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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Joe Belanger (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riku Raakalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Joe Belanger has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?
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| 187 cm
22
193 lbs
1 - 1 - 0 |
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185 cm
20
185 lbs
2 - 2 - 0 |
BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin |
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BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Determined |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Joe Belanger!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Riku Raakalainen!
The judges for this bout are Hirohito Nitta, Shirou Masuda and Yasuomi Hirokawa.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Raakalainen.
Joe Belanger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raakalainen throws a nice looking combination but Belanger bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Belanger throws a front kick aimed at Raakalainen's knee but Raakalainen avoids it well.
Belanger tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raakalainen was well out of range. Poor timing from Belanger.
Belanger feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Raakalainen's calf.
Raakalainen throws a head kick that misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Belanger looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Belanger connects with a solid leg kick.
Belanger throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Belanger tries to clinch up but Raakalainen circles away and keeps his distance.
Raakalainen throws a head kick that misses
and Belanger counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Raakalainen throws a head kick that misses.
Belanger tries to clinch up but Raakalainen circles away and keeps his distance.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger throws a sloppy head kick
so Raakalainen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Belanger wants to stand but Raakalainen is controlling the position.
Raakalainen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Raakalainen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Belanger is looking to stand up but Raakalainen isn't so interested in that idea.
Belanger pulls Raakalainen in close to his closed guard and prevents Raakalainen from doing any damage or advancing position.
Raakalainen thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Belanger keeping full guard, as Raakalainen tries to pass.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Belanger wants to clinch
and Raakalainen counters with a head kick.
Raakalainen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Raakalainen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
A head kick by Raakalainen misses
and Belanger makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Raakalainen really felt that one!
Raakalainen looks gassed!
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!
Raakalainen tries for a takedown but Belanger sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Raakalainen.
Belanger darts in and clinches Raakalainen up against the cage.
Belanger lands a nice knee to the body.
Belanger lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Belanger lands a knee to the head.
Belanger connects with a knee to the head.
Raakalainen takes an elbow to the forehead.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger scores with a shoulder strike.
Belanger using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raakalainen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Raakalainen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Belanger fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Belanger tries to clinch up
and Raakalainen counters with a big head kick but Belanger shrugs it off.
Belanger has closed the distance and engaged Raakalainen in a clinch.
Belanger landing knees to the head.
Belanger lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Raakalainen backwards.
Belanger lands a knee to the head.
Raakalainen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Raakalainen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Knees to the body from Belanger.
Belanger lands an uppercut.
The is referee keeping an eye on Belanger - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Belanger unloads a knee to the mid-section. Raakalainen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Belanger looking to throw knees to the head but Raakalainen is blocking nicely.
Belanger scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Raakalainen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Belanger scores with a shot to the side of Raakalainen's head.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raakalainen looking for a takedown.
Belanger landing knees to the head.
Stalling in the clinch from Belanger.
Belanger scores with a knee to the head.
Belanger scores a nice knee to the body.
Belanger landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Belanger unloads a knee to the mid-section. Raakalainen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Belanger lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Raakalainen backwards.
Raakalainen tries to score a body lock takedown but Belanger shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Raakalainen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Belanger lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Belanger taking a breather.
Knees to the body from Belanger.
Raakalainen is working for takedown but Belanger is calmly controlling the position for now.
Knees to the body from Belanger.
Raakalainen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Belanger avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Belanger creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Raakalainen's defenses.
Belanger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Raakalainen jumps guard but Belanger stands there with Raakalainen around his waist. Raakalainen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Belanger landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Belanger scores with a shot to the side of Raakalainen's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Belanger dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Belanger is looking to clinch but Raakalainen is avoiding it.
Belanger tries to clinch there but Raakalainen circles away.
Belanger closes the distance and pushes Raakalainen back into the cage.
Raakalainen wants a takedown.
Raakalainen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Belanger works on Raakalainen's body with a couple of short punches.
Belanger landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Belanger with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Raakalainen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Belanger avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Joe Belanger has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Raakalainen.
Belanger pushes Raakalainen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Raakalainen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Belanger lands on the inside with an uppercut.
A knee to the head by Belanger.
Belanger presses Raakalainen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Belanger stalling the fight.
