PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Raphael Firenzi (ranked 3420 p4p, 190 weight class) and Liro Ruoholahti (ranked 3415 p4p, 189 weight class). Raphael Firenzi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Firenzi
vs
Ruoholahti

200 cm
25
134 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

173 cm
23
143 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Raphael Firenzi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Liro Ruoholahti!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Paul Tew and Sam Margolis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Firenzi tries to bum rush Ruoholahti with a series of wild strikes but Ruoholahti uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Firenzi moves into the clinch.
Firenzi tries to score a body lock takedown but Ruoholahti shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Firenzi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Sloppy strikes from Firenzi. Those never looked like landing.
Firenzi misses with a takedown
and Ruoholahti counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Ruoholahti goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Firenzi has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Ruoholahti uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Firenzi.
A nice combination there by Ruoholahti.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Ruoholahti pushes Firenzi up against the cage in a clinch.
Firenzi drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Ruoholahti gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Raphael Firenzi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Firenzi has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ruoholahti avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ruoholahti tries to break free but Firenzi pushes him back against the cage.
Firenzi tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ruoholahti's elbow.
Ruoholahti wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Firenzi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Ruoholahti tests Firenzi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Ruoholahti throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Firenzi stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Ruoholahti throws a series of punches but Firenzi moves out of range.
Liro Ruoholahti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Firenzi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Ruoholahti tries to clinch but Firenzi is having none of it.
Firenzi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Ruoholahti.
Firenzi misses with a wild combination.
Firenzi throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Firenzi misses with a wild body shot.
Ruoholahti tries a quick counter leg kick but Firenzi is wise to it.
Ruoholahti tries to clinch but Firenzi is having none of it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ruoholahti misses with a combination
and Firenzi counters with a nice uppercut.
Ruoholahti takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Nice jab there from Firenzi.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Firenzi closes the distance and lands a one-two.

Ruoholahti is rocked!
Ohhhhh! A huge head kick from Firenzi! Ruoholahti is out on his feet! Firenzi rushes in and throws more strikes. The ref is looking closely - Ruoholahti is covering up but the punishment is just too much and the ref steps in to stop the fight! Ruoholahti is staring into space, just thankful that the beatdown has ended. Brutal finish.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:25 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Raphael Firenzi!
An out of breath Raphael Firenzi thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.