PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Red Wolf (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jaska Raatikainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Wolf might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Shawnee Sioux War Dance. Raatikainen has chosen Children of Bodom - Are you dead yet as his entrance music. Jaska Raatikainen acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Wolf
vs
Raatikainen

168 cm
36
148 lbs
26 - 18 - 1

162 cm
29
145 lbs
11 - 14 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 26 - 18 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Red Wolf!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 14 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jaska Raatikainen!
The judges for this bout are Timothy Bukovac, and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raatikainen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Wolf.
Raatikainen walks into a jab.
Wolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Wolf slips a jab from Raatikainen.
Wolf half committed to a counter leg kick.
No joy there for Wolf, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Wolf misses with a body shot.
Wolf misses with a wild body shot.
Wolf tries to score with a low kick but Raatikainen moves his leg out of the way.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raatikainen staying out of range there.
Raatikainen steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Wolf.
Wolf misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Raatikainen unleashes a big counter combination but Wolf bobs and weaves and avoids any damage.
Red Wolf seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Raatikainen feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Wolf's calf.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raatikainen checks a low kick from Wolf.
Wolf is looking to land body kicks.
Raatikainen on the wrong end of a kick to the body.
Wolf takes a shot to the body in his stride.
A lazy body kick from Wolf
and Raatikainen counters with a thumping low kick.
Raatikainen slips a jab from Wolf.
Raatikainen is trying to counter with his kicks.
Wolf throws an off balance right hand
letting Raatikainen counter with a right hand.
A combination from Wolf does no damage.
Raatikainen throws out a counter right but Wolf avoids it with no problem.
We've been told by Wolf's head coaches at Bloodsport Gym 16 Elites that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Wolf wants to land a leg kick but Raatikainen is out of range.
Wolf swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Raatikainen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raatikainen thuds a left hand into Wolf's body.
Raatikainen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wolf manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Raatikainen avoids the body shot from Wolf.
Raatikainen slips a jab and a cross from Wolf.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Wolf tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Raatikainen is able to avoid easily.
Wolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raatikainen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Raatikainen.
Raatikainen on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Raatikainen throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Wolf's head.
Raatikainen moves out of range as Wolf strikes.
Raatikainen is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Wolf with a body shot.
Wolf tries a head kick but it misses.
It seemed like Raatikainen was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wolf misses with a looping left.
Wolf misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Wolf blocks the body kick.
Raatikainen throws a right hand that misses
and Wolf counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Raatikainen uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Wolf.
Wolf misses with a wild combination.
Raatikainen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Raatikainen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Wolf.
A nice side step and Raatikainen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wolf throws a predictable looking body shot
and Raatikainen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Wolf tries a head kick but it misses.
Wolf throws a head kick that misses.
A combination from Wolf does no damage.
A countering left hand to the body from Raatikainen misses.
Wolf lands a nice shot to the body.
Wolf throws a body punch but Raatikainen moves out of range.
Sloppy strikes from Wolf. Those never looked like landing.
Raatikainen looks like he wanted to counter with a high kick but didn't throw it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Wolf ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Raatikainen moves away.
Wolf swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Raatikainen wants to counter with a clinch but Wolf pushes him away.
Raatikainen throws a body shot but no joy.
Wolf is looking for a counter combo.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Red Wolf dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Wolf looks to throw the jab but Raatikainen is out of range.
Raatikainen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wolf.
Wolf throws a right hand that Raatikainen ducks under and follows up with a left that Raatikainen also avoids with ease.
Wolf swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Raatikainen only half commits to the counter leg kick.
Wolf is looking to wear down Raatikainen with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Wolf throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A low kick from Wolf misses
and Raatikainen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wolf fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Raatikainen manages to avoid it.
Raatikainen wants to counter with a clinch but Wolf pushes him away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wolf fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Raatikainen manages to avoid it.
Raatikainen was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
A solid leg kick lands there for Raatikainen.
Wolf is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Raatikainen can do to turn this around?
Wolf fails to land with a series of punches.
Wolf misses with a wild combination.
Raatikainen tries to counter by closing the distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raatikainen misses with a series of wild punches.
Wolf throws a quick counter kick to the body but Raatikainen avoids it.
Nice jab there from Wolf.
Wolf connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Wolf lands a nice hook to Raatikainen's body. Raatikainen takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Wolf swinging wildly here.
Both these guys seem content to just stand up and trade with eachother but Raatikainen might want to think about changing up his gameplan a bit because over the course of the fight, Wolf has got the better of the exchanges.
Wolf shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Raatikainen eats them both and turns towards Wolf to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolf misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Raatikainen counters with a nice leg kick.
Wolf tries to move into range but Raatikainen moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Wolf scores with a crisp jab that stopped Raatikainen in his tracks.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Wolf throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raatikainen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A head kick misses from Wolf.
Wolf missing with a left hand there. Raatikainen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Wolf throws a leg kick

