PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Seppo Rovanpera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jenson Rawlins (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rovanpera kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Die Antwoord - Enter The Ninja. Jenson Rawlins has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rovanpera
vs
Rawlins

164 cm
31
170 lbs
20 - 6 - 0

183 cm
30
181 lbs
17 - 6 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Heavy handed

ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30
Perkele!

ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30
Adam's NORTHERN WILD

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 20 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Seppo Rovanpera!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Jenson Rawlins!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Vladimir Khabensky and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Rawlins drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rawlins missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rawlins stopping the sweep attempt from Rovanpera.
Rovanpera might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rawlins throwing strikes from guard but Rovanpera blocks nicely.

Rovanpera had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Rawlins defends it easily.
Rovanpera is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rovanpera tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rawlins knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rovanpera is trying to control the action in half guard but Rawlins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rovanpera connects with a nice short shot to Rawlins's temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rovanpera passes into side control, despite Rawlins's attempt to control the position.
Rawlins tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rovanpera wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Rawlins sneaks back into half guard.
Rovanpera is looking to take a break and control but Rawlins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rovanpera tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rawlins knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Rovanpera moves nicely into side control.
Rovanpera cracks Rawlins with a big elbow.
Sloppy strikes there by Rovanpera.
Rawlins is being controlled here.

Rovanpera swings around for an armbar but Rawlins sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Rovanpera's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins trying to control but Rovanpera is working from the bottom.

Rovanpera is looking for a triangle but Rawlins pushes his legs off easily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rawlins trying to control the position from guard on top but Rovanpera is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rovanpera is looking for a triangle but Rawlins pushes his legs off easily.
Rawlins missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Rovanpera lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Rawlins!
Rawlins working to try and regain half guard.
Rovanpera working Rawlins over with strikes here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rovanpera controlling the position easily from mount.
Rovanpera is trying to control here but Rawlins has managed to regain half guard.

Rawlins actively working from the bottom here.
Rovanpera is trying to control the action in half guard but Rawlins is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rovanpera wants to pass to mount but Rawlins is defending the position.
Rovanpera wants to control but Rawlins is keeping him busy.
Rawlins is trying to maintain the position but Rovanpera is very close to passing his half guard.
Rovanpera content to control rather than advance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins is looking for a sweep. Rovanpera is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rovanpera throwing shots but Rawlins is blocking nicely.
Rawlins trying to hold on to Rovanpera's head to control him but Rovanpera postures up.
Rawlins is looking to improve his position.
Rovanpera uses his free foot to push down on Rawlins's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Rawlins.
Rovanpera trying to control but he's not successful this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rawlins closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Rovanpera to the mat! Rovanpera manages to get full guard.
Rovanpera trying to keep a closed guard but Rawlins is proving a slippery customer.

Rawlins got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rovanpera has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Rawlins has managed to get both his arms back between Rovanpera's legs - danger averted.
Rawlins trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Rovanpera manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Rovanpera postures up.

Rawlins is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rovanpera is aware though and is defending well.
Rovanpera trying to control but Rawlins is working from the bottom.
Rawlins working a defensive guard here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rovanpera trying to control the position from guard on top but Rawlins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rovanpera scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rovanpera preventing the sweep.
Rovanpera looking to pass the guard.
Rawlins looking to control.
Rawlins tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rovanpera trying to control but Rawlins is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jenson Rawlins wasn't active enough on the ground.

Rawlins darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rovanpera wants to get back to full guard.

Rovanpera looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rovanpera slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Rawlins wants to pass the guard but Rovanpera is keeping the position.
Rawlins must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rovanpera is trying to keep Rawlins in close.
Rawlins trying to move into half guard but instead Rovanpera has managed to sweep!
Rawlins is trying to keep Rovanpera in close.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rovanpera wants to pass the guard but Rawlins is keeping the position.
Rawlins working a defensive guard here.
Rovanpera sitting in guard here, content to control.
Rawlins keeping moving, preventing Rovanpera from controlling successfully.
Rawlins trying to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Jenson Rawlins has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.

Rovanpera gets caught flat footed, as Rawlins shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Rovanpera seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Rovanpera looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rawlins is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins wants to control from the top but Rovanpera keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rovanpera looking for a sweep. Not yet Rovanpera, not yet.
Rovanpera seems keen to control Rawlins's posture.
Rovanpera looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Rovanpera swings widly with a right hand
and Rawlins counters with a low kick, right behind Rovanpera 's knee.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rawlins uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rovanpera.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rovanpera throws a low kick, looking for Rawlins's leg but Rawlins calmly moves out of range.

Rawlins shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Rovanpera manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Jenson Rawlins will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rawlins drives through with a takedown into guard.
Rovanpera can't keep his opponent in guard - Rawlins advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Rawlins is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rovanpera is just riding it out for now. Rawlins eventually gives up the hold.
Rovanpera is pressing down on Rawlins's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rawlins preventing the sweep.
Rovanpera trying to strike off his back.
Rawlins looking to pass the guard.
Rawlins trying to control but Rovanpera is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rawlins postures up.

