PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Rod Raskolnikov (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Liam Fitzpatrick (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Raskolnikov
vs
Fitzpatrick

173 cm
20
146 lbs
7 - 0 - 0

165 cm
27
138 lbs
6 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Decent elbows
KO power

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Good gas tank

MayheM sportswear

M.O. Fight Wear
MayheM sportswear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Rod Raskolnikov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Liam Fitzpatrick!
The judges for this bout are Igor Prikhodko, Konstantin Menshow and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fitzpatrick thows a left - swing and a miss!
Raskolnikov jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Fitzpatrick defending well as Raskolnikov loads up on a big left hand.
Fitzpatrick with the counter takedown but Raskolnikov avoids it easily.
Raskolnikov throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Fitzpatrick sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Raskolnikov keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Fitzpatrick throws a chopping leg kick but Raskolnikov manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Raskolnikov looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Fitzpatrick getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Raskolnikov moves out of range of the strikes.
Raskolnikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Raskolnikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fitzpatrick walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Raskolnikov swinging wildly here.
Raskolnikov throws a head kick but Fitzpatrick moves out of range.
Fitzpatrick drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Raskolnikov defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Raskolnikov checks a leg kick.
Raskolnikov on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Fitzpatrick. Fitzpatrick obviously looking to wear him down.
Fitzpatrick keeps the fight on the outside.

Raskolnikov gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Raskolnikov connects with a knee to the head.
Fitzpatrick misses with the head strike.
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the head but Fitzpatrick blocks with his arms.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick avoiding damage as Raskolnikov throws knees to the body.
Fitzpatrick throws a punch but it's blocked by Raskolnikov.
Fitzpatrick tries a body shot but Raskolnikov blocks it.

Fitzpatrick jumps guard and drags Raskolnikov to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Fitzpatrick looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

Fitzpatrick looking for a guillotine here but Raskolnikov defends easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov is looking to stand up but Fitzpatrick won't let him.
Fitzpatrick is trying to control the position but Raskolnikov postures up.
Fitzpatrick has a closed guard, preventing Raskolnikov from standing up.
Raskolnikov preventing the sweep.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

Fitzpatrick working for a triangle but Raskolnikov defends it easily.
Raskolnikov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fitzpatrick's guard.
Fitzpatrick is trying to control the position but Raskolnikov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fitzpatrick holds on and takes a little breather.

Raskolnikov got a little sloppy there for a moment and Fitzpatrick has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Raskolnikov has managed to get both his arms back between Fitzpatrick's legs - danger averted.
Raskolnikov trying to control but Fitzpatrick is working from the bottom.
Fitzpatrick is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Raskolnikov wants to stand but Fitzpatrick is controlling his posture from full guard.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.
Raskolnikov throws a sloppy head kick and Fitzpatrick moves out of range easily.
Fitzpatrick tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Raskolnikov is looking light on his feet compared to last time was saw him fight.
Fitzpatrick tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Raskolnikov was well out of range. Poor timing from Fitzpatrick.
Sloppy strikes from Raskolnikov. Those never looked like landing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov throws a jab when Fitzpatrick was well out of range.
Fitzpatrick feints the counter takedown.
Raskolnikov tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Fitzpatrick avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Fitzpatrick jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big right from Raskolnikov misses.
Raskolnikov will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Raskolnikov looks to clinch

and Fitzpatrick counters with a nice double leg into side control. Raskolnikov won't be happy with that.

Raskolnikov throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fitzpatrick throws a looping overhand right but Raskolnikov ducks down to avoid it.
Fitzpatrick pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Raskolnikov throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

Fitzpatrick drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Raskolnikov managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Fitzpatrick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Rod Raskolnikov 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.

Raskolnikov has managed to clinch.
Raskolnikov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

It looks like Liam Fitzpatrick has been cut.
Raskolnikov is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Fitzpatrick can do to turn this around?

Fitzpatrick pulls guard effortlessly.
Fitzpatrick has control of Raskolnikov's left arm, preventing Raskolnikov from doing any damage.
Raskolnikov stopping the sweep attempt from Fitzpatrick.
Raskolnikov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Raskolnikov trying to control but Fitzpatrick is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raskolnikov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Fitzpatrick is proving hard to escape from.

Fitzpatrick is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Raskolnikov is aware though and is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Fitzpatrick has his foot on Raskolnikov's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Raskolnikov works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Raskolnikov wanted to stand there but Fitzpatrick had control of the position.
Fitzpatrick pulls Raskolnikov in close to his closed guard and prevents Raskolnikov from doing any damage or advancing position.
Fitzpatrick has a closed guard, preventing Raskolnikov from standing up.
Raskolnikov trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Raskolnikov wants to control from the top but Fitzpatrick keeps moving.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Raskolnikov fails with an attempt to clinch.
Raskolnikov moves in looking to clinch but Fitzpatrick pushes him off.
Fitzpatrick takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Fitzpatrick misses with a takedown attempt - Raskolnikov sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Raskolnikov misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Fitzpatrick feints the counter takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Fitzpatrick.

