PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gustavo Araujo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riku Tiirismaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Araujo comes to the cage accompanied by Bawitdaba. Riku Tiirismaa has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Araujo
vs
Tiirismaa

178 cm
22
174 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

180 cm
19
175 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Self confident

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Gustavo Araujo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Riku Tiirismaa!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Vladimir Khabensky and Fedor Mirinova.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Araujo throws a head kick but Tiirismaa moves out of range.
Tiirismaa fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Tiirismaa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Araujo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Araujo misses with a head kick.

Tiirismaa moves into the clinch.
Araujo landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Tiirismaa tries for a takedown but Araujo manages to get underhooks.
Gustavo Araujo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Tiirismaa.
A frustrated look appears on Tiirismaa's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tiirismaa fails in his attempt to clinch.

Araujo gets a clinch.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Tiirismaa looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Araujo holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.

Araujo kicks Tiirismaa off and gets back to his feet.
Araujo misses with a head kick.
Araujo throws a low kick, looking for Tiirismaa's leg but Tiirismaa calmly moves out of range.
Araujo scores with a kick to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Araujo closes the distance and clinches.

Araujo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tiirismaa shoots in looking for a takedown. Araujo tries to sprawl out of it but Tiirismaa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Araujo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Araujo displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tiirismaa.
Tiirismaa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Araujo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Tiirismaa is trying hard to land a takedown here. Araujo sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Araujo has managed to clinch.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Horrible takedown by Tiirismaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Araujo which made him look bad.
Tiirismaa shoots in for a takedown but Araujo shows good takedown defense.
Tiirismaa looks gassed!
Tiirismaa shoots for a takedown but Araujo saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Tiirismaa will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Araujo scores with a leg kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Araujo forces Tiirismaa back against the cage and clinches.
Araujo working Tiirismaa over with knees to the body.
Araujo lands a shot to the body.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Araujo closes the distance and clinches.
Tiirismaa avoiding damage as Araujo throws knees to the body.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tiirismaa shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Araujo but Araujo pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Araujo tries a head kick but it misses.
Araujo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Riku Tiirismaa has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Tiirismaa.
Tiirismaa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A solid leg kick lands there for Araujo.
Tiirismaa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiirismaa on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Araujo rushes Tiirismaa and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Araujo landing some nice looking knees to the body.

Araujo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Araujo goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Nice sprawl there from Araujo as Tiirismaa shoots in.
Araujo delivers a nice body kick.
Araujo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Araujo takes the fight into the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Araujo.
Araujo stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.

Araujo breaks from the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Araujo. No joy for Tiirismaa on that attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Araujo misses with a head kick.
Araujo lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Tiirismaa backs up against the cage.
Tiirismaa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Araujo goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Tiirismaa has a takedown stuffed.
Tiirismaa looks for a takedown but Araujo sprawls well.
Araujo connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Tiirismaa's hands.
Araujo cracks Tiirismaa with an open hand slap.
Araujo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Gustavo Araujo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Crunch! Araujo slams his shin into Tiirismaa's torso.
Tiirismaa looks to clinch
and Araujo counters with a nice body kick.

Araujo clinches up against the cage.

Araujo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Araujo dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Riku Tiirismaa's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Tiirismaa with a poor takedown

and Araujo counters by moving into the clinch.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tiirismaa avoids the head kick by Araujo.
Tiirismaa with a poor takedown
and Araujo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Araujo closes the distance and pushes Tiirismaa back into the cage.

Araujo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tiirismaa tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Araujo was well out of range. Poor timing from Tiirismaa.
Araujo misses with a body shot.
Tiirismaa tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Gustavo Araujo is winning the standup battle so far.
Araujo lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Tiirismaa misses with a takedown attempt

and Araujo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gustavo Araujo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Tiirismaa.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Araujo takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Tiirismaa has Araujo pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Araujo manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Araujo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiirismaa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
letting Araujo counter with a right hand.
Araujo is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Tiirismaa can do to turn this around?

Araujo gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tiirismaa to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Tiirismaa won't allow Araujo to get back to his feet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tiirismaa wants to pass the guard but Araujo is keeping the position.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Araujo has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Tiirismaa off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.
Tiirismaa doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Araujo moves into the clinch.
Araujo tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tiirismaa avoids it.
Araujo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tiirismaa takes a knee to the side of the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo is pressed up against the cage. Tiirismaa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Araujo down to the mat. Araujo avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Araujo gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Tiirismaa to score an easy takedown into full guard.

