PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Valentin Berg (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Rupponen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rupponen is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: SMC Hoodrats. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Berg
vs
Rupponen

170 cm
23
150 lbs
10 - 3 - 0

160 cm
23
155 lbs
12 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Granite chin

Hades ®
Balco Boys - Hilo

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valentin Berg!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Rupponen!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rupponen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Berg. Berg obviously looking to wear him down.
Nice takedown defense from Berg. No joy for Rupponen on that attempt.

Rupponen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Berg's guard.
Berg is controlling Rupponen's posture.
Rupponen trying to control the position from guard on top but Berg is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Berg wants to stand and escape but Rupponen is having none of it.
Berg has momentary wrist control but Rupponen slips an elbow through the middle.
Rupponen throwing strikes from guard but Berg blocks nicely.

Rupponen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rupponen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rupponen throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rupponen drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Berg manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rupponen has Berg in his guard.
Rupponen has a closed guard, preventing Berg from standing up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Berg stands up from Rupponen's guard - Berg perhaps looking for a knockout.
Niko Rupponen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rupponen checks a leg kick.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Rupponen.
Rupponen advances to full mount.
Berg holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Rupponen tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berg is wriggling around trying to escape.
Rupponen tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Berg tries to hold on but Rupponen pushes him away.
Rupponen wants to control but Berg has made it back to half guard. Nice work.
Rupponen is looking to pass Berg's guard but actually Berg recovers to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Berg is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rupponen wants to control from the top but Berg keeps moving.

Berg kicks Rupponen off and gets to his feet.
Berg wants to slow Rupponen down by chopping away at his legs.
Rupponen closes the distance and clinches up with Berg, looking for a takedown. Rupponen pushes Berg against the cage but Berg circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Niko Rupponen will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Berg pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rupponen blocks the body kick.
Berg is looking to land body kicks.
Rupponen fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Berg clinches.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Berg.

It looks like Niko Rupponen has been cut.

Berg breaks the clinch.
Rupponen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Berg's waist but Berg gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rupponen off to one side.
Berg misses with a low kick as Rupponen jumps back.
Berg throws a nice inside leg kick.

Berg moves into the clinch successfully.
Berg working Rupponen over with knees to the body.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Berg tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Berg will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Rupponen up against the cage.
Rupponen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Valentin Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Niko Rupponen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rupponen avoids the elbow strike from Berg, against the cage.
Rupponen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Berg just misses with a elbow thrown towards Rupponen's brow.
Berg lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Berg is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rupponen is defending well for now.

Berg manages to break the clinch.
Berg connects with a leg kick. Rupponen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Berg connects with a solid leg kick.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Rupponen.
Berg throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Berg displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rupponen.
Berg looking to land some kicks to the body here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Berg as he jumps to the side.
Berg slaps away a takedown attempt from Rupponen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Valentin Berg is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rupponen is breathing heavily.
A thudding body kick lands there by Berg!
Berg feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rupponen's calf.
Berg tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Rupponen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rupponen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Crunch! Berg slams his shin into Rupponen's torso.
Rupponen keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
No luck for Rupponen with that takedown attempt.
A nice inside leg kick there by Berg. That's going to slow Rupponen down.
Berg is looking to slow Rupponen down with leg kicks.
Rupponen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Berg is fending him off so far but Rupponen persists. Nope, Berg circles away and we're back to standing.
Berg throws out a leg kick but Rupponen moves out of range and Berg only half commits.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen tries for a takedown but Berg sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Berg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Berg fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rupponen.
Rupponen takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A solid body kick from Berg.

