PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pawel Nastula (ranked 24835 p4p, 12991 weight class) and Toktogulovich Bakiyev (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pawel Nastula has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nastula
vs
Bakiyev

185 cm
19
150
5 - 7 - 0

171 cm
50
153
40 - 62 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Knockout power

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 5 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pawel Nastula!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 40 - 62 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Toktogulovich Bakiyev!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Marco Blurström and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Bakiyev throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

Nastula has managed to clinch.
Bakiyev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nastula has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Bakiyev avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Nastula has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Bakiyev after a bit of a struggle.
Bakiyev looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Bakiyev wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nastula is trying to drag Bakiyev to the mat but Bakiyev just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pawel Nastula. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakiyev working hard to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakiyev gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Nastula.
Nastula drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.

Bakiyev escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Nastula pushes Bakiyev up against the cage in a clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Bakiyev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bakiyev is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nastula content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Bakiyev wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nastula has him pressed against the cage.
Nastula wants a takedown.
Bakiyev tries to break free but Nastula pushes him back against the cage.
Nastula can't get the takedown.
Nastula really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
A frustrated look appears on Bakiyev's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Bakiyev is trying to break the clinch but Nastula has him pressed against the cage.
Nastula goes for a takedown attempt but Bakiyev pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nastula looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Nastula keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Bakiyev.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Nastula.
Nastula tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Bakiyev manages to circle out of the way.
Bakiyev throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nastula moves out of range of the strikes.
Bakiyev throws a shot from downtown. Nastula moves away and avoids it.
Bakiyev ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Bakiyev misses with a body shot.
Nastula takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nastula staying out of range there.
Nastula shoots in looking for a takedown but Bakiyev manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Nastula's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.

Nastula scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Bakiyev is trying to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nastula tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Nastula is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Bakiyev has escaped the position, nice work there.

Nastula wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Bakiyev, who protects the arm well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Bakiyev tries to escape but Nastula is in control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Toktogulovich Bakiyev dominated that round.
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.

Nastula moves into the clinch.
Nastula is working for takedown but Bakiyev is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nastula looking for a takedown.

Nastula has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Bakiyev clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!

Nastula patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Bakiyev wants to get back to his feet.

Nastula is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakiyev is trying to get back to his feet but Nastula has full control of the position and if anything, Bakiyev has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Bakiyev felt the need to train up his defensive grappling in the buildup to the fight. Presumably he was expecting to be in a difficult position like this, so let's see if he can get out of it.

Nastula is persistently looking for the submission but Bakiyev is defending it well.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nastula is looking for the choke from the back position but Bakiyev is controlling his hands well.
Pawel Nastula overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Bakiyev is trying to get back to his feet but Nastula has full control of the position and if anything, Bakiyev has just worked his way into a worse spot.

Nastula looking for the choke from the back.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Bakiyev trying to get back to his feet but Nastula is in full control for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nastula tightening his grip on Bakiyev, looking for the choke.

Nastula is persistently looking for the submission but Bakiyev is defending it well.

Nastula working for a choke but Bakiyev is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev is trying to stand back up.

Nastula has his hand under the chin of his opponent looking for the choke. He's nearly got it! This one could be all over! But no, Bakiyev has freed his hand and lives to survive another… well, another couple of seconds at least!
Bakiyev is trying to get back to his feet but Nastula has full control of the position and if anything, Bakiyev has just worked his way into a worse spot.

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.

Bakiyev defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Bakiyev trying to get back to his feet but Nastula is in full control for now.
Nastula will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Nastula working for the choke.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Bakiyev is trying to stand back up.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Pawel Nastula dominated that second round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Bakiyev lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Bakiyev wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Bakiyev swings for the body but Nastula moves out of range.
Nastula swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
Nastula throws a head kick but Bakiyev moves out of range.
Pawel Nastula is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nastula keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Bakiyev misses with a wild body shot.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nastula tries to clinch but Bakiyev moves out of range.
Bakiyev looks like he wants to counter punch here.

Nastula gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Bakiyev has had enough of the clinch but Nastula keeps him there for the moment.

Nastula gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bakiyev wants to get back to his feet but Nastula is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

Nastula drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Bakiyev dives on top into guard.

Bakiyev is looking to stand up but Nastula won't let him.
Bakiyev is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Bakiyev preventing the sweep.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Nastula is on top in guard.

Bakiyev is looking to stand up but Nastula isn't so interested in that idea.
Bakiyev has a closed guard, preventing Nastula from standing up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bakiyev is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nastula wants to pass the guard but Bakiyev is keeping the position.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Bakiyev comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
A solid body kick from Nastula.
Bakiyev fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nastula manages to avoid it.

Nastula looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nastula is keen to just control but Bakiyev is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nastula seems to be looking for submissions.
Nastula prevents Bakiyev from standing back up.

Nastula seems to be working for a kimura but Bakiyev defends the submission attempt.

Nastula is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Bakiyev is trying to stand up here but Nastula is controlling him well.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!

Nastula seems to be working for a kimura but Bakiyev defends the submission attempt.
Bakiyev wants to get back to his feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Pawel Nastula.
I think Nastula has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 29:28
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pawel Nastula!