PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sam Campobello (ranked 4542 p4p, 390 weight class) and Rami Astalo (ranked 2743 p4p, 259 weight class). Astalo has chosen Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff as his entrance music. 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.

Campobello
vs
Astalo

168 cm
27
150 lbs
13 - 15 - 0

168 cm
24
145 lbs
10 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Insanely flexible

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

RAGS of a RONIN
Aspire Clothing

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 13 - 15 - 0, fighting out of New York, Sam Campobello!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rami Astalo!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Donald Grub and James Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Astalo misses with a hook

and Campobello counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
A right hook to the body lands for Campobello.
Campobello has Astalo pushed against the cage.
Campobello throws a knee to the head but misses.
Astalo throws a punch but it's blocked by Campobello.
Campobello lands a right hand that snaps the head of Astalo backwards.
Campobello goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Campobello fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Astalo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Campobello tries a knee to the head but Astalo blocks it.
Campobello scores with a nice hook to the head.
Campobello fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Campobello blocks an elbow strike from Astalo.
The referee calls for Campobello to work.
Campobello trying to land knees to the body.
Astalo wants to stall.
Campobello blocking some punches.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astalo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Campobello taking a breather.
Astalo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Campobello avoids it.
Campobello throws a punch but it's blocked by Astalo.
We've been hearing reports that Campobello has been drilling takedowns in recent sessions so let's see if that has an impact on the result of this fight.
Campobello pushes off an throws an elbow but Astalo leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Astalo.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Astalo.

Astalo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A jab from Astalo misses.
Astalo looks to throw the jab but Campobello is out of range.
As Astalo tries to get set, Campobello tries to push him back and clinch up but Astalo manages to avoid the attempt.
Astalo throws a poor cross that misses

and Campobello counters by clinching up.
Astalo tries to throw a body punch but Campobello avoids it by throwing Astalo back against the cage.
Astalo misses with a hook to the ribs.
Campobello takes a shot to the head.
Astalo misses with a punch on the inside.
Astalo tries to break free but Campobello pushes him back against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Campobello.
Astalo misses with a punch to the body.
Astalo throws a head punch that misses.
Astalo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Campobello misses with a knee to the head.
Astalo throws a punch but it's blocked by Campobello.
Astalo blocking some punches.
Astalo misses with a body punch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Astalo pressing his opponent against the cage.
Astalo misses with an elbow over the top.
Astalo misses with a punch on the inside.
Campobello working aggressively here.
Campobello blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Astalo creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Astalo swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Campobello pushes Astalo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Astalo has a couple of punches blocked by Campobello.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Campobello scores a nice knee to the body.
Campobello throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Astalo takes a knee right on the jaw!
Astalo's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Astalo lands a hook that snaps the head of Campobello backwards.
Astalo swings wildly with an uppercut but Campobello uses good head movement to avoid it.
Campobello stalls.
Astalo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The referee calls for Campobello to work.
Astalo lands a body punch.
Astalo misses with the head strike.
Campobello avoiding damage.
Campobello blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Campobello throws a head punch that misses.
Astalo with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astalo lands a right hand.
Astalo misses with a punch on the inside.
Campobello misses with an elbow over the top.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Astalo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Astalo misses with the head strike.
Astalo misses with the head strike.
Campobello lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Astalo tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A head punch on the inside from Campobello fails to land.
Astalo tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Campobello tries a body shot but Astalo blocks it.
Campobello swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Campobello blocks an elbow strike from Astalo.
Campobello misses with some punches.
Astalo blocking some punches.
Astalo scores with a shot to the side of Campobello's head.
Campobello stalling.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Campobello keeps control of Astalo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Campobello landing knees to the head.
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 Sam Campobello will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Astalo scores with a nice head shot.
Campobello fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Astalo throws a body punch but Campobello moves out of range.
Campobello seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Astalo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Astalo throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Astalo swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Astalo looks to land a right hand but Campobello moved out of range.
Astalo fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Campobello manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Campobello misses with a double jab
and Astalo counters with a low kick, right behind Campobello 's knee.
Campobello moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Astalo has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Campobello tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Astalo defends well and Campobello ends up having to push Astalo into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Sam Campobello is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astalo thows a left - swing and a miss!
A counter left hand to the body from Campobello misses its target.
A solid leg kick lands there for Astalo.
Campobello avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Astalo misses with a leg kick.
Rami Astalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Astalo takes a swing at Campobello's ribcage but misses.
Astalo keeps the fight on the outside.
Astalo takes a swing at Campobello's ribcage but misses.
Campobello tries to counter by clinching up but Astalo breaks away and moves out of range.
Campobello uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Astalo.
Campobello avoids the body shot from Astalo.
Astalo throws a hook to the side of Campobello's head but Campobello sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.

