PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Guto Groos (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaakko Rauhala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Groos
vs
Rauhala

180 cm
21
231 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

196 cm
21
220 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Guto Groos!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Jaakko Rauhala!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Groos shoots in but no luck this time.

Rauhala moves into range and clinches up with Groos.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.

Rauhala moves into the clinch successfully.
Rauhala can't break the clinch.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.
Groos misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Groos could do with loosing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.

Rauhala moves into the clinch successfully.

Rauhala manages to break the clinch.
Rauhala misses with a double jab.
Groos shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guto Groos. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Groos tries to keep at a distance but Rauhala has taken the fight into the clinch.
Groos is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rauhala pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Groos is breathing heavily.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.
Jaakko Rauhala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Groos fails with a takedown attempt.

Rauhala moves into the clinch.
Groos has Rauhala pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rauhala manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rauhala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

Rauhala closes the distance and clinches.

Rauhala manages to break the clinch.
Groos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rauhala circles away.
Rauhala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Groos is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Rauhala.

Rauhala clinches.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.
Rauhala looks to land a combination. Groos sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rauhala lands a jab-cross combination.

Rauhala clinches.
Rauhala lands a shot to the body.

Rauhala manages to break the clinch.

Rauhala clinches up against the cage.

Rauhala breaks from the clinch.
Rauhala tries to clinch but Groos moves out of range.
Rauhala tries to clinch up.
Rauhala throws a combination. Groos tries to block but a couple of punches get through.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Rauhala drives through and clinches with Groos against the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rauhala breaks from the clinch.
Rauhala swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Groos.
Rauhala scores with a shot to the body.

Groos tries to keep at a distance but Rauhala has taken the fight into the clinch.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.
Groos fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Jaakko Rauhala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Groos sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Groos misses with a takedown attempt - Rauhala sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rauhala wants to clinch up but Groos keeps it at a distance.
Groos swats away the attempt to clinch by Rauhala.
Groos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rauhala circles away.
Rauhala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Groos tries for a takedown but Rauhala sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rauhala gets a clinch.

Rauhala manages to break the clinch.
Groos swats away the attempt to clinch by Rauhala.
Horrible takedown by Groos or perhaps it was just good defense by Rauhala which made him look bad.
Rauhala is looking to clinch but Groos is avoiding it.
Groos will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Rauhala doesn't manage to clinch there - Groos circles away.
Groos keeps the fight on the outside.

Rauhala moves into the clinch.

Rauhala breaks from the clinch.
Rauhala tries to clinch but Groos moves out of range.
Rauhala scoring well with a low kick there.
Rauhala wants to clinch up but Groos keeps it at a distance.

Rauhala drives through and clinches with Groos against the cage.
Rauhala lands a shoulder strike.

Rauhala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Rauhala has managed to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rauhala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rauhala looks to land a combination but Groos avoids it well.

Rauhala gets a clinch.

Rauhala breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Rauhala throws a two punch combo that lands nicely.
Groos avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Rauhala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Rauhala rushes Groos and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.
Rauhala stuffs the takedown attempt from Groos. Groos gets slowly back to his feet.

Rauhala instigates a clinch.

Rauhala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Rauhala has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rauhala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rauhala will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Rauhala rushes Groos and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaakko Rauhala dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Rauhala is looking to clinch.
Groos looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Groos shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rauhala scores with a three punch combo!

Rauhala darts in and clinches Groos up against the cage.
Rauhala can't break the clinch.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Groos. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.

Rauhala closes the distance and clinches.

Rauhala manages to break the clinch.

Rauhala closes the distance and clinches.
Rauhala is trying to break free.

Rauhala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rauhala misses with a series of wild punches.

Rauhala fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Groos, pushing him back against the cage.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Rauhala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rauhala is looking to clinch but Groos is avoiding it.
Groos avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

Rauhala moves into range and clinches up with Groos.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Groos has hold of one of Rauhala's legs. Rauhala is fighting the takedown attempt but Groos gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Groos thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Groos might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

Rauhala scrambles and gets back to his feet.
Rauhala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rauhala tries to clinch but Groos moves out of range.
Groos will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guto Groos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nice sprawl there from Rauhala as Groos shoots in.
Nice sprawl there from Rauhala as Groos shoots in.
A good leg kick by Rauhala.
Rauhala chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Rauhala lands with a nice body punch.
Rauhala wants to clinch.
Rauhala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groos shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rauhala swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
The fight stays on the outside here - Rauhala looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Groos tries for a takedown but Rauhala sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.

