PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rico Sanchez (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Toni Rajamaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Sanchez kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Childish Gambino - R.I.P.. Rajamaki is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Absolute Monster . Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Sanchez
vs
Rajamaki

183 cm
32
182 lbs
16 - 16 - 0

176 cm
34
174 lbs
16 - 6 - 1

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Lethal high kicks
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Montreal, Rico Sanchez!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Toni Rajamaki!
The judges for this bout are Dean Styles, Chad Campbell and Jonathan Paton.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Sanchez fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Sanchez rushes Rajamaki and presses him up against the cage.
Sanchez throws a knee to the head but misses.
Rajamaki dodges an elbow strike from Sanchez.
Sanchez misses with a knee strike.

Rajamaki decides to pull guard.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Rajamaki is on top in guard.
Rajamaki throwing strikes but missing.
Rajamaki advances position into side control!
Sanchez tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rajamaki creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Sanchez sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.

Rajamaki is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sanchez has escaped the position, nice work there.
Sanchez is not content to let Rajamaki control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez taking a bit of punishment here - Rajamaki scoring with strikes.
Sanchez is looking to reverse the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rajamaki decides to stand up, so the ref orders Sanchez to his feet.
Sanchez throws a front kick aimed at Rajamaki's knee but Rajamaki avoids it well.
Sanchez throws a nice looking combination but Rajamaki bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rajamaki moves in looking to clinch but Sanchez pushes him off.
Rajamaki throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Rico Sanchez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rajamaki keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Crunch! Rajamaki slams his shin into Sanchez's torso.
Sanchez is breathing heavily.
Rajamaki throws a series of punches but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez throws a right hand that Rajamaki ducks under and follows up with a left that Rajamaki also avoids with ease.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rajamaki throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Sanchez's waist but Sanchez gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rajamaki off to one side.
Sanchez shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rico Sanchez. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rajamaki throws a shot to the body.
Rajamaki throws a head kick but Sanchez moves out of range.
Sanchez changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rajamaki tries to avoid it but Sanchez manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rajamaki to the ground. Rajamaki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rajamaki tries to close the distance and clinch up but Sanchez swats him away and circles back towards the center.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Sanchez enables Rajamaki to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Sanchez manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Rajamaki lands a couple of elbows.
Rajamaki is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Sanchez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Sanchez keeping full guard, as Rajamaki tries to pass.

Sanchez looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Rajamaki is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajamaki connects with a couple of short punches.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Rajamaki from controlling successfully.
Rajamaki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Rajamaki trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Sanchez keeping moving, preventing Rajamaki from controlling successfully.

Sanchez looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rajamaki has picked Sanchez up and slammed him! Sanchez can't keep hold of the triangle and Rajamaki manages to pass to side control!
Sanchez is looking to regain half guard here but Rajamaki keeps moving and retains side control.
Sanchez is working hard here to advance position.

Rajamaki tries for a kimura but Sanchez is defending well.
Rajamaki connects with a decent looking elbow from side control that caused Sanchez some visible discomfort.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez is trying to improve his position.
Rajamaki works to advance to full mount. Sanchez defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
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!
Rajamaki is in the full mount, landing strikes.
Rajamaki cracks Sanchez with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Sanchez bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Sanchez controlling from the top position.
Rajamaki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Sanchez is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rajamaki is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rajamaki has escaped and now he's on top!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanchez preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Rajamaki has a takedown stuffed.
Sanchez takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Rajamaki is looking to clinch but Sanchez is avoiding it.
Rajamaki avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rajamaki scores with a jab to the jaw.

Sanchez scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Rajamaki is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Sanchez is controlling him well.
Sanchez landing a few strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rajamaki is trying to get back to half guard.
Sanchez wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rajamaki keeps working.
Toni Rajamaki has got the better of the ground game so far.
Sanchez throws a strike aimed at the side of Rajamaki's head but Rajamaki avoids it well.
Sanchez controls the position.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rajamaki has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rajamaki manages to work his way to half guard, despite Sanchez's best efforts.

