PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Jukka Raikkonen (ranked 666 p4p, 552 weight class) and Mike Preston (ranked 94 p4p, 80 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Raikkonen
vs
Preston

178 cm
27
177
10 - 5 - 0

177 cm
27
159
9 - 3 - 1

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very strong

Good wrestler
Solid Muay Thai
Powerful

Pulling Guard

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 10 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jukka Raikkonen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Mike Preston!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Chris Dean and Darius Henderson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raikkonen moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Decent striking displayed by Preston there.
Nice takedown defense from Preston. No joy for Raikkonen on that attempt.
Preston works over Raikkonen's head and body with a nice combination.
Raikkonen goes for a double leg but Preston avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Preston continues to drive forward.
Raikkonen is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jukka Raikkonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Preston manages to break the clinch.
Raikkonen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Preston.
Raikkonen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Preston's waist but Preston gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Raikkonen off to one side.

Raikkonen scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A lull in the action here.
Raikkonen definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Raikkonen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Preston keeps working.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Preston tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Raikkonen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Preston can do anything to dispel that myth.
Raikkonen is looking to take a break and control but Preston is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
A lull in the action here as Raikkonen stalls from top position.
Preston struggling a bit here.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.
Raikkonen in side control, throwing shots but Preston defends.
Preston tries to bench press Raikkonen off him but Raikkonen keeps the position.
Raikkonen fails to land a wild elbow strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raikkonen trying to control the position but Preston is working away.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Raikkonen shoots in looking for a takedown but Preston manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Raikkonen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
As Raikkonen backs off Preston throws a huge counter combo but Raikkonen manages to avoid it all.
Raikkonen tries for a takedown but Preston sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Raikkonen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Preston counters with a nice uppercut.
Raikkonen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Preston counters with a stiff right hand.
Raikkonen fails with the takedown.
Raikkonen tries for a takedown but Preston sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Preston throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Raikkonen dives in and grabs Preston's left leg, looking for a takedown. Preston pushes down on Raikkonen's head and hops out.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Preston stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Preston wants it to stay on the feet.
Preston throws a combination. Raikkonen tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Raikkonen shoots in but Preston avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Nice takedown defense from Preston. No joy for Raikkonen on that attempt.
Raikkonen with a poor takedown
and Preston connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Preston connects with a crisp jab.
Raikkonen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Preston defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raikkonen.
A slow jab from Preston misses its intended target.
Preston punishes Raikkonen's body with a nice straight punch.
Mike Preston is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Raikkonen is breathing heavily.
Raikkonen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Preston defends well and Raikkonen ends up having to push Preston into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.

Preston escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Raikkonen shoots in looking for a takedown but Preston manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Raikkonen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Preston dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Raikkonen fails with a takedown attempt.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Preston has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Preston swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Preston. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Nice body punch from Preston.
Preston's jab looks to have found its range, popping Raikkonen under the eye.
Raikkonen misses with a takedown attempt
and Preston counters with a straight right hand.
Preston works Raikkonen's body with a nice hook.
Preston fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Preston throws a looping overhand right but Raikkonen ducks down to avoid it.
The fighters circling - Preston throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Preston defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Raikkonen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jukka Raikkonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raikkonen with a poor takedown
and Preston counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Raikkonen misses with a takedown
and Preston counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
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!
Preston lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raikkonen has his takedown stuffed
and Preston counters with a stiff right hand.
Raikkonen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Preston counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Raikkonen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Preston as he jumps to the side.
Nice sprawl there from Preston as Raikkonen shoots in.
Preston scores with a nice right hand.
Preston lands a nice hook to Raikkonen's body. Raikkonen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Raikkonen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Preston pinned against the cage. Preston gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Raikkonen fails with the takedown
and Preston counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Raikkonen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Preston counters with a nice body shot.
Jukka Raikkonen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raikkonen misses with a takedown
and Preston counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Raikkonen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Preston counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Preston has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Raikkonen is landing a low percentage of strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
No luck for Raikkonen with that takedown attempt.
Raikkonen fails with the takedown
enabling Preston to counter with a crisp jab.
Preston connects with a body shot.
Raikkonen gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Raikkonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

Raikkonen is rocked!
Raikkonen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Preston cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Oh Raikkonen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Preston sends Raikkonen crashing to the mat with a devastating uppercut! Preston is motioning to the referee to let Raikkonen up. He wants to try and finish this one on the feet!
Preston swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Raikkonen.
Raikkonen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Preston as he avoids it easily.
Preston throws a shot to the body.
Raikkonen has a takedown stuffed.
Raikkonen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Preston counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Raikkonen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Preston feints a jab promting Raikkonen to slip. Preston then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Raikkonen slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Nice takedown defense from Preston. No joy for Raikkonen on that attempt.
Preston thows a left - swing and a miss!

Raikkonen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Preston did well to prevent Raikkonen getting side control.
Raikkonen seems to have got his legs back now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Preston keeps control of the position for the meantime.
Raikkonen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Preston defending well though.
Raikkonen tries to pass to full mount but Preston defends it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Preston is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Preston really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Raikkonen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Raikkonen is stalling here. Preston is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Raikkonen seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Preston has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Preston showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Raikkonen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Raikkonen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Preston avoids it really well and circles away.
Jukka Raikkonen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Raikkonen shoots and misses
and Preston counters with a stiff right hand.
Preston slips a jab from Raikkonen.
Raikkonen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Raikkonen with a lazy takedown attempt
and Preston counters with a nice uppercut.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jukka Raikkonen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Raikkonen shoots and misses
enabling Preston to counter with a crisp jab.
Raikkonen misses with a takedown attempt
and Raikkonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Preston dips to his left and cracks Raikkonen with an uppercut!
Preston scores with a hook.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Raikkonen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Preston sprawls well. Preston wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Raikkonen gets slowly back to his feet.
Danga de danga de dang - Preston scores with a four punch combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Preston connects with the punch.
Preston thuds a left hand into Raikkonen's body.
Raikkonen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Preston to score with a decent uppercut.
Raikkonen misses with a takedown attempt
and Raikkonen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
and Preston counters with a massive uppercut that badly hurts Raikkonen! He's just covering up as Preston starts to tee off till the referee steps in and stops the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:34 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Mike Preston!