Berg closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Rupponen is working for takedown but Berg is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rupponen takes a knee to the side of the body.
Berg landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

Berg breaks from the clinch.
A nice inside leg kick there by Berg. That's going to slow Rupponen down.
A nice leg kick lands there from Berg.
Berg scores with a leg kick.
Berg lands a head kick!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Berg lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rupponen will feel that in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Berg can pounce on him.
A nice leg kick lands there from Berg.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Berg.
Berg tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rupponen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Niko Rupponen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Berg misses with a low kick.
Berg connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Berg, right into the meat.
Berg is looking to slow Rupponen down with leg kicks.
Rupponen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Berg thows a body kick. Rupponen tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Rupponen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rupponen blocks a head kick by Berg.
Berg throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

Berg gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Good body shot from Berg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Berg dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Niko Rupponen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rupponen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Berg.
Berg fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rupponen checks it well.
Berg is looking to clinch.
Berg connects with a high kick.
Rupponen shoots in for a double leg but Berg sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Berg wants to land a leg kick but Rupponen is out of range.
Rupponen has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Berg.
An inside leg kick lands from Berg.
Rupponen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Berg. Berg obviously looking to wear him down.
Berg lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rupponen's sensitive parts.
Berg throws a body punch but Rupponen moves out of range.
A slapping leg kick lands for Berg.
Berg lands with a thumping leg kick.
Crunch! Berg slams his shin into Rupponen's torso.
Rupponen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Berg fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rupponen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Berg lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Berg lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Berg scores with a leg kick.
Berg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Berg lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rupponen's sensitive parts.
Berg is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rupponen can do to turn this around?
Berg pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Berg lands a head kick. Rupponen smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Berg uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Rupponen has time to react.
Berg lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Berg throws a nice head kick!
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Berg - that will leave a mark!
Rupponen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Berg. Berg obviously looking to wear him down.
Berg throws a leg kick that misses.
Berg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Berg lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rupponen's sensitive parts.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Berg connects with an inside leg kick.
Berg lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Berg.
Berg feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Rupponen's calf.
Berg tries to clinch but Rupponen moves out of range.
Rupponen walks into a left hand.
Berg fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rupponen.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Berg connects with an inside leg kick.
Berg throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rupponen's head.
Berg connects with a body shot.
Berg plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Berg throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Berg scores with a leg kick.
Rupponen looks for a takedown but Berg sprawls well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berg dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rupponen. That did some damage!
Berg feints and then cracks Rupponen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rupponen down.

Berg instigates a clinch.
Berg looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Berg lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Rupponen backwards.
Berg is struggling to control the position.
Berg lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Berg digs a right hand underneath Rupponen's ribcage. Rupponen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
The referee calls for Berg to work.

Berg's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Berg fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rupponen has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
That kick from Berg tenderised Rupponen's leg. Rupponen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Valentin Berg is winning the standup battle so far.
Rupponen takes a head kick and keeps coming.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Berg clinches up with Rupponen and pushes him back against the cage.
A short uppercut from Berg.

Berg pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Berg just misses with a punch to the body.
Rupponen shoots in looking for a takedown but Berg manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Rupponen's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Valentin Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Niko Rupponen.
Berg connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Berg looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Berg tries to close the distance and clinch but Rupponen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Berg connects with an inside leg kick.
Rupponen keeps the fight on the outside.

Berg closes the distance and clinches.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Berg pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A solid leg kick lands there for Berg.

Berg forces Rupponen back against the cage and clinches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Berg clearly takes that round.
The cut man is working on Niko Rupponen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rupponen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Berg is fending him off so far but Rupponen persists. Nope, Berg circles away and we're back to standing.
Rupponen checks a low kick from Berg.
Rupponen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Berg's waist but Berg gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rupponen off to one side.
Berg turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Berg scoring well with a low kick there.
Berg lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Rupponen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Berg can pounce on him.
Berg tries to clinch up but Rupponen circles away and keeps his distance.
Berg scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Rupponen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Berg. Berg obviously looking to wear him down.
Rupponen looks for a takedown but Berg sprawls well.
Valentin Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Niko Rupponen.

Rupponen gets tackled into the cage by Berg. Berg maintains the clinch.
Berg displaying some good clinch control by pressing Rupponen up against the cage.
Berg lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Rupponen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rupponen backwards.

Berg breaks from the clinch.
Berg connects with an inside leg kick.
Berg fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rupponen checks it well.
A nice leg kick lands there from Berg.
Berg moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Berg scores with a head kick.

