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PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Taisto Rahapussi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Johannes Maanpohja (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rahapussi's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Caged in A Rage . This should be a great matchup!
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| 178 cm
30
182 lbs
20 - 17 - 0 |
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171 cm
29
173 lbs
12 - 16 - 0 |
Abu Dhabi Champ
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible |
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Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank |
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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
20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taisto Rahapussi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
12 - 16 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Johannes Maanpohja!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A punch lands to the side of Maanpohja 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Maanpohja moves into the clinch.
Maanpohja looking to stall.
Rahapussi breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Maanpohja.
Horrible takedown attempt by Maanpohja or perhaps it was just good defense by Rahapussi, which made it look bad.
Rahapussi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rahapussi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maanpohja on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rahapussi. Rahapussi obviously looking to wear him down.
Maanpohja moves into the clinch successfully.
Maanpohja lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Rahapussi controlling the action here for a moment.
Rahapussi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahapussi lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rahapussi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Maanpohja tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Rahapussi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Maanpohja misses with a takedown attempt - Rahapussi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Taisto Rahapussi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johannes Maanpohja.
Rahapussi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Maanpohja dives in for a single leg takedown but Rahapussi sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rahapussi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Good exchange - Rahapussi coming out on top.
An inside leg kick from Rahapussi misses.
Rahapussi connects with an inside leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rahapussi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rahapussi but Rahapussi pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rahapussi scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Maanpohja tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rahapussi swivels and escapes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rahapussi scoring well with a low kick there.
Good leg kick by Rahapussi there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Rahapussi's corner calls for a 1-2. Rahapussi obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Maanpohja shoots in but no luck this time.
Maanpohja takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Rahapussi lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Taisto Rahapussi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Maanpohja misses with a takedown attempt - Rahapussi sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rahapussi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rahapussi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rahapussi throws a half hearted mid kick.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rahapussi circles away.
Rahapussi feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Maanpohja fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Rahapussi avoids it really well and circles away.
Maanpohja misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Rahapussi cracks Maanpohja with a good jab.
Rahapussi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Maanpohja has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rahapussi throws a head kick but Maanpohja moves out of range.
Rahapussi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Maanpohja shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rahapussi's guard.
Rahapussi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rahapussi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Maanpohja distracts Rahapussi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rahapussi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maanpohja defends it easily.
Rahapussi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maanpohja doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maanpohja manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Maanpohja must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Maanpohja wants to control from the top but Rahapussi keeps moving.
Maanpohja is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
Rahapussi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Maanpohja defends well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Taisto Rahapussi dominated that round.
That's time! Rahapussi's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.
Maanpohja will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rahapussi throws a counter high kick but Maanpohja was just alert enough to avoid it.
Rahapussi throws a head kick that half lands.
Rahapussi misses with a body shot.
Rahapussi throws a wild body kick that Maanpohja sees coming a mile off.
Maanpohja drives through and clinches with Rahapussi against the cage.
Rahapussi is pressed up against the cage. Maanpohja has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rahapussi down to the mat. Rahapussi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Maanpohja tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rahapussi swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Maanpohja's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Maanpohja fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Taisto Rahapussi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johannes Maanpohja.
A low kick from Rahapussi misses
and Maanpohja connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahapussi cracks the inside of Maanpohja's front leg.
Maanpohja takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Maanpohja drops his hands momentarily and Rahapussi takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Taisto Rahapussi is winning the standup battle so far.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rahapussi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
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!
Rahapussi will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Maanpohja drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rahapussi defends it well.
Rahapussi gets caught flat footed, as Maanpohja shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Maanpohja trying to control but Rahapussi is working from the bottom.
Rahapussi had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Maanpohja defends it easily.
Maanpohja working some strikes from top position.
Rahapussi controls Maanpohja momentarily but Maanpohja frees himself.
Rahapussi keeping moving, preventing Maanpohja from controlling successfully.
Maanpohja got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rahapussi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maanpohja has managed to get both his arms back between Rahapussi's legs - danger averted.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Maanpohja got a little sloppy there for a moment and Rahapussi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Maanpohja has managed to get both his arms back between Rahapussi's legs - danger averted.
We've been hearing good reports from Rahapussi's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.
