PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ilari Rahamies (ranked 687 p4p, 1803 weight class) and Bobby Mercer (ranked 58 p4p, 167 weight class). Mercer has chosen Why Can't We Be Friends by WAR as his entrance music. Ilari Rahamies has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Rahamies
vs
Mercer

175 cm
30
145
12 - 5 - 1

166 cm
31
158
15 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Heavy handed

FF Gear
Conviction

Bondi MMA 🏝️

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 12 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilari Rahamies!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bobby Mercer!
The judges for this bout are Darius Henderson, Winston Howard and Topper Green.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rahamies avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Mercer just misses with a punch to the body.
Mercer throws a body shot but no joy.
No joy there for Mercer, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
A telegraphed right hand from Mercer misses the target.
Rahamies moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
Rahamies moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Mercer throws a body punch but Rahamies moves out of range.
Rahamies swings for the body but Mercer moves out of range.
Mercer works Rahamies's body with a nice hook.
Mercer lands a nice shot to the body.
Mercer ducks under a wild hook from Rahamies.
A little jabbing left from Mercer on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mercer misses with a two punch combination.
Mercer takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Mercer avoids a kick to the body.
Rahamies avoids a kick to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercer throws out a loose jab but Rahamies uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rahamies looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
A head kick misses from Rahamies.
Rahamies throws a sloppy head kick and Mercer moves out of range easily.
As Rahamies backs off Mercer throws a huge counter combo but Rahamies manages to avoid it all.
Mercer looks to land a left hand but Rahamies moved out of range nicely.
Mercer just misses with a punch to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Mercer takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Mercer takes a swing at Rahamies's ribcage but misses.
Mercer throws a combination that misses
and Rahamies counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Mercer misses with a body shot.
Rahamies buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Rahamies with the inside leg kick.
Mercer blocks the body kick.
Rahamies scores with a punch to the head.

Mercer darts in and clinches Rahamies up against the cage.
Rahamies is working Mercer over against the cage.
Rahamies lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Mercer can't find room to land a body shot as Rahamies controls the action.
Rahamies throws a head punch that misses.
Mercer doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rahamies lands with a short head shot on the inside.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercer misses with a hook to the ribs.
Mercer tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rahamies's elbow.
Rahamies has a couple of punches blocked by Mercer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies is trying to pull guard but Mercer has him pressed against the cage.
Mercer blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Mercer.
Rahamies throws a head punch that misses.
Rahamies tries to pull guard but Mercer holds him up against the cage and eventually Rahamies drops back down to his feet.
Mercer doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Rahamies fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Mercer has Rahamies pressed against the cage, preventing Rahamies from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Rahamies misses with a body punch.

Rahamies breaks the clinch.
Mercer checks a low kick from Rahamies.
Rahamies keeps the fight on the outside.
Rahamies went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Rahamies lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Rahamies throws out a powerful jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Rahamies misses the target.
Mercer throws a series of punches but Rahamies moves out of range.
A slow jab from Mercer misses its intended target.
Rahamies buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rahamies has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Rahamies there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nice shot by Rahamies.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rahamies.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Mercer.
Mercer pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Rahamies back to the cage. Mercer follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Mercer throws a body punch but Rahamies moves out of range.
Rahamies throws a series of punches but Mercer avoids them all with ease.
Mercer appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Mercer with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Mercer throws a leg kick but Rahamies moved away.
Rahamies thows a left - swing and a miss!
Mercer lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Rahamies at a distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mercer tries to land a front kick but Rahamies steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mercer looks to score with a jab to the body but Rahamies is just out of range.
A solid leg kick lands there for Rahamies.
Mercer scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Rahamies doesn't seem bothered though.
Mercer misses with a body shot.
Rahamies looks to throw the jab but Mercer is out of range.
Mercer misses with a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies throws a nice inside leg kick.
Rahamies blocks a head kick by Mercer.
Rahamies looks to land a right hand but Mercer moved out of range.
Mercer is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Rahamies rather than just go for the knockout.
Rahamies scores with a head kick. Mercer tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Mercer tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

