PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Okami Ihara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ryan The Wrath (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have solid standup skills and neither is particularly fantastic on the ground, so let's hope for a nice standup war!

Ihara
vs
The Wrath

185 cm
18
200 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

185 cm
23
170 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Okami Ihara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ryan The Wrath!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Roosa Järviläinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The Wrath throws a leg kick but Ihara moved away.
The Wrath avoids the head kick by Ihara.
The Wrath misses with a low kick as Ihara jumps back.
The Wrath throws a leg kick but Ihara sees it coming and checks it nicely.

The Wrath closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The Wrath missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The Wrath missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
The Wrath throwing shots but Ihara is blocking nicely.
Ihara is trying to get back to full guard.
The Wrath thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Ihara avoiding damage under a succession of punches from The Wrath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Ihara wants to get back to full guard.
The Wrath throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Ihara misses with an attempted mid kick.

The Wrath is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Ihara's half guard.
Ihara avoiding damage under a succession of punches from The Wrath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Wrath not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The Wrath not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The Wrath thows a huge punch but Ihara dodges it nicely.
Ihara on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Ihara tries to get out of the position.
The Wrath sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ihara defending well though.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The Wrath throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The Wrath not landing any meaningful shots this time.
The Wrath throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.

The Wrath feints and as Ihara raises his hands in defense, The Wrath changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
The Wrath postures up in Ihara's guard and throws a big left but Ihara blocks it.
Ihara utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ihara utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
The Wrath throwing strikes but missing.
The Wrath working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The Wrath throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The Wrath postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as The Wrath accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

The Wrath clinches up with Ihara and pushes him back against the cage.

The Wrath gets a trip takedown into half guard.
The Wrath throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
The Wrath thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ihara's head.
The Wrath not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ihara avoiding damage under a succession of punches from The Wrath.
Ihara tries to roll over but The Wrath keeps him under control.
The Wrath throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The Wrath throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
The Wrath thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Ihara throws a sloppy head kick and The Wrath moves out of range easily.
Ihara is breathing heavily.

The Wrath bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ihara dodges the ground and pound from The Wrath.
Ihara dodges the ground and pound from The Wrath.
The Wrath has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Ihara dodges the ground and pound from The Wrath.
The Wrath throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The Wrath fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Ihara managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by The Wrath.
The ground and pound from The Wrath seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
The Wrath throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.

The Wrath pushes Ihara up against the cage in a clinch.
The Wrath throws an elbow but it misses.
The Wrath with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The Wrath tries to land knees in the clinch but Ihara avoids the damage to the body.
The Wrath looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A nice glancing elbow lands by The Wrath.
Ihara blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ihara blocks the elbow strike.
The Wrath throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ihara dodges an elbow strike from The Wrath.
The Wrath trying to land knees to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan The Wrath dominated that round.
That's time! Ihara's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Ihara checks the leg kick nicely there.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Ihara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
The Wrath shoots for a double leg takedown but Ihara sprawls well. He's pushed The Wrath's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
A head kick misses from Ihara.
Ihara throws a head kick that misses.
The Wrath tries a low kick but Ihara avoids it.

The Wrath drives through and clinches with Ihara against the cage.
Ihara blocks an elbow strike from The Wrath.
The Wrath pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Ihara is trying to stall.
The Wrath with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The Wrath tries a knee to the head but Ihara blocks it.
The Wrath throws a knee to the head but misses.
Ihara avoids the elbow strike from The Wrath, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The Wrath is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Ihara is defending well for now.
Ihara wants to break the clinch but can't.
Ihara is trying to stall.
Ihara stops a takedown attempt from The Wrath.
The Wrath looking for a takedown.
Okami Ihara has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ryan The Wrath.
The Wrath is breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The Wrath tries for a takedown. No joy.
The Wrath tries to land a knee to the head but Ihara blocks with his arms.
Ihara blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ihara is trying to break the clinch but The Wrath is controlling him.
Ihara managing to block the knees to the body from The Wrath.
Ihara is looking to break free of the clinch but The Wrath has double underhooks.
The Wrath misses with an elbow strike.
Ihara tries to break the clinch but The Wrath is controlling the position.
The Wrath tries to land knees in the clinch but Ihara avoids the damage to the body.
Ihara tries to circle away but The Wrath has him pinned against the cage.
The Wrath throws an elbow that misses.
Ihara has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Ihara takes an elbow to the forehead.

The Wrath gets control of Ihara's arms and successfully pulls guard. The Wrath will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The Wrath controls Ihara momentarily but Ihara frees himself.
Ihara would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Ihara won't allow The Wrath to sweep him here.

The Wrath wriggles free and stands up.

The Wrath closes the distance and clinches.
The Wrath misses with an elbow over the top.
The Wrath misses with a knee strike.

Ihara breaks from the clinch.
Ihara misses with a head kick.
Ihara misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

The Wrath forces Ihara back against the cage and clinches.
The Wrath with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Ihara trying to control the position but instead, The Wrath has worked for underhooks and has pushed Ihara into the cage.
Ihara is trying to break the clinch but The Wrath is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ihara tries to circle away but The Wrath has him pinned against the cage.
The Wrath lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
The Wrath with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Ihara is looking to break free of the clinch but The Wrath has double underhooks.
The Wrath lands a nice knee to the body.

The Wrath pulls guard effortlessly.
The Wrath looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The Wrath lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Ihara!
Ihara blocking the ground and pound.
Ihara wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by The Wrath.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The Wrath throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
The Wrath misses with a head shot.
Ihara holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as The Wrath tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
The Wrath throws some wild stikes that Ihara manages to avoid easily.
Ihara avoids a series of strikes thrown by The Wrath.
The Wrath throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
The Wrath won't let Ihara get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Ihara wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by The Wrath.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ryan The Wrath showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Ihara tries to keep at a distance but The Wrath has taken the fight into the clinch.
The Wrath throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Ihara blocks it with crossed arms.
The Wrath landing knees to the body.
The Wrath misses with a knee to the head.
The Wrath scores with a knee to the head.
The Wrath unloads a knee to the mid-section.

The Wrath jumps guard and drags Ihara to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
The Wrath wants to sweep here but Ihara controlling him for the moment.
The Wrath is trying to keep Ihara in close.

That's one minute gone in the round.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now The Wrath is on top in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The Wrath in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Ihara knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for The Wrath on the ground.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as The Wrath accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
The Wrath throwing strikes from guard but Ihara blocks nicely.
The Wrath throws a big right hand that misses.
The Wrath trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Okami Ihara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Ryan The Wrath is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
The Wrath controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

The Wrath gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for The Wrath. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
The Wrath throws a low kick but Ihara avoids it.
A clash of legs there as Ihara blocks the low kick.
The Wrath throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
The Wrath misses with a kick to the body.
The Wrath closes the distance and clinches up with Ihara, looking for a takedown. The Wrath pushes Ihara against the cage but Ihara circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

The Wrath scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
The Wrath is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Despite being in the dominant position, Ryan The Wrath just isn't active enough and the referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

The Wrath shoots in and bounces Ihara off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
The Wrath controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Ihara has his foot on The Wrath's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. The Wrath works his way back into a safe position though.
The Wrath slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ryan The Wrath comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got The Wrath winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ryan The Wrath!