PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Intoy Bakong (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rami Ilotalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Bakong
vs
Ilotalo

190 cm
18
165 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

165 cm
18
159 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Good chin

Good wrestler
Brawler
Very confident

Dark Knight Design
Dark Knight Design

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Intoy Bakong!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rami Ilotalo!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Ilotalo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nice strikes from Ilotalo there.
It looks like Ilotalo is going to stand back up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Ilotalo postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Bakong to stand up.

Ilotalo drives through with a takedown into guard.
Bakong looking for a sweep. Not yet Bakong, not yet.
Ilotalo would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Bakong avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Bakong is trying to control the position but Ilotalo postures up.
Ilotalo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bakong's guard.
Bakong looking for a sweep. Not yet Bakong, not yet.
Ilotalo looking to pass the guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilotalo working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Bakong's head.
Bakong tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.

Ilotalo feints and as Bakong raises his hands in defense, Ilotalo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.
Ilotalo is looking to work some ground and pound but Bakong has wrist control.
Bakong will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Ilotalo looks gassed!
Ilotalo trying to stand up but can't free himself from Bakong's guard.
Ilotalo must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Bakong is looking for a triangle but Ilotalo pushes his legs off easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakong has momentary wrist control but Ilotalo slips an elbow through the middle.

Ilotalo stands and steps away. Bakong gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Bakong shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Bakong showed some decent athleticism there.

Ilotalo has one foot on Bakong's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Ilotalo looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Ilotalo fails with the takedown.
Ilotalo misses with a takedown attempt - Bakong sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Intoy Bakong has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rami Ilotalo.
Bakong missing with a left hand there. Ilotalo was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakong uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ilotalo.

Ilotalo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ilotalo showed some decent athleticism there.

Ilotalo gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Bakong avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Ilotalo waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Bakong.
Bakong tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Ilotalo paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Bakong really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Ilotalo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Bakong.
Ilotalo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
The fight stays on the outside here - Bakong looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Bakong bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

Bakong gets a takedown into half guard.
Ilotalo is trying to stand up here but Bakong is controlling him well.
Ilotalo should think about turning a few of those tyres round his middle into muscle if he wants people to take him seriously as an athlete.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakong is looking to advance position but Ilotalo won't allow it.

Ilotalo pushes Bakong off and gets back to his feet.
Bakong is looking to clinch.

Ilotalo shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Ilotalo showed some decent athleticism there.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Ilotalo not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Ilotalo escapes and gets back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ilotalo shoots in for a takedown but Bakong shows good takedown defense.
Bakong tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Bakong tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ilotalo doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Bakong counters with a nice double leg into side control. Ilotalo won't be happy with that.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rami Ilotalo dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Bakong shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

so Ilotalo counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

Ilotalo gets to his feet. Bakong looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Ilotalo throws a looping overhand right but Bakong ducks down to avoid it.

Ilotalo forces Bakong back against the cage and clinches.
Bakong misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Ilotalo.

Ilotalo breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Ilotalo looks to land a left hand but Bakong moved out of range nicely.

Bakong gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Ilotalo is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Bakong can't fight it off and eventually Ilotalo manages to take the fight to the floor. Bakong looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Bakong had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Ilotalo is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Bakong Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Ilotalo's back instead.
Ilotalo is trying to get back to his feet but Bakong has full control of the position and if anything, Ilotalo has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Ilotalo manages to stand up with Bakong still on his back. Eventually Bakong drops to his feet and we're back in the standing position.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ilotalo changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Bakong looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ilotalo is breathing heavily.
Bakong is looking for a sweep.
Bakong is trying to control Ilotalo's posture but Ilotalo avoids it.
Ilotalo really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Bakong. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Ilotalo stands up.

Ilotalo looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Ilotalo is looking to advance position but Bakong won't allow it.
Ilotalo is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakong is looking to escape.

Ilotalo decides to return to a standing position.
Bakong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ilotalo throws out the jab.
Ilotalo swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Bakong shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Bakong displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ilotalo throws out the jab.
Rami Ilotalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

Ilotalo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bakong's guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Ilotalo decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Bakong, up you get!
Intoy Bakong is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Ilotalo gets the takedown into side control.
Bakong wings away with a couple of strikes but they don't land.

Ilotalo has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Nice defenses there by Bakong.

Ilotalo gets a takedown into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakong trying to control from the bottom.
Ilotalo is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The fighters are battling for position here. Bakong manages to regain full guard. Nice work.

Bakong looking for a guillotine here but Ilotalo defends easily.

Ilotalo stands up and waves to Bakong to follow him.
Ilotalo bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Bakong's head backwards.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bakong shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Ilotalo is looking to stand up but Bakong isn't so interested in that idea.
Ilotalo looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Bakong trying to control but Ilotalo is working from the bottom.
Ilotalo wants to stand and escape but Bakong is having none of it.
Rami Ilotalo has got the better of the ground game so far.

Ilotalo pushes Bakong off and gets back to his feet.
Bakong fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Intoy Bakong. That's going to take a lot out of him.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ilotalo misses with a takedown attempt - Bakong sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Ilotalo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Bakong as he jumps to the side.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rami Ilotalo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Bakong's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. And we move into the final round!

Ilotalo misses with a takedown attempt

and Bakong counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Ilotalo!
Ilotalo throwing hammer fists to the chest of Bakong. What's that going to do exactly?
Ilotalo is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Bakong looking to control but Ilotalo is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Bakong with good strikes from the mount here!
Ilotalo is squirming around, avoiding Bakong's attempts to control the action.
Ilotalo regains half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Ilotalo wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilotalo is trying to control but can't.
Ilotalo is trying to stand.
Ilotalo wants to get back to full guard but Bakong has passed into side control.
Ilotalo tries to reverse the position but Bakong maintains control.
Ilotalo regains half guard.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Ilotalo can do anything to dispel that myth.
Bakong prevents Ilotalo from standing back up.

Ilotalo has one foot on Bakong's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.

Ilotalo shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Bakong's guard.
Ilotalo postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bakong is pulling down on Ilotalo's head. It's preventing any offense from Ilotalo, at least for the moment.
Ilotalo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

Ilotalo stands up from Bakong's guard - Ilotalo perhaps looking for a knockout.

Bakong bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Bakong connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Ilotalo some visible discomfort.
Ilotalo trying his best to control but Bakong has mounted him.

Bakong working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for leaving it all in the cage!
Ilotalo trying desperately to get to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilotalo is looking to get to half guard.
Bakong working Ilotalo over with strikes here.
Ilotalo wants to improve position but instead he's given up his back.

Bakong patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Ilotalo looking to stop the rear naked choke attempt by controlling the hands.
Bakong controlling well, preventing Ilotalo from escaping the position.
Bakong tries to keep control of the position but Ilotalo is staying busy.
Ilotalo wants to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Bakong loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Ilotalo hold on?
Ilotalo is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.
Bakong tries to get the hooks in deep but Ilotalo pushed the leg off.
Bakong lands punches and elbows.
Ilotalo trying to get back to his feet but Bakong is in full control for now.
Bakong just keeping the dominant position. He can't wait too long though, otherwise the referee will stand them back up.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ilotalo trying to get back to his feet but Bakong is in full control for now.
Intoy Bakong has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Bakong loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Ilotalo hold on?

And that's the end of the fight!
Intoy Bakong showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ilotalo 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rami Ilotalo!