PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joan Rasmussen (ranked 8416 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ezikiel Alabaster (ranked 5872 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Rasmussen
vs
Alabaster

153 cm
24
162 lbs
1 - 1 - 0

172 cm
22
160 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joan Rasmussen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ezikiel Alabaster!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Alabaster closes the distance and pushes Rasmussen back into the cage.
Alabaster is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Rasmussen is defending well.

Rasmussen manages to break the clinch.

Alabaster closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Rasmussen quickly recovers to half guard.

Rasmussen has one foot on Alabaster's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Alabaster shoots for a double leg takedown but Rasmussen sprawls well. He's pushed Alabaster's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Alabaster with a lazy takedown attempt

and Rasmussen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Rasmussen.
Joan Rasmussen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ezikiel Alabaster.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Rasmussen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Rasmussen chips away with some ground and pound.
Rasmussen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rasmussen throws a strike but Alabaster rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Alabaster looking to sit in guard and control but Rasmussen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Rasmussen drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Rasmussen jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Rasmussen lands a couple of digs.
Rasmussen stopping the sweep attempt from Alabaster.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasmussen landing with the ground and pound.
Alabaster is trying to keep Rasmussen in close.
Alabaster throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.
Alabaster is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Alabaster really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Rasmussen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Rasmussen landing with the ground and pound.
Rasmussen postures up and lands a big shot to Alabaster's brow.
Alabaster wants to stand up but Rasmussen is controlling him.
Rasmussen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rasmussen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Alabaster's head.
Rasmussen could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Rasmussen stopping the sweep attempt from Alabaster.
Rasmussen distracts Alabaster with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rasmussen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Alabaster looks winded!
Rasmussen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alabaster 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Rasmussen cracks Alabaster with a solid left hand.

Rasmussen stands and steps away. Alabaster gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Rasmussen shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Alabaster defends it nicely.

Alabaster gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rasmussen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen stands up over Alabaster, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rasmussen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Rasmussen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Alabaster tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Rasmussen working some strikes from top position.
Rasmussen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rasmussen landing some decent shots from guard.
Rasmussen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rasmussen really is built like a bowling ball. I wonder if he'd roll if you pushed him down a hill...
Rasmussen scoring with some ground and pound.
Rasmussen lands a couple of elbows.
Rasmussen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rasmussen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Rasmussen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Rasmussen is working Alabaster over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen is working Alabaster over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Rasmussen chips away with some ground and pound.
Alabaster is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Rasmussen is in close to Alabaster's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rasmussen landing some decent shots from guard.
Rasmussen landing some decent shots from guard.
Rasmussen 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.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Alabaster has momentary wrist control but Rasmussen slips an elbow through the middle.
Alabaster looking to control.
Rasmussen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rasmussen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Rasmussen with a nice head shot there.
Rasmussen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rasmussen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rasmussen scoring with punches to the head and body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nice takedown defense from Alabaster. No joy for Rasmussen on that attempt.
Alabaster looks for a takedown but Rasmussen sprawls well.
Rasmussen tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Alabaster manages to circle out of the way.
Rasmussen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Alabaster can do to turn this around?
Horrible takedown attempt by Alabaster or perhaps it was just good defense by Rasmussen, which made it look bad.
It looked like Rasmussen wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Alabaster closes the distance and pushes Rasmussen back into the cage.
Alabaster wants a takedown but no success here.
Joan Rasmussen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ezikiel Alabaster.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Rasmussen breaks the clinch.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Alabaster.

