PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ilari Rahamies (ranked 890 p4p, 2131 weight class) and Bobby Mercer (ranked 62 p4p, 144 weight class). Mercer has chosen Why Can't We Be Friends by WAR as his entrance music. This should be fireworks!

Rahamies
vs
Mercer

175 cm
32
145
16 - 10 - 1

166 cm
33
158
18 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Conviction
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 16 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Ilari Rahamies!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Bobby Mercer!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yasuomi Hirokawa and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mercer takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rahamies moves out of range as Mercer strikes.
As Mercer backs away, Rahamies returns fire with a leg kick that just misses.
Rahamies misses with a hook to the body
and Rahamies takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Mercer stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Rahamies.
A jab from Rahamies misses.
Mercer misses with a head kick.
Rahamies lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A bone on bone clash there as Mercer blocks the leg kick.
Mercer walks into a straight right hand from Rahamies.
Rahamies connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Mercer misses with a low kick.
Mercer tries a head kick but it misses.
Mercer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rahamies lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Mercer doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A swing and a miss from Mercer.
Rahamies with a nice calf kick.
Ilari Rahamies seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rahamies scores with a crisp jab that stopped Mercer in his tracks.
Rahamies lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Rahamies throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer throws a hook to the side of Rahamies's head but Rahamies sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rahamies pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Rahamies swings for the body but Mercer moves out of range.
Mercer blocks a head kick by Rahamies.
Mercer takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Rahamies throws a leg kick but Mercer checks it.
Rahamies misses with a double jab.
A jab from Rahamies does it's job there.
Mercer looks to land a left hand but Rahamies moved out of range nicely.
Mercer tries a head kick but it misses.
Rahamies throws a head kick but Mercer moves out of range.
Rahamies avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Rahamies misses with a low kick.
Rahamies catches Mercer with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Rahamies is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
A clash of legs there as Rahamies blocks the low kick.
Rahamies throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Mercer throws out a counter right but Rahamies avoids it with no problem.
Mercer lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A low kick from Mercer is predictable there
and Rahamies counters with a stiff right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mercer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Rahamies is really peppering his opponent's head with punches.
Rahamies misses with a head kick.
Mercer throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Rahamies's head.
Mercer throws a sloppy head kick and Rahamies moves out of range easily.
Rahamies swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Rahamies takes a swing at Mercer's ribcage but misses.
Rahamies lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Rahamies changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Mercer throws a sloppy head kick and Rahamies moves out of range easily.
Rahamies throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Mercer sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Rahamies throws a sloppy head kick and Mercer moves out of range easily.
Rahamies feints a jab promting Mercer to slip. Rahamies then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Mercer slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Mercer throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mercer throws a body kick, spinning off balance
and Rahamies counters with a left and a right that stings Mercer.
Mercer moves out of range as Rahamies strikes.
Rahamies looks to land a right hand but Mercer moved out of range.
Mercer throws a fast counter high kick but Rahamies manages to duck under it in time.
Mercer ducks under a wild hook from Rahamies.
Mercer shapes to counter with a head kick.
Mercer throws a head kick but Rahamies moves out of range.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Rahamies.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer tries a head kick but it misses.
Sloppy strikes from Mercer. Those never looked like landing.
Rahamies smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Good work by Rahamies as he checks the leg kick.
Mercer scores with a nice body kick.
Mercer takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Rahamies looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Mercer throws a sloppy head kick and Rahamies moves out of range easily.
Good work by Rahamies as he checks the leg kick.
Mercer tries to clinch up but Rahamies circles away and keeps his distance.
Mercer misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Rahamies swats away the attempt to clinch by Mercer.
Mercer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Rahamies tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mercer tried to score with a low kick but Rahamies checks it.
Rahamies lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Mercer blocks a head kick by Rahamies.
Mercer throws a low kick, looking for Rahamies's leg but Rahamies calmly moves out of range.
Mercer's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Rahamies fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Mercer is out of range.
Mercer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Mercer looks for the body kick but Rahamies saw that one coming.
Mercer throws a nice looking combination but Rahamies bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rahamies throws a hook but Mercer blocks it.
Mercer flicks out a counter leg kick but Rahamies steps away.
A head kick misses from Rahamies.
Mercer is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Rahamies connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Rahamies blocks a low kick nicely.
Rahamies keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mercer closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rahamies misses with a double jab.
Rahamies scoring well with a low kick there.

