PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ilari Rahamies (ranked 2560 p4p, 3642 weight class) and Patrick Slinger (ranked 272 p4p, 354 weight class). Slinger is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Hail Mary. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Rahamies
vs
Slinger

175 cm
25
145
4 - 2 - 0

170 cm
26
145
8 - 11 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Lethal high kicks
Powerful

FF Gear
Paddy's Enhancing Drugs (160Q)

HELLBENT

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilari Rahamies!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Patrick Slinger!
The judges for this bout are Chris Edwards, Paul Tew and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slinger looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rahamies is fending him off so far but Slinger persists. Nope, Rahamies circles away and we're back to standing.
Rahamies stuffs the takedown.
Nice takedown defense from Rahamies. No joy for Slinger on that attempt.
Ilari Rahamies has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Patrick Slinger.
Slinger takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Slinger looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rahamies is fending him off so far but Slinger persists. Nope, Rahamies circles away and we're back to standing.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Slinger is defended easily by Rahamies.
Rahamies throws a head kick that half lands.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahamies tries a head kick but it misses.
Nice defenses there by Slinger.
Rahamies with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahamies blocks a head kick by Slinger.
A counter left hand to the body from Rahamies misses its target.
Rahamies fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Slinger.
Rahamies seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
Rahamies slaps away a takedown attempt from Slinger, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Rahamies ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Slinger moves away.
Rahamies takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nice defenses there by Slinger.
Slinger feints the counter takedown.
Slinger looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Rahamies.
Slinger tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Rahamies defends well and Slinger ends up having to push Rahamies into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
It looked like Rahamies wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Slinger looks to land a body kick but Rahamies moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slinger tries to land a leg kick but Rahamies saw it coming and moves away.
Rahamies swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Slinger moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Rahamies lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Slinger circles away quickly and effectively.

Slinger shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rahamies's guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rahamies wants to stand but Slinger is controlling the position.
Slinger throws a big right hand that misses.
Rahamies keeping moving, preventing Slinger from controlling successfully.
Rahamies preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Rahamies wants to stand but Slinger is controlling the position.

Rahamies is scooting his butt against the cage and has managed to get back to his feet. Slinger presses him back against the cage, presumably looking to take the fight back to the mat.
Rahamies lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies scores with a shoulder strike.

Rahamies manages to break the clinch.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Slinger is defended easily by Rahamies.
A head kick misses from Rahamies.
Slinger on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rahamies. Rahamies obviously looking to wear him down.
Slinger goes for a double leg but Rahamies avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rahamies continues to drive forward.
Rahamies gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Slinger tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rahamies sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Slinger somewhat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A low kick lands for Rahamies.
Slinger shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Rahamies sprawls well. Rahamies wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Slinger gets slowly back to his feet.
Rahamies fires out a quick counter leg kick but Slinger just manages to avoid it.
Slinger misses with a low kick.
Rahamies feints a jab promting Slinger to slip. Rahamies then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Slinger slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.

It looks like Patrick Slinger has been cut.
Slinger's coach down at Crapollas Gym was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Slinger's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Ilari Rahamies is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Slinger fails with the takedown
and Rahamies counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Good leg kick by Rahamies.
Slinger misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
An attempted straight right counter from Rahamies misses the target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilari Rahamies dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Patrick Slinger's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rahamies throws a leg kick but Slinger moved away.
Rahamies misses the shot to the body.
Rahamies misses with a two punch combination.
Slinger shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Rahamies but Rahamies pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Rahamies works the jab nicely.
Slinger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head kick by Slinger misses
and Rahamies counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slinger changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Rahamies tries to avoid it but Slinger manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Rahamies to the ground. Rahamies escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Rahamies throwing a counter right hand but Slinger manages to avoid it.
Ilari Rahamies has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Patrick Slinger.
Rahamies feints a jab promting Slinger to slip. Rahamies then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Slinger slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Slinger misses with a body kick.
Slinger shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Slinger takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahamies displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Slinger.
Rahamies tries to bum rush Slinger with a series of wild strikes but Slinger uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Slinger misses with a leg kick
and Rahamies connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Slinger shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A jab from Rahamies finds it's way through Slinger's defenses.
Slinger goes for a double leg but Rahamies avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rahamies continues to drive forward.
Slinger is breathing heavily.
Slinger throws a sloppy head kick
and Rahamies counters with a stiff right hand.

