PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Joku Nimi (ranked 3742 p4p, 19154 weight class) and Ian Laperierre (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Laperierre has chosen Tha Shiznit as his entrance music. Ian Laperierre is the more experienced fighter, so let's see if that makes a difference tonight.

Nimi
vs
Laperierre

176 cm
20
160
2 - 1 - 0

177 cm
41
167
16 - 7 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joku Nimi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 7 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Ian Laperierre!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Laperierre waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nimi.
Nimi wants to land a leg kick but Laperierre is out of range.
Laperierre looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Laperierre checks a leg kick.
Laperierre looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Laperierre misses with a few strikes there.
A little feinted left hand from Nimi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
A big left from Laperierre misses.
An attempted straight right counter from Nimi misses the target.
Nimi moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nice straight punches there by Nimi. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nimi.
Nimi looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Ian Laperierre seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Laperierre moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Laperierre takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Nimi feints a jab promting Laperierre to slip. Nimi then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Laperierre slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Laperierre misses with a wild body shot.
Nimi wants to land a leg kick but Laperierre is out of range.
Laperierre throws a looping overhand right but Nimi ducks down to avoid it.
Laperierre scores with a punch to the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Laperierre looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nimi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Nimi walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nimi bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
Laperierre takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Laperierre keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nimi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Laperierre.
Nimi lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Laperierre throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nimi fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Laperierre throws a fast counter high kick but Nimi manages to duck under it in time.
A big right from Nimi misses.
Laperierre checks the leg kick.
Nimi turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Laperierre misses with a body shot.
Nimi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Laperierre stuns Nimi with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Laperierre throws an overhand right that lands on Nimi's shoulder, as Nimi tries to avoid the shot.
Laperierre 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.
Laperierre has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Nimi.
Laperierre misses with a right hand
and Nimi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Laperierre thinking.
Nimi misses with a two punch combination.
Nimi walks into a left hand.
Laperierre misses with a left hand
and Nimi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nimi keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Laperierre throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Laperierre is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nimi.
Nimi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Laperierre stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nimi just misses with a punch to the body.
Nimi throws a leg kick but Laperierre sees it coming and checks it nicely.
As Nimi backs off Laperierre throws a huge counter combo but Nimi manages to avoid it all.
Nimi throws a leg kick but Laperierre moved away.
Nimi throws a leg kick that misses.
Laperierre misses with a looping left.
Nimi tried to counter with a leg kick but Laperierre avoided it.
Nice defenses there by Laperierre.
Nimi misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Laperierre connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nimi looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nimi looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Laperierre lands a jab-cross combination.
Laperierre connects with a jab.
Laperierre misses with a two punch combination.
Nimi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Laperierre.
Laperierre lands with a right hand.
A swing and a miss from Laperierre.
Laperierre throws a shot from downtown. Nimi moves away and avoids it.
Nimi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Laperierre.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nimi looks for the body kick but Laperierre saw that one coming.
Nimi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Laperierre.
Laperierre shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nimi sprawls well. Nimi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Laperierre gets slowly back to his feet.
Laperierre looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nimi is fending him off so far but Laperierre persists. Nope, Nimi circles away and we're back to standing.
Joku Nimi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Ian Laperierre.
Jab by Laperierre.
Laperierre avoids a punch combination nicely.
It seemed like Laperierre was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Nimi.
Nimi ducks under a wild hook from Laperierre.
Nice cross by Laperierre.
Nimi misses with a straight right.
Nice body punch from Laperierre.
Nimi thows a left - swing and a miss!
Laperierre gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nimi keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Laperierre.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nimi defending well as Laperierre loads up on a big left hand.
Nimi pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nimi throws a wild body kick that Laperierre sees coming a mile off.
Laperierre with a nice cross.
Laperierre might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Nimi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Laperierre.
Nimi misses with a body shot.
Laperierre loads up on a big right hand but Nimi slips the punch.
A punch combination from Nimi misses.
Nimi throws a leg kick that misses.
Laperierre misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Laperierre throws a hook to the side of Nimi's head but Nimi sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Good work by Laperierre as he checks the leg kick.
Laperierre keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Laperierre lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Joku Nimi is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nimi scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Laperierre throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nimi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Nimi gets cracked there but stands up to it.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Ian Laperierre will probably get the nod.
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.

Laperierre throws a big shot that misses.
Laperierre throws a good cross that connects.
Laperierre misses with a hook
and Nimi counters with a nice uppercut.
Nimi lands a nice shot that snaps Laperierre's head back.
Laperierre throws a jab when Nimi was well out of range.
Ian Laperierre seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nimi slips a straight right by Laperierre.

Laperierre drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Nimi keeping full guard, as Laperierre tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Laperierre's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nimi wants to stand but Laperierre is controlling the position.
Nimi wants to sweep here but Laperierre controlling him for the moment.
Laperierre tries to free his leg and advance position but Nimi is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laperierre keeps trying to improve his position.
Laperierre trying to control the position from guard on top but Nimi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Nimi is working an open guard so Laperierre takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Laperierre throws an overhand right that lands on Nimi's shoulder, as Nimi tries to avoid the shot.
Laperierre ducks under a wild hook from Nimi.
Nimi scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Laperierre comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Nimi slips a straight right by Laperierre.
Nimi slips under a jab from Laperierre.
Laperierre lands with a right hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Laperierre thuds his right hand into Nimi's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Laperierre throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nimi looks to score with a jab to the body but Laperierre is just out of range.
Laperierre misses with a looping left.
Nimi slips under a jab.
A little feinted left hand from Nimi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
Laperierre moves out of range as Nimi strikes.
Nice straight punches there by Laperierre. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Laperierre.
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!

