PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Carlos ekstom (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Riku Noitalahti (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Riku Noitalahti has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

ekstom
vs
Noitalahti

189 cm
18
225 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

192 cm
19
260 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Intelligent

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Heavy handed

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Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Carlos ekstom!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riku Noitalahti!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Anni Minnemäki and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
ekstom shoots for a takedown but Noitalahti saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Noitalahti lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but ekstom circles away quickly and effectively.
Noitalahti misses with a wild combination.
Some wild striking there from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
ekstom fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

Noitalahti clinches with his opponent.
Noitalahti has ekstom pressed against the cage.
Noitalahti tries to break the clinch but ekstom is controlling the position.

ekstom gets control of Noitalahti's arms and successfully pulls guard. ekstom will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Noitalahti is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Noitalahti stopping the sweep attempt from ekstom.

Noitalahti gets to his feet. ekstom looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noitalahti throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
ekstom slips a jab and a cross from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti tries to clinch but ekstom moves out of range.
ekstom shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Noitalahti as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos ekstom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
ekstom looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Noitalahti is fending him off so far but ekstom persists. Nope, Noitalahti circles away and we're back to standing.
ekstom fails to land the takedown.
No joy there for Noitalahti, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Noitalahti throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Noitalahti throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Noitalahti looks gassed!
ekstom tries to clinch up but Noitalahti circles away and keeps his distance.

ekstom instigates a clinch.
Noitalahti has had enough of the clinch but ekstom keeps him there for the moment.
Noitalahti wants to break the clinch but can't.
ekstom is trying to break the clinch but Noitalahti has him pressed against the cage.
Noitalahti is trying to break the clinch but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.
Noitalahti is trying to break the clinch but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Noitalahti keeps control of ekstom as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Noitalahti is trying to break free.
ekstom keeps control of Noitalahti as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
ekstom prevents Noitalahti from breaking the clinch.
ekstom jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Noitalahti walks away with a smile on his face. ekstom gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
ekstom avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
ekstom fails to land the takedown.
ekstom shoots in and drives through. Noitalahti sprawls well.
Noitalahti throws a right and a left that both miss.
ekstom tries to clinch up but Noitalahti circles away and keeps his distance.
Noitalahti throws a hook but ekstom blocks it.
Riku Noitalahti is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Noitalahti moves into the clinch.
Noitalahti wants to break free but ekstom has control.
Noitalahti prevents the takedown attempt.
ekstom keeps control of Noitalahti as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
ekstom is trying to maintain a safe position but Noitalahti gets an underhook and turns ekstom into the cage.
ekstom prevents Noitalahti from breaking the clinch.
Noitalahti is trying to break the clinch but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noitalahti is trying to break the clinch but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.
Noitalahti can't break the clinch.
Noitalahti can't break the clinch.
Noitalahti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Noitalahti is looking to break free of the clinch but ekstom has double underhooks.
Noitalahti lands a shoulder strike.
Noitalahti wants to break the clinch but can't.
ekstom wants to get back to striking at distance but Noitalahti won't allow it.
ekstom is looking to break free of the clinch but Noitalahti has double underhooks.
ekstom keeps control of Noitalahti as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Noitalahti is trying to break free.
Noitalahti tries to break the clinch but ekstom is controlling the position.
ekstom tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Noitalahti smiles and moves away.
Noitalahti tries to bum rush ekstom with a series of wild strikes but ekstom uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Noitalahti is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by ekstom.
Noitalahti uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Noitalahti misses with a straight left.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
No luck for ekstom with that takedown attempt.