Astalo tries to keep at a distance but Campobello has taken the fight into the clinch.
Astalo blocking some punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Astalo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Campobello avoids the body shot from Astalo.
Campobello wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Campobello shoots in for a takedown but Astalo shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sam Campobello. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Campobello slips under a jab.
Some wild striking there from Campobello.
Astalo throws a head kick that misses.
Campobello slips a straight right by Astalo.
Campobello is looking to clinch.
Astalo misses with a hook
and Campobello connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Campobello ducks under a wild hook from Astalo.
Astalo misses with a looping right.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astalo misses with a looping left.
Campobello moves out of range of the leg kick from Astalo.
Astalo throws a body punch but Campobello moves out of range.
Campobello tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Astalo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Astalo scores with a jab to the head.
Rami Astalo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Astalo throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Campobello seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
A shot to the liver by Astalo. Beautiful body shot.
Campobello tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Astalo manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Campobello tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Astalo ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Campobello moves away.
Nice defenses there by Campobello.
Astalo is looking to slow Campobello down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astalo uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Astalo with a hook.
Astalo misses with a hook. Campobello ducked under it nicely.
Campobello shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Astalo defends it nicely.
Astalo connects with a looping right hand.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Campobello steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Astalo.

Campobello has closed the distance and engaged Astalo in a clinch.
Astalo lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rami Astalo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Campobello moves out of range of the leg kick from Astalo.
Astalo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Astalo is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Campobello.
Astalo avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Astalo lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Astalo connects with a good right hand that stumbles Campobello. Campobello circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Campobello moves forwards but Astalo connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Astalo paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Campobello tries for a takedown but Astalo sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The fighters circling - Astalo throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Campobello fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Astalo fails to land with a series of punches.
Campobello thinks about countering with a body kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astalo keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Campobello staying out of range there.
No joy there for Astalo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Campobello looks to land a combination but Astalo avoids it well.
Astalo looks to score with a jab to the body but Campobello is just out of range.
Campobello on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Astalo. Astalo obviously looking to wear him down.

Campobello moves into the clinch.
Astalo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Astalo has a couple of punches blocked by Campobello.
Campobello blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Campobello pushes Astalo back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Astalo missing with knees to the body.
Astalo doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Campobello lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A short uppercut from Astalo.
Astalo tries a knee to the head but Campobello blocks it.
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!
Campobello tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Astalo blocks an uppercut.
Campobello blocks an uppercut.
Nice elbow from Astalo.
Campobello looking to stall.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Campobello takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Astalo wants to break the clinch but can't.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Campobello.
Astalo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Astalo lands with a left to the head.
Campobello blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Astalo using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Campobello has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Astalo misses with a hook from the clinch.
Campobello throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Campobello cracks Astalo with a nice body shot.
Campobello taking a breather.
Campobello using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Astalo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Good body shot from Astalo.
Astalo misses with the head strike.
Astalo blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Campobello creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Astalo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Campobello blocks an elbow strike from Astalo.
Astalo swings wildly with an uppercut but Campobello uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Campobello.
Campobello lands a shoulder strike.
Astalo misses with an elbow over the top.
Astalo blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A short uppercut from Campobello.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Astalo looking to slow down the pace here.
Astalo working aggressively here.
Astalo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Astalo has a couple of punches blocked by Campobello.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Campobello tries a knee to the head but Astalo blocks it.
A short uppercut from Campobello.
Campobello lands an uppercut.
Astalo misses with a short punch on the inside.
Campobello misses with a punch on the inside.
Campobello using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Astalo has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Astalo throws an elbow that misses.
Campobello with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Astalo lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Astalo lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Campobello's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Campobello looking to throw knees to the head but Astalo is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rami Astalo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Astalo 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 Chris Edwards scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge James Glass scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rami Astalo!
Rami Astalo made sure to mention his sponsor, RAGS of a RONIN in his post fight interview.