PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Eliod Bunkley Iii (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Taisto Rahapussi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Bunkley Iii kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Knocksville Girl. Rahapussi is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Caged in A Rage . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Bunkley Iii
vs
Rahapussi

185 cm
24
194 lbs
9 - 10 - 0

178 cm
21
190 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good gas tank

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 9 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eliod Bunkley Iii!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Taisto Rahapussi!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rahapussi tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Bunkley Iii was well out of range. Poor timing from Rahapussi.

Bunkley Iii shoots in and bounces Rahapussi off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Bunkley Iii throwing strikes from guard but Rahapussi blocks nicely.
Bunkley Iii postures up.
Bunkley Iii connects with a couple of short punches.
Bunkley Iii throws a big elbow that misses.
Bunkley Iii throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rahapussi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rahapussi has momentary wrist control but Bunkley Iii slips an elbow through the middle.
Bunkley Iii scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bunkley Iii cracks Rahapussi with a solid left hand.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rahapussi not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bunkley Iii scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bunkley Iii works over Rahapussi with some ground and pound from guard.
Rahapussi is adopting a defensive guard.
Bunkley Iii working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Rahapussi's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bunkley Iii trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rahapussi has momentary wrist control but Bunkley Iii slips an elbow through the middle.
Bunkley Iii scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rahapussi controls Bunkley Iii momentarily but Bunkley Iii frees himself.

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

Rahapussi has his foot on Bunkley Iii's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bunkley Iii works his way back into a safe position though.
Rahapussi is trying to control the position but Bunkley Iii postures up.
Bunkley Iii scoring with some ground and pound.
Bunkley Iii chips away with some ground and pound.
Bunkley Iii keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Rahapussi's head.
Bunkley Iii landing some decent shots from 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 looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Bunkley Iii has picked Rahapussi up and slammed him! Rahapussi can't keep hold of the triangle and Bunkley Iii manages to pass to side control!
Rahapussi tries to improve position but can't.

Bunkley Iii wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Rahapussi, who protects the arm well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii scores with a couple of nice shots to the head there. The referee takes a look at Rahapussi to see if he's OK.

Bunkley Iii working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Rahapussi struggling a bit here.
Bunkley Iii working the head with strikes.

Bunkley Iii is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Rahapussi knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
You can see the frustration on Rahapussi's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Bunkley Iii lands a nice forearm strike.
Bunkley Iii working away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Bunkley Iii landing strikes.

Bunkley Iii tries for a kimura but Rahapussi is defending well.

Bunkley Iii thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Rahapussi sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Rahapussi is trying to get back to full guard.
Rahapussi manages to get to full guard.
Bunkley Iii preventing the sweep.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bunkley Iii working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bunkley Iii is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bunkley Iii scoring with some ground and pound.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Rahapussi looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bunkley Iii working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Bunkley Iii content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Bunkley Iii scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

Rahapussi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Bunkley Iii trying to control the position from guard on top but Rahapussi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Rahapussi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Bunkley Iii thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Bunkley Iii gets a double leg takedown into Rahapussi's guard.
Rahapussi is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Bunkley Iii throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Rahapussi works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Bunkley Iii is in close to Rahapussi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Bunkley Iii 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 trying to keep a closed guard but Bunkley Iii is proving a slippery customer.

Bunkley Iii is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bunkley Iii wants to control from the top but Rahapussi keeps moving.

Rahapussi working for a triangle but Bunkley Iii defends it easily.
Bunkley Iii works over Rahapussi with some ground and pound from guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii scoring with some ground and pound.
Bunkley Iii forces his way into half guard.
Bunkley Iii missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Bunkley Iii is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Rahapussi has managed to free his arm - good work.
Rahapussi wants to control but Bunkley Iii is keeping busy.

Bunkley Iii is trying to work for a kimura but Rahapussi is defending well.
Rahapussi moves into full guard.

Rahapussi looking for a guillotine here but Bunkley Iii defends easily.
Bunkley Iii controlling from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Bunkley Iii wants to control from the top but Rahapussi keeps moving.
Bunkley Iii lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's 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!
Bunkley Iii scoring with punches to the head and body.
Bunkley Iii scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Bunkley Iii advances to half guard.
Rahapussi trying to control here.

Bunkley Iii is trying to work for a kimura but Rahapussi is defending well.

Rahapussi looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bunkley Iii seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

Rahapussi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Bunkley Iii is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bunkley Iii working Rahapussi over with strikes.
Bunkley Iii lands strikes from half guard.

Rahapussi looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

Bunkley Iii is looking for a kimura here.
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. Bunkley Iii connects with a nice short shot to Rahapussi's temple.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Rahapussi actively working from the bottom here.
Rahapussi gets full guard.
Bunkley Iii content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bunkley Iii is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Bunkley Iii makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Bunkley Iii chips away with some ground and pound.
Bunkley Iii connects with a couple of short punches.
Rahapussi keeping moving, preventing Bunkley Iii from controlling successfully.
Bunkley Iii is working Rahapussi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Rahapussi controls Bunkley Iii momentarily but Bunkley Iii frees himself.
Bunkley Iii is pushing down on Rahapussi's leg trying to pass to half guard. Rahapussi is fighting to maintain full guard but Bunkley Iii has managed to sneak the leg through.
Bunkley Iii is looking to take a break and control but Rahapussi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Eliod Bunkley Iii dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Bunkley Iii shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Bunkley Iii lands with a punch from half guard.

Bunkley Iii wants to work for an arm triangle but Rahapussi is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rahapussi on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Bunkley Iii looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rahapussi is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bunkley Iii's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bunkley Iii's back!

Rahapussi is persistently looking for the submission but Bunkley Iii is defending it well.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bunkley Iii trying to control the hands but Rahapussi breaks the grip.
Bunkley Iii rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bunkley Iii looking for submissions off his back.

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

Bunkley Iii looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Bunkley Iii actively working from the bottom here.
Bunkley Iii is trying to get back to full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Bunkley Iii actively working from the bottom here.

Bunkley Iii looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Rahapussi works his foot free and advances to mount.
Bunkley Iii is trying desperately to improve position.
Bunkley Iii is squirming around, avoiding Rahapussi's attempts to control the action.
Bunkley Iii tries to lock up and control but Rahapussi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahapussi wants to control the pace but Bunkley Iii is squirming around nicely.
Bunkley Iii tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Bunkley Iii is working hard here to advance position.
Bunkley Iii is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Bunkley Iii is looking to improve his position but Rahapussi isn't that keen on the idea.
Bunkley Iii tries to hold on but Rahapussi pushes him away.
Bunkley Iii sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Bunkley Iii looking for submissions off his back.
Rahapussi tries to pass the half guard into mount. Bunkley Iii knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Taisto Rahapussi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Bunkley Iii looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Bunkley Iii gets full guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Bunkley Iii has his foot on Rahapussi's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Rahapussi works his way back into a safe position though.

Bunkley Iii looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Bunkley Iii is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Rahapussi can do to turn this around?
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Bunkley Iii looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

And that's the end of the fight!
Eliod Bunkley Iii showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Bunkley Iii has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Eliod Bunkley Iii!
Eliod Bunkley Iii was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.