Sanchez is working for a submission of some sort.
Sanchez throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rajamaki is trying to get back to full guard.

Rajamaki looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Rajamaki trying to hold on to Sanchez's head to control him but Sanchez postures up.
Sanchez not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura but Rajamaki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Sanchez to get the leverage.
Sanchez thows a huge punch but Rajamaki dodges it nicely.
Rajamaki avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sanchez.
Sanchez thows a huge punch but Rajamaki dodges it nicely.
Rajamaki is controlling Sanchez's trapped leg to prevent Sanchez from advancing to side control.
Rajamaki wants to control but Sanchez is keeping busy.
Rajamaki is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Sanchez is staying active.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Toni Rajamaki wasn't active enough on the ground.

Sanchez shoots in and gets a takedown into Rajamaki's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Sanchez stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rajamaki swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Sanchez cracks Rajamaki with a solid left hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajamaki trying to control the position.
Sanchez is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rajamaki bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Sanchez's guard.
Sanchez looking for a sweep. Not yet Sanchez, not yet.
Sanchez avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Sanchez has his foot on Rajamaki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rajamaki works his way back into a safe position though.
Rajamaki postures up.
Rajamaki throws a big right hand that misses.
Sanchez keeping full guard, as Rajamaki tries to pass.

Sanchez looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Rajamaki passes into side control.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rajamaki is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Sanchez has escaped the position, nice work there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez tries to buck Rajamaki off but Rajamaki is having none of it.
Sanchez manages to get back to half guard.
Rajamaki frees up his trapped foot and advances to mount.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rajamaki lands a nice shot to the head.
Sanchez is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Sanchez is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Rajamaki is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sanchez is looking to improve his position but Rajamaki isn't that keen on the idea.
Rajamaki working Sanchez over with strikes here.
Rajamaki is landing with some decent strikes but Sanchez is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Toni Rajamaki will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rajamaki misses with a head kick.
Rajamaki wants to clinch.
Sanchez throws a head kick but Rajamaki moves out of range.
Sanchez cracks Rajamaki with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Sanchez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Toni Rajamaki seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rajamaki moves in looking to clinch but Sanchez pushes him off.
Rajamaki fails with an attempt to clinch.
Rajamaki doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Sanchez counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Sanchez is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rajamaki doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sanchez.
Rajamaki regains full guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sanchez working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Sanchez trying to control but Rajamaki is working from the bottom.
Sanchez stopping the sweep attempt from Rajamaki.
Sanchez has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Sanchez passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Who's going to make the next move?
Sanchez misses with the ground and pound.
Sanchez working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sanchez misses with an attempted head punch from side control.

Sanchez is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rajamaki has escaped the position, nice work there.
You can see the frustration on Rajamaki's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Rajamaki is trying to get back to half guard.

Sanchez tries for a kimura but Rajamaki is defending well.
Sanchez throwing strikes but Rajamaki manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Sanchez manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rajamaki trying to control here.

Sanchez is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Rajamaki manages to get to full guard.
Rajamaki manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sanchez working to try and regain half guard.
Rajamaki with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rajamaki scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Sanchez?
Rico Sanchez has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rajamaki scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Sanchez is looking to improve his position but Rajamaki isn't that keen on the idea.
Rajamaki lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Sanchez hang on?
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rajamaki is landing with some decent strikes but Sanchez is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Rajamaki looking to control and managing it successfully.
Sanchez is writhing around trying 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.
Rajamaki working the ground and pound effectively.
Rajamaki raining down hammerfists from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Toni Rajamaki.
I've got Rajamaki winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dean Styles scores the fight 28:30
Judge Chad Campbell scores the fight 27:30
Judge Jonathan Paton scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Toni Rajamaki!
Our winner, Toni Rajamaki, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.