PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kaz Hayabusa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tatjaana Rakopaljaana (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hayabusa comes to the cage accompanied by Sandstorm - Darude. Rakopaljaana has chosen jare&VilleGalle ft. Heikki Kuula - Nelisilmä as his entrance music. I can't wait for this one - let's get the fighter introductions out of the way and get this one started!

Hayabusa
vs
Rakopaljaana

180 cm
29
155 lbs
9 - 5 - 0

171 cm
25
155 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 159Q Recovery $79)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kaz Hayabusa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Tatjaana Rakopaljaana!
The judges for this bout are , and .

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rakopaljaana throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Hayabusa doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rakopaljaana counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Rakopaljaana wants to pass the guard but Hayabusa is defending well.

Rakopaljaana is looking for a kimura here.
Hayabusa wants to improve his position but Rakopaljaana is controlling well.
Hayabusa is trying to maintain the position but Rakopaljaana is very close to passing his half guard.
Hayabusa is looking for a sweep. Rakopaljaana is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Hayabusa taking some punishment here, with Rakopaljaana in his half guard.
Hayabusa is trying to get back to full guard.
Rakopaljaana is trying to control. Hayabusa wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Hayabusa is trying to get back to full guard.
Rakopaljaana thows a huge punch but Hayabusa dodges it nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hayabusa's head.

Rakopaljaana decides he's had enough of the ground and stands up.

Hayabusa closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Rakopaljaana did well to prevent Hayabusa getting side control.
Rakopaljaana is concentrating on defense, preventing Hayabusa from advancing position.
Rakopaljaana works his way to full guard. Good work.
Hayabusa stands and throws Rakopaljaana's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Rakopaljaana has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hayabusa looking to control but instead Rakopaljaana has slipped a leg in, to regain half guard.
Hayabusa controlling the pace.
Rakopaljaana trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana is looking for a sweep. Hayabusa is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rakopaljaana is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Rakopaljaana is staying active underneath Hayabusa, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Hayabusa is working for a submission of some sort.
Rakopaljaana is concentrating on defense, preventing Hayabusa from advancing position.
Hayabusa trying to control from half guard but Rakopaljaana is working away.

Hayabusa is working for a kimura but Rakopaljaana is defending it quite comfortably.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Rakopaljaana reverses the position - he's now on top in Hayabusa's guard.

Hayabusa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Rakopaljaana defends well.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rakopaljaana's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Hayabusa bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rakopaljaana's guard.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hayabusa looking to sit in guard and control but Rakopaljaana gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Rakopaljaana working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa looking for a sweep. Not yet Hayabusa, not yet.
Rakopaljaana in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Rakopaljaana trying to control the position from guard on top but Hayabusa is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rakopaljaana postures up and lands a big shot to Hayabusa's brow.
Hayabusa keeping moving, preventing Rakopaljaana from controlling successfully.

Rakopaljaana thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.

Rakopaljaana is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Rakopaljaana postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Hayabusa is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Rakopaljaana, into his guard.
Rakopaljaana 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.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatjaana Rakopaljaana dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

No joy there for Hayabusa, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hayabusa takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.

It looks like Kaz Hayabusa has been cut.

Hayabusa shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Hayabusa tries to stand but Rakopaljaana is controlling from the bottom.
Hayabusa pushes down on Rakopaljaana's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Rakopaljaana trying to control here.

Hayabusa is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rakopaljaana gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayabusa being controlled here momentarily.
Hayabusa looking to sit in guard and control but Rakopaljaana gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hayabusa looking to hit a scissor sweep but Rakopaljaana is one step ahead there.

Rakopaljaana drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rakopaljaana jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rakopaljaana works a leg free and moves into half guard.
Rakopaljaana takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Rakopaljaana lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Hayabusa is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Rakopaljaana pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa wants to control but Rakopaljaana is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Tatjaana Rakopaljaana has got the better of the ground game so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hayabusa is trying to stand.

Rakopaljaana is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hayabusa has managed to free his arm - good work.
Still in half guard, Rakopaljaana seems content to control.
Rakopaljaana is keen to just control but Hayabusa is a slippery customer.

