PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Urho Itaniemi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jimmy Russo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Itaniemi comes to the cage accompanied by Volbeat - Still Counting. Russo is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Destroy Everything. Urho Itaniemi could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Jimmy Russo's chin.

Itaniemi
vs
Russo

190 cm
27
214 lbs
27 - 10 - 1

179 cm
27
215 lbs
18 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

ADCC Champion
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Undead clothing. All items 10$

BioPharm Nutrition
TFP Graphics - Pit Inc

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Urho Itaniemi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jimmy Russo!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Itaniemi misses with a straight right.
Itaniemi throws a right hand that Russo ducks under and follows up with a left that Russo also avoids with ease.
Russo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Itaniemi.
Itaniemi shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Russo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Itaniemi.
Itaniemi lands with an uppercut that bounces Russo off the cage and back into range.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Russo.
Russo checks a leg kick.
Itaniemi throws a nice inside leg kick.
A cross from Itaniemi lands.
Russo misses with a takedown attempt
and Itaniemi counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Itaniemi throws a low kick but Russo avoids it.
Itaniemi misses with a double jab.
Russo tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Russo throws a right and a left that Itaniemi avoids nicely.
Russo fails to land the takedown.
Urho Itaniemi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Russo.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Russo throws a leg kick that misses.
Itaniemi throws a looping overhand right but Russo ducks down to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itaniemi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Russo checks it well.
Itaniemi misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Itaniemi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

It looks like Jimmy Russo has been cut.
Itaniemi tests Russo's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Urho Itaniemi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Russo works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
A clash of legs there as Russo blocks the low kick.
Itaniemi throws a jab when Russo was well out of range.
Itaniemi lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Russo at a distance.
Itaniemi defending well as Russo loads up on a big left hand.
Itaniemi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Urho Itaniemi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Itaniemi throws a left and a right that both miss

and Russo counters with a takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Itaniemi tries to bench press Russo off him but Russo keeps the position.
Russo trying to control the action but Itaniemi is working from the bottom.
Russo throwing shots but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo is chipping away with strikes.
Russo scoring with punches and elbows.
Russo scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Itaniemi to see if he's OK.
Russo landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Russo misses with an attempted head punch from side control.
Russo tries to score with some ground and pound. Itaniemi controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Russo lands a decent elbow from side control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Itaniemi is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Russo is looking to pass Itaniemi's guard but actually Itaniemi recovers to full guard.
Itaniemi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Russo has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Itaniemi 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.
Russo in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Russo is looking to work some ground and pound but Itaniemi has wrist control.
Itaniemi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Russo wants to control from the top but Itaniemi keeps moving.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Russo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Itaniemi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Russo postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Itaniemi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Itaniemi working a defensive guard here.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Itaniemi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Russo missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Russo trying to control the position from guard on top but Itaniemi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Itaniemi throws a hook but Russo avoids it easily.
Itaniemi blocks the body kick.
Itaniemi avoids a kick to the body.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Russo misses with a wild body shot.
Itaniemi swats away the attempt to clinch by Russo.
Some wild striking there from Itaniemi.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Jimmy Russo will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Russo's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

A low kick from Itaniemi is predictable there
and Russo makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
A big right from Russo misses.
Itaniemi misses with a head kick.
Itaniemi throws a low kick, looking for Russo's leg but Russo calmly moves out of range.
A shot to the liver by Itaniemi. Beautiful body shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Itaniemi. Russo does a little dance to reset his feet.
Itaniemi throws a low kick but Russo avoids it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Russo.
Itaniemi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Itaniemi cracks Russo with an open hand slap.
Russo wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Russo moves out of range as Itaniemi strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Russo uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Itaniemi.
No joy there for Russo, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Itaniemi walks into a straight right hand from Russo.
Russo is trying hard to land a takedown here. Itaniemi sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Russo, as that shot connected.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Russo takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
A clash of legs there as Russo blocks the low kick.
Itaniemi thuds a left hand into Russo's body.
Itaniemi throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Russo counter with a right hand.
Russo fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Itaniemi looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Russo tries to close the distance and clinch but Itaniemi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Russo moves into the clinch successfully.
Itaniemi is looking to control Russo's arms but Russo gets an underhook and turns him. Now Itaniemi has his back to the cage.
Itaniemi blocks an uppercut.
Itaniemi blocking some punches.

Itaniemi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Itaniemi avoids the head kick by Russo.

