PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Rasi Vrasi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Nilsson (ranked 0 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.

Vrasi
vs
Nilsson

195 cm
22
250 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

207 cm
18
275 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Determined

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rasi Vrasi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Liam Nilsson!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vrasi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Vrasi moves out of range of the body kick.
Rasi Vrasi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nilsson throws a chopping leg kick but Vrasi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.

Vrasi gets a clinch.
Nilsson misses with a punch to the body.
Nilsson struggles to land a body shot inside as Vrasi controls his hands.
Vrasi with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Vrasi stalling.
Vrasi scores with a knee to the head.
Nilsson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nilsson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Vrasi wants to stall.
Vrasi blocks the elbow strike.
Vrasi lands a knee to the head.
Nilsson struggles to land a body shot inside as Vrasi controls his hands.
Vrasi scores a nice knee to the body.

Nilsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Vrasi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Vrasi unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Vrasi is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Nilsson lands a knee to the body.
Vrasi tries to land knees in the clinch but Nilsson avoids the damage to the body.
Vrasi with an attempt at a knee that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrasi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nilsson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nilsson tries to break the clinch but Vrasi is controlling the position.
Vrasi landing knees to the body.
Nilsson looks gassed!

Nilsson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nilsson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A jab from Vrasi misses.
Vrasi blocks the body kick.
Vrasi misses the jab.
Vrasi thows a body shot but no joy.
Vrasi throws a hook but Nilsson avoids it easily.
Vrasi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Vrasi closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Nilsson trying to land knees to the body.
Vrasi lands a knee to the head.
Vrasi landing knees to the body.
Vrasi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vrasi utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vrasi working Nilsson over with knees to the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Vrasi.
Vrasi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nilsson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Vrasi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Vrasi is struggling to control the position.
Vrasi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nilsson's face.
Vrasi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Vrasi landing knees to the body.
Vrasi lands a nice knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Vrasi landing knees to the head.
Vrasi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Vrasi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Vrasi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrasi missing with knees to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nilsson as Vrasi tries to tie him up.
Vrasi looking to throw knees to the head but Nilsson is blocking nicely.
Nilsson managing to block the knees to the body from Vrasi.
Vrasi missing with knees to the body.
Vrasi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nilsson blocks it with crossed arms.
Nilsson wants to get back to striking at distance but Vrasi won't allow it.
Vrasi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nilsson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Vrasi missing with knees to the body.
Vrasi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Vrasi slows down the pace here.

Nilsson breaks from the clinch.
Vrasi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nilsson is looking to clinch.
Vrasi misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Vrasi has Nilsson up against the cage in a clinch.
Vrasi keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nilsson's efforts to push away.
Vrasi is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Vrasi has Nilsson pushed against the cage.
Nilsson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nilsson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Vrasi just leaning against Nilsson, taking a breather.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Vrasi obliges.
A knee to the head by Vrasi.
Vrasi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vrasi throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Vrasi utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vrasi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nilsson.
Vrasi manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Nilsson avoiding damage as Vrasi throws knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nilsson misses with a head kick.
Nilsson tries to clinch but Vrasi moves out of range.

Vrasi has closed the distance and engaged Nilsson in a clinch.
Nilsson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Vrasi.
Vrasi putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Nilsson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Vrasi utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Vrasi will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Nilsson up against the cage.
Vrasi lands a good knee to the midsection. Nilsson won't want to take too many of those.
The referee calls for Vrasi to work.
Vrasi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Vrasi landing knees to the body.
Nilsson being controlled against the cage.
Nilsson takes a knee right on the jaw!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Vrasi scores a nice knee to the body.
Vrasi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Vrasi unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Vrasi lands a good knee to the midsection. Nilsson won't want to take too many of those.
Vrasi working Nilsson over with knees to the body.
Vrasi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nilsson is keeping busy.
Vrasi looking to throw knees to the head but Nilsson is blocking nicely.
Vrasi blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Vrasi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Vrasi trying to control the position but instead, Nilsson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Vrasi into the cage.
Vrasi lands a knee to the head.
Nilsson can't break the clinch.
Vrasi working Nilsson over with knees to the body.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Vrasi obliges.
Vrasi managing to block the knees to the body from Nilsson.
Vrasi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nilsson trying to stall but Vrasi improves his position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vrasi tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nilsson avoids it.
Vrasi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nilsson.
Nilsson tries to break free but Vrasi pushes him back against the cage.
Vrasi crunches a lovely knee into Nilsson's ribcage.
A knee to the head by Vrasi.

Nilsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Vrasi circles away from the clinch attempt

and Vrasi counters by clinching up.
Vrasi using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Vrasi lands a nice knee to the body.
Vrasi working Nilsson over with knees to the body.
Nilsson is trying to break free.
Vrasi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nilsson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Vrasi working Nilsson over with knees to the body.
Vrasi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Vrasi working Nilsson over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrasi landing knees to the body.
Nilsson looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Vrasi with a knee to the head.
Nilsson can't find room to land a body shot as Vrasi controls the action.
Vrasi tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nilsson can't break the clinch.
Vrasi misses with a knee to the head.
A right hand to the body from Nilsson.
Nilsson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nilsson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Vrasi's elbow.
Vrasi on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
The referee calls for Vrasi to work.
Vrasi is looking to control Nilsson's arms but Nilsson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Vrasi has his back to the cage.
Vrasi stalling against the cage.
Nilsson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nilsson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Knees to the body from Vrasi.
Vrasi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nilsson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

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.
Vrasi has Nilsson pressed against the cage, preventing Nilsson from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Vrasi's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Vrasi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nilsson missing with knees to the body.
Vrasi landing knees to the body.
Vrasi crunches a lovely knee into Nilsson's ribcage.
Nilsson avoiding damage as Vrasi throws knees to the body.
Vrasi trying to stall but Nilsson improves his position.

Nilsson breaks from the clinch.
Nilsson fails with the takedown.

Vrasi instigates a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rasi Vrasi dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Vrasi misses with a wild body shot.
Nilsson clinches but Vrasi breaks the clinch

and Vrasi counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Vrasi lands a knee to the head.
Vrasi trying to control the position but instead, Nilsson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Vrasi into the cage.
Nilsson is looking to break free of the clinch but Vrasi has double underhooks.
Vrasi with a knee to the head.
Vrasi connects with a knee to the head.

It looks like Liam Nilsson has been cut.
Vrasi putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Nilsson in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Vrasi lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Vrasi here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Vrasi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nilsson's face.
Vrasi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Vrasi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Vrasi scores a nice knee to the body.

Nilsson escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Vrasi wants to clinch up but Nilsson keeps it at a distance.
Nilsson walks into a straight right hand from Vrasi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nilsson tries a low kick but Vrasi avoids it.
Vrasi thows a left - swing and a miss!

Vrasi clinches up with Nilsson and pushes him back against the cage.
Nilsson lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Vrasi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nilsson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Vrasi lands a good knee to the midsection. Nilsson won't want to take too many of those.
Nilsson is trying to force a seperation but Vrasi has the dominant position.
Vrasi lands a knee to the head.
Rasi Vrasi has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Vrasi obliges.
Vrasi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nilsson's face.
Vrasi is struggling to control the position.
Vrasi landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nilsson taking a breather.
Vrasi lands a nice knee to the body.
Vrasi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nilsson is defending well for now.
Vrasi missing with knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Vrasi crunches a lovely knee into Nilsson's ribcage.
Vrasi missing with knees to the body.
Vrasi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nilsson is keeping busy.
Knees in the clinch landing for Vrasi.
Nilsson struggles to land a body shot inside as Vrasi controls his hands.
Vrasi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nilsson can do to turn this around?
Nilsson takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nilsson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Vrasi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nilsson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nilsson managing to block the knees to the body from Vrasi.

Nilsson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nilsson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Vrasi.
Vrasi just misses with a punch to the body.
Rasi Vrasi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nilsson throws a leg kick that misses.
Vrasi is really struggling to find his range with his punches. Nilsson's reach advantage is clearly causing him problems.
Vrasi misses with a wild body shot.
Vrasi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nilsson was well out of range. Poor timing from Vrasi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Vrasi misses with an uppercut. Nilsson saw that one coming.

Vrasi takes the fight into the clinch.
Vrasi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nilsson's face.
Knees in the clinch landing for Vrasi.
Vrasi with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nilsson can't break the clinch.
Vrasi lands a knee to the head.
Rasi Vrasi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Vrasi connects with a knee to the head.
Vrasi tries to land knees in the clinch but Nilsson avoids the damage to the body.
Vrasi is pushing Nilsson up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Vrasi with a knee to the head.
Nilsson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nilsson missing with knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Vrasi unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Vrasi just leaning against Nilsson, taking a breather.
Vrasi lands a nice knee to the body.
Nilsson takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nilsson is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Vrasi is keeping busy.
Nilsson wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nilsson tries a body shot but Vrasi blocks it.
Vrasi crunches a lovely knee into Nilsson's ribcage.
Nilsson is trying to break the clinch but Vrasi has him pressed against the cage.
Vrasi landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Vrasi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nilsson lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Vrasi working Nilsson over with knees to the body.
Liam Nilsson has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Vrasi effectively controlling the action here.
Vrasi connects with a nasty looking knee right to Nilsson's face.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rasi Vrasi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Vrasi, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rasi Vrasi!