PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Rawrl Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tim Chesser (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rawrl Castro has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Castro
vs
Chesser

178 cm
27
182 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

170 cm
19
180 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rawrl Castro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tim Chesser!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Castro, right into the meat.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Castro checks a leg kick.

Chesser shoots in and bounces Castro off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Castro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Chesser wants to pass the guard but Castro is keeping the position.
Chesser postures up in Castro's guard and throws a big left but Castro blocks it.
Chesser throwing strikes from guard but Castro blocks nicely.
Chesser throwing strikes but missing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Chesser throws a big right hand that misses.
Chesser landing some decent shots from guard.
Castro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Chesser postures up in Castro's guard and throws a big left but Castro blocks it.
Castro avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Chesser throws a big right hand that misses.
Chesser trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Castro is breathing heavily.
Castro pulls Chesser in close to prevent any damage.
Castro keeping moving, preventing Chesser from controlling successfully.

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.
Chesser throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Castro works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Chesser throws and elbow that misses. Castro uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Chesser's guard. Nice move by Castro!
Chesser not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Chesser looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Chesser has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Chesser trying to keep a closed guard but Castro is proving a slippery customer.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tim Chesser has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Chesser uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Castro.
Chesser misses with a takedown attempt - Castro sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Rawrl Castro is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Chesser tries to clinch up.
Chesser fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Chesser tries a low kick but Castro avoids it.
Chesser tries to score a power double leg takedown but Castro sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chesser somewhat.
Rawrl Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Chesser.
Chesser throws a leg kick
and Castro counters with an inside leg kick.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Castro.

Castro gets a clinch.
Chesser tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Castro.
Chesser avoiding damage as Castro throws knees to the body.
Chesser wants a takedown but no success here.
Castro pushes Chesser back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Castro.
Castro lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Castro displaying some good clinch control by pressing Chesser up against the cage.
Chesser is trying to drag Castro to the mat but Castro just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rawrl Castro dominated that round.
That's time! Castro's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Chesser swings for the body but Castro moves out of range.
Chesser thuds a left hand into Castro's body.
Tim Chesser seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Chesser thows a leg kick but Castro checks it
and Castro counters with a stiff right hand.
Tim Chesser is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Chesser wants to clinch but Castro slips to the side
and Castro counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Castro scoring well with a low kick there.
Chesser misses with a double jab
and Castro counters with a slapping leg kick.
Castro misses with a low kick.
Chesser doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Castro moves into the clinch.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Castro will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Chesser up against the cage.
Chesser on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro is working Chesser over against the cage.
Castro pushes Chesser back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Chesser avoiding damage as Castro throws knees to the body.
Chesser on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Castro is struggling to control the position.
Chesser has had enough of the clinch but Castro keeps him there for the moment.
A right hook to the body lands for Castro.
Chesser is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Castro pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Castro is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Chesser is defending well for now.
Castro prevents the takedown attempt.
Rawrl Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Chesser.
Chesser is working for takedown but Castro is calmly controlling the position for now.
A knee to the head by Castro.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Castro with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Chesser blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Chesser is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Castro pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Castro is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Chesser changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Castro fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Chesser doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Castro counters with a nice body shot.
Chesser has his takedown stuffed
and Castro counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Castro throws a low kick but Chesser avoids it.
Chesser darts in trying to clinch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters circling - Chesser throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Chesser doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Castro counters with a flying knee. Nice.
Chesser rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Castro moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Chesser throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Castro was covering up waiting for the punch and Chesser finishes the takedown easily into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Chesser accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Chesser throwing strikes from guard but Castro blocks nicely.
Chesser missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chesser trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Castro has momentary wrist control but Chesser slips an elbow through the middle.
Chesser works over Castro with some ground and pound from guard.

Chesser drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Chesser jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Chesser advances position into side control!
Castro tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Chesser wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Chesser wants to control but Castro is keeping him busy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rawrl Castro dominated that second round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Chesser tries for a takedown but Castro circles away easily
and Castro counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Castro is looking to clinch but Chesser is avoiding it.
Chesser tries to clinch
and Castro counters with a thumping low kick.

Castro moves into the clinch successfully.
Castro effectively controlling the action here.
Castro trying to control the position but instead, Chesser has worked for underhooks and has pushed Castro into the cage.
Chesser wants a takedown.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Chesser is trying to push Castro away but Castro has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Castro leaning his opponent against the cage.
Chesser tries to score a body lock takedown but Castro shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Rawrl Castro has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tim Chesser.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Castro digs a right hand into Chesser's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Chesser's gas tank.
Castro tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Chesser avoids it.
Castro tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Chesser avoids it.
Chesser tries for a takedown but Castro manages to get underhooks.
Chesser has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Castro avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Chesser blocks a body shot from Castro.
Chesser tries to score a body lock takedown but Castro shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Castro tries to land knees in the clinch but Chesser avoids the damage to the body.
Chesser is trying to break the clinch but Castro is controlling him.
Castro with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Castro is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Chesser has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Castro is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Chesser changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Castro fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Castro just misses with a punch to the body.
Chesser with a lazy takedown attempt

and Castro counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Castro comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Castro comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Castro tries to land knees in the clinch but Chesser avoids the damage to the body.
Chesser blocks an elbow strike.
Castro taking a breather.
Castro creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Chesser's defenses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Chesser has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Castro is pressed up against the cage. Chesser has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Castro down to the mat. Castro avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Chesser has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Castro avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Castro prevents a takedown attempt there.
Castro creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Chesser's defenses.
Castro landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Castro taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Castro looking to throw knees to the head but Chesser is blocking nicely.

Chesser breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Chesser gets tackled into the cage by Castro. Castro maintains the clinch.
Castro tries to land knees in the clinch but Chesser avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chesser is working for takedown but Castro is calmly controlling the position for now.
Chesser looking for a takedown.
Castro creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Chesser's defenses.
Castro lands an elbow just above Chesser 's eye.
Tim Chesser has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Castro lands a body shot in the clinch.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Castro obliges.
Chesser has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Castro avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Castro lands a nice knee to the body.
Castro misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Chesser.
Castro lands an elbow inside that Chesser shrugs off.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Chesser avoiding damage as Castro throws knees to the body.
Chesser avoiding damage as Castro throws knees to the body.
Castro prevents a body shot from Chesser.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rawrl Castro showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Castro, 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rawrl Castro!