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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Nyrkki Rauta (ranked 324 p4p, 725 weight class) and Mbape Smooth (ranked 43 p4p, 102 weight class). Well, I have no idea who's going to take this one!
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| 185 cm
29
180
25 - 2 - 0 |
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195 cm
23
190
11 - 4 - 0 |
Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Granite chin |
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Decent wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank |
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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nyrkki Rauta!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Mbape Smooth!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Ren Mimura and Hirohito Nitta.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rauta throws a lazy right hand but Smooth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smooth doesn't manage to clinch there - Rauta circles away.
Smooth is looking to clinch but Rauta is avoiding it.
Rauta catches Smooth with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
It looks like Mbape Smooth has been cut.
Rauta throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Smooth slips under a jab from Rauta.
Jab by Rauta.
Smooth tries to clinch but Rauta moves out of range.
Smooth keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rauta.
Rauta misses with a hook. Smooth ducked under it nicely.
Smooth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rauta manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rauta misses with a straight left.
Smooth looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
Smooth wants to clinch up but Rauta keeps it at a distance.
Smooth tries to move into range but Rauta moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nice defenses there by Smooth.
Smooth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rauta manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smooth uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rauta.
A little jabbing left from Smooth on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Smooth takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smooth is looking to clinch but Rauta is avoiding it.
Smooth is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Smooth tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Rauta lands a nice shot that snaps Smooth's head back.
That has opened up Mbape Smooth's cut even more.
Smooth moves into range and clinches up with Rauta.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
That's one minute gone in the round.
A shot in the inside from Smooth.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rauta.
A short right from Rauta.
Rauta working aggressively here.
A nice right hand lands inside from Smooth.
Rauta blocks an uppercut.
Smooth lands with a short head shot on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth working aggressively here.
Smooth blocking some punches.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Smooth creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rauta.
A head punch on the inside from Rauta fails to land.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
I was talking to Rauta's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rauta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rauta blocks an uppercut.
Rauta lands a right hand.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rauta lands a left hand.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Smooth lands with a light punch inside.
Rauta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta misses with a punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Rauta fails to land.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rauta has a couple of punches blocked by Smooth.
Rauta blocking some punches.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
Rauta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rauta throws a head punch that misses.
Rauta misses with the head strike.
Rauta misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
Rauta misses with the head strike.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rauta throws a head punch that misses.
Rauta lands a left hand.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth lands a hook that snaps the head of Rauta backwards.
Rauta misses with some punches.
A short left from Rauta.
Rauta lands a left hand that snaps the head of Smooth backwards.
Rauta misses with some punches.
Smooth working aggressively here.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smooth.
A nice left hand lands by Rauta.
A short uppercut from Rauta.
Rauta has a couple of punches blocked by Smooth.
Rauta fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Rauta.
A nice left hand lands by Rauta.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rauta.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta throws a head punch that misses.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rauta lands a shoulder strike.
A head punch on the inside from Rauta fails to land.
Rauta lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Rauta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smooth lands a shoulder strike.
Smooth misses with some punches.
A head punch on the inside from Rauta fails to land.
Smooth takes a shot to the head.
Rauta working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
Rauta fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta swings wildly with an uppercut but Smooth uses good head movement to avoid it.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rauta has a couple of punches blocked by Smooth.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Rauta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nyrkki Rauta dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Mbape Smooth's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.
Rauta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Smooth staying out of range there.
Smooth on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Smooth tries to clinch there but Rauta circles away.
Rauta misses with an uppercut. Smooth saw that one coming.
Smooth tries to clinch but Rauta moves out of range.
A jab from Rauta misses.
Smooth tries to clinch there but Rauta circles away.
Rauta throws a hook to the side of Smooth's head but Smooth sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Smooth! But no joy.
Smooth doesn't manage to clinch there - Rauta circles away.
Rauta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A little feinted left hand from Rauta on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Rauta throws a jab but it's blocked by Smooth.
Smooth looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Rauta circles away from the clinch attempt.
Smooth doesn't manage to clinch there - Rauta circles away.
Rauta lands with a right hand.
Rauta throws a hook but Smooth avoids it easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smooth moves away from the strike by Rauta.
Smooth moves in looking to clinch but Rauta pushes him off.
Rauta throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smooth sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rauta lands with a right hand.
Smooth tries to clinch up but Rauta circles away and keeps his distance.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Smooth wants to clinch up but Rauta keeps it at a distance.