Rahamies jumps guard and drags Mercer to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Mercer showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Mercer throwing strikes but missing.
Mercer wants to control from the top but Rahamies keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahamies wants to get back to his feet but Mercer is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Mercer has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Rahamies keeping moving, preventing Mercer from controlling successfully.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Mercer stands up over Rahamies, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Ilari Rahamies will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Rahamies slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Mercer takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Mercer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mercer jabs Rahamies to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Mercer checks the leg kick nicely there.
Rahamies throws out a leg kick but Mercer moves out of range and Rahamies only half commits.
Mercer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mercer throws a shot to the body.
Mercer throws a wild body kick that Rahamies sees coming a mile off.
Rahamies throws a head kick but Mercer moves out of range.
Mercer now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Rahamies takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rahamies is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Rahamies lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercer's sensitive parts.
Mercer misses with an uppercut. Rahamies saw that one coming.
Bobby Mercer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Rahamies tries to land a leg kick but Mercer saw it coming and moves away.
Rahamies throws out a loose jab but Mercer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rahamies throws a lazy right hand but Mercer sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Mercer ducks under a wild hook from Rahamies.
Rahamies lands the left hand.
An inside leg kick from Rahamies misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Rahamies circles away quickly and effectively.
Rahamies takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Mercer throws a right hand that Rahamies ducks under and follows up with a left that Rahamies also avoids with ease.
Rahamies missing with a left hand there. Mercer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mercer misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Rahamies.
A nice leg kick from Rahamies, right into the meat of the thigh.
Ilari Rahamies is winning the standup battle so far.
Rahamies with a nice cross.
Rahamies moves out of range of the leg kick from Mercer.
Rahamies is looking to slow Mercer down with leg kicks.
Rahamies thuds his shin into the meat of Mercer's side.
Mercer misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Rahamies connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Mercer is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Rahamies cracks Mercer with a good jab.
Mercer loads up on a big right hand but Rahamies slips the punch.
Rahamies avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Mercer's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mercer needs to keep his hands up - Rahamies had a free shot at his head there.
Mercer moves out of range of the body kick.
Mercer on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Rahamies. Rahamies obviously looking to wear him down.
Rahamies throws the kick towards the body but Mercer avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice leg kick lands there from Rahamies.
Rahamies connects with the punch.
Rahamies lands a jab to the head.
Rahamies keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Rahamies misses with a kick to the body
and Mercer counters with a series of strikes. Rahamies will be more careful next time no doubt.
Mercer checks a leg kick.
Mercer looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A leg kick checked by Mercer.
Mercer throws out a powerful jab.
Rahamies looks to throw the jab but Mercer is out of range.
Mercer looks to score with a jab to the body but Rahamies is just out of range.
Mercer just misses with a punch to the body.
Mercer scores with a jab to the body.
Rahamies throws a body shot but no joy.
Mercer throws out a counter right but Rahamies avoids it with no problem.
Mercer misses with a wild body shot.
Mercer scores with a punch to the head.
Rahamies connects with a leg kick.
Mercer throws a lazy uppercut
and Rahamies counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Mercer throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
A jab from Mercer misses.
Rahamies throws a leg kick but Mercer checks it.
Rahamies fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Mercer wants to clinch up but Rahamies keeps it at a distance.
Mercer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Mercer throws a body shot but no joy.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mercer. Rahamies does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rahamies is looking to counter punch.
Rahamies goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
Rahamies thuds his right hand into Mercer's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Mercer throws a body punch but Rahamies moves out of range.
Rahamies lands a jab-cross combination.
Nice uppercut lands for Rahamies. That snapped Mercer's head back.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rahamies lands a high kick!
Rahamies misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rahamies connects with the punch.
Mercer takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
A big right from Rahamies misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer looks to score with a jab to the body but Rahamies is just out of range.
Rahamies misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Mercer takes a swing at Rahamies's ribcage but misses.
Mercer moves out of range as Rahamies throws a body kick.
Rahamies takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Rahamies thumps Mercer with a low kick.
Rahamies misses with a looping left.
Mercer thows a leg kick but Rahamies checks it
and Rahamies counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
A jab from Rahamies does it's job there.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mercer.
Mercer swings for the body but Rahamies moves out of range.
Rahamies lands the left hand.
Mercer moves out of range of the body kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Good exchange - Rahamies coming out on top.
Rahamies lands a right hook to the body.
Rahamies blocks a head kick by Mercer.
Rahamies paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Mercer throws a lazy right hand but Rahamies sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilari Rahamies dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Rahamies turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Mercer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Rahamies throws a jab but it's blocked by Mercer.
Rahamies lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Mercer fails in his attempt to clinch.
Mercer throws a hook but Rahamies avoids it easily.
Mercer looks to land a right hand but Rahamies moved out of range.
Rahamies dips to his left and cracks Mercer with an uppercut!
Rahamies looks to throw the jab but Mercer is out of range.
Rahamies looks to land a combination. Mercer sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Rahamies is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mercer can do to turn this around?
Rahamies throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Mercer takes one to the side of the head.
Mercer keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Rahamies.
Mercer looks to score with a jab to the body but Rahamies is just out of range.
Rahamies lands a jab to the head.
Rahamies throws a body kick that misses.
Mercer is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rahamies takes a kick to the side of the head.
Rahamies avoids the body shot from Mercer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer moves out of range of the leg kick from Rahamies.
Mercer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Rahamies throws a body kick that misses.
Rahamies connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Mercer momentarily.
Rahamies lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
Rahamies slips a jab and a cross from Mercer.
Rahamies dodges the punch combination from Mercer.
Mercer lands with a shot to the body.
Rahamies punishes Mercer's body with a nice straight punch.
Rahamies uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mercer.
As Mercer backs away, Rahamies returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Rahamies ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Rahamies tries to land a front kick but Mercer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Mercer swings for the body but Rahamies moves out of range.
Rahamies on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
A solid body kick from Rahamies.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
An inside leg kick lands from Rahamies.
Mercer misses with a body kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Mercer jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Rahamies feints and then cracks Mercer's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Mercer down.
Mercer avoids the head kick by Rahamies.
Rahamies thumps Mercer with a low kick.
Rahamies scores with a nice head shot.
Mercer moves out of range of the leg kick from Rahamies.
Mercer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rahamies manages to avoid it.
Mercer throws a head kick that misses.
Mercer moves out of range of the strikes.
Nice jab there from Rahamies.
Rahamies throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Rahamies uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Mercer.
Rahamies throws a head kick that Mercer semi-blocks.
Mercer scores with a sloppy right hand. Rahamies should have avoided that one.
Mercer defending well as Rahamies loads up on a big left hand.
Rahamies looks to land a right hand but Mercer moved out of range.
Rahamies throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Rahamies scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