Slinger is rocked!
Ilari Rahamies is winning the standup battle so far.
Slinger has a takedown stuffed.
Slinger is still on wobbly legs! Can Rahamies finish him?
Rahamies displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Slinger.
An attempted straight right counter from Rahamies misses the target.
Slinger seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slinger closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rahamies stuffs the takedown.
Rahamies fires out a quick counter leg kick but Slinger just manages to avoid it.

Slinger bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.

Rahamies throws Slinger to one side and escapes!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rahamies lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Rahamies scores with a jab.
Rahamies throws a sloppy head kick and Slinger moves out of range easily.
Rahamies lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A nice combination there by Rahamies.
Slinger misses with a takedown attempt - Rahamies sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jab, jab by Rahamies - just one landing.
Slinger on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Slinger avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Slinger closes this distance looking for a takedown but Rahamies circles away.
Jab, jab by Rahamies - just one landing.
Slinger shoots and misses
and Rahamies counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Rahamies swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Slinger.
Rahamies misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

Slinger drives through with a takedown into Rahamies's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rahamies wants to stand but Slinger is controlling the position.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Rahamies manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Slinger blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Rahamies gets through Slinger's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Slinger is working for takedown but Rahamies is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rahamies misses with a body punch.

Rahamies pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Rahamies lands the left hand.
Slinger goes for a double leg but Rahamies avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Rahamies continues to drive forward.
As Slinger backs away, Rahamies returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Slinger with a lazy takedown attempt
and Rahamies counters with a right hand to the body.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahamies jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Slinger lands with a nice body kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilari Rahamies dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Patrick Slinger's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Slinger with a lazy takedown attempt
and Slinger takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Rahamies misses with a leg kick

and Slinger counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Rahamies pushes Slinger off looking to stand but Slinger dives back in and keeps control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Slinger missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Slinger has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rahamies pushes Slinger off looking to stand but Slinger dives back in and keeps control.
Rahamies is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Slinger can do to turn this around?
Slinger sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rahamies defending well though.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Rahamies avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Slinger.
Rahamies wants to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Slinger shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Rahamies defends it nicely.
Slinger takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahamies dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Rahamies displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Slinger.
It looked like Rahamies was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Ilari Rahamies has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Patrick Slinger.
Slinger walks into a straight right hand from Rahamies.
Slinger shoots in for a takedown but Rahamies shows good takedown defense.
Slinger throws a leg kick
and Rahamies counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Slinger thinking.
Rahamies fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Slinger on the side of the head.
Patrick Slinger has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slinger's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Rahamies connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Slinger scrambles back to his feet.
Patrick Slinger seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Slinger misses with a takedown
and Rahamies counters with a straight right hand.
Slinger needs to keep his hands up - Rahamies had a free shot at his head there.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Slinger lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Rahamies has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Rahamies and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Rahamies went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Slinger looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Slinger shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Rahamies counters with a nice low kick that buckles Slinger's knee momentarily.

Rahamies lands a big right hand that sends Slinger crashing to the mat! Rahamies stays standing though and waves Slinger back to his feet!
Rahamies moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Rahamies chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slinger thows a leg kick but Rahamies checks it
and Rahamies counters with a huge uppercut, hook combination that drops Slinger! The ref has seen enough - he's dived in to stop the fight! Brutal strikes by Rahamies!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:06 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Ilari Rahamies!
Our winner, Ilari Rahamies, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.
The defeated Patrick Slinger had this to say: 'Congratulations to my opponent. He got the better of me, and deserves all the credit in the world for his hard work. I hope we meet again.'.