PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rupert Helenius (ranked 1770 p4p, 1815 weight class) and Noah Ortega (ranked 230 p4p, 237 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Helenius
vs
Ortega

185 cm
26
177
6 - 3 - 1

183 cm
25
174
6 - 9 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)
FF Gear

High Peak Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Rupert Helenius!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Noah Ortega!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Shimada, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ortega moves into the clinch successfully.
Helenius misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short left from Helenius.
Ortega drops down looking for an ankle pick but Helenius pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ortega takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Helenius chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Helenius tries a head kick but it misses.
Helenius works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Ortega misses with a takedown attempt - Helenius sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Helenius looks to throw the jab but Ortega is out of range.
An inside leg kick from Helenius misses.
Ortega shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Helenius as he avoids it easily.
Rupert Helenius has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Noah Ortega.
Helenius bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ortega's head.
Helenius tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Ortega was well out of range. Poor timing from Helenius.
Ortega changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Good leg kick by Helenius.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Helenius looks to land a combination but Ortega avoids it well.
Helenius swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Helenius finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rupert Helenius seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ortega defending well as Helenius loads up on a big left hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ortega gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Helenius is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Ortega to keep the fight standing.
Helenius tries to throw a body punch but Ortega avoids it by throwing Helenius back against the cage.
Helenius blocks a body shot from Ortega.

Helenius breaks from the clinch.
Ortega misses with a head kick.
Ortega swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Helenius throws a good cross that connects.
Helenius throws an overhand right that lands on Ortega's shoulder, as Ortega tries to avoid the shot.
Ortega with the counter takedown but Helenius avoids it easily.
Rupert Helenius is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ortega fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Helenius misses with a hook. Ortega ducked under it nicely.

Ortega closes the distance and clinches.
Nice body punch from Helenius - that landed with a thud.

Ortega has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Helenius regains guard immediately.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Helenius keeping moving, preventing Ortega from controlling successfully.
Ortega content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Helenius is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Helenius seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Helenius keeping moving, preventing Ortega from controlling successfully.
Ortega is pushing down on Helenius's leg trying to pass to half guard. Helenius is fighting to maintain full guard but Ortega has managed to sneak the leg through.
Ortega looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Helenius is looking to improve his position.
Helenius moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ortega must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Ortega wants to control from the top but Helenius keeps moving.
Ortega is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Ortega slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helenius is looking for a sweep.
Ortega sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Helenius is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Helenius is not content to let Ortega control the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Helenius manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Ortega is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Helenius's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Helenius's back!
Ortega wants to control but Helenius is keeping busy.
Ortega has the hooks in. Helenius is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Ortega's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Helenius defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Ortega's arms.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Helenius trying to control the action but Ortega just sinks the hooks in.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ortega really has the hooks in deep now - there seems like no escape for Helenius.
Ortega misses with punches from the back.
Ortega just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
Ortega wants to control but Helenius is keeping busy.
Helenius rolls, trying to escape but Ortega keeps control of the position.
Helenius breaks Ortega's hooks off and manages to turn into his guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ortega tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ortega trying to keep a closed guard but Helenius is proving a slippery customer.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rupert Helenius will probably get the nod.
That's time! Helenius's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ortega misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Helenius.
It appears Helenius was looking to counter with a kick there.
Helenius misses with an uppercut.
A low kick lands for Helenius.
Ortega listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Ortega shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Helenius misses with a hook to the body

and Ortega counters with a single leg into guard. Helenius didn't expect that.

Helenius working for a triangle but Ortega defends it easily.

Helenius is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ortega defends well.
Helenius keeping full guard, as Ortega tries to pass.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Helenius is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ortega defends well.

Helenius is looking for a triangle but Ortega pushes his legs off easily.
Noah Ortega has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Helenius looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Helenius can't keep his opponent in guard - Ortega advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Helenius wants to improve his position but Ortega is controlling well.
Helenius wants to control but Ortega is keeping busy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Ortega is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Helenius sees it coming and defends easily.
Helenius has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ortega is working away from the top position though.

That's two 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.
Ortega wants to control but Helenius is keeping him busy.
Ortega is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Helenius!
Helenius taking shots to the head.
Ortega fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Helenius tries to hold on but Ortega pushes him away.
Ortega tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Ortega can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Helenius is looking to escape.
Helenius slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helenius is looking to improve his position.
Helenius is staying active underneath Ortega, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ortega missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ortega lands strikes from half guard.

Ortega looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Ortega is trying to work for a kimura but Helenius is defending well.
Helenius is refusing to be controlled, as Ortega sits in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Helenius tries to roll over but Ortega keeps him under control.
Ortega missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Ortega is pressing down on Helenius's thigh, looking to free his foot. Helenius is holding on for now.
Ortega seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Helenius does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Ortega throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Helenius works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ortega throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Helenius works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Ortega controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Ortega tries to free his leg and advance position but Helenius is retaining full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Helenius keeping moving, preventing Ortega from controlling successfully.
Ortega working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ortega controlling from the top position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Noah Ortega showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

A kick lands to the mid section there for Ortega.
Rupert Helenius has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Helenius throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A combination from Ortega does no damage.
Helenius throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Helenius tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Helenius misses with a wild body shot.
Ortega moves out of range as Helenius throws a body kick.
Ortega connects with a crisp jab.
Rupert Helenius is winning the standup battle so far.
Ortega moves forwards but Helenius connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Ortega fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ortega fails to land the takedown.
Helenius throws a good cross that connects.
Helenius doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Helenius lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ortega swings for the body but Helenius moves out of range.
Ortega lands with an overhand left.
Ortega throws the kick towards the body but Helenius avoids it.
Helenius throwing a counter right hand but Ortega manages to avoid it.
Ortega pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ortega tries to close the distance and clinch but Helenius swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Helenius looks to throw the jab but Ortega is out of range.
And Ortega tries to counter it with a takedown but Helenius pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Helenius bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ortega's head.
Helenius scoring well with a low kick there.
Ortega steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Helenius.
Ortega tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Helenius takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ortega scores with a nice right hand.
Helenius keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Ortega.
Ortega connects with a looping right hand.
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!
Ortega lands with a right hand.
Helenius connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Ortega's hands.
Ortega throws a body shot but no joy.
Ortega connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Helenius connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ortega goes for a double leg but Helenius avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Helenius continues to drive forward.
Rupert Helenius has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Noah Ortega.
Helenius throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Helenius clobbers Ortega with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Helenius scores with a head kick. Ortega tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Helenius scores with a jab to the head.
Helenius bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Ortega's head.
Ortega blocks a jab.
Helenius bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Ortega's head backwards.
Ortega displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Helenius throws out the jab.
Helenius throws a nice outside leg kick.

Ortega shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Helenius's guard.
Ortega trying to control the position from guard on top but Helenius is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Helenius working a defensive guard here.
Ortega is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Ortega got a little sloppy there for a moment and Helenius has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Ortega has managed to get both his arms back between Helenius's legs - danger averted.
Ortega stands up over Helenius, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Ortega wants to pass the guard but Helenius is keeping the position.

Helenius looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Ortega controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Helenius is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ortega defends well.
Ortega passes into half guard.

Ortega is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Ortega is looking to take a break and control but Helenius is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ortega controlling the action here.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rupert Helenius.
I think Helenius 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 Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight for Rupert Helenius!
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight as a draw!
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight for Rupert Helenius!

Rupert Helenius wins by majority decision!
After winning the bout, Rupert Helenius thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.