Belanger creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Raakalainen's defenses.
Belanger unloads a knee to the mid-section. Raakalainen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Belanger lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Belanger.
Belanger with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Belanger tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Belanger using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raakalainen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Raakalainen fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Belanger working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Raakalainen is trying to drag Belanger to the mat but Belanger just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Belanger lands a nice elbow.
Raakalainen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Belanger lands a hook to the side of the head.
Raakalainen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Belanger smiles and moves away.
Belanger wants to clinch.
Belanger doesn't manage to clinch there - Raakalainen circles away.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
A head kick misses from Belanger.
Belanger throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Raakalainen's head.
Belanger tries to clinch up but Raakalainen circles away and keeps his distance.
Belanger wants to clinch up but Raakalainen keeps it at a distance.
Raakalainen moves out of range of the leg kick from Belanger.
Raakalainen moves out of range of the body kick.
Raakalainen swats away the attempt to clinch by Belanger.
Raakalainen takes the fight into the clinch.
Belanger prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Belanger tries to land a knee to the head but Raakalainen blocks with his arms.
Belanger pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Belanger pushes Raakalainen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Belanger tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Belanger throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Raakalainen blocks it with crossed arms.
Belanger misses with a knee to the head.
Belanger lands with a right to the head.
Raakalainen jumps guard but Belanger stands there with Raakalainen around his waist. Raakalainen gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Belanger tries to land a knee to the head but Raakalainen blocks with his arms.
Belanger swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Raakalainen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Belanger gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Belanger throws a knee to the head but misses.
Raakalainen looking for a takedown.
Belanger lands a hook to the side of the head.
Belanger is pressed up against the cage. Raakalainen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Belanger down to the mat. Belanger avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Raakalainen shoots and misses
and Belanger counters with a good low kick that Raakalainen was not able to check.
Raakalainen fails with the takedown.
Belanger tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Belanger doesn't manage to clinch there - Raakalainen circles away.
Raakalainen has his takedown stuffed
and Belanger counters with a nice body kick.
Belanger wants to clinch
and Raakalainen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Raakalainen.
Raakalainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Belanger is keeping the position for now.
Raakalainen slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Belanger is trying to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Joe Belanger dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!
Raakalainen darts in trying to clinch
and Belanger counters with a good low kick that Raakalainen was not able to check.
Belanger misses with a double jab.
A head kick by Raakalainen misses
and Belanger counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Belanger throws a looping overhand right but Raakalainen ducks down to avoid it.
Belanger tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Raakalainen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Belanger fails in his attempt to clinch.
Raakalainen fails with a takedown attempt.
Belanger tries to score with a low kick but Raakalainen moves his leg out of the way.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Belanger wants to clinch up but Raakalainen keeps it at a distance.
Belanger closes the distance looking to clinch
and Raakalainen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Raakalainen seems to be looking for submissions.
Belanger trying to control but Raakalainen postures up.
Raakalainen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Belanger defends it well.
Raakalainen is trying to work for a kimura but Belanger is defending well.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Belanger manages to get to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Raakalainen stands up and waves to Belanger to follow him.
Belanger looks to clinch
and Raakalainen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Raakalainen seems to be working for a kimura but Belanger defends the submission attempt.
Belanger has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Raakalainen is working away from the top position though.
Belanger keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raakalainen is looking for a kimura but Belanger is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Raakalainen to get the leverage.
Raakalainen is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Belanger defends it well.
Belanger gets back to full guard.
Raakalainen drops back, looking for a kneebar! Belanger looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Belanger looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Belanger!
Belanger decides to take the fight back to the feet.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Belanger fails in his attempt to clinch.
Belanger fails in his attempt to clinch.
Belanger gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Raakalainen drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Belanger dives on top into guard.
Belanger controls from within his opponent's guard.
Raakalainen working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Belanger has passed into half guard!
Raakalainen wants to get back to full guard.
And that's the end of the fight!
Riku Raakalainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Belanger has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Hirohito Nitta scores the fight for Joe Belanger!
Judge Shirou Masuda scores the fight for Joe Belanger!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Joe Belanger!
Joe Belanger wins by unanimous decision!
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
52% |
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