PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rauno Viittala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rickson Gracie (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rickson Gracie has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Viittala
vs
Gracie

190 cm
23
185 lbs
9 - 5 - 1

187 cm
27
185 lbs
11 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Very quick

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Powerful

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 9 - 5 - 1, 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 11 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rickson Gracie!
The judges for this bout are Alexandre Firmino, Thiago Cunha and Daniel Cesar.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Viittala lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Viittala.
Viittala throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie shoots in for a takedown but Viittala shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Viittala throws a head kick but Gracie moves out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Viittala misses the target.
Viittala takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Viittala comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
No luck for Gracie with that takedown attempt.
Viittala lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Viittala misses with a series of wild punches.
Viittala tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Gracie paws at him with a jab and circles away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Viittala.
Gracie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Viittala. Viittala obviously looking to wear him down.
Viittala displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gracie throws out the jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gracie on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Gracie throws a nice looking combination but Viittala bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Viittala swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Gracie counters with a two punch combo.
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Viittala connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Viittala throws a sloppy body shot
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Viittala backing up. Viittala nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Viittala jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Viittala throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Viittala takes a swing at Gracie's ribcage but misses.
Gracie throws a lazy right hand but Viittala sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Viittala scoring well with a low kick there.
Gracie throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Viittala counters with a nice body kick.
Gracie takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Viittala uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gracie has time to react.
Rauno Viittala is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
A head kick misses from Viittala.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viittala misses with a two punch combination.
Viittala has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Gracie finds it's way round the side to connect with Viittala's head.
Gracie throws a hook but Viittala avoids it easily.
Viittala works over Gracie's head and body with a nice combination.
Viittala thows a body kick. Gracie tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Rauno Viittala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Viittala cracks a nice hook into Gracie's ribs.
Viittala is looking to wear down Gracie with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Viittala lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Viittala throws a shot from downtown. Gracie moves away and avoids it.
Gracie throws a big shot that misses.
A solid body kick from Viittala.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Viittala feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gracie's calf.
Viittala connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Viittala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Viittala lands a nice looking body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Viittala clinches.
Viittala lands a body shot in the clinch.
Gracie looks gassed!
Gracie looking to stall.
A right hook to the body lands for Viittala.
Viittala cracks Gracie with a nice body shot.
Viittala pressing his opponent against the cage.
Viittala working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Viittala escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Gracie tries to move into range but Viittala moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Gracie avoids the head kick by Viittala.
A left lands for Viittala.
Viittala thumps Gracie with a low kick.
Gracie's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Viittala lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.
Gracie avoids the body shot from Viittala.
Gracie swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Viittala counters with a low kick, right behind Gracie 's knee.
Viittala lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viittala getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Viittala cracks Gracie with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nice uppercut there from Viittala.
A solid leg kick lands there for Viittala.
A good leg kick by Viittala.
Viittala throws a head kick that Gracie semi-blocks.
Viittala lands a jab to Gracie's midsection.
Viittala lands a nice looking body shot.
Viittala moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Viittala lands with a thumping leg kick.
Gracie moves forwards but Viittala connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Viittala throws a head kick that half lands.
Gracie takes a body punch but keeps moving.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rauno Viittala dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Gracie drops his hands momentarily and Viittala takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Viittala tries to clinch but Gracie is having none of it.
Viittala throws a leg kick which misses Gracie's front leg but catches the back leg as Gracie tries to avoid it.
Gracie throws a right hand that Viittala ducks under and follows up with a left that Viittala also avoids with ease.
Viittala connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Gracie blocks a jab.
Viittala lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Gracie misses with an uppercut.
Gracie takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Gracie takes a jab right on the kisser.
Gracie takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Gracie is breathing heavily.
Gracie takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Viittala lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Gracie at a distance.
Gracie walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Viittala checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Viittala, right into the meat.
Viittala tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Viittala misses the jab.
A right-left combo lands from Viittala.
Rauno Viittala is winning the standup battle so far.
Viittala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Viittala misses with a wild body shot.
Viittala connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Rickson Gracie is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Viittala looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Gracie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Viittala. Viittala obviously looking to wear him down.
A slapping leg kick lands for Viittala.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Viittala.
Viittala throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Gracie on the side of the head.
Viittala slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Gracie moves out of range as Viittala strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gracie scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Gracie on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Viittala feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Gracie's calf.
A lazy left from Viittala finds it's target.
Gracie throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Viittala throws a one two combo.
Viittala throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gracie misses with a wild combination.
Viittala lands a nice shot to the body.
Viittala listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Viittala misses with a body shot.
Nice sprawl there from Viittala as Gracie shoots in.
Gracie waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Viittala.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Viittala lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Viittala throws a head kick that Gracie semi-blocks.
Gracie shoots and misses
and Viittala connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.

