PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Mamoru Date (ranked 1228 p4p, 1097 weight class) and Artturi Reinikainen (ranked 149 p4p, 136 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Date
vs
Reinikainen

178 cm
37
160
32 - 16 - 2

188 cm
27
162
11 - 7 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Sportivité
KAISER Nutrition - Q160

Urban Fighter
FF Gear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 32 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Montreal, Mamoru Date!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Artturi Reinikainen!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, William Gold and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reinikainen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Date displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Reinikainen throws out the jab.
Reinikainen has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
Reinikainen defending well as Date loads up on a big left hand.
Date looks to land a right hand but Reinikainen moved out of range.
Reinikainen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Date throws a big shot that misses.
Date scores with a decent looking hook.
Date looks to land a right hand but Reinikainen moved out of range.
Reinikainen lands with a nice body punch.
Reinikainen misses with a head kick.
Date walks into a jab.
Date tries to clinch but Reinikainen is having none of it.
Reinikainen dives in for a single leg takedown but Date sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Date misses with an uppercut
and Reinikainen counters with a one-two to the body.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Date lands a head kick. Reinikainen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Date swings away with a body shot that misses
and Reinikainen counters with an inside leg kick.
Date misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Reinikainen.
Date lands a really nice looking cross but Reinikainen seems unphased.
Reinikainen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Date keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Reinikainen.
Reinikainen throws a leg kick which misses Date's front leg but catches the back leg as Date tries to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Date on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Reinikainen. Reinikainen obviously looking to wear him down.
Reinikainen throws out a powerful jab.
Mamoru Date is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Date, as that shot connected.
Date uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Reinikainen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Date takes a swing at Reinikainen's ribcage but misses.
Date checks a leg kick nicely.
Reinikainen lands a head kick. Date smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Artturi Reinikainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Date lands a front kick.
Date misses with an uppercut.

Date moves into the clinch.
Reinikainen tries to break free but Date pushes him back against the cage.
Date swings wildly with an uppercut but Reinikainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reinikainen blocking some punches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Date tries to work over Reinikainen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Reinikainen misses with a punch to the body.
Still in the clinch, Date scores with a nice short uppercut.
Date fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Reinikainen lands with a short shot to the head.
Date tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A hook to the body from Reinikainen.
A shot in the inside from Reinikainen.
A shot in the inside from Date.
Date blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Reinikainen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Date misses with some punches.
Date keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Reinikainen's efforts to push away.
Reinikainen is looking to take this one to the mat.

Reinikainen breaks the clinch.
Reinikainen takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Reinikainen tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Date is looking to slow Reinikainen down with leg kicks.
Date throws a wild body kick that Reinikainen sees coming a mile off.
Date on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Reinikainen misses with a hook.
A little feinted left hand from Date on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Reinikainen ducks under a wild hook from Date.
Reinikainen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Date throws out the jab.
Date backing away here, and Reinikainen unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Reinikainen has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Reinikainen blocks the leg kick.
Reinikainen moves out of range as Date strikes.

Reinikainen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Reinikainen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Reinikainen misses with the ground and pound.
Reinikainen misses with the ground and pound.
Date can't do much from the bottom here.
Date tries to buck Reinikainen off but Reinikainen is having none of it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Date struggling a bit here.
Reinikainen scores with punches from side control.
Reinikainen grinds an elbow into Date's temple.
Reinikainen works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
Reinikainen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Date avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Reinikainen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Date holds on to Reinikainen's head and controls the position momentarily.
Reinikainen trying to control the position but Date is working away.
Date manages to work his way to half guard, despite Reinikainen's best efforts.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Reinikainen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Reinikainen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Reinikainen wants to control but Date is keeping him busy.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Date blocking the ground and pound attempt from Reinikainen.
Reinikainen with the ground and pound but Date uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Date manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Reinikainen manages to get himself to full guard.

