PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Shigeru Otori (ranked 1908 p4p, 1530 weight class) and Ilari Rahamies (ranked 208 p4p, 173 weight class). 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.

Otori
vs
Rahamies

178 cm
25
145
10 - 9 - 1

175 cm
26
145
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Conviction

Bondi MMA 🏝️
FF Gear

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 10 - 9 - 1, fighting out of London, Shigeru Otori!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilari Rahamies!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Nard Betker and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rahamies waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Otori.
Otori fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Rahamies.
Otori moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Otori loads up on a big right hand but Rahamies slips the punch.
Rahamies has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Rahamies tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Otori is able to avoid easily.
Rahamies throws a looping overhand right but Otori ducks down to avoid it.
A slow jab from Otori misses its intended target.
Rahamies throws a hook but Otori blocks it.
Otori with the inside leg kick.
Shigeru Otori seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Otori attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Otori takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Otori scores with a punch to the head.
Rahamies throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Decent striking displayed by Otori there.
Rahamies keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Otori looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Otori thumps Rahamies with a low kick.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rahamies throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Otori swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
An inside leg kick lands from Otori.
Rahamies is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
A big right from Otori misses.
Otori throws a looping overhand right but Rahamies ducks down to avoid it.
Rahamies takes one to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A telegraphed right hand from Rahamies misses the target.
Otori tests Rahamies's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Otori misses with a hook
and Rahamies counters with a leg kick.
Rahamies checks a low kick from Otori.
Otori misses with a leg kick.
Otori throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Rahamies sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rahamies throws a chopping leg kick but Otori manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Rahamies throws a looping overhand right but Otori ducks down to avoid it.
Otori appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nice cross by Rahamies.
Otori moves out of range of the strikes.
Otori misses with a body punch
letting Rahamies counter with a right hand.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Otori misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rahamies.
Rahamies steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Otori.
Rahamies connects with an inside leg kick.
Rahamies missing with a left hand there. Otori was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
A good leg kick by Otori.
Otori checks a leg kick.
Rahamies throws out a loose jab but Otori uses good head movement to avoid it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Otori slips a straight right by Rahamies.
Otori uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Rahamies.
Rahamies slips under a jab from Otori.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Otori checks it well.
Otori throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Otori uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rahamies.
Otori fires out a quick counter leg kick but Rahamies just manages to avoid it.
Otori uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Rahamies.
Otori ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Otori jabs Rahamies to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Otori, as that shot connected.
Otori missing with a left hand there. Rahamies was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rahamies checks a leg kick.
A good leg kick by Rahamies.
Rahamies throws a jab but it's blocked by Otori.
Otori tries to work over Rahamies's front leg with a kick but Rahamies checks it.
Otori lands a leg kick that knocks Rahamies off balance momentarily.
Rahamies fails to land with a series of punches.
A quick step to the side and Otori tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Otori throws a lazy right hand but Rahamies sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rahamies throws a low kick, looking for Otori's leg but Otori calmly moves out of range.
Rahamies lunges at Otori with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Otori's hand.
Rahamies throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Otori attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Rahamies avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Otori. Otori obviously looking to wear him down.
Rahamies dodges the punch combination from Otori.
Rahamies raises up his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.
Rahamies tries to score with a low kick but Otori moves his leg out of the way.
Otori takes a swing at Rahamies's ribcage but misses.
Rahamies displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Otori throws out the jab.
Rahamies throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
A punch combination from Rahamies misses.
Rahamies moves away from the strike by Otori.
Otori keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rahamies.
Otori swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Rahamies misses with a low kick.
The fighters circling - Otori throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rahamies looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Otori scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Otori scores with a nice strike.
Rahamies swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Otori looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Otori throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
A telegraphed right hand from Rahamies misses the target.
Otori was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Rahamies takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Otori throws a looping overhand right but Rahamies ducks down to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rahamies lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rahamies on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Otori connects with a leg kick.
Rahamies avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Rahamies flicks out a counter leg kick but Otori steps away.
Sloppy strikes from Rahamies. Those never looked like landing.
Rahamies attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Otori swings for the body but Rahamies moves out of range.
Rahamies tries a low kick but Otori avoids it.
Otori throws a looping overhand right but Rahamies ducks down to avoid it.
Rahamies on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rahamies throws out a leg kick but Otori moves out of range and Rahamies only half commits.
