PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Pinche Bendaho (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riku Miettinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bendaho has a slight injury, which hopefully won't affect the fight too much. Rumors backstage are that the fighters have been paid to keep it standing but we know that would never happen in MMA!

Bendaho
vs
Miettinen

199 cm
22
281 lbs
1 - 2 - 0

190 cm
20
265 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid boxing
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pinche Bendaho!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riku Miettinen!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bendaho shoots in for a takedown but Miettinen shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nice takedown defense from Miettinen. No joy for Bendaho on that attempt.
Bendaho is breathing heavily.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Bendaho is defended easily by Miettinen.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pinche Bendaho. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Miettinen has Bendaho up against the cage in a clinch.
Miettinen digs a right hand underneath Bendaho's ribcage. Bendaho let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Stalling in the clinch from Miettinen.

Miettinen drags the fight down to the ground.
Miettinen thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Miettinen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Miettinen has his hands on Bendaho's head, controlling the position.
Miettinen wants to sweep but no luck.
Miettinen pulls Bendaho in close to his closed guard and prevents Bendaho from doing any damage or advancing position.

Miettinen pushes Bendaho off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Miettinen drives through with a takedown into guard.
Miettinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Miettinen gets to his feet. Bendaho looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Pinche Bendaho seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Miettinen closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Miettinen is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Bendaho wants to stand back up but Miettinen manages to pass into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Miettinen is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Bendaho knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Bendaho is trying to get back to half guard.
Bendaho is pushing Miettinen's head away, looking to escape. Miettinen manages to hold on to the position though.
Miettinen working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bendaho on the wrong end of some ground and pound.
Bendaho is trying to escape the position but Miettinen is controlling the position.
Bendaho wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Miettinen scores with a spinning back kick!
Miettinen moves out of range of the body kick.
Bendaho with a lazy takedown attempt

and Miettinen counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Bendaho's guard now.
Miettinen pushing down on Bendaho's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.

Bendaho looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bendaho tries to get to full guard but Miettinen has control of the leg.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miettinen is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Miettinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Bendaho is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Miettinen might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Bendaho kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.

Bendaho looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Miettinen pushes down on Bendaho's leg and manages to get into half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riku Miettinen dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Miettinen has taken the fight to the clinch.

Miettinen jumps guard.
Miettinen is pulling down on Bendaho's head to control his posture.

Bendaho is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Miettinen is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Miettinen has escaped and now he's on top!
Miettinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Bendaho swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Bendaho trying to keep a closed guard but Miettinen is proving a slippery customer.
Miettinen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Miettinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Bendaho is retaining full guard.
Riku Miettinen has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bendaho wants to stand but Miettinen is controlling the position.
Miettinen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Miettinen decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Miettinen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Bendaho keeping moving, preventing Miettinen from controlling successfully.
Miettinen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Bendaho is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bendaho looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Miettinen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Bendaho looking for a sweep. Not yet Bendaho, not yet.

Bendaho is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Miettinen defends well.
Miettinen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bendaho is keeping the position for now.
Miettinen trying to control but Bendaho is working from the bottom.

Bendaho working for a triangle but Miettinen defends it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Miettinen decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Bendaho fails with the takedown

and Miettinen moves into the clinch.

Miettinen gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Bendaho has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Miettinen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Miettinen sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Miettinen looking to pass the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Miettinen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Miettinen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Miettinen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Bendaho wants to stand but Miettinen is controlling the position.
Miettinen slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riku Miettinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Bendaho fails with the takedown

and Miettinen moves into the clinch.

Miettinen has Bendaho pressed up against the cage. He's trying to work for a single leg takedown. Miettinen pulls back from the cage and twists to the side, sending Bendaho tumbling to the mat - Miettinen dives into Bendaho's guard.
Miettinen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bendaho wants to sweep but no luck.
Miettinen is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Bendaho is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Miettinen passes Bendaho's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bendaho wants to stand back up but Miettinen manages to pass into side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bendaho manages to get back to half guard.

Miettinen stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Bendaho is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Miettinen.

Miettinen gets the takedown into side control.
Bendaho tries to escape but Miettinen is in control.
Bendaho gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Miettinen prevents Bendaho from improving his position.
Bendaho is looking to escape.
Pinche Bendaho has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bendaho is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Miettinen pulls his head out easily.
Miettinen content to control rather than advance.
Bendaho wants to get back to full guard but Miettinen has passed into side control.
Bendaho tries to improve his position but instead Miettinen has taken his back!
Bendaho is trying to get back to his feet but Miettinen has full control of the position and if anything, Bendaho has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Bendaho tries to escape but Miettinen has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Miettinen lands a punch to the side of the head from the back.
A bit of a pause in the action here. Miettinen controlling the positon.
Bendaho trying to control the hands but Miettinen breaks the grip.
Miettinen trying to secure his dominant position for a moment - making sure Bendaho doesn't escape.
Bendaho staying busy and making it hard for Miettinen to control.
Miettinen is controlling the position but Bendaho somehow manages to roll and ends up with half guard.
Miettinen wants to stand up but Bendaho has a hold of him and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Bendaho tries to get to full guard but Miettinen has control of the leg.

Miettinen is trying to work for a kimura but Bendaho is defending well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
A punch combination from Miettinen misses.
Miettinen doesn't manage to clinch there - Bendaho circles away.
Bendaho has his takedown stuffed

and Miettinen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Bendaho throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Riku Miettinen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Still in half guard, Miettinen seems content to control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Riku Miettinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Miettinen has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Riku Miettinen!