PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kebab Nurminen (ranked 545 p4p, 1225 weight class) and Kimmo Kallio (ranked 88 p4p, 200 weight class). Kebab Nurminen could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Kimmo Kallio's chin.

Nurminen
vs
Kallio

180 cm
26
177
8 - 5 - 0

177 cm
27
175
10 - 10 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

MKFC

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the welterweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kebab Nurminen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 10 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kimmo Kallio!
The judges for this bout are George Francis, Chris Downing and Alan Glass.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A big left from Nurminen misses.
Nurminen attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Kallio misses with a straight right.
A nice leg kick from Kallio, right into the meat of the thigh.
Kallio defending well as Nurminen loads up on a big left hand.
Nurminen looks to score with a jab to the body but Kallio is just out of range.
Nurminen avoids a kick to the body.
Nurminen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.

It looks like Kimmo Kallio has been cut.
Nurminen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Kallio sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nurminen misses with a head kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice cross by Kallio.
Kallio just misses with a punch to the body.
Nurminen looks to throw the jab but Kallio is out of range.
A little jabbing left from Kallio on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nurminen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Kallio.

Nurminen gets in close and instigates a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen tries to work over Kallio's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nurminen lands a body punch in the clinch.
A left hand lands to the body for Kallio.

Nurminen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Kallio takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nurminen listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Kallio pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nurminen moves out of range of the body kick.
Kallio moves away from the strike by Nurminen.
Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kallio.
We've been informed that Kallio has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Kallio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
An attempted straight right counter from Nurminen misses the target.
Kimmo Kallio is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Kallio takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Kallio thuds a left hand into Nurminen's body.
A clash of legs there as Kallio blocks the low kick.
A shot to the liver by Kallio. Beautiful body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen looks for the body kick but Kallio saw that one coming.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nurminen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Kallio lands a body shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Kallio. That's going to slow Nurminen down.
Kallio lands a right hook to the body.
Nurminen has a nice red mark on his side after a thudding body kick by Kallio.
Kallio displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nurminen.
Kallio has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Kallio there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nurminen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kallio manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Kallio scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Kallio stuns Nurminen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen misses with a lunging right hand
and Kallio counters with a left and a right that stings Nurminen.

Nurminen rushes Kallio and presses him up against the cage.
Nurminen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Kallio content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Kallio misses with a body punch.
Kallio lands a body shot.
Nurminen goes for a takedown attempt but Kallio pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut. Kallio saw that one coming.
Kallio looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Nurminen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurminen misses with a combination
and Kallio counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Kallio slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Kallio is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nurminen rather than just go for the knockout.
Kallio throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nurminen misses with a hook.
Kallio blocks a low kick nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Kallio.
A little feinted left hand from Nurminen on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Kallio with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Sloppy strikes from Kallio. Those never looked like landing.
Nurminen is looking to chop away at Kallio's legs.
Kallio moves away from the strike by Nurminen.
Kallio misses with a few strikes there.
Kallio connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nurminen. Nurminen circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
A solid leg kick lands there for Kallio.
Kallio tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurminen was well out of range. Poor timing from Kallio.
Jab, jab by Kallio - just one landing.
Nurminen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nurminen clobbers Kallio with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimmo Kallio dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kimmo Kallio's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Kallio throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Kallio lands a jab to Nurminen's midsection.
Kallio loads up on a big right hand but Nurminen slips the punch.

Nurminen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Kallio's guard.
Kallio looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurminen is one step ahead there.
Kallio pulls Nurminen in close to prevent any damage.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nurminen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurminen trying to control the position from guard on top but Kallio is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kallio has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kallio is looking to stand up but Nurminen isn't so interested in that idea.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Kallio wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kallio throws an off balance right hand
and Kallio takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nurminen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kallio makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Nurminen really felt that one!
Kallio connects with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kallio scores with a push kick.
No joy there for Kallio, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Kallio just misses with a punch to the body.

Nurminen gets a takedown into half guard.
Nurminen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Kallio with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nurminen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Kallio keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nurminen tries to pass the half guard into mount. Kallio knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Nurminen is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Kallio avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Nurminen.
Nurminen throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Kallio to regain full guard.
Kallio keeping moving, preventing Nurminen from controlling successfully.
Kallio is pulling down on Nurminen's head to control his posture.
Kallio keeping full guard, as Nurminen tries to pass.
Nurminen throws a big elbow that misses.