Rauhala drives through and clinches with Groos against the cage.
Groos prevents Rauhala from breaking the clinch.
Rauhala can't break the clinch.
Groos tries to score a body lock takedown but Rauhala shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rauhala wants to break free but Groos has control.
Rauhala wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Groos has him pressed against the cage.
Rauhala wants to break free but Groos has control.
Groos prevents Rauhala from breaking the clinch.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.
Rauhala keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rauhala tries to clinch there but Groos circles away.
Groos shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rauhala as he avoids it easily.
Groos takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Groos misses with a takedown attempt - Rauhala sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Rauhala fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Groos, pushing him back against the cage.

Rauhala breaks from the clinch.
Groos closes the distance and clinches up with Rauhala, looking for a takedown. Groos pushes Rauhala against the cage but Rauhala circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rauhala lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Rauhala lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Rauhala.
Groos keeps the fight on the outside.
Groos tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rauhala swivels and escapes.
Horrible takedown by Groos or perhaps it was just good defense by Rauhala which made him look bad.
Groos fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Rauhala has managed to clinch.
Rauhala wants to break the clinch but can't.
Groos blocks the elbow strike.
Rauhala wants to get back to striking at distance but Groos won't allow it.
Groos tries to pull guard but Rauhala holds him up against the cage and eventually Groos drops back down to his feet.
Groos is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Jaakko Rauhala seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rauhala breaks from the clinch.
Groos closes the distance and clinches up with Rauhala, looking for a takedown. Groos pushes Rauhala against the cage but Rauhala circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Groos keeps the fight on the outside.
Groos closes the distance and clinches up with Rauhala, looking for a takedown. Groos pushes Rauhala against the cage but Rauhala circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

Groos fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Rauhala sprawls well initially but Groos persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Rauhala wants to get back to his feet.
Groos trying to mount his opponent but Rauhala defends it.
Rauhala pushes Groos off looking to stand but Groos dives back in and keeps control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Rauhala pushes Groos off and gets back to his feet.
An inside leg kick lands from Rauhala.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rauhala wants to clinch.
Rauhala tries to clinch but Groos is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaakko Rauhala 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. This is the final round!

The fight stays on the outside here - Rauhala looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

Rauhala drives through and clinches with Groos against the cage.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.
Rauhala doesn't manage to clinch there - Groos circles away.
Rauhala scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nice takedown defense from Rauhala. No joy for Groos on that attempt.
Groos shoots in for a takedown but Rauhala shows good takedown defense.

Rauhala forces Groos back against the cage and clinches.

Rauhala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Groos will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Guto Groos. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rauhala wants to clinch.
Rauhala wants to clinch.
Rauhala stalks Groos and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Groos's face. Groos staggers backwards, shaken.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Groos tries to keep at a distance but Rauhala has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Groos blocking some punches.

Rauhala breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Rauhala fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rauhala wants to clinch.
Rauhala tries to clinch up.
Groos fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Groos looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Rauhala fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Groos, pushing him back against the cage.

Rauhala manages to break the clinch.
Groos looks frusrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Rauhala tries to clinch there but Groos circles away.
Groos shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rauhala pinned against the cage. Rauhala gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Groos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rauhala circles away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Groos tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Guto Groos is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Groos has a takedown stuffed.
Groos circles away from the clinch attempt.
Rauhala with a nice cross.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rauhala.
Groos tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Rauhala swivels and escapes.
Rauhala throws a leg kick which misses Groos's front leg but catches the back leg as Groos tries to avoid it.
Rauhala is looking to clinch.
Groos shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rauhala but Rauhala pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rauhala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Groos has a takedown stuffed.

Rauhala darts in and clinches Groos up against the cage.
Rauhala wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rauhala stalling against the cage.
Groos has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Rauhala avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.

Rauhala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Rauhala tries to clinch there but Groos circles away.
Rauhala's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Rauhala duly obliges.
Rauhala tries to clinch but Groos is having none of it.
Rauhala doesn't manage to clinch there - Groos circles away.
Rauhala has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rauhala is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

Rauhala has managed to clinch.
Groos prevents Rauhala from breaking the clinch.
Rauhala pressing his opponent against the cage.
Rauhala is trying to break free.

Rauhala breaks the clinch.
Groos closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rauhala circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Rauhala breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Groos shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Rauhala pinned against the cage. Rauhala gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rauhala.
Rauhala tries to clinch up but Groos circles away and keeps his distance.
Rauhala misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nice takedown defense from Rauhala. No joy for Groos on that attempt.
Groos looks for a takedown but Rauhala sprawls well.
Groos fails with a takedown attempt.
Rauhala throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Groos shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rauhala as he avoids it easily.
Rauhala stalks Groos and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Groos's face. Groos staggers backwards, shaken.
Groos fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Guto Groos has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Groos closes the distance and clinches up with Rauhala, looking for a takedown. Groos pushes Rauhala against the cage but Rauhala circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jaakko Rauhala comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rauhala 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 25:30
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 25:30
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jaakko Rauhala!