PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kebab Nurminen (ranked 949 p4p, 401 weight class) and Dougal McCraken (ranked 132 p4p, 48 weight class). McCraken has chosen Bulgine as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nurminen
vs
McCraken

180 cm
37
177
22 - 17 - 1

184 cm
40
170
36 - 21 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Shadow Realm Apparel

Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 22 - 17 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Kebab Nurminen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 36 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Dougal McCraken!
The judges for this bout are Paul Tew, Daniel Bishop and Colin Fotheringham.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
McCraken misses with a wild body shot.
Nurminen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
McCraken thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nurminen appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
McCraken misses with an attempted mid kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for McCraken.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from McCraken.
McCraken has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
McCraken throws a hook but Nurminen avoids it easily.
Nurminen tries to counter with a takedown but McCraken is quick to defend against it.
McCraken misses with a hook.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCraken looks to score with a jab to the body but Nurminen is just out of range.
McCraken scores with a nice strike.
McCraken jabs at Nurminen's body.
Jab, jab by McCraken - just one landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nurminen drops down looking for a counter takedown but McCraken sprawls and moves away.
McCraken connects with a nice looking jab.
McCraken throws a right and a left that Nurminen avoids nicely.
Nurminen tries to counter with a takedown but McCraken is quick to defend against it.
A big right from McCraken misses.
Nurminen drops down looking for a counter takedown but McCraken sprawls and moves away.
McCraken bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nurminen's head.
McCraken lands with a straight right. Nurminen didn't see that one coming.
McCraken throws the left hand but Nurminen avoids the punch easily.
Good work by Nurminen as he checks the leg kick.
Nurminen tries to counter with a takedown but McCraken is quick to defend against it.
McCraken's corner calls for a 1-2. McCraken obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from McCraken.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A good leg kick by McCraken.
The fighters circling - McCraken throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nurminen feinted with a counter takedown.
McCraken throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
McCraken lands with a nice body punch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurminen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nurminen appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
McCraken throws a head kick that misses.
Nurminen avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nurminen attempts a counter takedown but McCraken avoids it well and moves away.
McCraken connects with a body shot that sends Nurminen's belly button to the back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen moves out of range as McCraken strikes.
Nurminen attempts a counter takedown but McCraken avoids it well and moves away.
McCraken throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
McCraken ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurminen moves away.
McCraken looks to land a left hand but Nurminen moved out of range nicely.
Nurminen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nurminen checks a leg kick.
Nurminen drops down looking for a counter takedown but McCraken sprawls and moves away.
Nurminen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nurminen takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by McCraken.
McCraken turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCraken throws a big shot that misses.
Dougal McCraken seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
McCraken throws a sloppy body shot

and Nurminen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nurminen.
McCraken pulls Nurminen in to control the position.

Nurminen decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McCraken, up you get!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A slow jab from McCraken misses its intended target.
A clash of legs there as Nurminen blocks the low kick.
McCraken tests Nurminen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
McCraken lands with a right hand.
McCraken scores with a leg kick.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dougal McCraken dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

McCraken rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Nurminen counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for McCraken!
McCraken tries to wriggle free to get back to his feet but he's given up his back! Oops.
Nurminen is not going to allow McCraken to sit and survive in this position.
Nurminen is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
McCraken tries to escape the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken is trying to get back to his feet but Nurminen has full control of the position and if anything, McCraken has just worked his way into a worse spot.
McCraken trying to control but not successfully.
Nurminen has the hooks in. McCraken is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Good control from Nurminen.