Berg moves into the clinch.
Rupponen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Stalling in the clinch from Berg.
Berg pushes off an throws an elbow but Rupponen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Berg misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rupponen.
Berg lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Berg is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Berg escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Berg tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Berg throws a head kick but Rupponen moves out of range.
Berg throws a head kick but Rupponen moves out of range.
Berg throws a low kick but Rupponen avoids it.
Berg connects with a leg kick. Rupponen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Rupponen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Berg swivels and escapes.
Rupponen shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Berg sprawls well. Berg wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Rupponen gets slowly back to his feet.
Berg lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Berg throws a head kick but Rupponen moves out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen shoots in looking for a takedown. Berg tries to sprawl out of it but Rupponen keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Berg manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Berg throws a low kick but Rupponen moves out of range easily.
Berg throws a head kick that misses.
Berg cracks the inside of Rupponen's front leg.
Rupponen takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Rupponen fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Berg avoids it really well and circles away.
Berg turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Berg lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nice takedown defense from Berg. No joy for Rupponen on that attempt.
Berg turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rupponen has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Berg.
Rupponen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Berg can pounce on him.
Rupponen on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Rupponen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Berg.
Berg throws a front kick that sends Rupponen stumbling back into the cage.
Berg misses with a leg kick.
A head kick from Berg lands but Rupponen takes it in his stride.
Berg scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A head kick misses from Berg.
Rupponen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Berg sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Rupponen shoots for a takedown but Berg saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Berg lands with a thumping leg kick.
A nice inside leg kick there by Berg. That's going to slow Rupponen down.
The fight stays on the outside here - Berg looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valentin Berg had his way with Niko Rupponen in that round.
The cut man is working on Niko Rupponen's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Rupponen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Berg feints and then cracks Rupponen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rupponen down.

Berg instigates a clinch.
Berg works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Berg is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rupponen is defending well for now.
Berg holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Berg misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rupponen.
Good body shot from Berg.
Berg lands a body punch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Berg.
Rupponen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Berg gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Berg's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Rupponen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Berg missing with knees to the body.
Valentin Berg has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Berg lands a body punch in the clinch.
Berg stops a takedown attempt from Rupponen.
Berg landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Berg is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rupponen is defending well for now.
Nice elbow from Berg.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Rupponen is trying to break free.
Berg comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Berg works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Knees to the body from Berg.

Berg's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Berg dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rupponen. That did some damage!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Berg.
Rupponen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Berg defends it nicely.
Valentin Berg has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Niko Rupponen.
Berg throws a nice inside leg kick.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Berg.
Berg lands a leg kick that knocks Rupponen off balance momentarily.
Berg dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Rupponen. That did some damage!
Berg throws a nice head kick!

Berg rushes Rupponen and presses him up against the cage.
Berg gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Berg is pressed up against the cage. Rupponen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Berg down to the mat. Berg avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Berg throws a front kick that sends Rupponen stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Berg lands with a kick to the temple. Rupponen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Berg misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rupponen avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Berg tries to work over Rupponen's front leg with a kick but Rupponen checks it.
Good leg kick by Berg there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Berg tries to clinch but Rupponen is having none of it.
Berg tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rupponen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Rupponen throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Berg's waist but Berg gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Rupponen off to one side.
Berg moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Berg scores with a push kick.
Rupponen takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Berg connects with an inside leg kick.
That kick from Berg tenderised Rupponen's leg. Rupponen is trying to keep his angry face on.
Berg is looking to slow Rupponen down with leg kicks.
Niko Rupponen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Berg.
Berg swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Berg, right into the meat.
Berg throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Berg moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Berg fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rupponen.
Berg fails with an attempt to clinch.
Berg cracks the inside of Rupponen's front leg.
Berg thumps Rupponen with a low kick.

Berg clinches.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rupponen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!

Berg manages to break the clinch.
Berg connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.

Berg has closed the distance and engaged Rupponen in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
Valentin Berg showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Berg 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 49:42
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 49:42
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 49:42

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Valentin Berg!
Valentin Berg retains his featherweight title!