Noitalahti has taken the fight to the clinch.
Noitalahti can't break the clinch.
Noitalahti wants to break the clinch but can't.
Noitalahti wants to break the clinch but can't.
ekstom looking to stall.
Noitalahti wants to break free but ekstom has control.
ekstom tries to land a knee to the head but Noitalahti blocks with his arms.
Noitalahti can't break the clinch.
ekstom wants a takedown.
Noitalahti wants to get back to striking at distance but ekstom won't allow it.
Noitalahti tries to break the clinch but ekstom is controlling the position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Noitalahti wants to get back to striking at distance but ekstom won't allow it.
A short left from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Noitalahti scores with a nice short uppercut.
Noitalahti wants to break the clinch but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riku Noitalahti dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Noitalahti throws a nice looking combination but ekstom bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Good shot there by Noitalahti.
ekstom closes the distance and clinches up with Noitalahti, looking for a takedown. ekstom pushes Noitalahti against the cage but Noitalahti circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
Carlos ekstom is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
ekstom shoots for a double leg takedown but Noitalahti sprawls well. He's pushed ekstom's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
ekstom slips a jab and a cross from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti throws a shot from downtown. ekstom moves away and avoids it.

Noitalahti forces ekstom back against the cage and clinches.
Noitalahti lands a right hand that snaps the head of ekstom backwards.

Noitalahti pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Noitalahti has managed to clinch.
Noitalahti can't break the clinch.
Noitalahti is looking to break free of the clinch but ekstom has double underhooks.
Noitalahti wants to break free but ekstom has control.
Noitalahti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
ekstom keeps control of Noitalahti as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Noitalahti scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Noitalahti tries to break the clinch but ekstom is controlling the position.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
ekstom looking to throw knees to the head but Noitalahti is blocking nicely.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Noitalahti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.
Noitalahti prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos ekstom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Noitalahti lands with a short shot to the head.
ekstom wants to get back to striking at distance but Noitalahti won't allow it.
Noitalahti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.
ekstom has had enough of the clinch but Noitalahti keeps him there for the moment.
Noitalahti wants to break free but ekstom has control.
Noitalahti is trying to break the clinch but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.

Noitalahti breaks the clinch.
ekstom tries to clinch

and Noitalahti holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Noitalahti tries to break the clinch but ekstom is controlling the position.
Noitalahti gets underhooks to prevent ekstom's takedown attempt.
Noitalahti has had enough of the clinch but ekstom keeps him there for the moment.
ekstom keeps control of Noitalahti as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
ekstom jumps guard but Noitalahti stands there with ekstom around his waist. ekstom gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Noitalahti.
Noitalahti wants to break free but ekstom has control.
Noitalahti is trying to break the clinch but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.
Noitalahti prevents a takedown attempt there.
Noitalahti wants to break free but ekstom has control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Noitalahti wants to get back to striking at distance but ekstom won't allow it.
A short right from Noitalahti on the inside.
Noitalahti keeps control of ekstom as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Noitalahti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.
Noitalahti tries to break the clinch but ekstom is controlling the position.
Noitalahti prevents ekstom from breaking the clinch.
Noitalahti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Noitalahti wants to get back to striking at distance but ekstom won't allow it.
Noitalahti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.

Noitalahti manages to break the clinch.
Noitalahti will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
ekstom doesn't manage to clinch there - Noitalahti circles away.
Noitalahti throws an overhand right that lands on ekstom's shoulder, as ekstom tries to avoid the shot.
Noitalahti looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Noitalahti with a nice cross.
Riku Noitalahti seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
ekstom wants to clinch up but Noitalahti keeps it at a distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A combination from Noitalahti does no damage.
ekstom keeps the fight on the outside.
Noitalahti dodges the punch combination from ekstom.
Noitalahti dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Noitalahti swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and ekstom counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Noitalahti moves in looking to clinch but ekstom pushes him off.
ekstom tries to clinch
and Noitalahti counters with a one-two to the body.
Noitalahti takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Noitalahti closes the distance and clinches.
Noitalahti wants to break free but ekstom has control.
Noitalahti tries to break the clinch but ekstom is controlling the position.
Noitalahti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
ekstom tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Noitalahti smiles and moves away.
Noitalahti throws a left and a right that both miss
and ekstom counters with a low kick, right behind Noitalahti 's knee.
Noitalahti throws a nice looking combination but ekstom bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ekstom slips a jab from Noitalahti.
ekstom throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Noitalahti's waist but Noitalahti gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing ekstom off to one side.
A swing and a miss from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti cracks ekstom with an open hand slap.
Noitalahti fails to land with a series of punches.
Noitalahti will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nice sprawl there from Noitalahti as ekstom shoots in.
ekstom slips a jab and a cross from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti swats away the attempt to clinch by ekstom.
Noitalahti missing with a left hand there. ekstom was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Noitalahti closes the distance and clinches.
Noitalahti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Noitalahti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Riku Noitalahti showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Noitalahti throws out a loose jab but ekstom uses good head movement to avoid it.
Noitalahti tries to clinch but ekstom moves out of range.
ekstom fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A swing and a miss from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti misses with a jab, cross combination.
Noitalahti throws a right and a left that both miss.
ekstom tries to clinch up.
ekstom with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
ekstom tries to clinch there but Noitalahti circles away.
ekstom slips a jab and a cross from Noitalahti.
We are yet to see a takedown attempt from Noitalahti 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.
ekstom closes the distance and clinches up with Noitalahti, looking for a takedown. ekstom pushes Noitalahti against the cage but Noitalahti circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Some wild striking there from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Noitalahti misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A combination from Noitalahti does no damage.