Tiirismaa drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Araujo manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Tiirismaa has Araujo in his guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Araujo accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Tiirismaa is working an open guard so Araujo takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.

Tiirismaa is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Araujo's half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tiirismaa wants to work for an arm triangle but Araujo is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Araujo wants to get back to his feet.

Tiirismaa is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Araujo doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Tiirismaa.
Tiirismaa prevents Araujo from standing back up.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tiirismaa shoots and misses

and Araujo counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Araujo.
Tiirismaa stalls.
Tiirismaa tries to land knees in the clinch but Araujo avoids the damage to the body.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Araujo looks to throw the jab but Tiirismaa is out of range.
Tiirismaa shoots in looking for a takedown. Araujo tries to sprawl out of it but Tiirismaa keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Araujo manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

Tiirismaa fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Araujo, pushing him back against the cage.
Araujo keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Tiirismaa's efforts to push away.
A short right from Araujo on the inside.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Araujo dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Riku Tiirismaa's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Tiirismaa has a takedown stuffed.
Riku Tiirismaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Horrible takedown by Tiirismaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Araujo which made him look bad.
Tiirismaa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Gustavo Araujo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Tiirismaa.
Araujo misses with a head kick.
Araujo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tiirismaa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Araujo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Araujo looks to score with a jab to the body but Tiirismaa is just out of range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Tiirismaa swinging wilding here.
Tiirismaa tries for a takedown but Araujo circles away easily

and Araujo counters by moving into the clinch.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Araujo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tiirismaa fails with the takedown

and Araujo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Araujo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Araujo lands with an overhand left.
Araujo connects with a high kick.
Tiirismaa has his takedown stuffed

and Araujo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Tiirismaa fails to pull guard.
Araujo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tiirismaa is defending well for now.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Tiirismaa shoots and misses
and Araujo counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.

Araujo gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Tiirismaa tries to pull guard but Araujo holds him up against the cage and eventually Tiirismaa drops back down to his feet.

Araujo breaks from the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Tiirismaa has time to react.
Tiirismaa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Araujo moves into the clinch.

Araujo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
The fight stays on the outside here - Araujo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Araujo waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Tiirismaa.
Araujo throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Tiirismaa doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Araujo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Araujo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tiirismaa misses with a takedown attempt

and Araujo moves into the clinch.

Araujo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tiirismaa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Araujo moves into the clinch.
Tiirismaa wants a takedown but no success here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Araujo obliges.
Araujo has Tiirismaa pressed against the cage, preventing Tiirismaa from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Tiirismaa changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Araujo fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Gustavo Araujo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Tiirismaa tries to keep at a distance but Araujo has taken the fight into the clinch.

Araujo pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Araujo is looking to clinch but Tiirismaa is avoiding it.
Tiirismaa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Araujo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Tiirismaa on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Araujo. Araujo obviously looking to wear him down.
Araujo defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Tiirismaa.

Araujo gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Araujo creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Araujo lands a nice knee to the body.
Tiirismaa fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Araujo obliges.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tiirismaa showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Araujo.
Araujo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Tiirismaa shoots and misses
and Araujo counters with a thumping low kick.
Tiirismaa with a poor takedown
and Araujo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Tiirismaa shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tiirismaa gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Araujo holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Araujo lands a good knee to the midsection. Tiirismaa won't want to take too many of those.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gustavo Araujo clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Riku Tiirismaa's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Araujo fails in his attempt to clinch.

Tiirismaa decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Tiirismaa stops Araujo from getting back to his feet.

Tiirismaa is working for a submission of some sort.
It looks like Tiirismaa is going to stand back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Araujo looks like he's trying to stand up.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

Tiirismaa is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Araujo has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tiirismaa is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tiirismaa stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Araujo.
Tiirismaa moves out of range of the body kick.
Tiirismaa shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Araujo counters with a nice body kick.
Araujo throws a shot to the body.
Tiirismaa fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Tiirismaa has his takedown stuffed
and Araujo counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Gustavo Araujo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Tiirismaa.

Araujo moves into the clinch.

