PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Ndamukong Song (ranked 3599 p4p, 5389 weight class) and Kaapo Westerinen (ranked 452 p4p, 607 weight class). 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.

Song
vs
Westerinen

177 cm
20
201
1 - 1 - 0

182 cm
19
179
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent MT
Powerful

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

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 1 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ndamukong Song!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kaapo Westerinen!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Roosa Järviläinen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The fighters circling - Song throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Westerinen scoring well with a low kick there.
Westerinen needs to keep his hands up - Song had a free shot at his head there.
Westerinen lands a high kick!

It looks like Ndamukong Song has been cut.

Song throws a loose over hand right and dives in with a double leg takedown. Westerinen tries to sprawl but it's too late and the fighters hit the mat. Song is in Westerinen's guard.
Song is stalling in the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Westerinen working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Song.
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.
Song throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Westerinen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Song throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Song missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Song slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Song seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Westerinen for as long as he can get away with.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up.
Song takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Ndamukong Song seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Westerinen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Song misses with an uppercut.
Westerinen thows a leg kick but Song checks it

and Song decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Westerinen's guard.
Song controls from within his opponent's guard.
Song scoring with some ground and pound.
Westerinen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Song not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Song throws a big elbow that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Westerinen being controlled here, momentarily.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Song throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Song's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Song working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Song missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four 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.
Song sitting in guard here, content to control.
Westerinen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Westerinen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Song throws an overhand right that lands on Westerinen's shoulder, as Westerinen tries to avoid the shot.
Song goes for a double leg but Westerinen avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Westerinen continues to drive forward.
Song blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Come on Song - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Westerinen trying to land knees to the body.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Song changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Westerinen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Song wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ndamukong Song dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Ndamukong Song's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

A looping hook to the body misses from Song. Westerinen does a little dance to reset his feet.
A nice inside leg kick there by Westerinen. That's going to slow Song down.
Song tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Westerinen connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Westerinen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Westerinen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

Song closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Song lands in his opponent's guard.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Song controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Song is in close to Westerinen's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Song throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Westerinen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Song slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.
Westerinen controls Song momentarily but Song frees himself.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Ndamukong Song overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Westerinen wants to sweep here but Song controlling him for the moment.
Song slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Song wants to land a leg kick but Westerinen is out of range.
Song misses with a left hand
and Westerinen counters with a leg kick.
Song misses the shot to the body.
Westerinen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Song looks to throw the jab but Westerinen is out of range.
Song misses with a body punch
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Westerinen's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Song connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Westerinen scrambles back to his feet.
Westerinen throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Song attempts a counter takedown but Westerinen avoids it well and moves away.
Song misses with a looping left.
Song throws an overhand right that lands on Westerinen's shoulder, as Westerinen tries to avoid the shot.
And Westerinen responds with a good body kick, but Song manages to step out the way in time.
Song shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Westerinen pinned against the cage. Westerinen gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kaapo Westerinen is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Westerinen connects with an inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Westerinen defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Song.
Song closes the distance and clinches up with Westerinen, looking for a takedown. Song pushes Westerinen against the cage but Westerinen circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Ndamukong Song. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Song shoots in and drives through. Westerinen sprawls well.
Song backing away here, and Westerinen unleashes a leg kick that just misses.
Song tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Westerinen defends well and Song ends up having to push Westerinen into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Westerinen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Song.
Westerinen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Song blocks it with crossed arms.
Song drops down looking for an ankle pick but Westerinen pulls his leg out and moves away.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Both fighters circling a little - Westerinen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kaapo Westerinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Ndamukong Song's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Westerinen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Song misses with a hook to the body
and Westerinen counters with an inside leg kick.
Westerinen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Song throws a poor cross that misses
and Westerinen counters with a good low kick that Song was not able to check.
Westerinen fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.
Kaapo Westerinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Song blocks a head kick by Westerinen.
Westerinen tries to land a body kick

and Song counters with a single leg into guard. Westerinen didn't expect that.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Westerinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Song landing some decent shots from guard.
Song is in close to Westerinen's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Westerinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Song postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Westerinen is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Song, into his guard.

Song is looking to stand back up but Westerinen counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Song.
Song pushes Westerinen off looking to stand but Westerinen dives back in and keeps control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Song is controlling Westerinen's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Westerinen stalling away here and it's allowed Song to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Westerinen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Song holds on and takes a little breather.
Song has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Song is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Westerinen is controlling him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Song controlling the position.
Westerinen wants to pass the guard but Song is keeping the position.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Song is pulling down on Westerinen's head. It's preventing any offense from Westerinen, at least for the moment.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Westerinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
We've been told by Song's head coaches at Xtreme Black House that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Song blocks a head kick by Westerinen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Westerinen scores with a nice body kick.

Song shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Westerinen is trying to defend but Song finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Still in half guard, Song seems content to control.
This is a sustained period of stalling by Song.
Westerinen really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Song. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Song thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Westerinen's head.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Song takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Song is figuring out what he wants to do next.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Kaapo Westerinen.
I think Westerinen 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:29
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

The fight is ruled a draw!