PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Arvi Rausku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Barry Hamasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rausku's entrance music is The Prodigy - Girls (sexy girls mix). A fine choice. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rausku
vs
Hamasaki

182 cm
26
190 lbs
5 - 9 - 0

180 cm
25
195 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 5 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Arvi Rausku!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Barry Hamasaki!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rausku fails with a takedown attempt.
Hamasaki throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Hamasaki clobbers Rausku with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rausku gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Hamasaki counters with a lovely straight right hand!
No joy there for Hamasaki, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hamasaki lands a jab to Rausku's midsection.
Rausku misses with a takedown attempt - Hamasaki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Arvi Rausku. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Hamasaki misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Rausku drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hamasaki fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rausku with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hamasaki to score with a decent uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamasaki lands a nice hook to Rausku's body. Rausku takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

Hamasaki has Rausku up against the cage in a clinch.
Hamasaki landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hamasaki pushes Rausku back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nice body punch from Hamasaki - that landed with a thud.
Hamasaki lands a nice knee to the body.
Hamasaki misses with a knee to the head.
A short right from Hamasaki.
A nice left hand lands by Hamasaki.
Rausku tries to pull guard but Hamasaki won't allow it.
Rausku fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Hamasaki lands a right hand that snaps the head of Rausku backwards.
Hamasaki lands a nice elbow.

It looks like Arvi Rausku has been cut.
Rausku tries to pull guard but Hamasaki holds him up against the cage and eventually Rausku drops back down to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hamasaki lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Hamasaki lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Hamasaki.
Hamasaki lands a nice elbow.
Rausku blocks an elbow strike from Hamasaki.
Hamasaki is working Rausku over against the cage.
Rausku is breathing heavily.
Hamasaki lands a shot to the body.
Hamasaki lands with a left to the head.
Rausku fails to pull guard.
Hamasaki lands a right hand.
Hamasaki comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Hamasaki is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Rausku is defending well for now.
A body shot lands from Hamasaki.

Hamasaki escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hamasaki pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rausku back to the cage. Hamasaki follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamasaki lands a nice shot that snaps Rausku's head back.
Nice uppercut there from Hamasaki.
Rausku blocks a jab.
Rausku tries to move into range but Hamasaki moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Hamasaki moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
A right-left combo lands from Hamasaki.
Hamasaki punishes Rausku's body with a nice straight punch.
Hamasaki jabs Rausku right on the nose. Rausku blinks but takes it well.
Rausku has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Hamasaki finds it's way round the side to connect with Rausku's head.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hamasaki scores with a jab to the jaw.
Hamasaki swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Rausku counters with a shoot takedown. Hamasaki fights it but they end up in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hamasaki controls Rausku momentarily but Rausku frees himself.
Hamasaki 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.
Hamasaki keeping moving, preventing Rausku from controlling successfully.
Hamasaki is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Barry Hamasaki dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Arvi Rausku's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Rausku scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Rausku wants to pass to mount but Hamasaki is defending the position.

Rausku is trying to work for a kimura but Hamasaki is defending well.
Hamasaki keeping control of the position.

Rausku is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Hamasaki doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Rausku.
Hamasaki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rausku.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamasaki is controlling Rausku's position as best he can from this difficult position.

Rausku is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Hamasaki sees it coming and defends easily.
Hamasaki has hold of Rausku's hands but Rausku slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Hamasaki really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rausku. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Hamasaki wants to improve his position but Rausku is controlling well.
Rausku thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Hamasaki's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Hamasaki trying to control here.
Hamasaki is staying active underneath Rausku, who seems content to just control the action from this position.

Rausku is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hamasaki avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Rausku.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rausku trying to control from Hamasaki's half guard. Hamasaki has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Hamasaki wants to sweep but no luck.
Hamasaki avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rausku advances to half guard.
Hamasaki is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Rausku scores with a couple of nice shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rausku seems to be working for a kimura but Hamasaki defends the submission attempt.
Rausku is looking to take a break and control but Hamasaki is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Rausku has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

Rausku is trying to work for a kimura but Hamasaki is defending well.
Rausku prevents Hamasaki from improving his position.
Rausku is trying to control. Hamasaki wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
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.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Hamasaki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rausku.
Hamasaki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

Rausku is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Rausku drops an elbow to the side of Hamasaki's head.

Rausku is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Hamasaki has managed to free his arm - good work.
Hamasaki is looking to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Rausku is working for a kimura but Hamasaki is defending it quite comfortably.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Arvi Rausku dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Arvi Rausku's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Rausku avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Hamasaki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Rausku blocks the body kick.
Rausku throws a shot to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rausku shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.

Rausku is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Hamasaki's half guard.
Rausku throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hamasaki is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Hamasaki is not content to let Rausku control the position.
Rausku not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Rausku is actively looking for submissions here but good counter grappling here from Hamasaki as he works his way to full guard.
Rausku trying to control but Hamasaki is working from the bottom.

Rausku drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Hamasaki manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Rausku has Hamasaki in his guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.

Rausku is looking for a triangle but Hamasaki pushes his legs off easily.
Rausku keeping moving, preventing Hamasaki from controlling successfully.

Rausku uses the cage to get back to his feet.
A telegraphed right hand from Hamasaki misses the target.
Hamasaki lands a body shot.
Barry Hamasaki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rausku moves away from the strike by Hamasaki.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hamasaki is looking to clinch but Rausku is avoiding it.
Hamasaki tries to clinch up but Rausku circles away and keeps his distance.
Hamasaki misses with a left hand
and Rausku counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Hamasaki throws an off balance right hand

and Rausku counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.

Rausku is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Hamasaki has hold of Rausku's hands but Rausku slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Rausku wants to control but Hamasaki is keeping him busy.
Hamasaki blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rausku.
Rausku thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Rausku is looking for a kimura here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rausku is looking for a kimura but Hamasaki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rausku to get the leverage.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Rausku thows a huge punch but Hamasaki dodges it nicely.
Hamasaki is trying to get back to full guard.

Rausku is looking for a kimura but Hamasaki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Rausku to get the leverage.
Rausku is trying to control the action in half guard but Hamasaki is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Rausku sitting and controlling from the half guard.
Hamasaki controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Arvi Rausku showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Rausku 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Arvi Rausku!