That's four 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.
Nurminen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nurminen trying to control but Kallio is working from the bottom.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurminen throws an elbow that misses. Kallio uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nurminen's guard. Nice move by Kallio!

Nurminen has his hands on Kallio's head, controlling the position.
Kallio trying to stand up but can't free himself from Nurminen's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Kimmo Kallio will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Kimmo Kallio's cut.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nurminen scores with a takedown into Kallio's guard.
Nurminen throws a strike but Kallio rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nurminen is trying to hold Kallio in close to prevent damage but Kallio has managed to pass into half guard.
Nurminen is trying is best to control the position here.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurminen is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Kallio jumps into side control!

Kallio decides to stand back up.
Nurminen throws a wild body kick that Kallio sees coming a mile off.
Kallio displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nurminen throws out the jab.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kallio! But no joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nurminen throws a leg kick but Kallio checks it.
Kallio throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nurminen's head.
Kallio connects with a high kick.
Nurminen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Kallio scores with a hook to the body. Nurminen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Kallio scores with a leg kick.
Nurminen throws an overhand right that lands on Kallio's shoulder, as Kallio tries to avoid the shot.
Nurminen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Kallio.
Kallio avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nurminen is looking to clinch but Kallio is avoiding it.
Kallio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Nurminen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Kallio can pounce on him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Kallio uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nurminen.
Nurminen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Kallio counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Nurminen tries to work over Kallio's front leg with a kick but Kallio checks it.
Kallio tries a head kick but it misses.
Kallio throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nurminen looks to land a left hand but Kallio moved out of range nicely.
Nurminen misses with a takedown attempt - Kallio sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kallio stuns Nurminen with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nurminen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Kallio but Kallio pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nurminen throws an off balance right hand
and Kallio counters with a two punch combo.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A lazy body kick from Kallio
and Nurminen counters with a nice uppercut.
Kallio shuffles to his left behind two crisp jabs. Nurminen eats them both and turns towards Kallio to reposition himself and eats a stinging right hand-left hook combo.
Kallio connects with an inside leg kick.
Kallio throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurminen is looking to counter punch.
Nurminen just misses with a punch to the body.
Nurminen misses with a body shot.
Nurminen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nurminen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kallio counters with a stiff right hand.
Nurminen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Kallio fakes the leg kick and cracks Nurminen in the body.
Kallio takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen misses with a two punch combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Kallio digs a good hook to Nurminen's body.
Kallio looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Kallio works the jab nicely.
Kallio throws a sloppy head kick and Nurminen moves out of range easily.
Nurminen throws a body shot but no joy.
Kallio takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nurminen throws a looping overhand right but Kallio ducks down to avoid it.
Kallio thinks about the counter body kick.
The fighters circling - Nurminen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nurminen throws an overhand right that lands on Kallio's shoulder, as Kallio tries to avoid the shot.
Nurminen swings widly with a right hand
and Kallio counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Kallio turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimmo Kallio really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Kimmo Kallio's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kallio lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nurminen circles away quickly and effectively.
Nurminen attempts a counter takedown but Kallio avoids it well and moves away.
Kallio cracks Nurminen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nurminen is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Good shot there by Nurminen.
Nurminen avoids the body shot from Kallio.
Kallio misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Kallio lands with a nice body kick.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut.
Kallio counters with a body kick.
Kallio ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurminen moves away.
Kallio swats away the attempt to clinch by Nurminen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kallio thumps Nurminen with a low kick.
Nurminen motions for Kallio to come forward. Nurminen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kallio jabs Nurminen right on the nose. Nurminen blinks but takes it well.
Kallio throws a series of punches but Nurminen moves out of range.
Kallio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurminen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Kallio swivels and escapes.
Kallio looks to land a left hand but Nurminen moved out of range nicely.
Nurminen was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Kallio ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Kallio scores with the left hand. Nurminen knows he should have avoided that one.
Kallio defending well as Nurminen loads up on a big left hand.
Kallio throws a head kick that misses
and Nurminen counters with a stiff right hand.
Kallio sizes up Nurminen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
The fighters circling - Nurminen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nurminen throws a right hand that misses
enabling Kallio to counter with a crisp jab.
Nurminen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Kallio counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Kallio pushes Nurminen away with a front kick.
Nurminen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Kallio counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nurminen looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Kallio throws out a loose jab but Nurminen uses good head movement to avoid it.
A swing and a miss from Nurminen.
Nurminen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nurminen misses with a left hand
and Kallio counters with a three punch combo that has Nurminen backing up. Nurminen nods at Kallio to acknowledge the strikes.
