PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Daniel Cormier (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Marcus Rautiainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Marcus Rautiainen will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Cormier
vs
Rautiainen

180 cm
18
205 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

192 cm
26
215 lbs
1 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent MT
Solid chin

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Daniel Cormier!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Marcus Rautiainen!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rautiainen misses with a head kick.
Rautiainen tries to clinch but Cormier is having none of it.
Rautiainen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Cormier avoids the head kick by Rautiainen.

Cormier shoots in and gets a takedown into Rautiainen's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Cormier working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Rautiainen is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Cormier is controlling him.
Cormier missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cormier trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rautiainen has momentary wrist control but Cormier slips an elbow through the middle.
Rautiainen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cormier.
Cormier throws a big elbow that misses.
Cormier in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Cormier distracts Rautiainen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cormier distracts Rautiainen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cormier working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rautiainen's head.
Cormier missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Cormier chips away with some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rautiainen pushes Cormier off and scrambles back to his feet.
Cormier blocks a head kick by Rautiainen.
Cormier closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rautiainen circles away.
Rautiainen misses with a head kick.
Rautiainen tries to close the distance and clinch but Cormier swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A head kick misses from Rautiainen.
Cormier shoots in looking for a takedown. Rautiainen tries to sprawl out of it but Cormier keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Rautiainen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cormier postures up in Rautiainen's guard and throws a big left but Rautiainen blocks it.
Rautiainen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Cormier distracts Rautiainen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Cormier works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Cormier throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rautiainen tries to kick Cormier off but Cormier keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cormier knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rautiainen on the ground.
Rautiainen looks gassed!
Cormier lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rautiainen taking some punishment here, with Cormier in his half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cormier sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rautiainen defending well though.
Rautiainen tries to kick Cormier off but Cormier keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Cormier working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Rautiainen's thigh. Rautiainen counters though and makes it back to full guard.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rautiainen has butterfly guard. He's looking to stand up here. He pushes Cormier off him and springs to his feet nicely. The crowd applauds.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Rautiainen.
Rautiainen goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.

Cormier drives through with a takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Cormier throws a big right hand that misses.
Cormier lands a couple of elbows.
Cormier lands a couple of digs.
Cormier is working Rautiainen over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Cormier might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Cormier throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rautiainen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Cormier throws a big right hand that misses.
Cormier throws a strike but Rautiainen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Cormier wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rautiainen stands and throws Cormier's legs to the side, diving into side control.

Rautiainen stands up and we're back to a striking position.
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!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rautiainen throws a head kick that Cormier semi-blocks.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Daniel Cormier dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rautiainen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Cormier throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Rautiainen tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Cormier is in Rautiainen's guard.
Rautiainen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Cormier.
Rautiainen is looking to stand up but Cormier isn't so interested in that idea.
Cormier pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rautiainen is keeping the position for now.
Rautiainen utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Rautiainen wants to stand up but Cormier is controlling him.
Cormier loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Cormier in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rautiainen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Rautiainen is pressed up against the cage. Cormier has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rautiainen down to the mat. Rautiainen avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cormier will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Cormier shoots in for a double leg but Rautiainen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Cormier. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rautiainen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Cormier manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Rautiainen changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.

Cormier tries to keep at a distance but Rautiainen has taken the fight into the clinch.
Rautiainen lands a knee to the head.

Rautiainen manages to break the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rautiainen tries to clinch but Cormier is having none of it.
Cormier gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Rautiainen.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rautiainen tries a head kick but it misses.
Marcus Rautiainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rautiainen misses with a series of wild punches.
Rautiainen throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Cormier blocks a head kick by Rautiainen.
Rautiainen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
A head kick from Rautiainen lands but Cormier takes it in his stride.
Rautiainen wants to clinch up but Cormier keeps it at a distance.
Cormier looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cormier circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rautiainen fakes the leg kick and cracks Cormier in the body.
Both fighters circling a little - Rautiainen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Rautiainen throws a nice head kick!
Rautiainen scores with a head kick. Cormier tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Cormier has a takedown stuffed.
Rautiainen lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rautiainen pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Cormier looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Cormier postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Cormier throwing strikes from guard but Rautiainen blocks nicely.
Cormier throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cormier throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Cormier won't allow Rautiainen to get back to his feet.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Cormier's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rautiainen wants to stand and escape but Cormier is having none of it.
Cormier pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rautiainen is keeping the position for now.
Rautiainen wants to stand up but Cormier is controlling him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Marcus Rautiainen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Rautiainen wants to clinch.
Rautiainen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Cormier could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Rautiainen misses with a head kick.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cormier.
Cormier shoots in and drives through. Rautiainen sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rautiainen tries to clinch but Cormier moves out of range.
Nice takedown defense from Rautiainen. No joy for Cormier on that attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Daniel Cormier. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cormier doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Rautiainen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rautiainen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Rautiainen gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Rautiainen's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Rautiainen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Marcus Rautiainen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cormier walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Rautiainen scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rautiainen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Rautiainen goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Rautiainen throws a nice looking combination but Cormier bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Marcus Rautiainen seems to be getting the better of the standup.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rautiainen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Cormier is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rautiainen pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Rautiainen manages to break the clinch.
Rautiainen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rautiainen scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
A head kick misses from Rautiainen.
A head kick from Rautiainen lands but Cormier takes it in his stride.
Cormier avoids the head kick by Rautiainen.

Rautiainen closes the distance and clinches.
Rautiainen is trying to break the clinch but Cormier has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rautiainen wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Cormier has him pressed against the cage.
Cormier looking for a takedown.

Rautiainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Cormier keeps the fight on the outside.
Rautiainen misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Cormier shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Cormier was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Cormier is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Cormier in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Rautiainen trying desperately to get to his feet.
Cormier punishing his opponent with strikes.
Rautiainen is trying to stand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A nice elbow there by Cormier.
The referee warns Rautiainen that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.
Cormier won't let Rautiainen get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Cormier fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Cormier in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
BOOM! Cormier connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Cormier landing punches.
Cormier is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Rautiainen can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Cormier raining down shots from the mount!
Rautiainen is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
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 fight!
Marcus Rautiainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Rautiainen 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Marcus Rautiainen!