PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Grigoriy Rasputin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Elmeri Hautamaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hautamaki has chosen Nekromantix-Generation 666 as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Elmeri Hautamaki was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Rasputin
vs
Hautamaki

187 cm
22
260 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

185 cm
27
249 lbs
10 - 13 - 0

Powerful takedowns
Excellent MT
KO power

BJJ Brown Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Grigoriy Rasputin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Elmeri Hautamaki!
The judges for this bout are Yukihiro Yamamoto, Kenichi Hosakawa and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hautamaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rasputin moves into the clinch.
Hautamaki has Rasputin pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Rasputin manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Hautamaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rasputin gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Grigoriy Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elmeri Hautamaki.
Rasputin tries to land knees in the clinch but Hautamaki avoids the damage to the body.
Hautamaki is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Rasputin pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Rasputin gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Hautamaki is not content to let Rasputin control the position.
Rasputin is controlling the pace.

Rasputin is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Hautamaki is just riding it out for now. Rasputin eventually gives up the hold.
Hautamaki makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Hautamaki.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hautamaki is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Hautamaki working for a triangle but Rasputin defends it easily.
Rasputin wants to pass the guard but Hautamaki is keeping the position.
Rasputin has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Hautamaki working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Rasputin doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Rasputin manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Hautamaki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Hautamaki looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Rasputin has picked Hautamaki up and slammed him! Hautamaki can't keep hold of the triangle and Rasputin manages to pass to side control!
Hautamaki manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Rasputin trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin is looking to improve his position.

Rasputin is defending against the submission attempts here by Hautamaki.
Hautamaki wants to take a breather but Rasputin is having none of it.

Hautamaki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Rasputin tries to get to full guard but Hautamaki has control of the leg.
Rasputin wants to control but Hautamaki is keeping busy.
Hautamaki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rasputin's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Still in half guard, Hautamaki seems content to control.

Hautamaki wants to work for an arm triangle but Rasputin is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Rasputin is looking to improve his position.
Hautamaki sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rasputin defending well though.
Hautamaki trying to control from half guard but Rasputin is working away.
Rasputin tries to roll over but Hautamaki keeps him under control.
Hautamaki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Hautamaki slows the pace down in half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Hautamaki seems to be working for a kimura but Rasputin defends the submission attempt.
Hautamaki not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Rasputin wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hautamaki looks to land a strike but Rasputin avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Hautamaki throwing strikes but missing.
Hautamaki throwing strikes from guard but Rasputin blocks nicely.
Hautamaki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Hautamaki trying to control but Rasputin is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Elmeri Hautamaki will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hautamaki shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rasputin counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Rasputin trying to control the position from guard on top but Hautamaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Rasputin looking to pass the guard.
Rasputin passes Hautamaki's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

Rasputin is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Hautamaki defends it well.
Hautamaki throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Hautamaki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Hautamaki regains full guard. Nicely done.
Rasputin controlling from the top position.

Hautamaki looking for a guillotine here but Rasputin defends easily.

Hautamaki is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rasputin avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Hautamaki is trying to hold Rasputin in close to prevent damage but Rasputin has managed to pass into half guard.
Rasputin wants to control but Hautamaki is keeping him busy.

Hautamaki looking for submissions off his back.
Rasputin trying to pass the guard but Hautamaki defending well.
Rasputin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Hautamaki does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Hautamaki trying to control but Rasputin postures up.
Hautamaki might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Rasputin kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
Hautamaki wants to get back to his feet.
Rasputin sitting and controlling from the half guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hautamaki has his takedown stuffed
and Rasputin counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.
Grigoriy Rasputin is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hautamaki is breathing heavily.
Rasputin scores with a push kick.
A jab from Rasputin finds it's way through Hautamaki's defenses.

Rasputin darts in and clinches Hautamaki up against the cage.
Rasputin with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Rasputin is pressed up against the cage. Hautamaki has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rasputin down to the mat. Rasputin avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Grigoriy Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elmeri Hautamaki.

Rasputin darts in and clinches Hautamaki up against the cage.
Rasputin missing with knees to the body.
Rasputin tries a knee to the head but Hautamaki blocks it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hautamaki goes for a takedown attempt but Rasputin pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Rasputin tries a head kick but it misses.
Rasputin throws a head kick but Hautamaki moves out of range.

Hautamaki tries to keep at a distance but Rasputin has taken the fight into the clinch.
Hautamaki on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Hautamaki drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Rasputin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hautamaki has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Rasputin is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Hautamaki blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rasputin landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Rasputin tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Rasputin scores with a knee to the head.
Rasputin landing knees to the head.
Rasputin lands with a right to the head.
Rasputin tries to land a knee to the head but Hautamaki blocks with his arms.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rasputin throws an elbow but misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rasputin unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Rasputin lands a body punch.
Hautamaki takes a knee to the side of the body.
Rasputin makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Rasputin jumps guard.
Hautamaki wants to pass the guard but Rasputin is keeping the position.
Hautamaki loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Hautamaki trying to stand up but can't free himself from Rasputin's guard.
Rasputin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Hautamaki manages to get himself to full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Rasputin trying to control the position from guard on top but Hautamaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Hautamaki has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rasputin can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Grigoriy Rasputin 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!

Rasputin drives through and clinches with Hautamaki against the cage.
Rasputin stops a takedown attempt from Hautamaki.
Hautamaki changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rasputin fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Hautamaki doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Rasputin counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hautamaki won't be happy with that.
Grigoriy Rasputin has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Elmeri Hautamaki.
Hautamaki tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Rasputin is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Hautamaki knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

Rasputin tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Hautamaki can't do much from the bottom here.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Rasputin tries for a kimura but Hautamaki is defending well.
Hautamaki manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Hautamaki with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Hautamaki looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.
Hautamaki thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Rasputin's head.

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.
Hautamaki not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Rasputin looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Hautamaki trying to control from half guard but Rasputin is working away.
Rasputin trying to control here.
Ground and pound from Hautamaki.
Rasputin slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hautamaki wants to control from the top but Rasputin keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hautamaki is in close to Rasputin's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Hautamaki throwing strikes but missing.
Rasputin is trying to keep Hautamaki in close.
Hautamaki trying to control the position from guard on top but Rasputin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Hautamaki postures up and lands a big shot to Rasputin's brow.
Rasputin keeping full guard, as Hautamaki tries to pass.
Hautamaki missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Elmeri Hautamaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Grigoriy Rasputin overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Hautamaki in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

Hautamaki thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Hautamaki with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rasputin working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Hautamaki.
Hautamaki trying to control but Rasputin is working from the bottom.
Hautamaki controlling from the top position.
Hautamaki working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Grigoriy Rasputin showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Rasputin has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight for Grigoriy Rasputin!
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight for Grigoriy Rasputin!
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight for Grigoriy Rasputin!

Grigoriy Rasputin wins by unanimous decision!