Noitalahti gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Noitalahti can't break the clinch.
ekstom fails to pull guard.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Carlos ekstom. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Noitalahti wants to break free but ekstom has control.
ekstom prevents Noitalahti from breaking the clinch.
Noitalahti can't break the clinch.
ekstom fails to pull guard.
Noitalahti tries to break the clinch but ekstom is controlling the position.
Noitalahti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
ekstom fails to pull guard.
Noitalahti pushes ekstom back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
ekstom prevents Noitalahti from breaking the clinch.
Noitalahti prevents ekstom from breaking the clinch.
Noitalahti tries to break the clinch but ekstom is controlling the position.
Noitalahti has had enough of the clinch but ekstom keeps him there for the moment.
Noitalahti wants to break free but ekstom has control.
ekstom wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Noitalahti has him pressed against the cage.
Noitalahti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Noitalahti wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
ekstom keeps control of Noitalahti as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Noitalahti has had enough of the clinch but ekstom keeps him there for the moment.
Noitalahti is trying to break free.
Noitalahti is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Noitalahti is trying to break the clinch but ekstom has him pressed against the cage.
Noitalahti is looking to break free of the clinch but ekstom has double underhooks.
ekstom is trying to maintain a safe position but Noitalahti gets an underhook and turns ekstom into the cage.
Noitalahti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
ekstom wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Noitalahti has him pressed against the cage.
ekstom has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Noitalahti avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Noitalahti can't break the clinch.
Noitalahti lands a left hand that snaps the head of ekstom backwards.
ekstom tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Noitalahti smiles and moves away.
Noitalahti lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as ekstom backs up against the cage.
ekstom scores with a spinning back kick!
Noitalahti misses with a double jab
and ekstom counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Noitalahti swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and ekstom counters with a nice double leg into guard.
ekstom trying to control the position from guard on top but Noitalahti is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Noitalahti scrambles and gets back to his feet.

Noitalahti takes the fight into the clinch.
ekstom is working for takedown but Noitalahti is calmly controlling the position for now.
Noitalahti wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Noitalahti is looking to break free of the clinch but ekstom has double underhooks.

Noitalahti pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Noitalahti throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and ekstom counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Noitalahti thinking.
Noitalahti throws a jab when ekstom was well out of range.
ekstom digs a good hook to Noitalahti's body.
Noitalahti falls off balance throwing a combination
and ekstom counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
ekstom fails to land the takedown.
ekstom slips a jab and a cross from Noitalahti.
Noitalahti swinging wilding here.
ekstom shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Noitalahti but Noitalahti pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Noitalahti works over ekstom's head and body with a nice combination.
Noitalahti throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Noitalahti throws a combination that misses
and ekstom counters with a nice kick to the body.
No luck for ekstom with that takedown attempt.
Noitalahti might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Noitalahti misses with a two punch combination.
Carlos ekstom has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Riku Noitalahti is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Noitalahti pushes ekstom up against the cage in a clinch.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Riku Noitalahti.
I've got Noitalahti 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Riku Noitalahti!