PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jarmo Ek (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rami Raakalainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Ek might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Pixies - Tame. Rami Raakalainen told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Ek
vs
Raakalainen

188 cm
20
215 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

192 cm
22
205 lbs
3 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Self confident

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Jarmo Ek!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rami Raakalainen!
The judges for this bout are Paulo Santos, Alexandre Firmino and Leandro Rodrigues.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice takedown defense from Ek. No joy for Raakalainen on that attempt.
Ek blocks a head kick by Raakalainen.
Raakalainen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Ek gets caught flat footed, as Raakalainen shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Raakalainen slips nicely into half guard.
Raakalainen throws a strike but Ek avoids it easily and moves to full guard.
Raakalainen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Raakalainen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Ek avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Raakalainen decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Raakalainen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Raakalainen is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Ek is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
Raakalainen looks gassed!
Raakalainen creates a bit of distance and throws down some hard shots.
Raakalainen with the ground and pound but Ek regains half guard under the barage of strikes.
Ek trying to control here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raakalainen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Raakalainen looks to land a strike but Ek avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Raakalainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Raakalainen drops back looking for a submission - "I'm sorry sir, but I'm gunna break your leg" says Raakalainen as he cranks on the unfortunate limb! Ek screams and taps out before any major damage is done! Don't mess with Raakalainen! Nice submission victory there!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:45 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Rami Raakalainen!