PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ilari Rahamies (ranked 612 p4p, 594 weight class) and Aubrey Grant (ranked 52 p4p, 48 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.

Rahamies
vs
Grant

175 cm
32
145
16 - 9 - 1

183 cm
32
147
23 - 15 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Fast

FF Gear
Conviction

Bondi MMA 🏝️
Hoarse Pills

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 16 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilari Rahamies!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 15 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Aubrey Grant!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, James Glass and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Grant throws a hook to the side of Rahamies's head but Rahamies sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rahamies chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Grant can pounce on him.
Grant misses with a jab to the body
and Rahamies counters with a straight right hand.
Grant thows a body kick. Rahamies tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Rahamies on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Grant tests Rahamies's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Grant throws a leg kick
and Rahamies counters with a nice body kick.
Grant bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Rahamies's head backwards.
Grant connects with a body shot.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Rahamies slips a straight right by Grant.
Rahamies fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Rahamies is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Grant.
Grant bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rahamies's head.
Grant paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Grant is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grant scores with a jab to the body.
Rahamies misses with a kick to the body.
Grant blocks a head kick by Rahamies.
Grant swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Rahamies looks to land a right hand but Grant moved out of range.
Grant jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Grant has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Rahamies scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Rahamies takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Grant misses with a right hand
and Rahamies cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Grant is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Rahamies.
Rahamies needs to keep his hands up - Grant had a free shot at his head there.
Grant scoring well with a low kick there.
Rahamies needs to keep his hands up - Grant had a free shot at his head there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rahamies checks a leg kick nicely.
An attempted straight right counter from Rahamies misses the target.
Rahamies takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Grant throws a half hearted mid kick.
Grant looks to land a left hand but Rahamies moved out of range nicely.
Grant connects with a leg kick.
Grant swings away with a body shot that misses
and Rahamies counters with a thumping low kick.
Grant looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Grant jabs Rahamies to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nice jab there from Grant.
Grant scores with a shot to the body.
Rahamies moves forwards but Grant connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Rahamies drops his hands momentarily and Grant takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
The fighters circling - Grant throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Grant throws the kick towards the body but Rahamies avoids it.
Rahamies ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Good leg kick by Rahamies.
Aubrey Grant seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rahamies throws a hook to the side of Grant's head but Grant sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Grant misses with a jab to the body
and Rahamies counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Rahamies with a nice cross.
The fighters circle momentarily. Grant darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Grant tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahamies was well out of range. Poor timing from Grant.
A swing and a miss from Rahamies.
Grant throws a body shot but no joy.
Rahamies tried to counter with a leg kick but Grant avoided it.
A punch combination from Rahamies misses.
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!
Donk. Grant catches Rahamies right on the button with a cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Grant moves away.
Grant tries to move into range but Rahamies moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Grant shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Grant wants to land a leg kick but Rahamies is out of range.
Rahamies avoids the body shot from Grant.
Grant fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Rahamies manages to avoid it.
Grant throws the left hand but Rahamies avoids the punch easily.
Rahamies uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Grant.
Rahamies misses with an uppercut. Grant saw that one coming.
Grant sizes up Rahamies with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahamies gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Grant has been working his punching technique in the buildup to the fight and it appears to be paying off.
Rahamies misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Grant.
Grant misses the jab.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Grant thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Rahamies if he has to take too many more of those.
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.
Rahamies misses the jab.
Grant misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rahamies fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Rahamies scores with a three punch combo!
Grant lunges at Rahamies with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rahamies's hand.
Aubrey Grant seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Grant misses with a leg kick
and Rahamies counters with a slapping leg kick.
Rahamies uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Grant.
Grant fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Grant has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Grant showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Rahamies.
Rahamies pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Grant fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Rahamies is out of range.
Grant throws a poor cross that misses
and Rahamies counters with a leg kick.
Grant with a nice calf kick.
Grant lands a two punch combo.
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.
Grant slips under a jab from Rahamies.
Rahamies looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Grant staying out of range there.
This entire fight has taken place on the feet so far and you wonder whether Rahamies might be better served trying to take this one to the ground because he's losing the standup battle so far.
Grant waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Rahamies.
Rahamies uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Grant.
Grant getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Grant tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rahamies 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.
Grant throws a leg kick that is checked
and Rahamies counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Grant takes a swing at Rahamies's ribcage but misses.
Rahamies went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.
Rahamies moves out of range of the body kick.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Grant blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Grant blocks a body shot from Rahamies.
Rahamies throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Grants head.
Rahamies tries to break the clinch but Grant is controlling the position.
Rahamies lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Grant tries to work over Rahamies's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Rahamies lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Rahamies doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Rahamies breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Grant.
Rahamies takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A jab from Grant misses.
It looked like Rahamies was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Rahamies slips a jab from Grant.
Rahamies dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Grant misses with an uppercut
and Rahamies counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
The fighters circle momentarily. Rahamies darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Rahamies connects with an inside leg kick.
Grant lands a nice hook to Rahamies's body. Rahamies takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Grant fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Rahamies checks it well.
A punch lands to the side of Rahamies 's head but he takes it in his stride.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nice cross by Grant.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Grant lunges at Rahamies with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Rahamies's hand.
Rahamies misses with a double jab.
Rahamies lands with a nice combination. Grant backs away looking to recover.
Grant lands a really nice looking cross but Rahamies seems unphased.
Grant tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahamies was well out of range. Poor timing from Grant.
Rahamies fires out a quick counter leg kick but Grant just manages to avoid it.
Rahamies on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Grant lands a jab.
Grant throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Rahamies on the side of the head.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahamies avoids the body shot from Grant.
Grant throws a leg kick but Rahamies checks it.
A jab from Grant misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Aubrey Grant will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. And we move into the final round!

