|
|
PBP Commentary |
Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Asko Ilmarinen (ranked 3895 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rafael Cortez (ranked 3659 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Cortez's choice of entrance music: Wake Me Up. Rafael Cortez acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.
 |
|
 |
| 178 cm
31
250 lbs
14 - 25 - 1 |
|
183 cm
37
219 lbs
18 - 20 - 0 |
Good takedowns
Brawler
Very quick |
|
Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed |
|
| |
|
Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of
14 - 25 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Asko Ilmarinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of
18 - 20 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Rafael Cortez!
The judges for this bout are Shirou Masuda, Yukihiro Shimada and Yukihiro Yamamoto.
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ilmarinen shoots for a takedown but Cortez saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Cortez looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!
Cortez leaves Ilmarinen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Ilmarinen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Cortez can pounce on him.
Ilmarinen takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Ilmarinen wants to clinch up but Cortez keeps it at a distance.
Cortez lands with a hook. Ilmarinen tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Cortez fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Ilmarinen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cortez is fending him off so far but Ilmarinen persists. Nope, Cortez circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Asko Ilmarinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Ilmarinen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Cortez sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ilmarinen somewhat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Horrible takedown attempt by Ilmarinen or perhaps it was just good defense by Cortez, which made it look bad.
Cortez lands with a kick to the temple. Ilmarinen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Cortez duly obliges.
Cortez connects with a body shot that sends Ilmarinen's belly button to the back.
Ilmarinen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Cortez swivels and escapes.
A shot to the liver by Cortez. Beautiful body shot.
Rafael Cortez seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Cortez as Ilmarinen shoots in.
A shot to the liver by Cortez. Beautiful body shot.
Cortez scores with a sloppy right hand. Ilmarinen should have avoided that one.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Ilmarinen.
Cortez clobbers Ilmarinen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Ilmarinen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
We've been informed that Cortez has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Rafael Cortez is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Ilmarinen wants to clinch.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Cortez throws a nice head kick!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ilmarinen takes a swing at Cortez's ribcage but misses.
Cortez lands with a shot to the body.
Cortez scores with a kick to the body.
Ilmarinen tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Cortez paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Ilmarinen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Cortez moves into the clinch.
Cortez lands an uppercut.
Ilmarinen has picked Cortez up - he's going for a ride! Ilmarinen dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Ilmarinen is trying to control. Cortez wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez tries to get to full guard but Ilmarinen has control of the leg.
Cortez is holding on to half guard well.
Cortez wants to improve his position but Ilmarinen is controlling well.
Ilmarinen is looking to advance position but Cortez won't allow it.
Cortez has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Ilmarinen is working away from the top position though.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Ilmarinen is pressing down on Cortez's thigh, looking to free his foot. Cortez is holding on for now.
The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Cortez connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Ilmarinen momentarily.
Nice straight punches there by Cortez. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Cortez.
Ilmarinen clinches.
Ilmarinen has Cortez pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Cortez manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Cortez lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Cortez lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Cortez stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Cortez gets through Ilmarinen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Cortez lands a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rafael Cortez dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!
Ilmarinen fails to land the takedown.
Cortez lets loose with a powerful body kick. Ilmarinen will feel that in the morning.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Cortez, as that shot connected.
Cortez forces Ilmarinen back against the cage and clinches.
Ilmarinen is trying to break the clinch but Cortez has him pressed against the cage.
Cortez softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Cortez prevents a body shot from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Cortez walks away with a smile on his face. Ilmarinen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Cortez connects with a nice looking jab.
Ilmarinen throws a head kick but Cortez moves out of range.
Cortez connects with an inside leg kick.
Ilmarinen closes the distance and clinches up with Cortez, looking for a takedown. Ilmarinen pushes Cortez against the cage but Cortez circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Asko Ilmarinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Cortez is looking to slow Ilmarinen down with leg kicks.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Cortez lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Ilmarinen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Cortez lands an overhand right.
