PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Veikko Rastila (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Garfunkel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rastila kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is One Hit. Garfunkel has chosen Haifisch as his entrance music. Frank Garfunkel has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rastila
vs
Garfunkel

209 cm
31
270 lbs
22 - 6 - 1

208 cm
29
272 lbs
9 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Bullet Proof System
GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 6 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Veikko Rastila!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Frank Garfunkel!
The judges for this bout are Radbod Blank, Saam Ante and Paulsen Ambrosius.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rastila looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rastila misses with the body kick

and Garfunkel counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Garfunkel.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rastila is looking to stand up but Garfunkel isn't so interested in that idea.
Garfunkel throwing strikes from guard but Rastila blocks nicely.
Garfunkel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Garfunkel wants to pass the guard but Rastila is keeping the position.
Rastila working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Garfunkel.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Garfunkel throws a big elbow that misses.
Garfunkel wants to control from the top but Rastila keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rastila keeping full guard, as Garfunkel tries to pass.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Garfunkel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Garfunkel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Garfunkel has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rastila keeping full guard, as Garfunkel tries to pass.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Rastila ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Garfunkel moves away.
Rastila throws a big shot that misses.
We've been informed that Garfunkel has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Rastila throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Garfunkel with the counter takedown but Rastila avoids it easily.
Veikko Rastila is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Rastila throws an off balance right hand

and Garfunkel counters with a single leg into guard. Rastila didn't expect that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Garfunkel content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Garfunkel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rastila preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rastila wants to get back to his feet but Garfunkel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Garfunkel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Garfunkel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Rastila looking for a sweep. Not yet Rastila, not yet.
Garfunkel throws a big right hand that misses.
Rastila utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Garfunkel passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Rastila is trying to buck Garfunkel off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garfunkel working the ground and pound.
Garfunkel working the ground and pound but Rastila is defending the strikes.
Rastila is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Rastila makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Rastila.
Rastila looking to hit a scissor sweep but Garfunkel is one step ahead there.
Rastila preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Rastila working for a triangle but Garfunkel defends it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Garfunkel pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rastila is keeping the position for now.
Rastila 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.
Garfunkel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rastila avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Garfunkel landing with the ground and pound.
Rastila keeping full guard, as Garfunkel tries to pass.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Frank Garfunkel dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Garfunkel fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Garfunkel drives through with a takedown into Rastila's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Garfunkel has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Rastila has momentary wrist control but Garfunkel slips an elbow through the middle.
Rastila wants to get back to his feet but Garfunkel is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Garfunkel trying to control the position from guard on top but Rastila is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rastila looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rastila wants to improve his position but instead Garfunkel has moved into half guard.
Rastila has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Garfunkel is working away from the top position though.
Garfunkel is trying to control. Rastila wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Garfunkel is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Rastila doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Garfunkel.
Garfunkel seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Rastila is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Garfunkel trying to advance position but Rastila counters by regaining guard.
Frank Garfunkel has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Garfunkel looking to pass the guard.
Garfunkel slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Rastila is looking to work his way out of this bad position but Garfunkel is controlling him well.
Garfunkel laying and praying for a moment but Rastila takes advantage and regains half guard.
Garfunkel thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rastila's head.
Garfunkel tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rastila knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rastila is trying to stand back up but Garfunkel is controlling him
Garfunkel thows a huge punch but Rastila dodges it nicely.
Rastila avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Garfunkel.
Rastila blocking the ground and pound attempt from Garfunkel.
Garfunkel thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rastila's head.
Rastila wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Rastila, as that shot connected.
Garfunkel moves out of range of the body kick.
Garfunkel moves out of range of the body kick.
Rastila moves out of range of the leg kick from Garfunkel.
Rastila throwing a counter right hand but Garfunkel manages to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rastila throws out a leg kick but Garfunkel moves out of range and Rastila only half commits.
Garfunkel keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rastila.
Rastila walks into a left hand.
Rastila throws a leg kick but Garfunkel sees it coming and moves out of range.
Garfunkel feints the counter takedown.
Rastila throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Garfunkel shoots in for a takedown but Rastila shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Rastila defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Garfunkel.
Veikko Rastila has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Garfunkel.
Good exchange - Garfunkel coming out on top.
Garfunkel takes one to the chin there.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Rastila throws a front kick aimed at Garfunkel's knee but Garfunkel avoids it well.
A slapping body kick lands there for Rastila.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rastila lands with a nice body punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Frank Garfunkel will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Rastila lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rastila is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Garfunkel.
Garfunkel with the counter takedown but Rastila avoids it easily.
Rastila turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rastila throws the kick towards the body but Garfunkel avoids it.
Garfunkel shoots for a double leg takedown but Rastila sprawls well. He's pushed Garfunkel's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Rastila. Garfunkel shrugs it off though.
Rastila throws a leg kick that misses.
Rastila looks to land a right hand but Garfunkel moved out of range.
Garfunkel tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rastila tries a low kick but Garfunkel avoids it.
Rastila pivots, looking for a leg kick but Garfunkel is out of range and Rastila settles back down.
Rastila slaps away a takedown attempt from Garfunkel, before circling back to the center of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A bone on bone clash there as Rastila blocks the leg kick.
It looked like Rastila was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rastila.
Garfunkel ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.

Garfunkel is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rastila's half guard.
Garfunkel throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Rastila wants to improve his position but Garfunkel is controlling well.
Garfunkel missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Garfunkel is thwarting Rastila's attempts to control the position.
Garfunkel thows a huge punch but Rastila dodges it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Garfunkel trying to pass the guard but Rastila defending well.
Garfunkel thows a huge punch but Rastila dodges it nicely.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Garfunkel in particular looking to stall.
Rastila tries to kick Garfunkel off but Garfunkel keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Garfunkel doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Rastila counters with a nice body kick.
Veikko Rastila has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Garfunkel.
Rastila waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Garfunkel.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Garfunkel misses with a takedown
and Rastila counters with a good low kick that Garfunkel was not able to check.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Garfunkel, right into the meat.
Rastila checks the leg kick.
Good standup being displayed there by Garfunkel as he connects with a hook.
Rastila throws a jab when Garfunkel was well out of range.
Garfunkel feints the counter takedown.
A big left from Rastila misses.
Garfunkel takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Good work by Garfunkel as he checks the leg kick.
Rastila misses with a straight right.
Rastila wants to land a leg kick but Garfunkel is out of range.
Rastila throws a body punch but Garfunkel moves out of range.
And Garfunkel tries to counter it with a takedown but Rastila pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Frank Garfunkel is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rastila fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Garfunkel dives in for a single leg takedown but Rastila sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Rastila misses with a hook.
And Garfunkel tries to counter it with a takedown but Rastila pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Veikko Rastila seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rastila does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rastila on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Garfunkel. Garfunkel obviously looking to wear him down.
Garfunkel checks a leg kick.
Veikko Rastila is winning the standup battle so far.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rastila.
Rastila throws a hook to the side of Garfunkel's head but Garfunkel sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Garfunkel drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Rastila defends it well.
Veikko Rastila has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Rastila looks to land a body kick but Garfunkel moved away.
Garfunkel with the counter takedown but Rastila avoids it easily.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rastila connects with a body shot.
Rastila throws a wild body kick that Garfunkel sees coming a mile off.

And that's the end of the fight!
Veikko Rastila showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Garfunkel has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Radbod Blank scores the fight 28:29
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 28:29
Judge Paulsen Ambrosius scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Frank Garfunkel!
Frank Garfunkel seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.