PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Rafael Carneiro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taisto Rahapussi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rahapussi is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Caged in A Rage . Taisto Rahapussi has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Carneiro
vs
Rahapussi

186 cm
27
192 lbs
3 - 6 - 0

178 cm
19
190 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Brute

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 3 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rafael Carneiro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taisto Rahapussi!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rahapussi throws a head kick that misses.
Rahapussi swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rahapussi keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Rahapussi throws a head kick that Carneiro semi-blocks.

Carneiro looking to score a takedown here. Rahapussi is defending well but Carneiro drives through and ends up in Rahapussi's guard.
Carneiro works over Rahapussi with some ground and pound from guard.
Carneiro 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.

Rahapussi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Carneiro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Rahapussi looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Carneiro passes into side control.
Carneiro working the ground and pound but Rahapussi is defending the strikes.
Carneiro throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Rahapussi tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Rahapussi is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahapussi is trying to control Carneiro's posture but Carneiro avoids it.
Rahapussi is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Carneiro's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.

Rahapussi looking for submissions off his back.
Rahapussi misses with some strikes from the bottom.
Rahapussi wants to get back to full guard.
Carneiro trying to control the action but Rahapussi is working from the bottom.
Rahapussi is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

Rahapussi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Carneiro pulls his head out easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi wants to improve his position but Carneiro is controlling well.
Carneiro looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Rahapussi has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Carneiro is working away from the top position though.
Rahapussi preventing any damage for now, controlling his opponent's head.
Carneiro tries to pass to full mount but Rahapussi defends it.
Carneiro takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.

Rahapussi is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Carneiro pulls his head out easily.
Carneiro prevents Rahapussi from improving his position.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Carneiro lands strikes from half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi is trying to maintain the position but Carneiro is very close to passing his half guard.
Carneiro is keen to just control but Rahapussi is a slippery customer.
Carneiro seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

Rahapussi looking for submissions off his back.
Rahapussi is looking to improve his position.

Rahapussi looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rahapussi is holding on to half guard well.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi gets back to full guard.
Rahapussi keeping moving, preventing Carneiro from controlling successfully.
Rahapussi looking to control.
Rahapussi looking to hit a scissor sweep but Carneiro is one step ahead there.
Carneiro won't allow Rahapussi to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Carneiro trying to control the position from guard on top but Rahapussi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rahapussi looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Rahapussi keeping moving, preventing Carneiro from controlling successfully.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Taisto Rahapussi dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Carneiro takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rahapussi stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Rahapussi wants it to stay on the feet.
Rafael Carneiro is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rahapussi fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rahapussi lands a body shot.
Rahapussi lands a leg kick that knocks Carneiro off balance momentarily.
Carneiro avoids the head kick by Rahapussi.
Carneiro has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rahapussi.
A head kick misses from Rahapussi.
Rahapussi throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Rahapussi feints and then cracks Carneiro's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Carneiro down.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Carneiro takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rahapussi.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Rahapussi lands with a slapping head kick.
Taisto Rahapussi seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Rahapussi scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Carneiro takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Carneiro moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rahapussi thuds a left hand into Carneiro's body.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Rahapussi, right into the meat.

Rahapussi clinches up against the cage.

Rahapussi breaks from the clinch.
Rahapussi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rahapussi scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rahapussi lands with a kick to the temple. Carneiro shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Carneiro takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rahapussi fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Carneiro looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Rahapussi scores with a head kick.

Carneiro is rocked!
Rahapussi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Carneiro rather than just go for the knockout.
Rahapussi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Oh Carneiro is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Taisto Rahapussi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rahapussi drops Carneiro with a straight right hand, right on the button! Rahapussi follows him down to the mat and pounds him out with hammerfists until the referee jumps in to end the fight!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Taisto Rahapussi!
A relieved looking Taisto Rahapussi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.