PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nikola Barbalic (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Valdemar Rantakoko (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The key to victory for Nikola Barbalic has got to be keeping the fight on the feet.

Barbalic
vs
Rantakoko

180 cm
23
180 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

175 cm
21
170 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Cardio machine

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Determined

Sub Zero

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Barbalic!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Valdemar Rantakoko!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Rantakoko is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Rantakoko throws a nice looking combination but Barbalic bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Rantakoko wants to clinch up but Barbalic keeps it at a distance.
Barbalic pivots, looking for a leg kick but Rantakoko is out of range and Barbalic settles back down.

Rantakoko shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Rantakoko prevents Barbalic from improving his position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Barbalic is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rantakoko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rantakoko's back!

Barbalic working for a choke but Rantakoko is defending well.
Rantakoko is trying to get back to his feet but he's not managed it yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barbalic is persistently looking for the submission but Rantakoko is defending it well.

Rantakoko is displaying good submission defense - not really looking in danger of submitting to the rear naked choke at the moment. That could change in an instant of course if Barbalic gets his way!

Barbalic patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Rantakoko tries to escape but Barbalic has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Rantakoko controlling his opponent's hands, preventing the submission attempt.
I really don't envy Rantakoko right now.
Barbalic punches the canvas rather than the man.
Rantakoko rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rantakoko tries to roll over but Barbalic keeps him under control.

Barbalic seems to be looking for submissions.
Rantakoko tries to get to full guard but Barbalic has control of the leg.
Rantakoko looks gassed!

Barbalic is looking for a kimura but Rantakoko is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Barbalic to get the leverage.
Rantakoko is refusing to be controlled, as Barbalic sits in half guard.
Rantakoko is looking for a sweep. Barbalic is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Barbalic seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rantakoko tries to roll over but Barbalic keeps him under control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Barbalic throws a leg kick but Rantakoko checks it.
Barbalic bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Rantakoko's head.
Barbalic doesn't manage to clinch there - Rantakoko circles away.
Valdemar Rantakoko seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Rantakoko doesn't manage to clinch there - Barbalic circles away.
Barbalic slips a jab from Rantakoko.
Barbalic lands with a shot to the body.
A jab from Rantakoko misses.
No luck for Rantakoko with that takedown attempt.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Rantakoko takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.

Barbalic closes the distance and clinches.
Rantakoko managing to block the knees to the body from Barbalic.

Barbalic gets the body lock takedown. After a quick scramble, Rantakoko regains guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Barbalic accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Barbalic passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Barbalic trying to control the action but Rantakoko is working from the bottom.
Barbalic throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Rantakoko is looking to regain half guard here but Barbalic keeps moving and retains side control.

Barbalic thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Barbalic dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Rantakoko looks to clinch
and Barbalic counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Rantakoko looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Barbalic!
Barbalic working to try and regain half guard.
Barbalic gets back to half guard.
Barbalic is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Rantakoko's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Rantakoko's back!

Barbalic is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Rantakoko knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Rantakoko for a finish.

Barbalic working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!

Rantakoko is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Barbalic has both hooks in and is working for a choke. Rantakoko is in real trouble here. Barbalic gets an arm under the chin and tightens the submission attempt... is this the end? Yes, Rantakoko is tapping out! Barbalic wins by rear naked choke!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:20 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Nikola Barbalic!