PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sun Ra (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kauko Partio (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Partio has chosen Nightwish - Crimson Tide as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Ra
vs
Partio

174 cm
33
148 lbs
29 - 14 - 1

150 cm
32
152 lbs
31 - 16 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Conquer
Hell's Balls Recovery (160)

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 29 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Sun Ra!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 16 - 2, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kauko Partio!
The judges for this bout are Richard Clark, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Partio lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Ra takes one to the side of the head.
Partio scores with a nice right hand.
Partio dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ra. That did some damage!
Ra throws a head kick that misses.
Ra tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A chopping leg kick lands by Partio.
Partio connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Ra clobbers Partio with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ra throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Partio shoots in but no luck this time.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Partio misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Ra lands a nice shot that snaps Partio's head back.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partio swings for the body but Ra moves out of range.
Ra bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Ra moves out of range of the body kick.
A jab from Ra finds it's way through Partio's defenses.

Partio darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Ra keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ra holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Ra is trying to maintain the position but Partio is very close to passing his half guard.
Ra is doing well to control the position and prevent Partio from advancing to side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ra trying to hold on to Partio's head to control him but Partio postures up.

Sun Ra has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Ra wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Partio throws a lazy head kick
and Ra counters with a head kick.
Ra shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Decent striking displayed by Partio there.
Ra lands with an overhand left.
Partio throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Ra - that will leave a mark!
Ra looks to land a body kick but Partio moved away.
Ra lands with a shot to the body.
Ra feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Partio's calf.
Kauko Partio seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
A nice inside leg kick there by Ra. That's going to slow Partio down.
Ra avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Partio blocks a head kick by Ra.
Partio keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Partio works the jab nicely.
Sun Ra is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Partio is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Ra.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ra sizes up Partio with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Ra moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ra throws a leg kick

and Partio counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Ra avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Partio.
Partio throwing shots but Ra is blocking nicely.
Ra works his way to full guard. Good work.
Ra keeping moving, preventing Partio from controlling successfully.
Ra pulls Partio in close to prevent any damage.
My spies in Amsterdamage inform me that Partio has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Partio trying to control the position from guard on top but Ra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sun Ra will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Ra looks to land a right hand but Partio moved out of range.
Ra throws a leg kick

and Partio counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ra!
Ra wants to control but Partio postures up.
Ra dodges the ground and pound from Partio.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Partio working away.
Partio misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.

Partio tries for a kimura but Ra is defending well.
Partio fails to land a wild elbow strike.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Partio looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ra takes an elbow right on the bridge of the nose and winces in pain.
Partio working away.
Ra manages to get back to half guard.
Ra slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Partio with a flurry of punches that miss.
Partio distracts Ra with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Ra trying to keep a closed guard but Partio is proving a slippery customer.
Partio wants to control from the top but Ra keeps moving.
Kauko Partio has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Partio postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Ra utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Ra trying to keep a closed guard but Partio is proving a slippery customer.
Partio trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Partio trying to control the position from guard on top but Ra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ra is trying to control the position but Partio postures up.
Partio has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ra wants to sweep here but Partio controlling him for the moment.
Partio trying to control the position from guard on top but Ra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
A head kick misses from Ra.
Partio's jab looks to have found its range, popping Ra under the eye.
Partio throws out a powerful jab.
Partio swings for the body but Ra moves out of range.
Partio dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Ra. That did some damage!
Ra is looking to clinch but Partio is avoiding it.
We've been told by Ra's head coaches at Team Ra training camp that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Partio swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ra fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Partio is out of range.
Ra tries to clinch but Partio moves away

and Partio counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Ra!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Partio misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Partio trying to control the position but Ra is working away.
Ra holds on to Partio's head and controls the position momentarily.
The ground and pound from Partio seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.
Ra regains half guard, as Partio was trying to land strikes.
Partio thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ra's head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Partio thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ra's head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauko Partio showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Ra fails with an attempt to clinch.
Horrible takedown by Partio or perhaps it was just good defense by Ra which made him look bad.
Ra misses with a wild body shot.
Ra throws a leg kick that is checked