Rasmussen throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Alabaster tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Rasmussen is in Alabaster's guard.
Rasmussen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Alabaster controls Rasmussen momentarily but Rasmussen frees himself.
Alabaster is breathing heavily.
Rasmussen is working Alabaster over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Alabaster wants to sweep here but Rasmussen controlling him for the moment.
Rasmussen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rasmussen preventing the sweep.
Rasmussen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rasmussen landing some decent shots from guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rasmussen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rasmussen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rasmussen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Rasmussen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Joan Rasmussen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Rasmussen landing with the ground and pound.
Rasmussen working some strikes from top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Alabaster working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rasmussen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rasmussen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Rasmussen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rasmussen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Alabaster has momentary wrist control but Rasmussen slips an elbow through the middle.
Rasmussen working some strikes from top position.
Rasmussen chips away with some ground and pound.
Rasmussen scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Alabaster looking for a sweep. Not yet Alabaster, not yet.
Rasmussen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Alabaster's head.
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!
Rasmussen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Rasmussen landing with the ground and pound.
Rasmussen connects with a couple of short punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rasmussen scoring with some ground and pound.
Rasmussen is in close to Alabaster's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rasmussen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rasmussen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Rasmussen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Rasmussen with a nice head shot there.
Rasmussen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rasmussen working some strikes from top position.
Rasmussen stands up over Alabaster, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Rasmussen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rasmussen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Rasmussen is in close to Alabaster's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Rasmussen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Rasmussen landing some decent shots from guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Rasmussen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Rasmussen landing with the ground and pound.
Rasmussen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Rasmussen working some strikes from top position.
Rasmussen works over Alabaster with some ground and pound from guard.
Rasmussen cracks Alabaster with a solid left hand.
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!
Alabaster trying to keep a closed guard but Rasmussen is proving a slippery customer.
Rasmussen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Alabaster not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Rasmussen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Rasmussen distracts Alabaster with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Rasmussen stands up over Alabaster, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Joan Rasmussen dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Rasmussen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Alabaster is not content to let Rasmussen control the position.
Rasmussen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Alabaster is looking to improve his position.
Rasmussen winds up and cracks Alabaster with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

Alabaster actively working from the bottom here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Alabaster has hold of Rasmussen's hands but Rasmussen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Alabaster taking some punishment here, with Rasmussen in his half guard.
Rasmussen working Alabaster over with strikes.
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. Rasmussen connects with a nice short shot to Alabaster's temple.

Alabaster is rocked!
Alabaster takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Alabaster taking some punishment here, with Rasmussen in his half guard.
Alabaster is still in real trouble! Can Rasmussen finish him?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rasmussen drops an elbow to the side of Alabaster's head.
Rasmussen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
Rasmussen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Alabaster with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nice strikes from Rasmussen there.
Alabaster is looking to improve his position.
Rasmussen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Rasmussen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rasmussen lands strikes from half guard.
Rasmussen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rasmussen lands with a punch from half guard.
Rasmussen looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.
Rasmussen lands with a punch from half guard.
Rasmussen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rasmussen landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Rasmussen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Rasmussen is thwarting Alabaster's attempts to control the position.
Rasmussen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Alabaster with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Rasmussen lands with a punch from half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen working the head and body with strikes.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rasmussen drops an elbow to the side of Alabaster's head.
Rasmussen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.

Alabaster is defending against the submission attempts here by Rasmussen.
Rasmussen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Rasmussen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

Rasmussen is trying to work for a kimura but Alabaster is defending well.
Alabaster is positioning himself well to prevent Rasmussen advancing to mount.

Alabaster looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Alabaster seems to have recovered his senses.
Alabaster on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Rasmussen seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Alabaster is looking for a sweep. Rasmussen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rasmussen is nestled in close to Alabaster, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Ground and pound from Rasmussen.
Rasmussen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rasmussen lands strikes from half guard.
Rasmussen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.
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. Rasmussen connects with a nice short shot to Alabaster's temple.
Alabaster looks like he's trying to stand up.
Rasmussen is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Rasmussen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Ground and pound from Rasmussen.

Alabaster looking for submissions from an awkward position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasmussen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Alabaster tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Rasmussen winds up and cracks Alabaster with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Rasmussen slips a nice elbow through Alabaster's hands, connecting with Alabaster's forehead.
Rasmussen takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Alabaster taking some punishment here, with Rasmussen in his half guard.
Rasmussen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Alabaster taking some punishment here, with Rasmussen in his half guard.
Alabaster has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Rasmussen is working away from the top position though.
Rasmussen prevents Alabaster from standing back up.
Rasmussen winds up and cracks Alabaster with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rasmussen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Ezikiel Alabaster has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Joan Rasmussen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rasmussen perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Joan Rasmussen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rasmussen, 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:26
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Joan Rasmussen!