PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Richard James (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pate Rakko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

James
vs
Rakko

205 cm
21
290 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

210 cm
27
285 lbs
7 - 11 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Richard James!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pate Rakko!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
James will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rakko gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and James counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

It looks like Pate Rakko has been cut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Rakko.
Rakko fails with a takedown attempt.
Richard James has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pate Rakko.
James misses with a series of wild punches.
James lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rakko fails with a takedown attempt.

A jab-cross combination lands for James and sends Rakko crashing to the mat! James follows him down to the mat - Rakko regains half guard but he's not out of trouble yet!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
James not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rakko is not content to let James control the position.

Rakko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Rakko looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
James landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rakko looking for submissions off his back.
Rakko avoiding damage under a succession of punches from James.
James missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
James not landing any meaningful shots this time.
James is keen to just control but Rakko is a slippery customer.

Rakko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Rakko looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rakko looks gassed!
James working the head and body with strikes.
Rakko manages to get to full guard.

Rakko is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
James content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
James knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Rakko on the ground.
James wanted to stand there but Rakko had control of the position.
James with a flurry of punches that miss.
James is in close to Rakko's body, working some short punches and elbows.
James passes into half guard.
Rakko wants to get back to full guard.
Rakko on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.

Rakko is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but James pulls his head out easily.
James trying to control the action but Rakko is working from the bottom.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!

Rakko actively working from the bottom here.
James not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
James is trying to control the action in half guard but Rakko is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

James stands up from half guard... He's had enough of that ground malarky for the time being.
James displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Rakko.
James tries to bum rush Rakko with a series of wild strikes but Rakko uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
James lands with a hook. Rakko tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
A punch combination from James misses.
James throws a right and a left that both miss.
Rakko tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but James swivels and escapes.
James lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rakko circles away quickly and effectively.
James throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
James connects with a jab.
Horrible takedown by Rakko or perhaps it was just good defense by James which made him look bad.
Rakko doesn't succeed with the takedown
and James counters with a nice body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by James!
James rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rakko moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
No joy there for James, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

James drops Rakko with a right and a left! James comes rushing in but Rakko regains his composure and manages to keep James in guard.

Rakko is rocked!
James arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Rakko's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:23 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Richard James!