Mercer has taken the fight to the clinch.

Rahamies breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilari Rahamies dominated that 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.

Nice body kick from Rahamies.
Rahamies throws a body punch but Mercer moves out of range.
An inside leg kick lands from Rahamies.
A good leg kick by Rahamies.
Rahamies blocks a leg kick.
Rahamies thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rahamies checks a low kick from Mercer.
Rahamies tried to counter with a leg kick but Mercer avoided it.
Mercer avoids a punch combination nicely.
Ilari Rahamies is winning the standup battle so far.
A looping hook to the body misses from Mercer. Rahamies does a little dance to reset his feet.
Rahamies lands a body shot.
Mercer wants to clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Good leg kick by Rahamies.
Nice uppercut there from Rahamies.
Mercer is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Rahamies lands an impressive looking overhand right. Mercer doesn't seem phased though.
Mercer feints and then cracks Rahamies's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Rahamies down.
Rahamies thows a left - swing and a miss!
Rahamies avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
A low kick from Mercer misses
and Rahamies counters with a good, hard body kick but Mercer shrugs it off.
Rahamies cracks Mercer with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Rahamies missing with a left hand there. Mercer was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Mercer flicks out a counter leg kick but Rahamies steps away.
Mercer takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Mercer pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Mercer is looking to slow Rahamies down with leg kicks.
A leg kick checked by Rahamies.

Mercer gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Mercer takes a shot to the head.
Rahamies wants to break free but Mercer has control.
Rahamies misses with a shot to the kidneys.

Rahamies breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Mercer checks a low kick from Rahamies.
Mercer lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies pushes Mercer away with a front kick.
Rahamies scores with a head kick.
Mercer slips under a jab from Rahamies.
Mercer swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A swing and a miss from Mercer.
Rahamies tries to score with a low kick but Mercer moves his leg out of the way.
Mercer throws out a loose jab but Rahamies uses good head movement to avoid it.
Rahamies scoring well with a low kick there.
Rahamies throws a good cross that connects.
A head kick misses from Mercer.
It looked like Rahamies wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big left from Rahamies misses.
Rahamies fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Mercer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Mercer misses with a leg kick.
Mercer does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Rahamies throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Rahamies blocks a head kick by Mercer.
Mercer throws the kick towards the body but Rahamies avoids it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Mercer lands a nice leg kick that just misses Rahamies's sensitive parts.
Mercer takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Rahamies swinging wildly here.
Rahamies fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Mercer has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Rahamies throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Mercer.
Rahamies listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Mercer throws a sloppy head kick and Rahamies moves out of range easily.
Mercer tries a head kick but it misses.
Rahamies digs a good body shot into Mercer's ribs.
Rahamies tries a head kick but it misses.

Mercer has managed to clinch.