and Partio counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Ra is trying to keep Partio in close.
Partio trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Ra is trying to control the position but Partio postures up.
Partio advances to half guard.
Ra controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partio thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Ra's head.
The fighters are battling for position here. Ra manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Partio stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Ra swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Partio stopping the sweep attempt from Ra.
Partio wants to control from the top but Ra keeps moving.
Ra looking to control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Partio throws an elbow that misses. Ra uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Partio's guard. Nice move by Ra!
Partio looking to control but Ra passes into half guard.
Partio moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Ra will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Partio being controlled here, momentarily.
Ra trying to control but Partio is working from the bottom.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Partio working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Ra has passed into half guard!
Partio trying to hold on to Ra's head to control him but Ra postures up.
Ra prevents Partio from improving his position.
Partio is trying to control but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Partio is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Ra pulls his head out easily.
Ra controlling the action here.
Ra wants to lay and pray for a moment but Partio keeps working.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ra prevents Partio from improving his position.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Ra is trying to control. Partio wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Kauko Partio just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Partio takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Partio misses with a body kick.
Ra thows a body shot but no joy.
Ra connects with a solid leg kick.
A cross from Ra lands.
Ra throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ra is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Partio.
Sun Ra is winning the standup battle so far.
Partio tried to score with a low kick but Ra checks it.
Ra throws a leg kick but Partio sees it coming and moves out of range.
Ra throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A clash of legs there as Partio blocks the low kick.
Partio bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Ra takes a swing at Partio's ribcage but misses.
Ra lands a jab to Partio's midsection.
Ra keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Partio feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Ras jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Partio throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Partio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ra steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Partio.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Partio shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ra manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Ra looking to control but Partio passes into half guard.
Partio not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Partio looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Ra with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Ra is trying is best to control the position here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Partio is trying to control the action in half guard but Ra is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ra is trying to maintain the position but Partio is very close to passing his half guard.
Partio throwing shots but Ra is blocking nicely.
Ra gets full guard.
Ra avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ra keeping moving, preventing Partio from controlling successfully.
Partio landing some decent shots from guard.
Partio passes into half guard.
Ra blocking the ground and pound attempt from Partio.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ra is refusing to be controlled, as Partio sits in half guard.
Partio sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Ra defending well though.
Partio missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Partio is nestled in close to Ra, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ra is staying active underneath Partio, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Ra wants to get back to full guard.
Ra avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Partio.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Partio 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.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ra is not content to let Partio control the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kauko Partio dominated that fourth round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Partio connects with a body shot that sends Ra's belly button to the back.
Ra is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Ra tries to clinch up.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Partio.
Ra ducks under a wild hook from Partio.
Partio misses with a lunging right hand
and Ra counters with a thumping low kick.
Partio lands a nice shot that snaps Ra's head back.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Partio checks a leg kick.
Partio has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Partio there as he acknowledges the shot.
Partio moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Partio takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Ra misses with a head kick.
Ra just misses with a punch to the body.
Ra doesn't manage to clinch there - Partio circles away.
Partio has a takedown stuffed.
A lazy left from Ra finds it's target.
Ra tries to work over Partio's front leg with a kick but Partio checks it.
Partio tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ra buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Ra misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Partio.
Ra jabs Partio right on the nose. Partio blinks but takes it well.
Partio delivers a nice body kick.
Ra tries to score with a low kick but Partio moves his leg out of the way.
Partio throws a shot to the body.
Partio works over Ra's head and body with a nice combination.
Kauko Partio is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ra connects with a leg kick. Partio looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ra looks to land a left hand but Partio moved out of range nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Partio fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Ra looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Partio avoids the body shot from Ra.
Partio throws a right hand that Ra ducks under and follows up with a left that Ra also avoids with ease.
Partio feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Ra's calf.
Partio throws a right hand that Ra ducks under and follows up with a left that Ra also avoids with ease.
Sun Ra has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A swing and a miss from Ra.
Partio swings for the body but Ra moves out of range.
Partio connects with a leg kick. Ra looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ra throws a leg kick but Partio checks it.
Ra misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ra tries to clinch up

and Partio decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Ra's guard.
Partio trying to control the position from guard on top but Ra is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Ra keeping full guard, as Partio tries to pass.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Partio throwing strikes but missing.
Partio preventing the sweep.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kauko Partio comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Partio 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight 46:49
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 45:50
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kauko Partio!
Kauko Partio is the new featherweight champion!
After the fight, Kauko Partio was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.