Gracie shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Viittala's guard.
Viittala has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Viittala has his feet on Gracie's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Viittala lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viittala slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Good exchange - Viittala coming out on top.
Viittala lands a nice leg kick that just misses Gracie's sensitive parts.
Viittala misses with a shot to the body
and Gracie counters with a three punch combo that has Viittala backing up. Viittala nods at Gracie to acknowledge the strikes.
Gracie throws a left and a right that both miss
and Viittala counters with a nice uppercut.
Viittala scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Gracie doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice defenses there by Gracie.
Viittala scores with a jab to the body.
Gracie has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Gracie there as he acknowledges the shot.
Gracie fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Rauno Viittala has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Rickson Gracie.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Viittala throws a body punch but Gracie moves out of range.
Gracie on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Viittala. Viittala obviously looking to wear him down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Viittala thumps Gracie with a low kick.
Gracie misses with a body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rauno Viittala dominated that second round.
That's time! Viittala's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Viittala wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Viittala lands with a shot to the body.
A slapping leg kick lands for Viittala.
Viittala throws a jab but it's blocked by Gracie.
Gracie shoots in but Viittala avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Viittala throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Gracie's head.
Viittala is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gracie can do to turn this around?
Gracie avoids the body shot from Viittala.
Viittala's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Viittala duly obliges.
Gracie ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Gracie has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Gracie throws a hook but Viittala blocks it.
Gracie misses the shot to the body.
Gracie takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Gracie throws a series of punches but Viittala moves out of range.
Viittala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viittala dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gracie. That did some damage!
Gracie jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Viittala moves away from the strike by Gracie.
Nice shot lands for Viittala.
Viittala lands a right hook to the body.
Viittala throws a right and a left that Gracie avoids nicely.
Viittala scores with a jab to the jaw.
Gracie misses with a looping right.
Gracie might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Viittala throws a quick inside leg kick.
Gracie drops his hands momentarily and Viittala takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Gracie walks into a straight right hand from Viittala.
Viittala tries to clinch there but Gracie circles away.
Nice jab there from Gracie.
A head kick misses from Viittala.
Rickson Gracie has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viittala clobbers Gracie with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Gracie falls off balance throwing a combination
and Gracie takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Viittala throws a quick inside leg kick.
Viittala throws a lazy right hand but Gracie sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Viittala throws a series of punches but Gracie avoids them all with ease.
Gracie swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Gracie misses with a wild body shot.
Gracie throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Viittala throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Rauno Viittala is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Viittala uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Gracie has time to react.
Viittala looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Viittala turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Viittala.

Viittala instigates a clinch.
Viittala is trying to stall.
Viittala lands a body shot in the clinch.

Viittala breaks from the clinch.
Gracie throws a chopping leg kick but Viittala manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Viittala scores with a jab to the head.
Gracie needs to keep his hands up - Viittala had a free shot at his head there.
Viittala tries to close the distance and clinch but Gracie swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Gracie will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Gracie looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Viittala digs a good body shot into Gracie's ribs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Viittala scores with a jab.
Viittala closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Gracie takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Viittala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Gracie.
Viittala connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Viittala lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gracie throws a looping overhand right but Viittala ducks down to avoid it.
Gracie throws the left hand but Viittala avoids the punch easily.
Viittala chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Viittala connects with a right hand. Gracie shakes it off.
Gracie walks into a stiff left hand from Viittala.
Viittala lands a body shot.
Viittala displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Gracie throws out the jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rauno Viittala showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Viittala, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 30:26
Judge Thiago Cunha scores the fight 30:27
Judge Daniel Cesar scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rauno Viittala!