Nurminen gets back to his feet - a bit of a stange decision given the position he was in.
McCraken tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurminen was well out of range. Poor timing from McCraken.
Nurminen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from McCraken.
Nurminen drops down looking for a counter takedown but McCraken sprawls and moves away.
McCraken tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nurminen drops down looking for a counter takedown but McCraken sprawls and moves away.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Dougal McCraken seems to be getting the better of the standup.
McCraken throws the left hand but Nurminen avoids the punch easily.
McCraken scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nurminen in his tracks.
McCraken misses with a lunging right hand

and Nurminen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

McCraken pushes Nurminen off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCraken connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nurminen's hands.
Dougal McCraken is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nurminen tries to counter with a takedown but McCraken is quick to defend against it.
McCraken pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nurminen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nurminen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from McCraken.
Nurminen feinted with a counter takedown.
Nurminen avoids the body shot from McCraken.
Nurminen feinted with a counter takedown.
McCraken looks to score with a jab to the body but Nurminen is just out of range.
McCraken thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nurminen drops his hands momentarily and McCraken takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
McCraken tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nurminen was well out of range. Poor timing from McCraken.
Nurminen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
Nurminen takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCraken swings widly with a right hand

and Nurminen counters with a single leg into guard. McCraken didn't expect that.
McCraken working a defensive guard but Nurminen manages to pass into side control anyway.
McCraken manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Nurminen gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Nurminen moves out of range of the strikes.
Nurminen tries to counter with a takedown but McCraken is quick to defend against it.
McCraken misses with an uppercut. Nurminen saw that one coming.
McCraken fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nurminen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nurminen appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
McCraken misses with a double jab

and Nurminen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McCraken's guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Dougal McCraken showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

McCraken misses with a straight right.
The fighters circling - McCraken throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nurminen slips under a jab.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a nice jab.
McCraken darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Nurminen slips under a jab from McCraken.
McCraken thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nurminen drops down looking for a counter takedown but McCraken sprawls and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurminen has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from McCraken finds it's way round the side to connect with Nurminen's head.
Nurminen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from McCraken.
Nurminen tries to counter with a takedown but McCraken is quick to defend against it.
McCraken throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.

That's one minute gone in the round.
McCraken throws a jab but it's blocked by Nurminen.
McCraken misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurminen.
Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCraken.
Nurminen appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
A swing and a miss from McCraken.
McCraken is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nurminen.
Nurminen drops down looking for a counter takedown but McCraken sprawls and moves away.
McCraken is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nurminen.
Nurminen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
Nice straight punches there by McCraken. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of McCraken.
McCraken has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
McCraken throws the left hand but Nurminen avoids the punch easily.
Nurminen feinted with a counter takedown.
McCraken misses with the body kick

so Nurminen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nurminen decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on McCraken, up you get!
Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by McCraken.
Nurminen attempts a counter takedown but McCraken avoids it well and moves away.
McCraken misses with a wild body shot.
McCraken misses with a hook.
Nurminen defending well as McCraken loads up on a big left hand.
Nurminen half commits to a counter takedown before pushing away, out of range.
McCraken throws a jab when Nurminen was well out of range.
Nurminen feinted with a counter takedown.
The fighters circling - McCraken throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A big right from McCraken misses.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A low kick from McCraken is predictable there

and Nurminen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nurminen.

Nurminen gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen slips a straight right by McCraken.
Nurminen feinted with a counter takedown.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.
Nurminen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.
McCraken swings widly with a right hand

and Nurminen counters with a nice double leg into side control. McCraken won't be happy with that.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Nurminen stands up and beckons McCraken to his feet.
McCraken throws a lazy right hand but Nurminen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurminen tries to counter with a takedown but McCraken is quick to defend against it.
McCraken scores with a hook.
McCraken throws a shot from downtown. Nurminen moves away and avoids it.
Nurminen tries to counter with a takedown but McCraken is quick to defend against it.
McCraken throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nurminen takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
McCraken jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nurminen checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nurminen is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
McCraken misses with an uppercut

and Nurminen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in McCraken's guard.
McCraken looking for a sweep. Not yet McCraken, not yet.
McCraken controlling the position.
McCraken wants to sweep here but Nurminen controlling him for the moment.

McCraken is working an open guard so Nurminen takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Kebab Nurminen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Dougal McCraken is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
McCraken throws a hook but Nurminen avoids it easily.
Nurminen changes levels looking for a counter takedown but doesn't commit.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dougal McCraken comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got McCraken 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Paul Tew scores the fight 27:30
Judge Daniel Bishop scores the fight 27:30
Judge Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 27:30

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