Cortez lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Ilmarinen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Cortez is fending him off so far but Ilmarinen persists. Nope, Cortez circles away and we're back to standing.
Cortez with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Cortez connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cortez scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Sloppy strikes from Ilmarinen. Those never looked like landing.
Both fighters circling a little - Cortez finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A jab from Cortez finds it's way through Ilmarinen's defenses.
Cortez lands with a thumping leg kick.
Ilmarinen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Cortez is looking to regain half guard here but Ilmarinen keeps moving and retains side control.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sloppy strikes there by Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Cortez keeps working.
Ilmarinen tries to cartwheel into mount but he doesn't manage it.
Ilmarinen working away.
Ilmarinen tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen looking to control but instead Cortez has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Ilmarinen wants to stand up but Cortez has a hold of him and won't allow it.
Ilmarinen throwing shots but Cortez is blocking nicely.
The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Ilmarinen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Ilmarinen looks for a takedown but Cortez sprawls well.
An inside leg kick lands from Cortez.
Cortez connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Cortez throws out a powerful jab.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ilmarinen gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Cortez avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Cortez throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Rafael Cortez seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ilmarinen moves in looking to clinch but Cortez pushes him off.
Cortez lands a nice hook to Ilmarinen's body. Ilmarinen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Ilmarinen has closed the distance and engaged Cortez in a clinch.
Ilmarinen has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Cortez uses from the top position.
Cortez lands a couple of digs.
Ilmarinen trying to control the position.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Cortez working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Cortez thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Ilmarinen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.
Rafael Cortez showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!
Cortez connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Cortez connects with a leg kick. Ilmarinen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Ilmarinen throws a sloppy head kick and Cortez moves out of range easily.
Cortez doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Cortez works over Ilmarinen's head and body with a nice combination.
Ilmarinen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Ilmarinen looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Ilmarinen tries to advance to mount but Cortez denies him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Cortez is not content to let Ilmarinen control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
That's one minute gone in the round.
Ilmarinen throws an elbow but Cortez slips to the side and avoids it well.
Ilmarinen wants to stand but Cortez is controlling his arm.
You can see the frustration on Cortez's face as Ilmarinen controls the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Ilmarinen looking to control but instead Cortez has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Ilmarinen trying to mount his opponent but Cortez defends it.
Cortez gets back to full guard.
We've been hearing that Ilmarinen has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Cortez tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Ilmarinen trying to control but Cortez 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.
Cortez instigates a clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Cortez fails to land.
Cortez misses with a hook to the ribs.
Cortez has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
A short left from Cortez.
Cortez has Ilmarinen pushed against the cage.
Ilmarinen gets control of Cortez's arms and successfully pulls guard. Ilmarinen will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cortez won't allow Ilmarinen to sweep him here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Cortez throwing strikes but missing.
Ilmarinen manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Cortez manages to get himself to full guard.
Cortez has control of Ilmarinen's left arm, preventing Ilmarinen from doing any damage.
Cortez is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Ilmarinen trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Cortez manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Rafael Cortez is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
That's four minutes gone in the round.
Cortez slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Cortez stopping the sweep attempt from Ilmarinen.
Ilmarinen controls Cortez momentarily but Cortez frees himself.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Ilmarinen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Cortez can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Asko Ilmarinen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Cortez distracts Ilmarinen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
And that's the end of the fight!
Rafael Cortez comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Cortez 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 Shirou Masuda scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 27:30
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 27:30
In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rafael Cortez!
Post fight, an emotional Rafael Cortez said 'Finally I have found my home. Thank you Team Burns and everyone for giving me my home and making me into a great fighter. I lived in Spain my whole life and this life is different for me, but I'm so gratefull.'.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| S |
C
A |
G |
S |
C
B |
G |
|
S |
C |
G |
|
energy
A | B |
|
hype
A | B |
|
pop
A | B |
|
mgr
A | B |
|
FIGHT
RATING
45% |
|
|
|
|
|
|
