PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rauta Vaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Wladimir Murchulenko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murchulenko is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Sandstorm, Darude. Wladimir Murchulenko is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Vaara
vs
Murchulenko

182 cm
19
188 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

187 cm
22
196 lbs
4 - 8 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Good kicks
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rauta Vaara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 8 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Wladimir Murchulenko!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Vaara on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Murchulenko. Murchulenko obviously looking to wear him down.
Vaara checks a leg kick nicely.
Murchulenko connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.

It looks like Rauta Vaara has been cut.
Murchulenko misses with a low kick.
Murchulenko throws a leg kick but Vaara sees it coming and moves out of range.
Vaara moves out of range of the leg kick from Murchulenko.
Vaara pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Murchulenko walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Vaara checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Murchulenko throws a hook but Vaara blocks it.
Murchulenko circles away from the clinch attempt.
Murchulenko will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Murchulenko finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Murchulenko wants to land a leg kick but Vaara is out of range.
Murchulenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Vaara.
Vaara lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

It looks like Wladimir Murchulenko has been cut.
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!
Vaara avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Vaara throws a sloppy head kick and Murchulenko moves out of range easily.
Vaara shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Murchulenko as he avoids it easily.

Vaara clinches with his opponent.
Murchulenko has Vaara pressed against the cage, preventing Vaara from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Vaara will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Murchulenko up against the cage.
Vaara has Murchulenko pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Murchulenko manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Vaara.
Murchulenko using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Vaara has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Murchulenko tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Vaara drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Murchulenko gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Rauta Vaara. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Vaara tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Murchulenko just stands there and leans against the cage.
Vaara prevents Murchulenko from breaking the clinch.
Vaara is trying to break free.
Murchulenko misses with a knee to the head.
Vaara has Murchulenko pressed against the cage.
Murchulenko tries to land a knee to the head but Vaara blocks with his arms.
Murchulenko looks gassed!

Murchulenko breaks from the clinch.
Murchulenko misses with a low kick.

Vaara feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.

Vaara drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Vaara seems to have locked his on tight now - Murchulenko screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Vaara, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:01 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Rauta Vaara!