It looked like Otori was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Rahamies.
The fighters circling - Rahamies throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Rahamies tests Otori's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Rahamies takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahamies keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Otori fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Otori slips under a jab.
Otori moves away from the strike by Rahamies.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Otori throws a shot from downtown. Rahamies moves away and avoids it.
Otori pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Otori has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rahamies.
Rahamies misses the shot to the body.
Rahamies wants to land a leg kick but Otori is out of range.
Otori feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Rahamies is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Otori.
Good exchange - Rahamies coming out on top.
Rahamies misses with a straight right.
Rahamies motions for Otori to come forward. Rahamies throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Otori scores with a crisp jab that stopped Rahamies in his tracks.
Rahamies jabs at Otori's body.
Otori scores with a decent looking hook.
Rahamies throws a hook but Otori avoids it easily.
Otori takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rahamies jabs. That one connects to the head of his opponent.
Rahamies with the inside leg kick.
Otori looks to land a left hand but Rahamies moved out of range nicely.
Rahamies looks to score with a jab to the body but Otori is just out of range.
Otori pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Otori walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rahamies checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rahamies tries a quick counter leg kick but Otori is wise to it.
Rahamies takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Otori blocks a jab.
Otori throws a body shot but no joy.
Rahamies lands a really nice looking cross but Otori seems unphased.
Rahamies keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rahamies ducks under a wild hook from Otori.
A cross from Otori lands.
Rahamies throws a leg kick but Otori sees it coming and moves out of range.
Rahamies uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Otori.
Otori swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Otori scoring well with a low kick there.
Otori misses with an uppercut.
Otori takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rahamies throws a solid leg kick but Otori takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Rahamies.
Rahamies throws a looping overhand right but Otori ducks down to avoid it.
As Rahamies backs away, Otori returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Rahamies connects with an inside leg kick.
Rahamies ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rahamies was about to counter that last move with a leg kick but changes his mind.
Otori takes a swing at Rahamies's ribcage but misses.
A big right from Rahamies misses.
Rahamies staying out of range there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Otori connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Rahamies on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Rahamies scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Rahamies checks a low kick from Otori.
Shigeru Otori is winning the standup battle so far.
Rahamies thows a left - swing and a miss!
Otori throws a nice outside leg kick.
Otori misses with an uppercut. Rahamies saw that one coming.
Rahamies takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Otori lands a nice shot that snaps Rahamies's head back.
Otori misses with a low kick.
Rahamies throws a shot from downtown. Otori moves away and avoids it.
Nice defenses there by Otori.
It looked like Otori wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
Rahamies throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rahamies's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Otori misses with an uppercut.
Otori misses with a hook
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Rahamies throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rahamies connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Otori looks to land a left hand but Rahamies moved out of range nicely.
A nice leg kick from Otori, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rahamies works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies needs to keep his hands up - Otori had a free shot at his head there.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Rahamies checks a leg kick.
Rahamies throws out a loose jab but Otori uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rahamies throws a chopping leg kick but Otori manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
A looping hook to the body misses from Otori. Rahamies does a little dance to reset his feet.
Otori motions for Rahamies to come forward. Otori throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Otori scores with the left hand. Rahamies knows he should have avoided that one.
Otori takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Otori has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Rahamies.
Rahamies ducks under a wild hook from Otori.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Rahamies 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.
Rahamies defending well as Otori loads up on a big left hand.
A lazy left from Rahamies finds it's target.
Nice straight punches there by Otori. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Otori.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rahamies.
Rahamies throws the left hand but Otori avoids the punch easily.
Rahamies keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Otori.
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!
Otori on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rahamies. Rahamies obviously looking to wear him down.
Rahamies moves away from the strike by Otori.
Nice shot lands for Otori.
Otori attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otori connects with an inside leg kick.
The fighters circling - Rahamies throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Otori's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rahamies under the eye.
Rahamies keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Otori.
Rahamies digs a good body shot into Otori's ribs.
Otori stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rahamies.
Otori throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Rahamies feints and then cracks Otori's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Otori down.
Rahamies slips under a jab from Otori.
Rahamies loads up on a big right hand but Otori slips the punch.
Otori misses with a body shot.
That kick from Otori tenderised Rahamies's leg. Rahamies is trying to keep his angry face on.
Otori moves out of range as Rahamies strikes.
Otori throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahamies throws a nice outside leg kick.
Rahamies missing with a left hand there. Otori was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Rahamies throws a leg kick but Otori checks it.
Rahamies scores with a crisp jab that stopped Otori in his tracks.