Kimmo Kallio seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Kallio ducks under a wild hook from Nurminen.
Nurminen tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kallio manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nurminen will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
Kallio throws a shot to the body.
Kallio throws a push kick but Nurminen slaps the foot to one side.
Kallio lands with a shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kallio throws a right hand that Nurminen ducks under and follows up with a left that Nurminen also avoids with ease.
Kallio stuffs the takedown.
Kallio lands with a shot to the body.
Kallio ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nurminen blocks a head kick by Kallio.
Nurminen shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Kallio throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nurminen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Kallio misses with a looping right.
Nurminen misses with a body shot.
Nurminen is looking to clinch.
A countering left hand to the body from Kallio misses.
Kallio stalks Nurminen and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Nurminen's face. Nurminen staggers backwards, shaken.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Kallio. Nurminen shrugs it off though.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen moves out of range of the body kick from Kallio.
Nurminen is looking to counter punch.
Nurminen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Kallio's hands.
Nurminen tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Kallio defends well and Nurminen ends up having to push Kallio into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kebab Nurminen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kallio fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nurminen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Kallio tries a head kick but it misses.
Kallio throws an ugly left hook that misses
and Nurminen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Kallio misses with a shot to the body
letting Nurminen counter with a right hand.
Kallio stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kallio wants it to stay on the feet.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Kallio scores with a push kick.
Kallio throws a jab but it's blocked by Nurminen.
An attempted straight right counter from Nurminen misses the target.
Nurminen misses with the combination.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Kallio! But no joy.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimmo Kallio dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Kimmo Kallio's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Jab by Nurminen.
Kallio misses with a wild combination.
Nurminen wants to clinch up but Kallio keeps it at a distance.
Kallio thinks about the counter body kick.
Nurminen throws a hook to the side of Kallio's head but Kallio sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Kallio misses with a wild combination.
Kallio slips under a jab from Nurminen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Donk. Nurminen catches Kallio right on the button with a cross.
Kallio throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Nurminen is looking to counter punch.
Nurminen loads up on a big right hand but Kallio slips the punch.
Nurminen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Kallio counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Kallio punishes Nurminen's body with a nice straight punch.
Kallio takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Kallio wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Kallio lands a jab-cross combination.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Kallio scores with a hook to the body. Nurminen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nurminen motions for Kallio to come forward. Nurminen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Kallio digs a good body shot into Nurminen's ribs.
Nurminen scores with a body shot.
Kallio stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Kallio wants it to stay on the feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurminen gets off balance looking for a body kick
and Kallio makes the exchange count by landing a cracking kick to the body. Nurminen really felt that one!
Kallio lands a body shot.
Nurminen looks to land a left hand but Kallio moved out of range nicely.
Nurminen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - a gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Nurminen loads up on a big right hand but Kallio slips the punch.
Nurminen dives in for a single leg takedown but Kallio sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Kallio thinks about the counter body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kebab Nurminen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurminen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Kallio comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Kallio lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nurminen at a distance.
Kallio throws out a powerful jab.
A low kick from Nurminen misses
and Kallio counters with a one-two to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kallio looks to score with a jab to the body but Nurminen is just out of range.
Kallio pushes Nurminen away with a front kick.
A slow jab from Nurminen misses its intended target.
Nice uppercut lands for Kallio. That snapped Nurminen's head back.
Nurminen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Kallio was well out of range. Poor timing from Nurminen.
Kimmo Kallio is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Kallio ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nurminen throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Kallio stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Kallio fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nurminen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Kallio throws a lazy right hand but Nurminen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Kallio misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurminen.
Kallio misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen looks to land a right hand but Kallio moved out of range.
Nurminen throws a lazy uppercut
and Kallio counters with a two punch combo.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kallio lands a really nice looking cross but Nurminen seems unphased.
Kallio throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Nurminen takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Kallio throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurminen lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Kallio at a distance.
Kallio looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Kallio fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kallio defending well as Nurminen loads up on a big left hand.
Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Kallio.
Kebab Nurminen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nurminen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Kallio manages to avoid it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kimmo Kallio comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kallio 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge George Francis scores the fight 45:50
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 45:50
Judge Alan Glass scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kimmo Kallio!
Kimmo Kallio is the new welterweight champion!
A relieved looking Kimmo Kallio thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.