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 Mamoru Date will probably get the nod.
That's time! Date's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Jab, jab by Date - just one landing.
Date jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A leg kick checked by Date.
Date bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Reinikainen moves out of range of the body kick from Date.
As Date backs off Reinikainen throws a huge counter combo but Date manages to avoid it all.
Reinikainen misses with an attempted mid kick.
Reinikainen misses with a low kick.
A low kick from Reinikainen misses
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Date throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Reinikainen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Reinikainen keeps Date at a distance using the push kick.
Reinikainen throws a head kick but Date moves out of range.
Jab by Reinikainen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Date is looking to slow Reinikainen down with leg kicks.
Reinikainen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Reinikainen takes a swing at Date's ribcage but misses.
Date takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
It looked like Date was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Reinikainen.
Reinikainen slips a straight right by Date.
A lazy body kick from Date
and Reinikainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Date cracks a nice hook into Reinikainen's ribs.
Reinikainen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Reinikainen connects with a high kick.
Reinikainen scores with a punch to the head.
Date tries to land a front kick but Reinikainen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Reinikainen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Date.
Date moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Reinikainen throws the left hand but Date avoids the punch easily.
Reinikainen connects with the punch.
Reinikainen dips to his left and cracks Date with an uppercut!
Reinikainen misses with a jab, cross combination.
Date scores with a jab.
Date lands a leg kick that knocks Reinikainen off balance momentarily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Date looks to score with a jab to the body but Reinikainen is just out of range.
Reinikainen misses with a body shot.
Reinikainen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Reinikainen throws a jab but it's blocked by Date.
Reinikainen connects with a body shot that sends Date's belly button to the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Date misses with a kick to the body.
Reinikainen catches Date with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Reinikainen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A big left from Reinikainen misses.
Reinikainen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Date moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Date loads up on a big right hand but Reinikainen slips the punch.
Reinikainen throws an overhand right that lands on Date's shoulder, as Date tries to avoid the shot.
Date waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Reinikainen.
Date takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Reinikainen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Reinikainen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Good work by Date as he checks the leg kick.
Date lands a nice looking body shot.
Date throws a shot from downtown. Reinikainen moves away and avoids it.
Reinikainen lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Reinikainen slips under a jab from Date.
Date fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Date throws a body shot but no joy.
Date takes a swing at Reinikainen's ribcage but misses.
Reinikainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Date.
Reinikainen scores with a leg kick.
Reinikainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Reinikainen misses with a wild body shot.
Reinikainen misses the shot to the body.

Date clinches with his opponent.
Reinikainen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Reinikainen successfully pulls guard.
Date looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

Reinikainen is looking for a triangle here but Date uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Date tries to move into full mount but can't pass Reinikainen's legs.

Date decides to stand back up.
A jab lands there for Date.
Date clobbers Reinikainen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Date swinging wildly here.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Reinikainen connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Reinikainen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Reinikainen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Date takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Reinikainen looks to land a right hand but Date moved out of range.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Artturi Reinikainen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Reinikainen blocks a jab.
Date lands a jab to Reinikainen's midsection.
Date connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Date throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Date misses with a hook. Reinikainen ducked under it nicely.
A looping hook to the body misses from Date. Reinikainen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Reinikainen tried to score with a low kick but Date checks it.
Reinikainen scoring well with a low kick there.
Reinikainen ducks under a wild hook from Date.
An inside leg kick lands from Reinikainen.
Date lands the left hand.
Date throws an off balance right hand
and Reinikainen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Reinikainen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Reinikainen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Date's jab looks to have found its range, popping Reinikainen under the eye.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Reinikainen shoots in and bounces Date off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Reinikainen wants to control from the top but Date keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Date working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Reinikainen.
Reinikainen chips away with some ground and pound.
Reinikainen looking to sit in guard and control but Date gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Date is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Reinikainen looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Reinikainen wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Reinikainen looking for a guillotine here but Date defends easily.
Date stays in close to Reinikainen's body and controls the position.
Reinikainen has a butterfly guard looking to sweep but Date has passed into side control.
Date wants to lay and pray for a moment but Reinikainen keeps working.
Date tries to advance to mount but Reinikainen denies him.
Date controlling the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Reinikainen tries to improve position but can't.
Date wants to stand but Reinikainen is controlling his arm.
Reinikainen gets back to half guard.

Reinikainen actively working from the bottom here.

Reinikainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Date wants to stand up but Reinikainen is controlling the position.
Reinikainen is refusing to be controlled, as Date sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Date passes into side control, despite Reinikainen's attempt to control the position.
Reinikainen is looking for a sweep.
Artturi Reinikainen has got the better of the ground game so far.
A bit of a lull in the action. I'm sure it will pick up again soon... even if the ref has to physically pick them up and put them back on their feet.
Reinikainen tries to improve position but can't.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Date staying calm.
Date's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mamoru Date showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Date 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 28:29
Judge William Gold scores the fight 30:27
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!