Rakopaljaana is looking for a kimura but Hayabusa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rakopaljaana to get the leverage.
Rakopaljaana seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Hayabusa tries to get to full guard but Rakopaljaana has control of the leg.
Hayabusa trying to hold on to Rakopaljaana's head to control him but Rakopaljaana postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa gets full guard.
Rakopaljaana cracks Hayabusa with a solid left hand.
Hayabusa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rakopaljaana is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rakopaljaana in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Hayabusa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rakopaljaana slips nicely into half guard.
Rakopaljaana content to control rather than advance.
Hayabusa wants to improve his position but Rakopaljaana is controlling well.
Rakopaljaana takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa tries to roll over but Rakopaljaana keeps him under control.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Rakopaljaana connects with a nice short shot to Hayabusa's temple.
Rakopaljaana working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rakopaljaana is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rakopaljaana prevents Hayabusa from improving his position.
Nice strikes from Rakopaljaana there.
Rakopaljaana drops an elbow to the side of Hayabusa's head.
Rakopaljaana moves nicely into side control.
Hayabusa is looking for a sweep.
Rakopaljaana takes a little break here. Hayabusa wants to take advantage but he is being controlled well.
Rakopaljaana cracks Hayabusa with an elbow. That is naaassty.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tatjaana Rakopaljaana showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Kaz Hayabusa'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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Hayabusa fails with the takedown
and Rakopaljaana counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Hayabusa has his takedown stuffed

and Rakopaljaana counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Rakopaljaana working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Rakopaljaana has Hayabusa pressed against the cage.
A shot in the inside from Rakopaljaana.

Hayabusa successfully pulls guard.
Rakopaljaana wants to control from the top but Hayabusa keeps moving.
Rakopaljaana showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.

Hayabusa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rakopaljaana working some strikes from top position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hayabusa avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rakopaljaana prevents Hayabusa from getting back to his feet.
Rakopaljaana sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Hayabusa's guard.
Hayabusa is trying to maintain the position but Rakopaljaana is very close to passing his half guard.

Rakopaljaana is looking for a kimura but Hayabusa is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rakopaljaana to get the leverage.
Rakopaljaana lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Hayabusa is pressing down on Rakopaljaana's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Hayabusa keeping moving, preventing Rakopaljaana from controlling successfully.

Hayabusa has his foot on Rakopaljaana's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rakopaljaana works his way back into a safe position though.
Rakopaljaana with a nice head shot there.
Rakopaljaana cracks Hayabusa with a solid left hand.
Rakopaljaana is pushing down on Hayabusa's leg trying to pass to half guard. Hayabusa is fighting to maintain full guard but Rakopaljaana has managed to sneak the leg through.
Rakopaljaana is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rakopaljaana trying to control the pace.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rakopaljaana seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hayabusa does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Rakopaljaana winds up and cracks Hayabusa with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Hayabusa is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Rakopaljaana content to control rather than advance.
Nice strikes from Rakopaljaana there.
Hayabusa is trying to control but can't.
Rakopaljaana is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.

Rakopaljaana seems to be working for a kimura but Hayabusa defends the submission attempt.
Rakopaljaana wants to take a breather but Hayabusa is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hayabusa slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hayabusa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rakopaljaana throwing strikes from guard but Hayabusa blocks nicely.
Tatjaana Rakopaljaana is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hayabusa 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.
Rakopaljaana sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Rakopaljaana pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Hayabusa is keeping the position for now.
Rakopaljaana engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Rakopaljaana scores with a nice head shot.
Rakopaljaana takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hayabusa has his takedown stuffed
and Rakopaljaana counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kaz Hayabusa. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hayabusa misses with a takedown

and Rakopaljaana counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Rakopaljaana with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tatjaana Rakopaljaana comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Rakopaljaana has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Andi Peters scores the fight 27:30
Judge Gordon Ramsey scores the fight 27:30
Judge Frank Skinner scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tatjaana Rakopaljaana!