PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Atte Savitaipale (ranked 1016 p4p, 130 weight class) and Riza Rakija (ranked 1209 p4p, 150 weight class). Savitaipale's entrance music is Roger Whittaker - Finnish Whistler. A fine choice. Rakija is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Rakija. Riza Rakija told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Savitaipale
vs
Rakija

177 cm
29
160 lbs
14 - 7 - 0

174 cm
37
167 lbs
20 - 15 - 2

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Atte Savitaipale!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 15 - 2, fighting out of Tokyo, Riza Rakija!
The judges for this bout are Frank Antenori, Don Winkell and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Savitaipale throws a body shot but no joy.
Savitaipale misses with a straight left.
Atte Savitaipale seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rakija scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Savitaipale on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Rakija tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Savitaipale was well out of range. Poor timing from Rakija.
Savitaipale drops down looking for a counter takedown but Rakija sprawls and moves away.
Rakija slips a jab from Savitaipale.
Rakija connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Savitaipale swings for the body but Rakija moves out of range.
Savitaipale is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rakija.
The crowd cheers as Savitaipale lands an impressive looking overhand right. Rakija doesn't seem phased though.
Rakija connects with a right hand. Savitaipale shakes it off.
Rakija drops his hands momentarily and Savitaipale takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
We've been informed that Rakija 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.
A punch lands to the side of Savitaipale 's head but he takes it in his stride.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Savitaipale misses the jab.
The fighters circling - Savitaipale throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rakija shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.

Savitaipale gets a takedown into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rakija avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Savitaipale.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Savitaipale wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rakija keeps working.
Rakija wants to control but Savitaipale is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rakija is staying active underneath Savitaipale, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Rakija is looking for a sweep. Savitaipale is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rakija keeps trying to improve his position.
Savitaipale wants to take a breather but Rakija is having none of it.
Rakija wants to control but Savitaipale is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Rakija moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Savitaipale scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rakija wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.

Rakija had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Savitaipale defends it easily.

Rakija throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale stands up over Rakija, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.

Savitaipale avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rakija keeping moving, preventing Savitaipale from controlling successfully.
Savitaipale connects with a couple of short punches.
Savitaipale seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Savitaipale scoring with some ground and pound.

Rakija working for a triangle but Savitaipale defends it easily.
Savitaipale works over Rakija with some ground and pound from guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Savitaipale makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rakija looking for a sweep. Not yet Rakija, not yet.
Rakija has momentary wrist control but Savitaipale slips an elbow through the middle.
Savitaipale postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Savitaipale engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Savitaipale working some strikes from top position.
Rakija keeping moving, preventing Savitaipale from controlling successfully.

Rakija is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Savitaipale defends well.
Savitaipale has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Savitaipale cracks Rakija with a solid left hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rakija is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Savitaipale's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Rakija looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Savitaipale has picked Rakija up and slammed him! Rakija can't keep hold of the triangle and Savitaipale manages to pass to side control!

Savitaipale is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Rakija has escaped the position, nice work there.
Savitaipale working the head with strikes.

Rakija is rocked!
Rakija regains half guard.
Rakija is still in real trouble! Can Savitaipale finish him?
Savitaipale working the head and body with strikes.
Savitaipale scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Savitaipale looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Rakija with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
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!

Savitaipale is trying for a kimura here. Rakija looks like he's in a lot of pain... and he's tapping out! Savitaipale wins by kimura!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Atte Savitaipale!
Jumping up and down and very excited, Atte Savitaipale waved his t-shirt featuring KOMBAT KLOTHING's logo in front of the cameras.