupi gets slowly back to his feet.

Ilotalo darts in and clinches Pystyrupi up against the cage.

Ilotalo turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Ilotalo manages to end up in side control.
Ilotalo landing a few strikes.
Ilotalo trying to control the action but Pystyrupi is working from the bottom.
Ilotalo throws a strike aimed at the side of Pystyrupi's head but Pystyrupi avoids it well.
Pystyrupi is not content to let Ilotalo control the position.
Pystyrupi pushes Ilotalo away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Ilotalo gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Pystyrupi takes a big shot right to the temple there but he's taken it well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pystyrupi is looking for a sweep.
Pystyrupi is not in a great position here, taking some shots.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Pystyrupi tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Ilotalo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pystyrupi shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Ilotalo but Ilotalo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Pystyrupi slips a straight right by Ilotalo.
Pystyrupi doesn't manage to clinch there - Ilotalo circles away.
Pystyrupi fails in his attempt to clinch.
Ilotalo throws a big shot that misses.

Ilotalo pushes Pystyrupi up against the cage in a clinch.
Ilotalo lands an uppercut.
Ilotalo gets underhooks to prevent Pystyrupi's takedown attempt.
A short uppercut from Ilotalo.

Ilotalo has Pystyrupi pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Ilotalo pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Pystyrupi tumbling to the mat - Ilotalo dives into Pystyrupi's guard.
Pystyrupi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ilotalo tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rami Ilotalo is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Pystyrupi is thinking about an arm triangle here, looking to tighten it up before moving to side control. Ilotalo can see it coming though and defends well with a couple of strikes to the head and some good arm positioning.

Pystyrupi is standing up out of mount! Strange tactic there - he must really want this one on the feet!

Ilotalo closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Pystyrupi tries to improve position but can't.
Ilotalo landing strikes.
Pystyrupi regains half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Ilotalo stands, ready to strike. The ref makes him back up and allows Pystyrupi to get to his feet.

Ilotalo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Akseli Pystyrupi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pystyrupi misses with some strikes from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rami Ilotalo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Ilotalo, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rami Ilotalo!