Araujo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo throws a hook to the side of Tiirismaa's head but Tiirismaa sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Araujo throws a jab but it's blocked by Tiirismaa.
Tiirismaa has his takedown stuffed

and Araujo counters by moving into the clinch.
Tiirismaa wants a takedown.
Araujo using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Araujo stalling.

Tiirismaa pulls guard effortlessly.
Tiirismaa wants to sweep here but Araujo controlling him for the moment.
Tiirismaa looking to control.

Araujo stands up from guard. Let's bang!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tiirismaa misses with a takedown
enabling Araujo to counter with a crisp jab.

Araujo has Tiirismaa up against the cage in a clinch.
Araujo letting Tiirismaa take a breather here.
Tiirismaa tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Araujo is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tiirismaa is defending well for now.
Tiirismaa keeps control of Araujo as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Tiirismaa has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Araujo avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Tiirismaa takes a knee right on the jaw!
Araujo throws an elbow but it misses.

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.
Tiirismaa takes a knee to the side of the body.
Araujo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Araujo tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Tiirismaa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Araujo walks away with a smile on his face. Tiirismaa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Tiirismaa shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Araujo kicks off Tiirismaa and gets to his feet.

Tiirismaa gets a takedown into half guard.

Tiirismaa is working for a kimura here but Araujo manages to reverse the position and he's now in Tiirismaa's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close fourth round but I would say that Gustavo Araujo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Riku Tiirismaa's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Tiirismaa closes the distance and clinches up with Araujo, looking for a takedown. Tiirismaa pushes Araujo against the cage but Araujo circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Araujo stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Araujo wants it to stay on the feet.
A head kick misses from Araujo.
Araujo swats away the attempt to clinch by Tiirismaa.
Araujo pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Tiirismaa tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Araujo swivels and escapes.
Gustavo Araujo has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Riku Tiirismaa.
Horrible takedown by Tiirismaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Araujo which made him look bad.
Araujo scores with a three punch combo!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Araujo instigates a clinch.
Tiirismaa is trying to break free.
Araujo softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Tiirismaa takes a shot to the head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tiirismaa has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Araujo is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Araujo has Tiirismaa pressed against the cage.

Araujo escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Araujo tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tiirismaa paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Araujo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
No luck for Tiirismaa with that takedown attempt.
Araujo doesn't manage to clinch there - Tiirismaa circles away.
Nice body punch from Araujo.
Tiirismaa has his takedown stuffed
and Araujo counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Tiirismaa has his takedown stuffed
and Araujo cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Araujo moves into range and lands a nice body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Araujo fails to land with a series of punches.
Araujo scores with a hook.
Araujo misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tiirismaa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Araujo counters by clinching up.

Araujo manages to break the clinch.
Horrible takedown by Tiirismaa or perhaps it was just good defense by Araujo which made him look bad.
Tiirismaa with a lazy takedown attempt
and Araujo counters with a body kick.
Tiirismaa has his takedown stuffed
and Araujo counters with a nice uppercut.
Araujo is looking to clinch but Tiirismaa is avoiding it.
Tiirismaa with a lazy takedown attempt

and Araujo counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Gustavo Araujo has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Tiirismaa escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Tiirismaa closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Araujo stuffs the takedown.

Araujo has managed to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Araujo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Tiirismaa tries for a takedown but Araujo circles away easily
and Araujo counters with a nice body kick.

Araujo moves into the clinch.
Araujo prevents a takedown attempt there.
Araujo unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Tiirismaa tries for a takedown. No joy.
Araujo unloads a knee to the mid-section. Tiirismaa lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

Araujo's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Tiirismaa misses with a takedown attempt - Araujo sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Araujo throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Riku Tiirismaa has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice uppercut lands for Araujo. That snapped Tiirismaa's head back.
Araujo throws a nice looking combination but Tiirismaa bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Tiirismaa shoots in but Araujo avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Tiirismaa blocks a head kick by Araujo.
Tiirismaa swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tiirismaa fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Tiirismaa takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Araujo checks a leg kick.
Araujo lands with a kick to the temple. Tiirismaa shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Araujo avoids the head kick by Tiirismaa.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Tiirismaa, right into the meat.
Tiirismaa takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Tiirismaa tries for a takedown but Araujo circles away easily

and Araujo moves into the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Gustavo Araujo showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Araujo, 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight 50:45
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 50:44
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 50:43

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gustavo Araujo!
Gustavo Araujo retains his welterweight title!