Maanpohja cracks Rahapussi with a solid left hand.
Maanpohja trying to control but Rahapussi is working from the bottom.
Rahapussi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Maanpohja works over Rahapussi with some ground and pound from guard.
Maanpohja trying to control the position from guard on top but Rahapussi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rahapussi working a defensive guard here.
Rahapussi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Rahapussi working for a triangle but Maanpohja defends it easily.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Maanpohja trying to control but Rahapussi is working from the bottom.
Rahapussi working a defensive guard here.
Rahapussi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Maanpohja can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rahapussi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Maanpohja doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Maanpohja manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Maanpohja looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Maanpohja accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Maanpohja trying to control but Rahapussi is working from the bottom.
The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Maanpohja wants to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rahapussi misses with a wild body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Taisto Rahapussi dominated that second round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!
Rahapussi throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Rahapussi stuffs the takedown.
Rahapussi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rahapussi swats away the attempt to clinch by Maanpohja.
Rahapussi is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Maanpohja can do to turn this around?
Maanpohja fails with the takedown
and Rahapussi counters with an inside leg kick.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rahapussi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
A solid body kick from Rahapussi.
Rahapussi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Maanpohja blocks a head kick by Rahapussi.
Maanpohja tries to clinch but Rahapussi moves out of range.
Maanpohja shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rahapussi defends it nicely.
Taisto Rahapussi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Johannes Maanpohja.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahapussi throws a front kick that sends Maanpohja stumbling back into the cage.
Maanpohja will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Maanpohja shoots in but Rahapussi avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Maanpohja fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Johannes Maanpohja is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Maanpohja takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
A combination from Maanpohja does no damage.
Rahapussi feints and then cracks Maanpohja's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Maanpohja down.
Rahapussi goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Maanpohja tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
A looping hook to the body misses from Rahapussi. Maanpohja does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rahapussi throws a leg kick but Maanpohja checks it.
Rahapussi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi tries to score with a low kick but Maanpohja moves his leg out of the way.
Rahapussi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Maanpohja looks to clinch
and Rahapussi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Rahapussi swats away the attempt to clinch by Maanpohja.
Rahapussi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Maanpohja checks a low kick from Rahapussi.
Maanpohja shoots in for a takedown but Rahapussi shows good takedown defense.
Rahapussi swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Maanpohja on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rahapussi. Rahapussi obviously looking to wear him down.
Maanpohja shoots for a double leg takedown but Rahapussi sprawls well. He's pushed Maanpohja's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Maanpohja shoots in and drives through. Rahapussi sprawls well.
Maanpohja tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rahapussi defends well and Maanpohja ends up having to push Rahapussi into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nice takedown defense from Rahapussi. No joy for Maanpohja on that attempt.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rahapussi connects with a nice looking jab.
Maanpohja takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Rahapussi scores with a hook.
Johannes Maanpohja seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rahapussi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Maanpohja moves in looking to clinch but Rahapussi pushes him off.
Rahapussi fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nice sprawl there from Rahapussi as Maanpohja shoots in.
Rahapussi lands with a nice body kick.
Rahapussi throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rahapussi leaves Maanpohja with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Maanpohja gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Rahapussi counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rahapussi lands with a slapping head kick.
Maanpohja changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rahapussi tries to avoid it but Maanpohja manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rahapussi to the ground. Rahapussi escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Maanpohja takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Taisto Rahapussi is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Crunch! Rahapussi slams his shin into Maanpohja's torso.
Rahapussi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Rahapussi fakes the leg kick and cracks Maanpohja in the body.
Rahapussi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rahapussi scores with a shot to the body.
Maanpohja on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Maanpohja tries to clinch up.
Rahapussi is looking to counter punch.
Horrible takedown attempt by Maanpohja or perhaps it was just good defense by Rahapussi, which made it look bad.
Rahapussi feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Maanpohja's calf.
And that's the end of the fight!
Taisto Rahapussi showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rahapussi, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:26
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Taisto Rahapussi!
Taisto Rahapussi seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
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| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
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S |
C |
G |
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energy
A | B |
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hype
A | B |
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pop
A | B |
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mgr
A | B |
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FIGHT
RATING
49% |
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