PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Temujin Black (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Roope Rautakoura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Black kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Dropkick murphys - drink and fight. 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.

Black
vs
Rautakoura

185 cm
21
200 lbs
3 - 4 - 0

177 cm
25
185 lbs
5 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter striker
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Temujin Black!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Roope Rautakoura!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rautakoura slaps away a takedown attempt from Black, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Rautakoura takes the fight into the clinch.
Black can't get the takedown.
Black works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Rautakoura works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Black managing to block the knees to the body from Rautakoura.
Black digs a right hand underneath Rautakoura's ribcage. Rautakoura let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Rautakoura swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Rautakoura lands with a short head shot on the inside.
With the fighters up against the cage, Rautakoura throws an elbow but misses.
Rautakoura holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Black blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Rautakoura is pressed up against the cage. Black has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rautakoura down to the mat. Rautakoura avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Temujin Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Rautakoura closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Black to the mat! Black manages to get full guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Rautakoura working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Black's head.
Rautakoura throws a big right hand that misses.
Rautakoura trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rautakoura is looking to work some ground and pound but Black has wrist control.

Rautakoura avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Rautakoura is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Rautakoura wants to pass the guard but Black is keeping the position.
Rautakoura throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Black works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rautakoura tries to free his leg and advance position but Black is retaining full guard.
Rautakoura throws a strike but Black rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Black stops Rautakoura from standing up.

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.
Black distracts Rautakoura with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Black wants to control from the top but Rautakoura keeps moving.
Black throwing strikes but missing.

Black is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Rautakoura is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Rautakoura has escaped and now he's on top!
Rautakoura with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Rautakoura is pushing down on Black's leg trying to pass to half guard. Black is fighting to maintain full guard but Rautakoura has managed to sneak the leg through.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rautakoura trying to pass the guard but Black defending well.
Rautakoura prevents Black from improving his position.
Black is pressing down on Rautakoura's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Black manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Rautakoura manages to get himself to full guard.
Black won't allow Rautakoura to get back to his feet.
Black throwing strikes from guard but Rautakoura blocks nicely.
Black working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Black postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Rautakoura is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Black, into his guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Black has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Rautakoura can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Rautakoura must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Black can't keep his opponent in guard - Rautakoura advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Black moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Rautakoura lands a couple of digs.
Rautakoura with a flurry of punches that miss.

Black is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Rautakoura is aware though and is defending well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Roope Rautakoura will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Black avoids a punch combination nicely.
Rautakoura stuffs the takedown.
Black throws a poor cross that misses

and Rautakoura counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Rautakoura thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Black tries to get to full guard but Rautakoura has control of the leg.
Black blocking the ground and pound attempt from Rautakoura.
Black is trying to get back to full guard.
Black trying to control but Rautakoura postures up.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rautakoura wants to pass to mount but Black is defending the position.
Rautakoura is nestled in close to Black, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Rautakoura working over Black with some ground and pound. Black looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Rautakoura throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Rautakoura is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Rautakoura seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Black makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Black.
Black bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Rautakoura's guard.
Rautakoura keeping moving, preventing Black from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Black drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Rautakoura manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Black has Rautakoura in his guard.
Rautakoura throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Black works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Rautakoura slips nicely into half guard.
Rautakoura looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Rautakoura drops an elbow to the side of Black's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black is pressing down on Rautakoura's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Rautakoura trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Black throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Rautakoura throws and elbow that misses. Black uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Rautakoura's guard. Nice move by Black!
Rautakoura wants to get back to his feet but he's too absorbed in his own little project and Black manages to pass to side control.
Black working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Black throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Black not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Rautakoura has his hands clasped together around Black's back. He's all about the action.

Black is working for a submission of some sort.
Black looks to land a strike but Rautakoura avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Roope Rautakoura showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Rautakoura has taken the fight to the clinch.
Rautakoura missing with knees to the body.
Black is working for takedown but Rautakoura is calmly controlling the position for now.
Rautakoura is pressed up against the cage. Black has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Rautakoura down to the mat. Rautakoura avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

Black shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Rautakoura's guard.
Black postures up.
Black throws a big right hand that misses.
Black lands a couple of elbows.
Black forces his way into half guard.

Black is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Rautakoura sees it coming and defends easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rautakoura blocking the ground and pound attempt from Black.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Black sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rautakoura defending well though.
Black thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Rautakoura kicks Black off and gets back to his feet.
Temujin Black seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rautakoura swings for the body but Black moves out of range.
Black jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Black throws an off balance right hand
and Rautakoura counters with a straight right hand.

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.
Black connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Black shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Rautakoura counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Black!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Temujin Black. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Rautakoura is landing with some decent strikes but Black is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Black has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Rautakoura postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Black looks a forlorn figure.
Black wants to hold on but Rautakoura pushes him away.
Black takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Rautakoura cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Black wants to control but Rautakoura is having none of it.
Black is in all sorts of trouble here.
Rautakoura lands a big shot there that rocks Black but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Black is trying to escape the mount.
Rautakoura raining down hammerfists from mount.
Roope Rautakoura is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Rautakoura lands a big shot there that rocks Black but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Black is desperately trying to improve his position but Rautakoura has a good base and remains in mount.
Rautakoura raining down hammerfists from mount.
Rautakoura raining down hammerfists from mount.
Black is bucking up trying to escape but Rautakoura cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Black tries to hold on but Rautakoura pushes him away.
Temujin Black has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rautakoura connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Rautakoura pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Rautakoura with good strikes from the mount here!
Rautakoura can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Black is looking to escape.
Rautakoura connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Rautakoura content just to control the position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Rautakoura trying to control but Black is having none of it.
The referee warns Black that he has to improve his position here as he takes two more clean shots to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Roope Rautakoura comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Rautakoura 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Roope Rautakoura!