PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Gerry Van Berry (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taisto Rahapussi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rahapussi has chosen Caged in A Rage as his entrance music. Taisto Rahapussi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Van Berry
vs
Rahapussi

173 cm
26
190 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

178 cm
19
190 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Intelligent

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 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Gerry Van Berry!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taisto Rahapussi!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Van Berry dives in and scores a takedown into Rahapussi's guard.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Rahapussi is looking for a triangle but Van Berry pushes his legs off easily.

Rahapussi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Van Berry can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Van Berry postures up and lands a big shot to Rahapussi's brow.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Rahapussi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Van Berry with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Van Berry looking to pass the guard.
Van Berry trying to control but Rahapussi is working from the bottom.
Van Berry scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rahapussi can't keep his opponent in guard - Van Berry advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rahapussi moves into full guard.
Van Berry tries to free his leg and advance position but Rahapussi is retaining full guard.
Rahapussi looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Van Berry stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Rahapussi swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Van Berry scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Van Berry wants to control from the top but Rahapussi keeps moving.
Van Berry throwing strikes but missing.
Van Berry scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rahapussi trying to control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Van Berry accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

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

Rahapussi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Van Berry postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Van Berry with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Van Berry lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Van Berry advances to half guard.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Rahapussi avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Van Berry.
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. Van Berry connects with a nice short shot to Rahapussi's temple.
Rahapussi is staying active underneath Van Berry, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Van Berry throwing shots but Rahapussi is blocking nicely.
Rahapussi is looking to improve his position.
Van Berry scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Van Berry lands a nice short elbow.
Van Berry is pressing down on Rahapussi's thigh, looking to free his foot. Rahapussi is holding on for now.
Nice strikes from Van Berry there.
The fighters are battling for position here. Rahapussi manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Rahapussi keeping full guard, as Van Berry tries to pass.
Rahapussi looking to control but Van Berry passes into half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Van Berry wants to free his trapped foot but Rahapussi is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Van Berry prevents Rahapussi from improving his position.
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. Van Berry connects with a nice short shot to Rahapussi's temple.
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. Van Berry connects with a nice short shot to Rahapussi's temple.
Rahapussi is trying to stand.

Van Berry seems to be trying to get a kimura but instead Rahapussi has recovered full guard.

Rahapussi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Van Berry doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Van Berry manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Van Berry preventing the sweep.
Van Berry engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Van Berry cracks Rahapussi with a solid left hand.
Van Berry tries to free his leg and advance position but Rahapussi is retaining full guard.
Van Berry throws a big elbow that misses.
Van Berry trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Van Berry working some strikes from top position.

Rahapussi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Van Berry is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rahapussi 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.
Van Berry lands a couple of digs.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Van Berry stops Rahapussi from standing up.
Van Berry wants to control from the top but Rahapussi keeps moving.
Rahapussi keeping full guard, as Van Berry tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gerry Van Berry dominated that round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Rahapussi looking to land some kicks to the body here.

Rahapussi gets caught napping as Van Berry dives in and scores a takedown. Rahapussi manages to retain guard.
Van Berry working some strikes from top position.
Van Berry is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Van Berry is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Van Berry keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rahapussi's head.
Van Berry is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.

Rahapussi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Van Berry defends well.

Rahapussi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Van Berry defends well.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Van Berry stands and throws Rahapussi's legs to the side, diving into side control.
You can see the frustration on Rahapussi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Gerry Van Berry overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahapussi is trying to get back to half guard.

Van Berry has an Americana. Rahapussi didn't react quickly enough there and he's in big trouble now! He tries to squirm out but is forced to tap! Van Berry is delighted and gyrates in front of the ring girls. They seem to like the attention - it'll be interesting to see if Van Berry hooks up with any of them at the after show party.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:30 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Gerry Van Berry!
Gerry Van Berry managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Punishment Nutrition - All 159Q products now $75, into his post fight interview.