Grant closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Ilari Rahamies has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grant throws a big shot that misses.
Grant ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Rahamies moves away.
Rahamies swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Rahamies slips a jab from Grant.
Rahamies is looking for a counter combo.
Grant tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahamies was well out of range. Poor timing from Grant.
Grant throws a head kick that misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Rahamies misses the target.
Grant buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Grant connects with a nice looking jab.
Rahamies keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Grant.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Grant loads up on a big right hand but Rahamies slips the punch.
Grant lands with an uppercut that bounces Rahamies off the cage and back into range.
Grant throws a leg kick but Rahamies checks it.
Grant scores with a nice strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rahamies bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Grant tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahamies was well out of range. Poor timing from Grant.
It looked like Rahamies was looking amped, ready to throw a big counter but didn't commit.
Grant lands with a nice body punch.
Rahamies misses with a lunging right hand
and Grant counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Grant tries to clinch but Rahamies moves out of range.
Rahamies throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Grant stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Grant misses with a body shot.
Rahamies tried to counter with a leg kick but Grant avoided it.
Rahamies closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Rahamies looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Rahamies fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Grant manages to avoid it.
Rahamies walks into a jab.
A nice inside leg kick there by Rahamies. That's going to slow Grant down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies ducks under a wild hook from Grant.
Rahamies was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Grant tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rahamies was well out of range. Poor timing from Grant.
Rahamies tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Grant throws a hook but Rahamies avoids it easily.
Rahamies will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Rahamies throws a jab when Grant was well out of range.
Grant scores with a jab.
Grant scores with a jab.
Grant turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Rahamies gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Rahamies takes one on the chin but seems OK.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Grant to score with a decent uppercut.
Grant is looking to chop away at Rahamies's legs.
Rahamies tried to counter with a leg kick but Grant avoided it.
Rahamies ducks under a wild hook from Grant.
Rahamies tried to counter with a leg kick but Grant avoided it.
Grant misses with a body punch
and Rahamies cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Grant lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Grant stalks Rahamies and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Rahamies's face. Rahamies staggers backwards, shaken.
Grant misses with a jab to the body
and Rahamies connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Grant misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rahamies moves out of range as Grant throws a body kick.
Rahamies throws a hook but Grant avoids it easily.
Rahamies ducks under a wild hook from Grant.
Rahamies lifts his leg as if looking to counter with a high kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies tries a head kick but it misses.
Grant ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Aubrey Grant is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rahamies looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Rahamies looks to land a combination but Grant avoids it well.
Some wild striking there from Rahamies.
Grant keeps Rahamies at a distance using the push kick.
Grant clobbers Rahamies with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Rahamies fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Grant dips down and scores with a jab to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Aubrey Grant comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Grant winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight 27:30
Judge James Glass scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Aubrey Grant!
Aubrey Grant thanked the fans post fight for their support.