PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Christian Baratelli (ranked 4187 p4p, 4071 weight class) and Michael Venom (ranked 418 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Baratelli
vs
Venom

175 cm
18
155
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
166
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Christian Baratelli!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Michael Venom !
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Baratelli closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Baratelli lands in his opponent's guard.
Baratelli is standing up over Venom . Venom looks to escape but Baratelli dives into side control.

The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Venom is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Venom tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Baratelli wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Venom keeps trying to improve his position.
Baratelli in side control lands a nice looking series of punches and elbows.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baratelli misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Sloppy strikes there by Baratelli.
Venom tries to bench press Baratelli off him but Baratelli keeps the position.
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.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Baratelli decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Baratelli fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Venom scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Baratelli closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Venom quickly recovers to half guard.
Venom is trying to control but Baratelli manages to pass to mount!
Baratelli has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Baratelli sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Venom tries to control the position but Baratelli now has his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baratelli keeps control of the position as Venom tries to break free.
Baratelli slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Venom looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Baratelli looking for the choke but no joy.
Venom really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Baratelli. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Venom is really stuck here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Baratelli keeps control of the position easily here as Venom tries to buck him off.
Baratelli not allowing Venom to control his hands.
Baratelli controlling well, preventing Venom from escaping the position.
Baratelli scores with strikes from the back.

Venom defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Baratelli looking for the choke from the back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baratelli biding his time, looking for the opening.

Baratelli tightening his grip on Venom , looking for the choke.

Baratelli is looking for the choke from the back position but Venom is controlling his hands well.

Baratelli looking for the RNC.
Baratelli just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.

Baratelli working for the choke.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Christian Baratelli dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Baratelli feints and as Venom raises his hands in defense, Baratelli changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Baratelli passes Venom 's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Baratelli performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Venom wants to get back to full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Baratelli keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Venom is trying to control but Baratelli manages to pass to mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Venom tries to lock up and control but Baratelli gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Baratelli punishing his opponent with strikes.
Christian Baratelli overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Baratelli sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Baratelli in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Baratelli landing shots from mount.
Venom wants to hold on but Baratelli pushes him away.
Baratelli landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Baratelli cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Baratelli looking to control and managing it successfully.
Venom is working to get back to half guard.
Baratelli tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Baratelli seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Venom for as long as he can get away with.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Venom is in a horrible position here. Baratelli smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Venom is trying desperately to improve position.
Baratelli controlling from mount.

Venom tries to improve his position but Baratelli has taken his back! Baratelli has a choke - it's sunk in pretty tight... Will Venom tap? No... maybe... yes! He's tapped! Baratelli pushes Venom away and gets up to celebrate with his corner!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Christian Baratelli!