Mercer clinches.
Mercer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rahamies misses with the head strike.
Mercer tries to work over Rahamies's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rahamies pushes Mercer back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Rahamies breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Mercer tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahamies was well out of range. Poor timing from Mercer.
A leg kick checked by Rahamies.
Rahamies throws out a loose jab but Mercer uses good head movement to avoid it.
Danga de danga de dang - Rahamies scores with a four punch combination!
Mercer looks to land a body kick but Rahamies moved away.
Rahamies uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Mercer.
Mercer fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Rahamies throws a nice 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!
Mercer lands a body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mercer misses with a straight right.
It looked like Rahamies wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A slapping leg kick lands for Rahamies.
Mercer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
The fight stays on the outside here - Mercer looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Mercer misses with a few strikes there.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Rahamies.

Mercer rushes Rahamies and presses him up against the cage.
Mercer lands a nice uppercut.
Mercer tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Mercer can't find room to land a body shot as Rahamies controls the action.
Bobby Mercer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Mercer misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Rahamies.
Mercer blocks an uppercut.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Rahamies pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Mercer has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Rahamies.
Rahamies throws a series of strikes that have Mercer backpedaling.
A slow jab from Rahamies misses its intended target.
Mercer misses with the combination.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ilari Rahamies showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Rahamies, 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 Darius Henderson scores the fight 30:27
Judge Winston Howard scores the fight 30:28
Judge Topper Green scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilari Rahamies!
After winning the bout, Ilari Rahamies thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.
Bobby Mercer was interviewed post fight and said 'I really didn't want to end fights in the decisions anymore. I'm trying to get the KO or get KO'd doing it. I'm here for a good time, not a long time! Check out Bondi gear! High quality Brazilian material!'.