Raskolnikov moves into the clinch.
Raskolnikov blocking some punches.
Raskolnikov throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Fitzpatrick tries to work over Raskolnikov's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Fitzpatrick tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Raskolnikov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Fitzpatrick blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Fitzpatrick misses with a punch on the inside.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Fitzpatrick blocks an elbow strike from Raskolnikov.
Fitzpatrick blocks an uppercut.
Stalling in the clinch from Fitzpatrick.
Rod Raskolnikov has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Raskolnikov managing to block the knees to the body from Fitzpatrick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Raskolnikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fitzpatrick misses with some punches.
Fitzpatrick throws a head punch that misses.
Raskolnikov swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Raskolnikov tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Fitzpatrick avoids it.
Fitzpatrick looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
A short left from Raskolnikov.
Fitzpatrick dodges an elbow strike from Raskolnikov.
Raskolnikov letting Fitzpatrick take a breather here.
Raskolnikov lands a right hand.
Fitzpatrick tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Raskolnikov just stands there and leans against the cage.
Rod Raskolnikov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Liam Fitzpatrick.
Raskolnikov avoids the elbow strike from Fitzpatrick, against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Raskolnikov fails to land.
Raskolnikov lands a damaging elbow.
A short left from Raskolnikov.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov misses with a hook from the clinch.
Raskolnikov is struggling to control the position.
Fitzpatrick takes a shot to the head.
Raskolnikov misses with an elbow strike.
Raskolnikov misses with the head strike.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Raskolnikov avoiding damage as Fitzpatrick throws knees to the body.
Fitzpatrick avoiding damage as Raskolnikov throws knees to the body.
Raskolnikov trying to land knees to the body.
Fitzpatrick goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Fitzpatrick misses with some punches.
Fitzpatrick tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Raskolnikov's elbow.
Fitzpatrick tries to pull guard but Raskolnikov forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Raskolnikov lands an elbow just above Fitzpatrick 's eye.
A head punch on the inside from Raskolnikov fails to land.
Raskolnikov swings wildly with an uppercut but Fitzpatrick uses good head movement to avoid it.
Raskolnikov managing to block the knees to the body from Fitzpatrick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rod Raskolnikov dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Liam Fitzpatrick's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

A big right from Raskolnikov misses.
Fitzpatrick feints the counter takedown.
Fitzpatrick slips a straight right by Raskolnikov.
Fitzpatrick thows a left - swing and a miss!
Raskolnikov throws a lazy right hand but Fitzpatrick sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
The fight stays on the outside here - Raskolnikov looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Fitzpatrick is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Raskolnikov looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Fitzpatrick goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Raskolnikov.
Fitzpatrick takes a knee to the side of the body.
Raskolnikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick can't break the clinch.
Raskolnikov lands an elbow inside that Fitzpatrick shrugs off.
Fitzpatrick is trying to pull guard but Raskolnikov has him pressed against the cage.
A bit of stalling here from Raskolnikov.
Fitzpatrick takes an elbow to the temple.
Raskolnikov scores with a nice hook to the head.
Raskolnikov lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Raskolnikov misses with the head strike.
Fitzpatrick avoids the elbow strike from Raskolnikov, against the cage.
Raskolnikov throws a punch but it's blocked by Fitzpatrick.
Fitzpatrick's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Raskolnikov blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Raskolnikov lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Raskolnikov fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Raskolnikov.

Fitzpatrick pulls guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Fitzpatrick is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Liam Fitzpatrick has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Fitzpatrick working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Raskolnikov doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Raskolnikov manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Raskolnikov trying to stand up but can't free himself from Fitzpatrick's guard.
Raskolnikov trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Raskolnikov gets to his feet. Fitzpatrick looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Raskolnikov throws a combination that misses

and Fitzpatrick counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Fitzpatrick throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Raskolnikov taking some punishment here, with Fitzpatrick in his half guard.
Raskolnikov wants to control but Fitzpatrick is keeping busy.
Raskolnikov tries to roll over but Fitzpatrick keeps him under control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fitzpatrick trying to control from half guard but Raskolnikov is working away.
Fitzpatrick thows a huge punch but Raskolnikov dodges it nicely.
Fitzpatrick thows a huge punch but Raskolnikov dodges it nicely.

Fitzpatrick seems to be working for a kimura but Raskolnikov defends the submission attempt.
Raskolnikov blocking the ground and pound attempt from Fitzpatrick.
Raskolnikov wants to get back to his feet.

Raskolnikov manages to create a bit of space in order to work his way back to his feet. Fitzpatrick keeps hold of his opponent and drives him back against the cage.
Fitzpatrick tries to pull guard but Raskolnikov won't allow it.
Fitzpatrick blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Raskolnikov misses with some punches.

Fitzpatrick jumps into guard, dragging Raskolnikov to the mat.
Raskolnikov postures up.
Raskolnikov has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Fitzpatrick is proving hard to escape from.
Raskolnikov controlling from the top position.

Fitzpatrick throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Fitzpatrick looking for a guillotine here but Raskolnikov defends easily.
Rod Raskolnikov is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Fitzpatrick being controlled here, momentarily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Rod Raskolnikov showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Raskolnikov, 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 Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 30:27
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 30:27
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Rod Raskolnikov!