PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jarkko Rautavaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valdemar Friman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rautavaara comes into the arena with The Stranglers - No More Heroes blaring out of the sound system. Friman has chosen Metallica - Damage Inc. as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Rautavaara
vs
Friman

169 cm
33
170 lbs
17 - 22 - 0

168 cm
34
160 lbs
20 - 17 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 22 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jarkko Rautavaara!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valdemar Friman!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circle momentarily. Rautavaara darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nice cross by Rautavaara.
Friman avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rautavaara thows a body shot but no joy.
Rautavaara is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Friman.

Rautavaara has Friman up against the cage in a clinch.
Friman missing with knees to the body.
Friman landing knees to the head.

It looks like Jarkko Rautavaara has been cut.
Friman using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Rautavaara has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Rautavaara tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Rautavaara struggles to land a body shot inside as Friman controls his hands.
Friman wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rautavaara misses with some punches.
Friman blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rautavaara misses with a shot to the kidneys.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Friman blocks an uppercut.
Rautavaara misses with some punches.
Friman looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Friman is trying to drag Rautavaara to the mat but Rautavaara just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rautavaara pushes off an throws an elbow but Friman leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Friman looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Friman lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Friman throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Rautavaara blocks it with crossed arms.
Rautavaara is trying to pull guard but Friman has him pressed against the cage.
Rautavaara tries to land knees in the clinch but Friman avoids the damage to the body.
Knees to the body from Friman.
Friman content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Rautavaara lands a shoulder strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A hook to the body from Friman.
Rautavaara trying to land knees to the body.
Rautavaara tries to land a knee to the head but Friman blocks with his arms.
Friman lands an elbow just above Rautavaara 's eye.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Friman turns his hips and lands a very nice judo throw into side control!
Rautavaara regains half guard, as Friman was trying to land strikes.
Friman thows a huge punch but Rautavaara dodges it nicely.
Rautavaara flails away from the bottom but he's not doing any damage.
Friman has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rautavaara won't allow Friman to pass to mount.

Friman is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Friman wants to pass to mount but Rautavaara is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Friman trying to work for an americana but Rautavaara has managed to regain full guard.
Rautavaara throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Rautavaara working a defensive guard here.
Rautavaara pulls Friman in close to his closed guard and prevents Friman from doing any damage or advancing position.
Rautavaara keeping full guard, as Friman tries to pass.
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.
Friman is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Friman postures up in Rautavaara's guard and throws a big left but Rautavaara blocks it.
Friman working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rautavaara's head.
Rautavaara striking off his back but it's not causing Friman any problems.
Rautavaara trying to control the position.
Friman looking to pass the guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rautavaara seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Valdemar Friman dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jarkko Rautavaara's cut.
That's time! Rautavaara's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Friman tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Friman drops his hands momentarily and Rautavaara takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Friman avoids the body shot from Rautavaara.
Rautavaara misses with a leg kick
and Friman counters with a three punch combo that has Rautavaara backing up. Rautavaara nods at Friman to acknowledge the strikes.

Rautavaara is rocked!
Friman throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Oh Rautavaara is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Friman throws a powerful right kick. Rautavaara tried to block low but the kick was high! Rautavaara was taken right off of his feet! Friman jumps in to finish the job and the ref tackles him! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:25 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Head Kick). Valdemar Friman!