PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Antti Rannanjarvi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Steve Areeno (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rannanjarvi comes to the cage accompanied by Stonehenge by Spinal Tap. Antti Rannanjarvi is staring across the cage at his opponent, tweaking his nipples... Tweaking his own nipples that is.

Rannanjarvi
vs
Areeno

195 cm
24
154 lbs
14 - 2 - 0

175 cm
22
155 lbs
8 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

5th Round
MADE IN GERMANY

[IFC] Fighter's Clothing Essentials

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Antti Rannanjarvi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Steve Areeno!
The judges for this bout are Alec Ball, Dillan Fox and Gregory Folan.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rannanjarvi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
An inside leg kick lands from Areeno.
A big left from Areeno misses.
Rannanjarvi throws a leg kick but Areeno sees it coming and moves out of range.
Areeno ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
A big left from Areeno misses.
Rannanjarvi throws a low kick, looking for Areeno's leg but Areeno calmly moves out of range.
Areeno will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rannanjarvi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Areeno throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rannanjarvi sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Areeno pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Areeno throws a leg kick
and Rannanjarvi counters with a leg kick.
Areeno throws a head kick that misses
and Rannanjarvi finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Areeno looks to score with a jab to the body but Rannanjarvi is just out of range.
Steve Areeno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rannanjarvi misses with a low kick as Areeno jumps back.
Areeno misses the body punch
and Rannanjarvi counters with a thumping low kick.
Rannanjarvi lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Areeno circles away quickly and effectively.
Areeno tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rannanjarvi was well out of range. Poor timing from Areeno.
Areeno misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rannanjarvi.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Areeno misses with a straight left.
Rannanjarvi really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
An inside leg kick from Rannanjarvi misses.
Rannanjarvi is looking to clinch.
Areeno swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

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

Areeno drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rannanjarvi manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Areeno has Rannanjarvi in his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rannanjarvi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Areeno working a defensive guard here.
Areeno is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Rannanjarvi controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Rannanjarvi looking to sit in guard and control but Areeno gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Areeno trying to control the position from guard on top but Rannanjarvi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rannanjarvi controlling the position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Rannanjarvi throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Areeno fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Areeno throws a shot from downtown. Rannanjarvi moves away and avoids it.
Rannanjarvi throws a low kick but Areeno moves out of range easily.
Areeno misses with a body shot
and Rannanjarvi counters with a nice leg kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Rannanjarvi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Areeno throws a leg kick
and Rannanjarvi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Rannanjarvi swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Areeno throws a body punch but Rannanjarvi moves out of range.
Antti Rannanjarvi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Areeno connects with the punch.
Rannanjarvi keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Areeno takes one to the chin there.
Areeno on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rannanjarvi. Rannanjarvi obviously looking to wear him down.
Areeno misses with a telegraphed body shot
enabling Rannanjarvi to counter with a crisp jab.
Rannanjarvi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Areeno throws a leg kick but Rannanjarvi sees it coming and moves out of range.
Areeno walks into a jab.
Areeno throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A big right from Rannanjarvi misses.
Areeno throws a hook to the side of Rannanjarvi's head but Rannanjarvi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Areeno throws a sloppy body shot
and Rannanjarvi counters with a leg kick.
Rannanjarvi checks a leg kick.
Rannanjarvi misses with an attempted mid kick.
Areeno checks a low kick from Rannanjarvi.
Areeno fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rannanjarvi manages to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Rannanjarvi dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rannanjarvi throws a jab but it's blocked by Areeno.
Rannanjarvi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rannanjarvi avoids the body shot from Areeno.
Areeno attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
A head kick by Areeno misses
and Rannanjarvi counters with a nice body kick.
Areeno throws a sloppy head kick
and Rannanjarvi counters with a thumping low kick.
Rannanjarvi checks a low kick from Areeno.
A right-left combo lands from Areeno.
Areeno on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
A solid body kick from Rannanjarvi.
A lazy body kick from Areeno
and Rannanjarvi counters with a thumping low kick.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Areeno lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Rannanjarvi has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rannanjarvi and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rannanjarvi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rannanjarvi motions for Areeno to come forward. Rannanjarvi throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Areeno is breathing heavily.
Areeno throws a combination that misses
and Rannanjarvi makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Areeno really felt that one!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rannanjarvi lands a nice shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Areeno's calf.
Rannanjarvi throws a shot to the body.
Areeno is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rannanjarvi rather than just go for the knockout.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Areeno has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi throws a body punch but Areeno moves out of range.
Rannanjarvi explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
An inside leg kick lands from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi connects with an inside leg kick.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rannanjarvi. Areeno shrugs it off though.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rannanjarvi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Areeno takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Rannanjarvi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rannanjarvi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Areeno's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
A chopping leg kick lands by Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi throws a head kick that half lands.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi lands with an uppercut that bounces Areeno off the cage and back into rage.
Rannanjarvi scoring well with a low kick there.
Good leg kick by Rannanjarvi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.

Rannanjarvi rushes Areeno and presses him up against the cage.
Rannanjarvi digs a right hand into Areeno's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Areeno's gas tank.
Rannanjarvi content to slow the pace in the clinch.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Rannanjarvi for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Rannanjarvi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rannanjarvi blocks an uppercut.
Rannanjarvi has Areeno pushed against the cage.
Rannanjarvi misses with a short punch on the inside.
Areeno lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Rannanjarvi or not.
Rannanjarvi lands with a right to the head.
Rannanjarvi lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Rannanjarvi fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Rannanjarvi can't break the clinch.
Rannanjarvi lands an elbow inside.
Areeno goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Rannanjarvi misses with a knee strike.
Areeno swings wildly with an uppercut but Rannanjarvi uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Rannanjarvi.
Areeno drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rannanjarvi controlling the action here for a moment.
Areeno goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rannanjarvi misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Areeno.
Areeno misses with a hook to the ribs.
Areeno is working Rannanjarvi over against the cage.
Areeno blocking some punches.
Areeno scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rannanjarvi is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Areeno is defending well for now.
Rannanjarvi is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Areeno lands an uppercut.
Rannanjarvi tries to work over Areeno's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Areeno can't find room to land a body shot as Rannanjarvi controls the action.

