PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Taisto Rahapussi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dave Iverson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rahapussi comes to the cage accompanied by Caged in A Rage . Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Dave Iverson enters the cage!

Rahapussi
vs
Iverson

178 cm
19
190 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

190 cm
22
185 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taisto Rahapussi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dave Iverson!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Iverson moves into the clinch.
Rahapussi misses with the head strike.

Iverson wants the takedown. Rahapussi is fighting it off but Iverson persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Rahapussi's guard against the cage.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

Rahapussi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Iverson doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Iverson manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rahapussi manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Iverson keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Poor strikes thrown by Rahapussi there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Iverson working to try and regain half guard.
Rahapussi thowing shots but they're missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iverson really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Rahapussi trying to control but Iverson is having none of it.
Rahapussi content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi tries to control but Iverson wriggling away.
Iverson is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rahapussi blocks Iverson's feeble attempts to strike from the bottom.
Rahapussi avoids the attempt from Iverson to control.
Iverson is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi throws an elbow from mount that misses. Lucky escape for Iverson because Rahapussi loaded up on that one.
Iverson has worked his way to half guard, taking advantage of Rahapussi's lack of action.
Iverson avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rahapussi.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Iverson is trying to get back to full guard.

Iverson kicks off Rahapussi and gets to his feet.
Iverson tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Rahapussi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Iverson shoots in and bounces Rahapussi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Iverson is looking to work some ground and pound but Rahapussi has wrist control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rahapussi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Iverson pushes down on Rahapussi's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rahapussi trying to hold on to Iverson's head to control him but Iverson postures up.
Iverson lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Iverson trying to pass the guard but Rahapussi defending well.
Iverson thows a huge punch but Rahapussi dodges it nicely.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rahapussi looking for submissions off his back.

Iverson stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
Iverson tries to close the distance and clinch but Rahapussi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Dave Iverson 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.

Iverson tries to clinch up.
Iverson tries to close the distance and clinch but Rahapussi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Rahapussi keeps the fight on the outside.
Iverson falls off balance throwing a combination
and Rahapussi counters with a nice leg kick.
Rahapussi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Taisto Rahapussi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
No joy there for Rahapussi, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Dave Iverson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Iverson chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rahapussi can pounce on him.
Iverson moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Iverson lands with a nice combination. Rahapussi backs away looking to recover.
Iverson misses with a double jab.
Some wild striking there from Iverson.

Iverson rushes Rahapussi and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Rahapussi is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahapussi misses with a knee to the head.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Iverson on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Rahapussi is fighting off a takedown attempt but Iverson is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Rahapussi to the mat. Rahapussi regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Rahapussi keeping full guard, as Iverson tries to pass.
Rahapussi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rahapussi is really struggling to control Iverson but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Dave Iverson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Iverson throws a big right hand that misses.
Iverson distracts Rahapussi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rahapussi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Rahapussi has his foot on Iverson's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Iverson works his way back into a safe position though.
Iverson working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rahapussi keeping moving, preventing Iverson from controlling successfully.
Iverson looking to pass the guard.
Iverson is breathing heavily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Iverson wants to get up but he can't break Rahapussi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Iverson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rahapussi controls Iverson momentarily but Iverson frees himself.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rahapussi thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.
Rahapussi manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Iverson manages to get himself to full guard.
Iverson wants to sweep but no luck.
Rahapussi passes easily into side control. Nice work.

Rahapussi thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi trying to control the action but Iverson is working from the bottom.
Rahapussi takes a little break here. Iverson wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Iverson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Rahapussi wants to control but Iverson is keeping him busy.
Iverson is looking for a sweep.

Rahapussi is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Iverson is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rahapussi has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Taisto Rahapussi will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rahapussi missing with a left hand there. Iverson was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.

Iverson shoots in and bounces Rahapussi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.

Iverson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rahapussi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Iverson has managed to get both his arms back between Rahapussi's legs - danger averted.
Iverson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Rahapussi is pulling down on Iverson's head. It's preventing any offense from Iverson, at least for the moment.
Iverson wants to control from the top but Rahapussi keeps moving.
Iverson forces his way into half guard.
Rahapussi gets full guard.

Rahapussi working for a triangle but Iverson defends it easily.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Iverson passes Rahapussi's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Rahapussi looking for subs from the bottom but Iverson mounts him!
Rahapussi takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Iverson has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Rahapussi's face.
Rahapussi tries to lock up and control but Iverson gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Iverson landing strikes from the mount and Rahapussi is in trouble!

Iverson is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Rahapussi to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Rahapussi shrugs it off.
Iverson fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Iverson unloading with bombs!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Iverson with the ground and pound from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Iverson with good strikes from the mount here!
Iverson landing shots from mount.
BOOM! Iverson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Iverson with a couple of short strikes.
Rahapussi is looking to get to half guard.
Rahapussi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Iverson landing strikes, looking to finish!
Iverson working Rahapussi over with strikes here.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rahapussi tries to reverse the position but Iverson maintains control.
Iverson looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

Rahapussi is rocked!
Iverson lands a nice shot to the head.
Oh Rahapussi is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Iverson with the ground and pound from mount.
Rahapussi wants to hold on but Iverson pushes him away.
Rahapussi is trying to escape the mount.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Iverson scores with a couple of good head shots there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Iverson lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Rahapussi is looking to get to half guard.
Iverson punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rahapussi tries to hold on but Iverson pushes him away.
Iverson wants to control the pace but Rahapussi is squirming around nicely.
Iverson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rahapussi can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Iverson landing strikes from the mount.
Iverson is landing with some decent strikes but Rahapussi is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rahapussi is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Iverson lands a heavy elbow.
Rahapussi is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
BOOM! Iverson connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Iverson landing shots from mount.

Iverson goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Rahapussi is on top in guard.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Iverson is keeping the position for now.
Rahapussi seems to have got his legs back now.
Rahapussi wants to control from the top but Iverson keeps moving.
Rahapussi advances to half guard.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Iverson is looking to regain full guard. He's left an arm up in the air though and Rahapussi has latched onto it... Big trouble! Rahapussi pivots for an armbar - it's in tight and it Iverson is tapping in no time flat! Great counter grappling there from Rahapussi!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Taisto Rahapussi!
Taisto Rahapussi thanked the fans post fight for their support.