PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Holy Diver (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toni Rautuvaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Toni Rautuvaara has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Holy Diver's chin.

Diver
vs
Rautuvaara

161 cm
19
185 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

189 cm
28
200 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Powerful

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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Holy Diver!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Toni Rautuvaara!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rautuvaara listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

It looks like Holy Diver has been cut.

Diver closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Rautuvaara wants to control but Diver postures up.
Diver scoring with punches and elbows.
Rautuvaara takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Rautuvaara defending against the ground and pound.
Rautuvaara is not content to let Diver control the position.
Rautuvaara managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Diver.
Rautuvaara really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Diver. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Diver lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Rautuvaara down.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rautuvaara takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
The ground and pound from Diver seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Diver scoring with punches from side control.
Diver laying and praying for a moment but Rautuvaara takes advantage and regains half guard.
Diver has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Diver throwing shots but Rautuvaara is blocking nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rautuvaara has hold of Diver's hands but Diver slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rautuvaara wants to control but Diver is keeping busy.
Diver trying to control from half guard but Rautuvaara is working away.
Rautuvaara has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Diver is working away from the top position though.
Diver thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rautuvaara's head.
Diver working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Diver is taking a breather. Rautuvaara says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Rautuvaara wants to control but Diver is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Diver trying to control the action but Rautuvaara is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Diver thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rautuvaara's head.
Diver throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rautuvaara has hold of Diver's hands but Diver slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Diver thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rautuvaara's head.

Diver looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rautuvaara is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Diver scores with a couple of nice shots.
Diver passes to full mount!
Diver trying to control but Rautuvaara is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rautuvaara is desperately trying to improve his position but Diver has a good base and remains in mount.
Diver with the ground and pound from mount.
Diver looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Diver landing strikes from the mount and Rautuvaara is in trouble!
Rautuvaara tries to lock up and control but Diver gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Diver lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Rautuvaara hang on?
Diver is landing with some decent strikes but Rautuvaara is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rautuvaara trying desperately to get to his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Diver looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Diver breaks from Rautuvaara's wrist control and lands an elbow.

Rautuvaara is rocked!
Diver controlling the pace for now.
Diver seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Rautuvaara for as long as he can get away with.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Diver wants to finish this one by submission but Rautuvaara is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Diver.
Diver with the ground and pound from mount.
Rautuvaara is squirming around, avoiding Diver's attempts to control the action.
Diver is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rautuvaara is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Rautuvaara is in a horrible position here. Diver smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Diver punishing his opponent with strikes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holy Diver dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Holy Diver's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Rautuvaara scores with a crisp jab that stopped Diver in his tracks.
Rautuvaara connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Rautuvaara stuffs the takedown.
Rautuvaara bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Diver's head backwards.
Rautuvaara cracks Diver with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Rautuvaara lands with a shot to the body.
Diver will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

Diver closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rautuvaara did well to prevent Diver getting side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Diver is working for a submission of some sort.
Diver controlling the action here.
Diver missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rautuvaara wants to control but Diver is keeping busy.

Diver decides to return to a standing position.
Rautuvaara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Diver shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rautuvaara defends it nicely.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Holy Diver. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rautuvaara connects with a crisp jab.
Rautuvaara stuns Diver with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

Diver throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Rautuvaara was covering up waiting for the punch and Diver finishes the takedown easily into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Diver accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rautuvaara working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Diver.
Diver scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Diver lands a couple of elbows.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Diver wants to control from the top but Rautuvaara keeps moving.
Diver lands a couple of elbows.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Diver accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Holy Diver overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rautuvaara working a defensive guard here.
Diver trying to control the position from guard on top but Rautuvaara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diver keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rautuvaara's head.
Diver trying to control the position from guard on top but Rautuvaara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rautuvaara preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Diver trying to control the position from guard on top but Rautuvaara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Diver with a nice head shot there.
Diver might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Diver accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Diver passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Diver working the head and body with strikes.
Rautuvaara takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Diver sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Rautuvaara is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Diver looks up at the clock and then as Rautuvaara takes his cue and looks up at the clock too, Diver smacks him right in the chops with a big elbow! How rude!
Rautuvaara is not in a great position here, taking some shots.
Diver lands a few punches from side control.
The ground and pound from Diver seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diver is looking to take a break and control but Rautuvaara is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Diver is pausing for a moment. What's he doing? It looks like he's clearing his nose. Oh dude! He's shot a load of snot all down Rautuvaara's shoulder. That is not cool.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rautuvaara takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Rautuvaara is trying to get back to half guard.
Diver landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Diver creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Rautuvaara sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rautuvaara tries to improve position but can't.

Diver thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Diver working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Holy Diver dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Holy Diver's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

A left and a right from Rautuvaara both land. Nice combination.
Diver fails with a takedown attempt.
Rautuvaara has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Rautuvaara throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Diver looking to score a takedown here. Rautuvaara is defending well but Diver drives through and ends up in Rautuvaara's guard.
Diver working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rautuvaara's head.
Diver in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Diver in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rautuvaara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Diver with a flurry of punches that miss.
Diver is in close to Rautuvaara's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Diver trying to control the position from guard on top but Rautuvaara is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Diver is really struggling to control Rautuvaara but he's trying to hold on to the position.
Rautuvaara avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Diver stands up over Rautuvaara, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Diver preventing the sweep.
Diver stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rautuvaara swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Diver throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Diver is pushing down on Rautuvaara's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rautuvaara is fighting to maintain full guard but Diver has managed to sneak the leg through.
Diver wants to take a breather but Rautuvaara is having none of it.

Diver is trying to work for a kimura but Rautuvaara is defending well.
Toni Rautuvaara has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Diver in particular looking to stall.
Rautuvaara is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Diver scores with a couple of nice shots.
Diver scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

Diver postures up and decides to stand up, from the half guard. The ref calls for Rautuvaara to stand up.
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!
Rautuvaara rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Diver moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Diver shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rautuvaara but Rautuvaara pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Holy Diver is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Diver is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rautuvaara's half guard.
Diver thows a huge punch but Rautuvaara dodges it nicely.
Rautuvaara keeping control of the leg, stopping his opponent passing to mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rautuvaara is looking for a sweep. Diver is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Diver working the head and body with strikes.
Diver throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Diver is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rautuvaara can do to turn this around?
Diver thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Rautuvaara tries to get to full guard but Diver has control of the leg.
Diver wants to free his trapped foot but Rautuvaara is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Rautuvaara misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Diver in particular looking to stall.
Diver not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Diver seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Diver is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Rautuvaara on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Diver is keen to just control but Rautuvaara is a slippery customer.
Rautuvaara tries to get to full guard but Diver has control of the leg.
Diver not landing any meaningful shots this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Diver landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
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!
Diver working over Rautuvaara with some ground and pound. Rautuvaara looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Holy Diver is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Diver looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

And that's the end of the fight!
Holy Diver showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Diver, 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Holy Diver!