Rauta swats away the attempt to clinch by Smooth.
Nyrkki Rauta is winning the standup battle so far.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rauta throws an overhand right that lands on Smooth's shoulder, as Smooth tries to avoid the shot.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Smooth! But no joy.
Smooth slips under a jab.
Rauta throws a jab but it's blocked by Smooth.
Smooth tries to clinch up but Rauta circles away and keeps his distance.
Smooth fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smooth moves away from the strike by Rauta.
Rauta throws a lazy right hand but Smooth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smooth tries to clinch up but Rauta circles away and keeps his distance.
Smooth wants to clinch up but Rauta keeps it at a distance.
Rauta circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rauta is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Smooth tries to clinch but Rauta moves out of range.
Rauta looks to land a right hand but Smooth moved out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smooth looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Rauta throws out a loose jab but Smooth uses good head movement to avoid it.
A little jabbing left from Smooth on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Rauta throws a looping overhand right but Smooth ducks down to avoid it.
Rauta waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Smooth.
Rauta looks to land a right hand but Smooth moved out of range.
Smooth tries to clinch up but Rauta circles away and keeps his distance.
Smooth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rauta manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smooth looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Smooth looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A jab from Rauta misses.
Smooth tries to clinch up.
Rauta throws the left hand but Smooth avoids the punch easily.
Smooth is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
A jab from Rauta misses.
Rauta lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A big left from Rauta misses.
Rauta avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rauta throws a lazy right hand but Smooth sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Smooth fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smooth clinches.
Smooth's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Rauta swings wildly with an uppercut but Smooth uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rauta backwards.
Rauta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
Nyrkki Rauta has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Rauta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rauta misses with a punch on the inside.
Rauta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
Rauta is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Smooth can do to turn this around?
Rauta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rauta lands a nice uppercut.
Rauta fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smooth.
Rauta lands a nice uppercut.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smooth.
Rauta misses with some punches.
Smooth working aggressively here.
Rauta throws a head punch that misses.
Smooth blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rauta lands a hook that snaps the head of Smooth backwards.
Rauta misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rauta throws a head punch that misses.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Rauta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Rauta fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A nice left hand lands by Rauta.
Rauta misses with the head strike.
Smooth lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Rauta misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta has a couple of punches blocked by Smooth.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
Rauta's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Smooth blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
Nyrkki Rauta dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Mbape Smooth's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rauta, as that shot connected.
Smooth moves out of range as Rauta strikes.
Smooth tries to close the distance and clinch but Rauta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Smooth fails with an attempt to clinch.
Smooth fails in his attempt to clinch.
Smooth wants to clinch.
Rauta connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Smooth wants to clinch up but Rauta keeps it at a distance.
Smooth slips under a jab from Rauta.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Smooth! But no joy.
Rauta looks to throw the jab but Smooth is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Smooth on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Smooth tries to close the distance and clinch but Rauta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smooth tries to clinch up but Rauta circles away and keeps his distance.
Smooth tries to clinch up but Rauta circles away and keeps his distance.
Rauta throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Smooth sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Smooth tries to clinch up.
Smooth moves in looking to clinch but Rauta pushes him off.
Rauta is looking to counter punch.
A swing and a miss from Rauta.
Smooth closes the distance and pushes Rauta back into the cage.
A shot in the inside from Smooth.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rauta blocks an uppercut.
Rauta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rauta backwards.
Smooth lands with a left to the head.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta throws a head punch that misses.
Rauta misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smooth working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth blocks an uppercut.
Smooth lands with a right to the head.
Rauta fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rauta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rauta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta swings wildly with an uppercut but Smooth uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta working aggressively here.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rauta has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smooth scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rauta working aggressively here.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Rauta throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Smooths head.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Smooth.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Rauta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rauta misses with some punches.
Smooth working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Rauta swings wildly with an uppercut but Smooth uses good head movement to avoid it.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Rauta.
Rauta lands a left hand.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Smooth creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short right from Rauta on the inside.
Smooth lands a hook to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
Smooth blocks an uppercut.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta misses with the head strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A shot in the inside from Rauta.
Smooth lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Rauta blocking some punches.
Rauta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rauta.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Rauta.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
A short right from Rauta on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Rauta fails to land.
Rauta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Rauta.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Smooth blocking some punches.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Rauta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Rauta uses good head movement to avoid it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close third round but Mbape Smooth just about did enough to take it.
