PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Walter Flanagan (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rami Astalo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Flanagan comes into the arena with The Wizard blaring out of the sound system. The crowd seem to be enjoying Astalo's choice of entrance music: Limp Bizkit - Break Stuff. Rami Astalo will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Flanagan
vs
Astalo

171 cm
26
135 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

168 cm
20
145 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Determined

PED Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Walter Flanagan!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rami Astalo!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Flanagan tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Astalo was well out of range. Poor timing from Flanagan.
A left lands for Astalo.
Flanagan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Astalo.
Astalo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Flanagan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Astalo.
Astalo misses with a head kick.
Flanagan takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Astalo throws a leg kick which misses Flanagan's front leg but catches the back leg as Flanagan tries to avoid it.
Astalo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Astalo.
Astalo fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Flanagan.
A nice inside leg kick there by Astalo. That's going to slow Flanagan down.
Flanagan takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Astalo has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Flanagan is landing a low percentage of strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Astalo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Astalo thumps Flanagan with a low kick.
Astalo lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
A chopping leg kick lands by Astalo.
Astalo connects with an inside leg kick.
Astalo throws a head kick that misses.
Astalo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Astalo lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Astalo scoring well with a low kick there.
Rami Astalo seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice uppercut lands for Astalo. That snapped Flanagan's head back.
Flanagan avoids the head kick by Astalo.
Flanagan lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Astalo tries a head kick but it misses.
Flanagan swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Astalo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Astalo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Astalo throws a nice inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Astalo.
Flanagan definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Astalo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Astalo.
Flanagan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Astalo throws a half hearted mid kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Astalo.
Astalo thumps Flanagan with a low kick.
Astalo thuds his right hand into Flanagan's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Astalo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A nice side step and Astalo releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Flanagan walks into a left hand.
Rami Astalo is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Flanagan takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Astalo plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Astalo.
Flanagan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Astalo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Flanagan fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Astalo manages to avoid it.
Good leg kick by Astalo there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Astalo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Flanagan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Astalo can pounce on him.
Astalo connects with a leg kick. Flanagan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Astalo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Astalo - that will leave a mark!
Astalo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Flanagan is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Astalo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Astalo, right into the meat.
A lazy body kick from Astalo

and Flanagan counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Flanagan 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.
Astalo wants to get back to full guard.
Astalo keeps trying to improve his position.
Astalo is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Flanagan jumps into side control!
Astalo manages to get back to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Astalo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Astalo trying to control from the bottom.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Flanagan connects with a nice short shot to Astalo's temple.
Astalo is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Both fighters have adopted an aggressive gameplan on the ground!
Flanagan wants to take a breather but Astalo is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rami Astalo dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Flanagan misses with a body shot.
Astalo has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Flanagan takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Flanagan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Astalo can pounce on him.
Flanagan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Astalo lands a nice shot that snaps Flanagan's head back.
Astalo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Astalo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Rami Astalo seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Flanagan takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nice body kick there by Astalo.
Astalo connects with a nice looking jab.
Astalo scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slapping leg kick lands for Astalo.
Astalo lands a leg kick that knocks Flanagan off balance momentarily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Astalo.
Flanagan takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Flanagan chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Astalo can pounce on him.
Astalo throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Flanagan takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Flanagan takes one on the button.
Astalo looks to land a body kick but Flanagan moved away.
Flanagan changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Astalo lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Astalo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
An inside leg kick lands from Astalo.
Astalo scores with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Astalo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Flanagan avoids the head kick by Astalo.
Astalo darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Astalo scores with a leg kick.
Decent striking displayed by Astalo there.
Flanagan misses with a body shot.
Astalo misses with a head kick.
Flanagan throwing a counter right hand but Astalo manages to avoid it.
Astalo lands a lovely overhand right.
Astalo throws a nice outside leg kick.
Astalo fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Flanagan has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Flanagan on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Flanagan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Astalo. Astalo obviously looking to wear him down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astalo lands a nice shot to the body.
Astalo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Astalo scores with a leg kick.
Astalo's jab looks to have found its range, popping Flanagan under the eye.
Flanagan throws a body punch but Astalo moves out of range.
Astalo lands an overhand right.
Astalo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Flanagan on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Astalo. Astalo obviously looking to wear him down.
Astalo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Astalo lands a nice looking body kick.
Flanagan avoids the head kick by Astalo.
Astalo lands a head kick. Flanagan smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flanagan blocks a leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Flanagan stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Astalo.
Astalo lands a nice leg kick that just misses Flanagan's sensitive parts.
Astalo chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Astalo connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Astalo connects with a leg kick. Flanagan looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Astalo scores with a leg kick.
Astalo lands with an uppercut that bounces Flanagan off the cage and back into range.
Astalo lands with a thumping leg kick.
Astalo slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Astalo fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rami Astalo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Astalo connects with a solid leg kick.
Flanagan tries to close the distance and clinch but Astalo swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Astalo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Flanagan looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Astalo buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Astalo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Flanagan's calf.
Nice uppercut there from Astalo.
Flanagan avoids the head kick by Astalo.
Flanagan feinted with a counter takedown.
Astalo moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Astalo lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Astalo scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Flanagan walks into a jab.
Flanagan looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Astalo fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A cross from Astalo lands.
Flanagan loads up on a big right hand but Astalo slips the punch.
Flanagan backing away here, and Astalo unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Astalo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Good standup being displayed there by Astalo as he connects with a hook.
Astalo with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Astalo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Astalo feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Flanagan's calf.
Flanagan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Astalo throws a quick inside leg kick.
Astalo scores with a sloppy right hand. Flanagan should have avoided that one.
Flanagan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Astalo, right into the meat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
That kick from Astalo tenderised Flanagan's leg. Flanagan is trying to keep his angry face on.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Astalo feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Flanagans jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Flanagan looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Flanagan on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
A nice leg kick lands there from Astalo.
Astalo lunges at Flanagan with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Flanagan's hand.
Flanagan takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Astalo wants to clinch up but Flanagan keeps it at a distance.
Astalo looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Flanagan throwing a counter right hand but Astalo manages to avoid it.
Astalo throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Flanagan appears to be looking for a counter punch to the body.
Astalo turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Astalo ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Astalo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Flanagan. That did some damage!
A nice leg kick lands there from Astalo.
Astalo misses with a head kick.
Astalo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Astalo connects with a solid leg kick.
Astalo misses with a body punch
and Flanagan connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Astalo avoids the body shot from Flanagan.
Astalo shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Flanagan swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Flanagan takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Astalo thows a body kick. Flanagan tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Rami Astalo is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Flanagan takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Flanagan will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Astalo lands the left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Flanagan tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nice straight punches there by Astalo. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Astalo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Astalo lands a leg kick that knocks Flanagan off balance momentarily.
Walter Flanagan has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Flanagan takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Astalo throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Astalo dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Flanagan. That did some damage!
Flanagan takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Flanagan has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Astalo.
Astalo lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Astalo.
Astalo lands a really nice looking cross but Flanagan seems unphased.
Astalo misses the shot to the body.
Flanagan went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rami Astalo comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Astalo 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 25:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rami Astalo!
A victorious Rami Astalo thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.