PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rauta Naama (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Risto Pasila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Naama might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Bulls On Parade. Risto Pasila told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Naama
vs
Pasila

175 cm
20
170 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

184 cm
23
174 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Key Clothing LLC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rauta Naama!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Risto Pasila!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pasila misses with a body shot.
Pasila throws a predictable looking body shot
and Naama counters with a left to the body.
Pasila throws a right and a left that both miss.
Pasila misses the shot to the body.
Pasila misses with a double jab

and Naama counters with a takedown into side control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Pasila tries to strike but it doesn't land.
Pasila is looking to reverse the position.

Naama is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Pasila knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Naama is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Pasila has escaped the position, nice work there.
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!
Naama working the strikes but Pasila uses the opportunity to regain half guard.
Pasila really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Naama. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.

Naama is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Pasila sees it coming and defends easily.
Naama keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pasila controlling the position well.
Naama is trying to control the action in half guard but Pasila is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Pasila trying to hold on to Naama's head to control him but Naama postures up.
Naama is trying to control the action in half guard but Pasila is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Pasila slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Naama is pushing down on Pasila's leg trying to pass to half guard. Pasila is fighting to maintain full guard but Naama has managed to sneak the leg through.

Naama is trying to work for a kimura but Pasila is defending well.
Pasila is looking for a sweep. Naama is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Naama tries to pass to full mount but Pasila defends it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pasila is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Naama's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Naama's back!
Pasila is hanging on to Naama's back as he tries to escape.
Naama tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
Naama is in all sorts of trouble here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Naama is working hard here to advance position.
Pasila postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Naama looks a forlorn figure.
Pasila connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Pasila prevents Naama from getting the reversal.
Naama bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
Naama passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Naama advances to full mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pasila gets back to half guard.
Naama is pressing down on Pasila's thigh, looking to free his foot. Pasila is holding on for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Naama is working for a kimura but Pasila is defending it quite comfortably.

Naama is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Pasila defends it well.
Pasila moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Pasila has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Naama can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

Pasila working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Naama doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Naama manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naama pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Pasila is keeping the position for now.

Naama drops back looking for a leg! Pasila is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pasila manages to kick Naama off! Naama jumps back into Pasila's guard.
Pasila pulls Naama in close to prevent any damage.
Naama wants to control from the top but Pasila keeps moving.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Naama stands and throws Pasila's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Pasila tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rauta Naama dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pasila looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Pasila slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Pasila throwing strikes but missing.

Naama looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Pasila has picked Naama up and slammed him! Naama can't keep hold of the triangle and Pasila manages to pass to side control!
Pasila lands a few punches from side control.
Naama regains half guard.
Pasila drops an elbow to the side of Naama's head.
Naama moves into full guard.
Pasila throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Naama keeping moving, preventing Pasila from controlling successfully.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pasila in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naama looking to control.

Naama looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Pasila chips away with some ground and pound.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Pasila's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Naama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Naama 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.

Naama is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Naama has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pasila can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pasila accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pasila content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pasila postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Pasila got a little sloppy there for a moment and Naama has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Pasila has managed to get both his arms back between Naama's legs - danger averted.
Pasila stopping the sweep attempt from Naama.
Pasila wants to control from the top but Naama keeps moving.
Pasila working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Naama's head.

Naama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pasila postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Pasila lands a couple of digs.

Naama throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Pasila trying to control the position from guard on top but Naama is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Naama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pasila defends well.
Pasila must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Naama looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Naama wants to sweep but no luck.
Pasila with a nice head shot there.
Naama avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Rauta Naama overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Naama tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pasila trying to control but Naama is working from the bottom.

Naama is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pasila defends well.
Naama bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Pasila's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pasila looking to control.
Naama works a leg free and moves into half guard.

Pasila looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pasila is trying to maintain the position but Naama is very close to passing his half guard.

Pasila makes his way to full guard, as Naama worked for a kimura.
Naama postures up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Naama is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Pasila is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Pasila has escaped and now he's on top!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Rauta Naama will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Pasila misses with a two punch combination.
Pasila misses with a wild body shot.
Naama dodges the punch combination from Pasila.
Naama digs a good body shot into Pasila's ribs.
A telegraphed right hand from Naama misses the target.

Pasila bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Naama is looking to regain half guard here but Pasila keeps moving and retains side control.
Naama gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Pasila trying to mount his opponent but Naama defends it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pasila not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Naama regains full guard. Nicely done.
Naama is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Naama trying to mount his opponent but Pasila defends it.
Naama trying to control the action but Pasila is working from the bottom.

Pasila actively working from the bottom here.
Naama is pressing down on Pasila's thigh, looking to free his foot. Pasila is holding on for now.
Naama is figuring out what he wants to do next.
Pasila moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naama won't allow Pasila to sweep him here.
Pasila is trying to keep Naama in close.

Pasila is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Naama defends well.
Pasila takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

Naama drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Naama jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Pasila has an active guard here but Naama has managed to pass into half guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Pasila is defending against the submission attempts here by Naama.

Naama is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Pasila has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Naama is looking for a kimura here.
Pasila is pressing down on Naama's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Naama trying to control but Pasila is working from the bottom.

Naama drops back looking for a leg! Pasila is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Pasila manages to kick Naama off! Naama jumps back into Pasila's guard.

Naama is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Pasila is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Pasila has escaped and now he's on top!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pasila distracts Naama with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.

Naama looking for a guillotine here but Pasila defends easily.
Risto Pasila has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pasila trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Pasila trying to control but Naama is working from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Naama preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rauta Naama is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Pasila throwing strikes from guard but Naama blocks nicely.
Pasila loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Rauta Naama.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Naama, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:29

The fight is ruled a draw!