and Raatikainen moves into the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Raatikainen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raatikainen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Raatikainen swings wildly with an uppercut but Wolf uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wolf taking a breather.
Wolf tries to land a knee to the head but Raatikainen blocks with his arms.
Wolf dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Wolf is looking to break free of the clinch but Raatikainen has double underhooks.
Wolf is looking to control Raatikainen's arms but Raatikainen gets an underhook and turns him. Now Wolf has his back to the cage.
Wolf lands a nice knee to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raatikainen.
Raatikainen tries to work over Wolf's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Raatikainen blocks an uppercut.
Wolf using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Raatikainen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Still in the clinch, Wolf scores with a nice short uppercut.
Wolf landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Raatikainen tries to throw a body punch but Wolf avoids it by throwing Raatikainen back against the cage.
Raatikainen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Wolf is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Raatikainen is defending well for now.

Wolf escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wolf misses the shot to the body.
Wolf throws a leg kick that is checked
enabling Raatikainen to counter with a crisp jab.
Wolf moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
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!
Raatikainen looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Wolf lands a jab to Raatikainen's midsection.
Raatikainen blocks a head kick by Wolf.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Red Wolf dominated that second round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Wolf misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Raatikainen! But no joy.
Raatikainen slips a jab and a cross from Wolf.
Red Wolf is winning the standup battle so far.
Wolf misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Raatikainen.
Wolf's corner calls for a 1-2. Wolf obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Raatikainen in the fight. On paper you would think he is the more dominant ground fighter so let's see if these unusual tactics pay off.
Nice defenses there by Raatikainen.
Raatikainen is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Wolf waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raatikainen.

Raatikainen gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Wolf misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Raatikainen lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Wolf trying to land knees to the body.
Raatikainen slows down the pace here.
Wolf misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Raatikainen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stalling in the clinch from Raatikainen.
Raatikainen working aggressively here.
Raatikainen tries to work over Wolf's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Raatikainen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Wolf.
Raatikainen lands a hook to the side of the head.

Raatikainen escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Wolf throws a right hand that misses
and Raatikainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wolf just misses with a punch to the body.
Raatikainen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Wolf.
Raatikainen avoids the body shot from Wolf.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolf misses with a double jab.
Wolf misses with a hook
and Raatikainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Wolf looks to score with a jab to the body but Raatikainen is just out of range.
Raatikainen tries to counter by closing the distance.
Wolf takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Raatikainen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Wolf - the referee stops the clock and Raatikainen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Wolf. Raatikainen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Wolf paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wolf misses with a double jab.
Wolf looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Wolf looks to land a combination but Raatikainen avoids it well.
Wolf misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Raatikainen counters with a big head kick but Wolf shrugs it off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raatikainen cracks Wolf with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Wolf chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Raatikainen can pounce on him.
Wolf wants to land a leg kick but Raatikainen is out of range.
Raatikainen takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Wolf blocks a head kick by Raatikainen.
Raatikainen jabs at Wolf's body.

Wolf gets tackled into the cage by Raatikainen. Raatikainen maintains the clinch.
Wolf displaying some good clinch control by pressing Raatikainen up against the cage.
Raatikainen content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wolf wants to get back to striking at distance but Raatikainen won't allow it.
Wolf is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Raatikainen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Wolfs head.
Wolf trying to land knees to the body.
Jaska Raatikainen seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Raatikainen stalling against the cage.
Raatikainen tries a body shot but Wolf blocks it.
Wolf is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Raatikainen is defending well for now.