Rahamies manages to break the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Mercer lands with a hook. Rahamies tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies lands with a thumping leg kick.
Rahamies scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Mercer throws a leg kick but Rahamies moved away.
Rahamies scores with a nice body kick.
Rahamies scores with a nice strike.
Rahamies lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Mercer fails to land with a series of punches.
Bobby Mercer is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Mercer pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Rahamies attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
As Rahamies backs off Mercer throws a huge counter combo but Rahamies manages to avoid it all.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Mercer checks a leg kick.
Mercer throws a counter combo.
Mercer walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rahamies.
Mercer moves out of range of the leg kick from Rahamies.
Mercer avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Mercer thumps Rahamies with a low kick.
Rahamies chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Mercer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Rahamies.
Mercer tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ilari Rahamies dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Mercer takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Rahamies scores with a nice body kick.
Mercer has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Mercer tries to clinch up.
Mercer throws a low kick but Rahamies avoids it.
Mercer throws a body kick, spinning off balance
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.
Rahamies walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Mercer checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
And Mercer responds with a good body kick, but Rahamies manages to step out the way in time.
Mercer fails to land with a series of punches.
Rahamies throws a wild body kick that Mercer sees coming a mile off.
Rahamies is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Mercer can do to turn this around?
Rahamies throws a leg kick that misses.
Mercer throws out a counter right but Rahamies avoids it with no problem.
Rahamies connects with a high kick.
Rahamies tries a head kick but it misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A bone on bone clash there as Rahamies blocks the leg kick.
Mercer misses with a body kick.
Mercer takes one on the button.
Rahamies cracks Mercer with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
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!
Rahamies checks a low kick from Mercer.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Mercer chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Rahamies can pounce on him.
Rahamies lands a nice leg kick that just misses Mercer's sensitive parts.
Mercer lets loose with a powerful body kick. Rahamies will feel that in the morning.
Rahamies connects with a jab.
Mercer blocks the body kick.
A little jabbing left from Mercer on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Mercer throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mercer takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Mercer tries to clinch there but Rahamies circles away.
Rahamies misses with an attempted mid kick.
Mercer throws a big counter head kick but Rahamies avoids it with no problem.
Rahamies throws a looping overhand right but Mercer ducks down to avoid it.
Mercer avoids a kick to the body.
Nice defenses there by Mercer.
Rahamies looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Rahamies tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
A countering left hand to the body from Mercer misses.
Mercer tries to bum rush Rahamies with a series of wild strikes but Rahamies uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Rahamies lands with a nice body kick.
Rahamies misses with a shot to the body
and Mercer counters with a nice low kick that buckles Rahamies's knee momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rahamies scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Mercer shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Mercer keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Rahamies misses with a hook.
Rahamies throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Mercer shapes to counter with a head kick.
Rahamies misses with an attempted mid kick.
Rahamies tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Rahamies scores with a kick to the midsection.
Mercer fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Mercer walks forward, straight into a front kick from Rahamies.
Rahamies scores with a nice body kick.
Rahamies throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Mercer misses with a hook.
Mercer takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Rahamies has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Mercer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mercer misses with a kick to the body
and Rahamies counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Mercer throws a half hearted mid kick.
Rahamies ducks under a wild hook from Mercer.
Rahamies throws a low kick but Mercer avoids it.
Mercer lands a nice looking body kick.
Mercer 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.
Decent striking displayed by Rahamies there.
Rahamies throws a hook to the side of Mercer's head but Mercer sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Rahamies lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Mercer tries to clinch but Rahamies moves out of range.
Mercer throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Mercer misses with a low kick.
Mercer has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Rahamies.
Mercer will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Rahamies misses with a low kick.
Rahamies lands a nice looking body kick.
Rahamies is looking to slow Mercer down with leg kicks.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rahamies connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Mercer keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Mercer wants to slow Rahamies down by chopping away at his legs.
A head kick misses from Rahamies.
Mercer motions for Rahamies to come forward. Mercer throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Rahamies finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Rahamies catches Mercer with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Mercer 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.
Bobby Mercer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Rahamies connects with a solid leg kick.
Mercer takes a head kick and keeps coming.
Mercer throws a chopping leg kick but Rahamies manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Mercer lands with a slapping head kick.
Rahamies throws a quick inside leg kick.
Mercer fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Rahamies lands a nice looking kick to the body. Mercer takes a step back to recover.
A low kick lands for Rahamies.

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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 30:27
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ilari Rahamies!
A very excited looking Ilari Rahamies made sure he remembered to thank all the fans both in the arena and on the internet. He said all the coolest people spend all day on MMA websites, which got a big reaction.
The defeated Bobby Mercer had this to say: 'Another loss has me thinking. I either got to train harder or really consider hanging them up. Thank you, to the fans. I hate letting you down but I hope at least it was entertaining getting my ass kicked.'.