Otori tries to work over Rahamies's front leg with a kick but Rahamies checks it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Ilari Rahamies will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Rahamies tries a low kick but Otori avoids it.
Otori uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Rahamies.
Otori swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Otori moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
A swing and a miss from Rahamies.
Rahamies takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Otori blocks a leg kick.
Rahamies keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Otori.
A solid leg kick lands there for Otori.
Otori waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rahamies.
Good work by Rahamies as he checks the leg kick.
Rahamies cracks Otori with a right hand to the side of the head.
Otori misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Otori finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rahamies misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Otori fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rahamies checks it well.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rahamies 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 Otori has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Otori and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Otori throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Rahamies checks a low kick from Otori.
Otori lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahamies throws a body punch but Otori moves out of range.
Rahamies misses with a low kick.
Otori keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
A big right from Otori misses.
Rahamies has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Otori looks to land a left hand but Rahamies moved out of range nicely.
Otori chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rahamies can pounce on him.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Rahamies 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 Otori has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Otori and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
An attempted straight right counter from Otori misses the target.
Otori throws a leg kick that misses.
Otori is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
A big right from Otori misses.
Otori scores with a leg kick.
Rahamies scores with a jab.
Otori misses with a straight left.
Otori lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rahamies circles away quickly and effectively.
Rahamies feints a counter leg kick.
Otori lands a nice shot that snaps Rahamies's head back.
Otori feints and then cracks Rahamies's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rahamies down.
Otori moves away from the strike by Rahamies.
Otori looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Otori is looking to slow Rahamies down with leg kicks.
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!
Otori thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies lands a leg kick that knocks Otori off balance momentarily.
Rahamies throws a big shot that misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Otori.
Rahamies tries to bum rush Otori with a series of wild strikes but Otori uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rahamies throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rahamies throws a quick inside leg kick.
Rahamies fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Otori.
Otori with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Rahamies lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Otori at a distance.
Otori lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Rahamies looks to throw the jab but Otori is out of range.
Rahamies buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Otori scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Otori, as that shot connected.
Otori looks to land a left hand but Rahamies moved out of range nicely.
A nice side step and Rahamies releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Otori tests Rahamies's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Otori attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Otori connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Rahamies's hands.
Otori lands with a straight right. Rahamies didn't see that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Otori fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Rahamies has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rahamies throws a low kick but it's checked well by Otori.
Rahamies looks to throw the jab but Otori is out of range.
Otori fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rahamies manages to avoid it.
Rahamies bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Otori cracks Rahamies with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
Otori steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rahamies.
Nice straight punches there by Rahamies. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Rahamies.
Otori takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Otori bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rahamies's head backwards.
Rahamies is looking to score with low kicks.
Rahamies lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Otori looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Otori checks a leg kick nicely.
Rahamies throws a nice inside leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Otori misses the target.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Otori walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Rahamies checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Rahamies ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Rahamies stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Otori keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Otori bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rahamies's head.
Rahamies throws a lazy right hand but Otori sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Rahamies connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
Otori steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Rahamies.
Rahamies throws an off balance right hand
and Otori counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Otori swinging wildly here.
Otori fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rahamies manages to avoid it.
Otori tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Rahamies is able to avoid easily.
Rahamies works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Rahamies uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Otori has time to react.
Good shot there by Otori.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahamies thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rahamies throws a jab when Otori was well out of range.
Rahamies throws a low kick but Otori moves out of range easily.
Otori is looking to counter punch.
Rahamies checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Rahamies throws a quick inside leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Shigeru Otori.
Well Otori 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 29:28
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Shigeru Otori!
An out of breath Shigeru Otori thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.