PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rauno Viittala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Royce Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). This should be a great matchup!

Viittala
vs
Gracie

190 cm
23
185 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

185 cm
27
178 lbs
12 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Lethal high kicks
Very strong

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Lightning Fight Gear

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 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rauno Viittala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Royce Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Matheus Silva and Thiago Cunha.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gracie avoids the body shot from Viittala.
Viittala throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Gracie throws a right and a left that both miss.
Gracie displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Viittala throws out the jab.
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.
Viittala connects with a high kick.

It looks like Royce Gracie has been cut.
A jab lands there for Viittala.
Rauno Viittala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice jab there from Viittala.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gracie.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Gracie trying to control the action but Viittala is working from the bottom.
Viittala wants to control but Gracie postures up.
Viittala dodges the ground and pound from Gracie.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Viittala tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Gracie throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Viittala tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Gracie wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie tries to advance to mount but can't.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gracie walks into a left hand.

Gracie changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Viittala looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Gracie tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Viittala tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Viittala struggling a bit here.
Gracie has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Viittala managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Gracie.

Gracie looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Viittala is looking for a sweep.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie throws a strike aimed at the side of Viittala's head but Viittala avoids it well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Viittala connects with a body shot.
Gracie takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Viittala tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

Viittala gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Gracie to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Viittala is breathing heavily.
Viittala keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Viittala seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gracie stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Viittala swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Viittala pushes Gracie off and gets back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Viittala manages to avoid it.
Viittala scores with a head kick.
Gracie shoots for a double leg takedown but Viittala sprawls well. He's pushed Gracie's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Viittala lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
A big left from Viittala misses.
Viittala throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.

Gracie gets a takedown into half guard.
Viittala moves into full guard.
Gracie tries to free his leg and advance position but Viittala is retaining full guard.
Gracie trying to control but Viittala is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Gracie looking to pass the guard.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.

Viittala pushes Gracie off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Viittala.
Viittala lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Gracie ducks under a wild hook from Viittala.
Gracie tries for a takedown but Viittala sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Rauno Viittala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Gracie.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Viittala looks to land a right hand but Gracie moved out of range.
Viittala lands a nice shot to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Viittala looks to land a left hand but Gracie moved out of range nicely.
Viittala misses with an uppercut.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rauno Viittala dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Royce Gracie's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Gracie.

Gracie thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Viittala manages to work his way to half guard, despite Gracie's best efforts.

Gracie is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Viittala doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Gracie.

Gracie is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Viittala holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Viittala tries to kick Gracie off but Gracie keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Gracie sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Viittala defending well though.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Gracie is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Viittala defends it well.
Gracie trying to control the action but Viittala is working from the bottom.
Viittala is pressing down on Gracie's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Gracie drops back, looking for a kneebar! Viittala looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Viittala looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Viittala!
Gracie tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Viittala wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Viittala stands up and we're back to a striking position.
Viittala with a nice cross.
Viittala misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Viittala lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rauno Viittala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Viittala defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gracie.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viittala throws the left hand but Gracie avoids the punch easily.
Royce Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Viittala takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Viittala goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Gracie keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A swing and a miss from Viittala.

Gracie changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Viittala looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Gracie working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Viittala regains half guard.
Gracie thows a huge punch but Viittala dodges it nicely.

Gracie is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Viittala has managed to free his arm - good work.
Viittala tries to roll over but Gracie keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gracie missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Gracie stops Viittala from getting back to his feet.

Viittala is defending against the submission attempts here by Gracie.
Viittala controlling the position for now.
Viittala moves into full guard.
Viittala 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.
Gracie working some strikes from top position.
Gracie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Viittala works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Gracie with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Gracie trying to control but Viittala is working from the bottom.
Gracie works over Viittala with some ground and pound from guard.
Gracie throws a big right hand that misses.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Viittala throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Viittala misses with an uppercut. Gracie saw that one coming.
Viittala thows a body shot but no joy.
Viittala fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Gracie darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Gracie not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Viittala wants to improve his position but Gracie is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rauno Viittala will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Royce Gracie's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Gracie shoots for a takedown but Viittala saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Viittala waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Gracie.
Some wild striking there from Viittala.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Viittala as he avoids it easily.
A head kick misses from Viittala.

Gracie looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Viittala avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Gracie throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Viittala works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Viittala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Viittala keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Viittala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viittala pulls Gracie in close to his closed guard and prevents Gracie from doing any damage or advancing position.
Viittala looking to control.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Gracie closes the distance and clinches up with Viittala, looking for a takedown. Gracie pushes Viittala against the cage but Viittala circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Rauno Viittala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Royce Gracie.
Gracie misses with a takedown attempt - Viittala sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Viittala lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Gracie circles away quickly and effectively.
Gracie uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Viittala.
Viittala dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Viittala stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Viittala wants it to stay on the feet.
Gracie walks into a stiff left hand from Viittala.

Gracie scores with a takedown into Viittala's guard.
Viittala wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie wants to control from the top but Viittala keeps moving.

Viittala throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Viittala keeping moving, preventing Gracie from controlling successfully.
Viittala seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Gracie won't allow Viittala to sweep him here.
Rauno Viittala is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Viittala wants to stand up but Gracie is controlling him.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Gracie fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Gracie misses with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Viittala, as that shot connected.
Viittala thows a body shot but no joy.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Gracie.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Gracie is defended easily by Viittala.
Viittala throws a head kick that misses.
Viittala throws a hook to the side of Gracie's head but Gracie sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Viittala throws a nice looking combination but Gracie bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rauno Viittala is winning the standup battle so far.
Viittala throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Gracie stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Viittala.
Gracie slips under a jab from Viittala.
Viittala leaves Gracie with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Viittala is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gracie.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nice takedown defense from Viittala. No joy for Gracie on that attempt.
Gracie blocks a head kick by Viittala.
Viittala throws a combination that misses

and Gracie counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Royce Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Gracie thows a huge punch but Viittala dodges it nicely.
Gracie is thwarting Viittala's attempts to control the position.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Gracie lands a nice short elbow.
Viittala is refusing to be controlled, as Gracie sits in half guard.
Royce Gracie has got the better of the ground game so far.

Gracie wants to work for an arm triangle but Viittala is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Viittala is trying is best to control the position here.
Viittala is looking to escape.
Viittala is trying to maintain the position but Gracie is very close to passing his half guard.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Gracie throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

And that's the end of the fight!
Royce Gracie comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Viittala has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 29:29
Judge Matheus Silva scores the fight 29:29
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a majority draw!