The cut man is working on Mbape Smooth's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!
Smooth uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rauta.
Smooth is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rauta is looking to counter punch.
Rauta misses with an uppercut. Smooth saw that one coming.
Smooth slips under a jab from Rauta.
Smooth darts in and clinches Rauta up against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Rauta.
Rauta throws a head punch that misses.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rauta working aggressively here.
Smooth scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rauta.
A head punch on the inside from Rauta fails to land.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth lands with a light punch inside.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smooth.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Rauta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rauta working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rauta lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Smooth blocks an uppercut.
Smooth blocks an uppercut.
Rauta blocking some punches.
Smooth lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rauta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A short left from Smooth.
Smooth lands a left hand.
Smooth scores with a nice hook to the head.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Rauta misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
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!
Rauta lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Smooth backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Rauta.
Rauta misses with a punch on the inside.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rauta lands a left hand.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smooth.
Smooth misses with some punches.
A short left from Rauta.
Rauta blocking some punches.
Rauta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Rauta misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Rauta.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
Rauta misses with a short punch on the inside.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rauta.
Rauta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smooth lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rauta blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Smooth creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Smooth throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Rautas head.
Smooth blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth lands with a light punch inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Rauta pushes Smooth back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rauta misses with the head strike.
Rauta has a couple of punches blocked by Smooth.
Smooth lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Rauta backwards.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Smooth.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Rauta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
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!
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Smooth pushes Rauta back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
Rauta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smooth blocking some punches.
Rauta scores with a nice hook to the head.
Rauta blocks an uppercut.
Smooth working aggressively here.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rauta.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch on the inside from Rauta fails to land.
Smooth lands with a light punch inside.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth misses with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta working aggressively here.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Smooth.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.
A close fourth round but Mbape Smooth will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Mbape Smooth's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.
Smooth tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rauta swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rauta throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rauta looks to throw the jab but Smooth is out of range.
Rauta is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Smooth.
Rauta lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Smooth moves in looking to clinch but Rauta pushes him off.
Smooth tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rauta manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Smooth displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Rauta throws out the jab.
Rauta keeps the fight on the outside.
Rauta throws the left hand but Smooth avoids the punch easily.
Smooth tries to close the distance and clinch but Rauta swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rauta throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Smooth gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Smooth working aggressively here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rauta blocks an uppercut.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Rauta.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rauta swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Rauta throws a head punch that misses.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth blocking some punches.
A short uppercut from Rauta.
Rauta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rauta.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
A short left from Rauta.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Rauta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
Smooth throws a punch but it's blocked by Rauta.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth working aggressively here.
Smooth blocks an uppercut.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rauta misses with some punches.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rauta misses with some punches.
Rauta misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rauta makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rauta scores with a nice hook to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rauta.
Smooth blocking some punches.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rauta fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rauta misses with some punches.
Smooth has a couple of punches blocked by Rauta.
Rauta misses with a punch on the inside.
Rauta misses with the head strike.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Smooth swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Rauta.
A short right from Smooth on the inside.
Smooth swings wildly with an uppercut but Rauta uses good head movement to avoid it.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rauta lands a shoulder strike.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rauta blocking some punches.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
A short uppercut from Smooth.
Smooth gets through Rauta's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Rauta scores with a shot to the side of Smooth's head.
Rauta lands a hook that snaps the head of Smooth backwards.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
Rauta misses with some punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Smooth.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
Smooth misses with some punches.
Rauta misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Rauta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta blocking some punches.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rauta blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth lands with a short shot to the head.
Smooth lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rauta backwards.
Smooth misses with the head strike.
A head punch on the inside from Smooth fails to land.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Smooth blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Smooth misses with a hook from the clinch.
Rauta lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Smooth tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Smooth misses with a punch on the inside.
Rauta throws a punch but it's blocked by Smooth.
Rauta lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rauta misses with a punch on the inside.
Smooth throws a head punch that misses.
Rauta tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
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 Nyrkki Rauta.
I think Rauta 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Yuuki Gou scores the fight 48:47
Judge Ren Mimura scores the fight 48:47
Judge Hirohito Nitta scores the fight 48:47
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nyrkki Rauta!
Nyrkki Rauta retains his middleweight title!
A relieved looking Nyrkki Rauta thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
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
82% |
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