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.
Rannanjarvi stalling in the clinch but Areeno improves position.
A right hook to the body lands for Areeno.
Rannanjarvi throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Areeno blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Areeno can't find room to land a body shot as Rannanjarvi controls the action.
Rannanjarvi landing knees to the body.
Rannanjarvi stalling in the clinch but Areeno improves position.
A short right from Rannanjarvi on the inside.
Areeno misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Areeno misses with a body punch.
Areeno misses with a short punch on the inside.
Areeno tries for a takedown but Rannanjarvi manages to get underhooks.
Rannanjarvi is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Rannanjarvi stalling the fight.
Areeno struggles to land a body shot inside as Rannanjarvi controls his hands.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Areeno jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Rannanjarvi walks away with a smile on his face. Areeno gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Antti Rannanjarvi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Steve Areeno.
Rannanjarvi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Areeno.
A head kick by Areeno misses
and Rannanjarvi counters with an inside leg kick.
That kick from Rannanjarvi tenderised Areeno's leg. Areeno is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Antti Rannanjarvi dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! And we move into the final round!

That kick from Rannanjarvi tenderised Areeno's leg. Areeno is trying to keep his angry face on.
Areeno tries a head kick but it misses.
Rannanjarvi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Areeno can do to turn this around?
Rannanjarvi lands a leg kick that knocks Areeno off balance momentarily.
Rannanjarvi looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rannanjarvi lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Areeno throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Areeno misses with a kick to the body
and Rannanjarvi counters with a two punch combo.
Areeno swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rannanjarvi counters with a solid body kick.
Areeno looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Rannanjarvi is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
A nice leg kick lands there from Areeno.
Areeno checks a leg kick.
Areeno takes a swing at Rannanjarvi's ribcage but misses.
Areeno misses with a body shot
and Rannanjarvi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Areeno takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Areeno throws a big shot that misses.
Areeno throws a low kick, looking for Rannanjarvi's leg but Rannanjarvi calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
An inside leg kick lands from Rannanjarvi.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi lands a front kick.
Areeno has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi throws a head kick that half lands.
Good leg kick by Rannanjarvi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rannanjarvi throws a sloppy head kick and Areeno moves out of range easily.
Rannanjarvi throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rannanjarvi throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Antti Rannanjarvi is winning the standup battle so far.
That kick from Rannanjarvi tenderised Areeno's leg. Areeno is trying to keep his angry face on.
A jab lands there for Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Areeno.
Rannanjarvi throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi throws a good cross that connects.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Areeno on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rannanjarvi. Rannanjarvi obviously looking to wear him down.
Rannanjarvi fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Areeno.
Rannanjarvi scores with a head kick. Areeno tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Rannanjarvi scores with a push kick.
A good leg kick by Rannanjarvi.
Areeno walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rannanjarvi.
Rannanjarvi lands a nice leg kick that just misses Areeno's sensitive parts.

Rannanjarvi has closed the distance and engaged Areeno in a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Rannanjarvi fails to land.
Areeno blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Rannanjarvi comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Rannanjarvi breaks the clinch.
A big left from Areeno misses.
Antti Rannanjarvi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
The crowd cheers as Areeno lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rannanjarvi doesn't seem phased though.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Rannanjarvi.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rannanjarvi fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Areeno is out of range.
Areeno misses with a body shot
and Rannanjarvi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Some bone on bone action there as Areeno checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Areeno takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Rannanjarvi checks a leg kick.
That kick from Rannanjarvi tenderised Areeno's leg. Areeno is trying to keep his angry face on.
A low kick from Areeno is predictable there
and Rannanjarvi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Areeno misses with a body punch
and Rannanjarvi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rannanjarvi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Areeno misses with a straight left.
Areeno misses with a jab to the body
and Rannanjarvi counters with a nice leg kick.
Rannanjarvi checks a low kick from Areeno.
Areeno throws a head kick that misses
and Rannanjarvi counters with a stiff right hand.
Areeno throws a predictable looking body shot
and Rannanjarvi counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Areeno keeps the fight on the outside.
Areeno throws a body kick the misses
and Rannanjarvi counters with a nice leg kick.
Rannanjarvi throws a leg kick which misses Areeno's front leg but catches the back leg as Areeno tries to avoid it.
Rannanjarvi digs a good hook to Areeno's body.
Areeno circles away from the clinch attempt.
Areeno is looking to score with low kicks.
Areeno is looking to slow Rannanjarvi down with leg kicks.
Rannanjarvi keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Areeno throws a quick inside leg kick.
A combination from Areeno does no damage.
Areeno throws a leg kick
and Rannanjarvi counters with a good low kick that Areeno was not able to check.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rannanjarvi. Areeno shrugs it off though.
Areeno throws a leg kick
and Rannanjarvi makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Steve Areeno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rannanjarvi takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Antti Rannanjarvi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rannanjarvi, 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 Alec Ball scores the fight 30:26
Judge Dillan Fox scores the fight 30:25
Judge Gregory Folan scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Antti Rannanjarvi!