Raatikainen breaks the clinch.
Wolf scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Raatikainen doesn't seem bothered though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Raatikainen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Wolf doesn't seem bothered though.
Raatikainen thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Wolf if he has to take too many more of those.
Wolf cracks Raatikainen with a right hand to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Jaska Raatikainen just about did enough to take it.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A slow jab from Wolf misses its intended target.
Raatikainen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Wolf at a distance.
Wolf scores with a head kick.
Raatikainen dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Wolf scores with a nice strike.
Wolf gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Raatikainen counters with a straight right hand.
Raatikainen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Wolf manages to avoid it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raatikainen throws a nice outside leg kick.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Raatikainen.
Wolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raatikainen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Wolf rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Raatikainen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Wolf falls off balance throwing a combination
and Raatikainen counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Wolf keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Thud! ouch! good body kick from Wolf - that will leave a mark!
Raatikainen wants to land a leg kick but Wolf is out of range.
Raatikainen lands a body shot.
Raatikainen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Wolf checks it well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolf throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Raatikainen counters with a slapping leg kick.
Wolf misses with a double jab
and Raatikainen counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Raatikainen lands with a cross.
The fight stays on the outside here - Raatikainen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Raatikainen slips a jab and a cross from Wolf.
Raatikainen connects with an inside leg kick.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Raatikainen fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Wolf looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Wolf misses with a double jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Wolf with a jab.
Raatikainen fails to land with a series of punches.
Wolf throws a body shot but no joy.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Raatikainen! But no joy.
Wolf throws a low kick but Raatikainen moves out of range easily.
Jab by Wolf.
Wolf swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Wolf falls off balance throwing a combination
and Raatikainen counters with a nice body shot.
Nice body punch from Raatikainen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wolf throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Raatikainen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Wolf backs up against the cage.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Raatikainen.
Wolf misses with a combination
and Raatikainen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Raatikainen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Wolf is out of range.
Wolf swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Raatikainen defending well as Wolf loads up on a big left hand.
Raatikainen jabs Wolf right on the nose. Wolf blinks but takes it well.
Raatikainen avoids the body shot from Wolf.
Raatikainen fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Wolf has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jaska Raatikainen dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Raatikainen checks a leg kick nicely.
A nice side step and Raatikainen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Wolf throws a nice inside leg kick.
Raatikainen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Wolf throws out a loose jab but Raatikainen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Wolf bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Wolf swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Raatikainen scores with a nice body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raatikainen scores with a jab.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Wolf.
Wolf throws out a leg kick but Raatikainen moves out of range and Wolf only half commits.
Raatikainen tries to counter with a clinch but Wolf shakes him off and moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Wolf takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Raatikainen staying out of range there.
Wolf throws a head kick but Raatikainen moves out of range.
Wolf waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Raatikainen.
Wolf's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Raatikainen connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Wolf scrambles back to his feet.
Raatikainen tries to grapple but his opponent circles
enabling Wolf to counter with a crisp jab.
Wolf throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A nice side step and Raatikainen releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wolf misses with an uppercut. Raatikainen saw that one coming.
Raatikainen is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Wolf with a body shot.
Wolf takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Wolf tries to land a front kick but Raatikainen steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Wolf misses with a low kick.
Wolf misses with a body punch
and Raatikainen counters with a nice leg kick.
Wolf misses with a leg kick

and Raatikainen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.

Raatikainen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wolf throws a lazy right hand but Raatikainen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Raatikainen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Wolf to score with a decent uppercut.
Wolf misses with the combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Raatikainen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Wolf is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Wolf throws a front kick aimed at Raatikainen's knee but Raatikainen avoids it well.
Sloppy strikes from Raatikainen. Those never looked like landing.
Wolf ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Wolf throws a leg kick that misses.
Raatikainen feints a counter leg kick.
Wolf throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Wolf throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Raatikainen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wolf throws a wild body kick that Raatikainen sees coming a mile off.
Wolf tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Raatikainen is able to avoid easily.
As Wolf backs off Raatikainen throws a huge counter combo but Wolf manages to avoid it all.
Wolf misses with a right hand
and Raatikainen counters with an inside leg kick.
Raatikainen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Wolf.
Wolf throws an off balance right hand
enabling Raatikainen to counter with a crisp jab.
Wolf lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Raatikainen blocks a head kick by Wolf.
Raatikainen shapes to counter with a head kick.
Raatikainen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
A jab from Raatikainen misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Jaska Raatikainen.
I think Raatikainen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight for Red Wolf!
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight for Jaska Raatikainen!
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight for Red Wolf!

Red Wolf wins by split decision!
Red Wolf took his opportunity to call for a title shot in his post fight interview.