PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Simo Rantalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ash Ketchum (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rantalainen
vs
Ketchum

208 cm
26
263 lbs
7 - 7 - 0

197 cm
27
270 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
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 7 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Simo Rantalainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ash Ketchum!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rantalainen rushes Ketchum and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Ketchum has Rantalainen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rantalainen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

Ketchum decides to pull guard.
Rantalainen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Rantalainen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Rantalainen scoring with some ground and pound.
Ketchum keeping moving, preventing Rantalainen from controlling successfully.

Rantalainen is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Ketchum is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Ketchum has escaped and now he's on top!
Ketchum lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Ketchum thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ketchum preventing the sweep.

Rantalainen is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ketchum trying to control but Rantalainen is working from the bottom.

Ketchum thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Rantalainen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Ketchum can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Ketchum sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Rantalainen's guard.

Ketchum is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rantalainen is just riding it out for now. Ketchum eventually gives up the hold.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Ketchum is working for a kimura but Rantalainen is defending it quite comfortably.
Ketchum throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rantalainen is refusing to be controlled, as Ketchum sits in half guard.
Ketchum is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Rantalainen!
Rantalainen tries to reverse the position but Ketchum maintains control.

Ketchum looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Rantalainen can't escape the position.
Rantalainen is working hard here to advance position.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Ketchum putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Rantalainen is desperately trying to improve his position but Ketchum has a good base and remains in mount.
Ketchum postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Rantalainen looks a forlorn figure.
Ketchum wants to control the pace but Rantalainen is squirming around nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Ketchum is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rantalainen has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Ketchum tries to control but Rantalainen wriggling away.
Rantalainen is looking to improve his position but Ketchum isn't that keen on the idea.

Ketchum looking to secure an arm triangle but Rantalainen defends it well.
Ketchum putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Rantalainen wants to hold on but Ketchum pushes him away.
Rantalainen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.

That's four 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.

Ketchum with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

Ketchum jumps to side control looking for an arm triangle but Rantalainen manages to avoid the submission attempt.
Ketchum looks gassed!
Rantalainen is looking to regain half guard here but Ketchum keeps moving and retains side control.
Rantalainen sneaks back into half guard.

Rantalainen looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Rantalainen actively working from the bottom here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ketchum is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rantalainen is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ketchum pulls his head out easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rantalainen shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Ketchum shoots in and drives through. Rantalainen sprawls well.
Ketchum throws a nice inside leg kick.
Ketchum shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rantalainen but Rantalainen pushes him off and we're back to square one.

Rantalainen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Ketchum napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Ketchum sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rantalainen prevents Ketchum from improving his position.
Ketchum is staying active underneath Rantalainen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ketchum manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rantalainen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rantalainen throwing strikes but missing.

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

and Rantalainen counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Simo Rantalainen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ash Ketchum.
Ketchum is trying to stand.
Rantalainen trying to control from half guard but Ketchum is working away.
Ketchum is trying to get back to full guard.
Rantalainen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ketchum's head.
Ketchum trying to control but Rantalainen postures up.
Rantalainen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rantalainen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rantalainen working Ketchum over with strikes.
Rantalainen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Rantalainen lands a nice short elbow.
Ketchum regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rantalainen's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Rantalainen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Ketchum keeping moving, preventing Rantalainen from controlling successfully.
Rantalainen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Ketchum's head.
Rantalainen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum keeping moving, preventing Rantalainen from controlling successfully.
Rantalainen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Rantalainen is working Ketchum over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rantalainen is in close to Ketchum's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rantalainen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Rantalainen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Ketchum works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rantalainen stopping the sweep attempt from Ketchum.
Ketchum manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Ketchum with some aggressive grappling here. He's looking for submissions here, rather than waiting for the opportunity to counter.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum controlling from mount.
Rantalainen is trying desperately to improve position.
Ketchum trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Ketchum with good strikes from the mount here!

Ketchum is working on an americana here. Ooh, that looks pretty nasty! Nope, Rantalainen has managed to escape the submission attempt.
Ketchum wants to control the pace but Rantalainen is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Simo Rantalainen dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Rantalainen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Ketchum escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Rantalainen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Simo Rantalainen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Ketchum is looking to stand up but Rantalainen isn't so interested in that idea.

Rantalainen got a little sloppy there for a moment and Ketchum has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rantalainen has managed to get both his arms back between Ketchum's legs - danger averted.

Rantalainen drops back looking for a leg! Ketchum is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Ketchum manages to kick Rantalainen off! Rantalainen jumps back into Ketchum's guard.
Ketchum takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Ketchum working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rantalainen throws and elbow that misses. Ketchum uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rantalainen's guard. Nice move by Ketchum!
Ketchum stays in close to Rantalainen's body and controls the position.
Rantalainen wants to sweep but no luck.

Rantalainen is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Ketchum is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Ketchum passes easily into side control. Nice work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum wants to control but Rantalainen is keeping him busy.
Rantalainen tries to improve position but can't.

Ketchum is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Rantalainen is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Rantalainen is looking to reverse the position.
Rantalainen manages to get back to half guard.

Rantalainen looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Ketchum is working for a kimura but Rantalainen is defending it quite comfortably.
Rantalainen throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rantalainen is looking to improve his position.

Ketchum is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rantalainen sees it coming and defends easily.

Rantalainen looking for submissions off his back.
Ketchum seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Ketchum working over Rantalainen with some ground and pound. Rantalainen looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.

Rantalainen looking for submissions off his back.
Ketchum keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ketchum wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rantalainen keeps working.
Ketchum passes to side control.
Ketchum lands a decent elbow from side control.

Ketchum wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rantalainen, who protects the arm well.
Rantalainen is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Ketchum off and has taken his back!
Rantalainen lands punches and elbows.
Rantalainen not allowing Ketchum to control his hands.
Ketchum is keeping busy.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ash Ketchum comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Ketchum has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ash Ketchum!