Rawlins is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rovanpera is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rovanpera has escaped and now he's on top!
Rovanpera wants to pass the guard but Rawlins is keeping the position.
Rovanpera trying to control the position from guard on top but Rawlins is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins controls Rovanpera momentarily but Rovanpera frees himself.

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

Rawlins looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rovanpera is on top in guard.
Rovanpera is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Rawlins wants to sweep but no luck.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rawlins is pulling down on Rovanpera's head to control his posture.
Rovanpera is looking to work some ground and pound but Rawlins has wrist control.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rawlins keeping moving, preventing Rovanpera from controlling successfully.

Jenson Rawlins has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Rovanpera shoots in and drives through. Rawlins sprawls well.
Rovanpera throws a leg kick but Rawlins sees it coming and moves out of range.
Rawlins on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.

Rawlins shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Rawlins was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Seppo Rovanpera overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rawlins punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rawlins takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rawlins working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rovanpera manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rawlins thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Rawlins is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Rovanpera is just riding it out for now. Rawlins eventually gives up the hold.
Rovanpera trying to control from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jenson Rawlins just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Rawlins swinging wildly here.
Rovanpera fails to land with a series of punches.
Jenson Rawlins is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Rawlins shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Rovanpera is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rawlins pulls his head out easily.
Rawlins trying to control from Rovanpera's half guard. Rovanpera has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Rawlins preventing the sweep.
Rovanpera manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rawlins manages to get himself to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rovanpera trying to control but Rawlins is working from the bottom.
Rovanpera controls from within his opponent's guard.
Rawlins looking for a sweep. Not yet Rawlins, not yet.
Rovanpera passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rawlins is trying to get back to half guard.
Rawlins is not content to let Rovanpera control the position.
Rawlins wants to control but Rovanpera postures up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins prevents Rovanpera from improving position.
Rovanpera passes to full mount! That's big trouble for Rawlins!
Rawlins tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rovanpera landing punches.

It looks like Jenson Rawlins has been cut.
Rovanpera content just to control the position here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rovanpera wants to control the pace but Rawlins is squirming around nicely.
Rawlins wants to control but Rovanpera is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins is trying to escape the mount.
Rovanpera controlling from the full mount.
Rovanpera wants to control the pace but Rawlins is squirming around nicely.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Rawlins tries to reverse the position but Rovanpera maintains control.
Rawlins is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Rawlins takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Rawlins is squirming around, avoiding Rovanpera's attempts to control the action.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins regains half guard.
Rovanpera not doing much here.
Rovanpera moves nicely into side control.

Rovanpera is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rawlins has escaped the position, nice work there.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rawlins dodges the ground and pound from Rovanpera.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rawlins is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Seppo Rovanpera had his way with Jenson Rawlins in that round.
The cut man is working on Jenson Rawlins's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Rawlins closes the distance and after a bit of a stuggle, scores a takedown into Rovanpera's guard.
Rovanpera is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Rawlins is trying to stand back up but Rovanpera is controlling him
Rovanpera is looking to take a break and control but Rawlins is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

Rovanpera is trying to work for a kimura but Rawlins is defending well.
Rawlins trying to hold on to Rovanpera's head to control him but Rovanpera postures up.
Rovanpera sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rawlins defending well though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rovanpera seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Rawlins is staying active underneath Rovanpera, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rawlins trying to hold on to Rovanpera's head to control him but Rovanpera postures up.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Rawlins goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.

Rovanpera throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rawlins was covering up waiting for the punch and Rovanpera finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Rawlins trying to control the position.
Rawlins is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rovanpera connects with a couple of short punches.
Rovanpera slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rawlins tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Rovanpera wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rovanpera moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.
Rovanpera trying to control the action but Rawlins is working from the bottom.
Rovanpera remains in side control and seems content to stay there. It's a versatile position from which he can work both strikes and submissions, whilst maintaining that control, so maybe he'll sit here for a while.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rovanpera is trying to get an arm triangle but Rawlins is defending well.
Rovanpera advances nicely into full mount.
Rovanpera working the ground and pound effectively.
Rovanpera prevents Rawlins from getting the reversal.
Rovanpera content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rawlins is desperately trying to improve his position but Rovanpera has a good base and remains in mount.
Rawlins tries to hold on but Rovanpera postures up.
Rovanpera cracks Rawlins with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Rawlins is looking to improve his position but Rovanpera isn't that keen on the idea.
Rovanpera tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rawlins is squirming around, avoiding Rovanpera's attempts to control the action.
A nice elbow there by Rovanpera.

And that's the end of the fight!
Seppo Rovanpera showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rovanpera has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 48:47
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Seppo Rovanpera!
Seppo Rovanpera retains his welterweight title!
Seppo Rovanpera made sure to mention his sponsor, ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30 in his post fight interview.