Laperierre drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Laperierre pushing down on Nimi's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Laperierre trying to control the action but Nimi is working from the bottom.
Laperierre has freed up his trapped foot and advances to mount.

Laperierre moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Nimi has worked his arm free - good work by Nimi!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Laperierre wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nimi, who protects the arm well.
Nimi is trying to escape the position but Laperierre is controlling the position.

Laperierre goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Nimi has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Laperierre but great work by Nimi.
Laperierre is looking to regain half guard here but Nimi keeps moving and retains side control.
Laperierre wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Laperierre tries to improve position but can't.
Laperierre is trying to control Nimi's posture but Nimi avoids it.
Nimi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Laperierre on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Laperierre tries to bench press Nimi off him but Nimi keeps the position.
Nimi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Laperierre keeps working.
The strikes coming from Nimi are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Laperierre gets back to half guard.
Nimi wants to stand up but Laperierre is controlling the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ian Laperierre showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Laperierre misses with a hook. Nimi ducked under it nicely.
Nimi looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
Nimi looks to score with a jab to the body but Laperierre is just out of range.
Nimi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Laperierre.
Nimi feinted there with a counter leg kick.
Laperierre scores with a crisp jab that stopped Nimi in his tracks.
Nimi ducks under a wild hook from Laperierre.
A slow jab from Laperierre misses its intended target.
Laperierre lands a really nice looking cross but Nimi seems unphased.
Laperierre cracks Nimi with an open hand slap.
Laperierre checks a leg kick.
Laperierre checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nimi connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Nimi ducks under a wild hook from Laperierre.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nimi fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Laperierre checks it well.
Sloppy strikes from Nimi. Those never looked like landing.
Nimi throws a nice inside leg kick.
A big right from Laperierre misses.
A quick step to the side and Nimi tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
Laperierre swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Nimi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nimi tries to score with a low kick but Laperierre moves his leg out of the way.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Laperierre just misses with a punch to the body.
Nimi is looking to counter with a shot to the body.
Nimi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Laperierre.
Nimi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Laperierre misses with an uppercut. Nimi saw that one coming.
Nice shot lands for Laperierre.
Laperierre throws an off balance right hand
and Nimi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.
Laperierre misses with a wild body shot.
Nimi appeared to be looking to counter that last move with a leg kick.
Laperierre stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nimi.
Nimi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Laperierre.
Nimi lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Laperierre fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nimi lunges at Laperierre with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Laperierre's hand.
Laperierre with a hook.
Nimi throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
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!
Laperierre walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nimi uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Laperierre.
Nimi throws a lazy right hand but Laperierre sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Laperierre throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nimi bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Laperierre takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Nimi stalks Laperierre and leaps in with a furious combination of punches. Uppercuts and crosses smash into Laperierre's face. Laperierre staggers backwards, shaken.
Nimi connects with a good right hand that stumbles Laperierre. Laperierre circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Laperierre lands a really nice looking cross but Nimi seems unphased.
Laperierre bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nimi's head.
Nimi throws a hook to the side of Laperierre's head but Laperierre sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nimi has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nimi there as he acknowledges the shot.
Laperierre misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nimi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Laperierre swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nimi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Laperierre.
Nimi cracks Laperierre with an open hand slap.
Nimi throws a series of punches but Laperierre avoids them all with ease.
Laperierre tries a head kick but it misses.
A little feinted left hand from Nimi on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.
The fighters circling - Laperierre throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
It looked like Nimi wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
A big right from Nimi misses.
The fighters circling - Laperierre throws out the jab but it was never going to land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Laperierre checks a low kick from Nimi.
Laperierre's corner calls for a 1-2. Laperierre obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Laperierre's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nimi is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Laperierre.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nimi. That's going to slow Laperierre down.
That kick from Nimi tenderised Laperierre's leg. Laperierre is trying to keep his angry face on.
Laperierre lands the left hand.
Nimi looks to land a left hand but Laperierre moved out of range nicely.
Laperierre jabs Nimi right on the nose. Nimi blinks but takes it well.
Joku Nimi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Laperierre moves out of range of the leg kick from Nimi.
Laperierre now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
The crowd cheers as Laperierre lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nimi doesn't seem phased though.
Nimi throws a hook but Laperierre blocks it.
Nimi throws a body shot but no joy.
Nimi lands with a right hand.
Laperierre on the wrong end of a nice hook.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nimi moves into range and connects with a jab.
Nimi takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
Laperierre misses with a hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Nimi finds it's way through Laperierre's defenses.
Laperierre takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nimi cracks Laperierre with an open hand slap.
A left lands for Laperierre.
Nimi throws a low kick but it's checked well by Laperierre.
Nimi tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Laperierre fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Nimi uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Laperierre.
Nimi throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Laperierre getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
Laperierre with a hook.
Nimi looks to throw the jab but Laperierre is out of range.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Laperierre lands a jab.
Laperierre misses the jab.
Nice defenses there by Laperierre.
Ian Laperierre is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Laperierre bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Ian Laperierre.
Well Laperierre has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ian Laperierre!
An out of breath Ian Laperierre thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.