Russo closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Russo struggles to land a body shot inside as Itaniemi controls his hands.
Russo has a couple of punches blocked by Itaniemi.
Russo blocks a body shot from Itaniemi.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Russo letting Itaniemi take a breather here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Russo blocks a body shot from Itaniemi.
Russo fails to pull guard.
Itaniemi working hard to break the clinch.

Russo turns his back and goes for a hip toss. It's a bit messy but it gets the job done and Russo manages to end up in side control.
Russo working away.
Russo working the strikes but Itaniemi uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Itaniemi tries to roll over but Russo keeps him under control.
Itaniemi is trying to maintain the position but Russo is very close to passing his half guard.
Russo trying to pass the guard but Itaniemi defending well.
Itaniemi is looking for a sweep. Russo is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Russo is thwarting Itaniemi's attempts to control the position.

Russo is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Itaniemi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Itaniemi is trying to maintain the position but Russo is very close to passing his half guard.
Russo tries to pass the half guard into mount. Itaniemi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Russo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Russo lands with a punch from half guard.
Russo thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Nice strikes from Russo there.
Russo not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Itaniemi is looking to control Russo's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Itaniemi avoid being mounted?
Itaniemi is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Russo is keen to just control but Itaniemi is a slippery customer.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Itaniemi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Russo.
Itaniemi tries to get to full guard but Russo has control of the leg.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Russo showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Russo's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Russo throws a hook to the side of Itaniemi's head but Itaniemi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
A clash of legs there as Itaniemi blocks the low kick.
Itaniemi throws a head kick but Russo moves out of range.
Itaniemi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Russo moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Itaniemi stuffs the takedown attempt from Russo. Russo gets slowly back to his feet.
Itaniemi lands a jab.
Itaniemi lands with a nice body punch.
Russo attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Itaniemi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Russo looks to land a left hand but Itaniemi moved out of range nicely.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Russo.
Itaniemi wants to slow Russo down by chopping away at his legs.
Russo throws a sloppy head kick and Itaniemi moves out of range easily.
Russo has a takedown stuffed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Itaniemi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Russo shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Urho Itaniemi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Russo.
Itaniemi throws a head kick that half lands.
Itaniemi misses with a double jab.
Russo attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Itaniemi lands with an overhand left.
Russo tries to score with a low kick but Itaniemi moves his leg out of the way.
Itaniemi throws a hook but Russo blocks it.
Russo throws a leg kick
and Itaniemi counters with a nice body kick.
Itaniemi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Russo.
Itaniemi thows a body shot but no joy.
Russo throws a series of punches but Itaniemi avoids them all with ease.
Russo takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Russo throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Itaniemi's waist but Itaniemi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Russo off to one side.
Itaniemi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Russo.
Itaniemi scores with a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A looping hook to the body misses from Russo. Itaniemi does a little dance to reset his feet.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Itaniemi clobbers Russo with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Russo shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Itaniemi as he jumps to the side.
Russo misses with a leg kick.
Russo looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Itaniemi cracks the inside of Russo's front leg.
Itaniemi scores with a jab to the body.
Itaniemi is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Russo throws a solid leg kick but Itaniemi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Russo.
Itaniemi is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Itaniemi slips a jab from Russo.
Itaniemi stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Urho Itaniemi is winning the standup battle so far.
Itaniemi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Russo takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Itaniemi bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Russo tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Itaniemi was well out of range. Poor timing from Russo.
Urho Itaniemi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Itaniemi lands a jab.
Good exchange - Russo coming out on top.
Itaniemi misses with a jab, cross combination.
A swing and a miss from Itaniemi.
Russo misses with a head kick.
Itaniemi throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Russo sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Russo checks the leg kick nicely there.
Russo throws a solid leg kick but Itaniemi takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Russo.
The fighters circle momentarily. Itaniemi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Russo uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Itaniemi.
Russo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Russo tries to land a body kick
and Itaniemi counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Itaniemi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Russo misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Itaniemi.
Itaniemi scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Russo keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Russo takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Itaniemi connects with a leg kick. Russo looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Itaniemi throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
Itaniemi with a nice cross.
Itaniemi drops a shoulder and throws an uppercut that cracks Russo right on the button. Russo goes down! Itaniemi follows him to the mat and finishes the job with more strikes! Itaniemi gets the win via TKO!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:29 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Urho Itaniemi!
In his post fight interview, Urho Itaniemi started talking himself up. Luckily his charisma kept the crowd on side and gave him a good reception.