PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jason Rudd (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pekka Pikkarainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rudd comes to the cage accompanied by Solo Banton - Chalice Haffi Blaze. Pikkarainen has chosen Apocalyptica - Path as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Rudd
vs
Pikkarainen

180 cm
20
155 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

160 cm
21
149 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Powerful

Outkast Clothing Line

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 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jason Rudd!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pekka Pikkarainen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Matti Vanhoillinen and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Pikkarainen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Rudd moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Rudd leaves Pikkarainen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
A cross from Pikkarainen lands.
Pikkarainen circles away from the clinch attempt.
Pikkarainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Rudd sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pikkarainen somewhat.
Pikkarainen fails to land with a series of punches.

Pikkarainen shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Rudd pushes Pikkarainen off and gets back to his feet.
Rudd tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Pikkarainen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Rudd steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pikkarainen.
Pikkarainen misses with an uppercut. Rudd saw that one coming.
Pikkarainen connects with a body shot that sends Rudd's belly button to the back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Rudd closes the distance but Pikkarainen moves to the side
and Pikkarainen counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Pikkarainen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.

Rudd throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Rudd is looking for a triangle but Pikkarainen pushes his legs off easily.

Rudd looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Rudd throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Pikkarainen escapes and throws Rudd's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Rudd taking a bit of punishment here - Pikkarainen scoring with strikes.
Pikkarainen trying to control the position but Rudd is working away.
Pikkarainen is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen tries to land with some ground and pound but misses.
Pikkarainen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rudd keeps working.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Rudd tries to escape but Pikkarainen is in control.
Rudd is not content to let Pikkarainen control the position.
Rudd taking a bit of punishment here - Pikkarainen scoring with strikes.
Rudd manages to work his way to half guard, despite Pikkarainen's best efforts.
Rudd tries to roll over but Pikkarainen keeps him under control.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pikkarainen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Rudd keeps working.
Pikkarainen wants to pass to mount but Rudd is defending the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen working the head and body with strikes.
Rudd looks like he's trying to stand up.
Pikkarainen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pikkarainen not landing any meaningful shots this time.

Rudd has one foot on Pikkarainen's thigh - he pushes off and manages to get back to his feet.
Rudd tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Pikkarainen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Pikkarainen misses with a wild body shot.
Rudd is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Pikkarainen is trying hard to land a takedown here. Rudd sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Jason Rudd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pekka Pikkarainen.
Pikkarainen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Rudd under the eye.
Pikkarainen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Rudd as he avoids it easily.
Pikkarainen lands a nice hook to Rudd's body. Rudd takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Pikkarainen throws a series of punches but Rudd moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen throws out a loose jab but Rudd uses good head movement to avoid it.
Pekka Pikkarainen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rudd doesn't manage to clinch there - Pikkarainen circles away.
Pikkarainen throws a body punch but Rudd moves out of range.
Pikkarainen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Rudd was well out of range. Poor timing from Pikkarainen.
Rudd moves out of range as Pikkarainen strikes.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pikkarainen fails to land the takedown.
Pikkarainen walks into a left hand.
Pikkarainen throws an overhand right that lands on Rudd's shoulder, as Rudd tries to avoid the shot.
Pikkarainen misses with a takedown
and Rudd counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Pikkarainen fails to land with a series of punches.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A big right from Pikkarainen misses.

Rudd has closed the distance and engaged Pikkarainen in a clinch.
Rudd using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Pikkarainen has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pekka Pikkarainen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Rudd darts in and clinches Pikkarainen up against the cage.
Pikkarainen looking for a takedown.
Rudd throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Pikkarainens head.
Pikkarainen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Rudd gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Rudd prevents Pikkarainen from breaking the clinch.
Pikkarainen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Rudd unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Pikkarainen can't find room to land a body shot as Rudd controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Rudd stops a takedown attempt from Pikkarainen.
Jason Rudd has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pekka Pikkarainen.
Rudd misses with a knee strike.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Pikkarainen.
Pikkarainen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Pikkarainen is trying to break the clinch but Rudd has him pressed against the cage.
Rudd scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Rudd slowing the pace effectively.
Pikkarainen is trying to drag Rudd to the mat but Rudd just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Rudd throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pikkarainen blocks it with crossed arms.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A bit of stalling here from Pikkarainen.
Pikkarainen can't get the takedown.
Rudd goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Rudd lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pikkarainen backwards.
Rudd prevents a takedown attempt there.
Pikkarainen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Rudd's elbow.
Rudd scores a nice knee to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Pikkarainen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Rudd gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Pikkarainen tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Pikkarainen is trying to break the clinch but Rudd has him pressed against the cage.
Pikkarainen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Rudd fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Pikkarainen throws the left hand but Rudd avoids the punch easily.

Pikkarainen gets a takedown into half guard.
Pikkarainen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Rudd on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Rudd tries to get out of the position.
Pikkarainen wants to take a breather but Rudd is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Rudd is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pikkarainen pulls his head out easily.

Rudd is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Pikkarainen pulls his head out easily.
Rudd trying to control here.

Rudd looking for submissions off his back.
Rudd wants to control but Pikkarainen is keeping busy.

Rudd looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Pikkarainen trying to control from half guard but Rudd is working away.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Rudd is looking to improve his position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Jason Rudd will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Pikkarainen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Rudd's half guard.
Rudd is trying to control but can't.
Rudd is looking for a sweep. Pikkarainen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Rudd has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Pikkarainen is working away from the top position though.
Pikkarainen working the head and body with strikes.
Pikkarainen is nestled in close to Rudd, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Pikkarainen is looking to take a break and control but Rudd is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Pikkarainen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Rudd defending well though.

Rudd looking for submissions off his back.
Rudd keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pikkarainen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Rudd knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Pikkarainen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Rudd looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Pikkarainen connects with a nice short shot to Rudd's temple.
Rudd trying to hold on to Pikkarainen's head to control him but Pikkarainen postures up.
Rudd is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Pikkarainen scores with a couple of nice shots.
Rudd regains full guard. Nicely done.

Rudd is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Pikkarainen with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Pikkarainen working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen lands a couple of elbows.

Rudd working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Pikkarainen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Pikkarainen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Rudd wants to sweep but no luck.

Rudd is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Pikkarainen defends well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Pikkarainen landing with the ground and pound.
Pikkarainen landing with the ground and pound.
Pikkarainen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Rudd will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Rudd has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pikkarainen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Rudd has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Pikkarainen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Pikkarainen landing some decent shots from guard.
Rudd trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Pekka Pikkarainen has got the better of the ground game so far.
Pikkarainen looking to pass the guard.
Pikkarainen sitting in guard here, content to control.

Rudd is looking for a triangle but Pikkarainen pushes his legs off easily.

Rudd looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pikkarainen throws a big elbow that misses.
Rudd looking to control.
Pikkarainen chips away with some ground and pound.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pikkarainen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Rudd escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Pikkarainen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Rudd keeping moving, preventing Pikkarainen from controlling successfully.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pikkarainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Rudd is keeping the position for now.
Pikkarainen throws a big right hand that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pekka Pikkarainen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Pikkarainen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 28:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pekka Pikkarainen!
A loyal slave to those sponsorship dollars, Pekka Pikkarainen made sure he mentioned Outkast Clothing Line, along with how happy he was to win his fight.