PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Conan Herugrim (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Oupa Nieminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 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.

Herugrim
vs
Nieminen

195 cm
24
270 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

188 cm
23
239 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

BJJ Brown Belt
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Conan Herugrim!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Oupa Nieminen!
The judges for this bout are Damien Edna, Donatello Bradman and John Mangel.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Herugrim digs a good body shot into Nieminen's ribs.
Nieminen ducks right into an uppercut from Herugrim.
Nieminen fails to land with a series of punches.
Herugrim scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nieminen looks gassed!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Herugrim misses with a double jab
and Nieminen counters with a nice body shot.
Herugrim tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nieminen was well out of range. Poor timing from Herugrim.
Herugrim lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Herugrim.

It looks like Oupa Nieminen has been cut.
Herugrim lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nieminen at a distance.
Herugrim connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nieminen's hands.
Nieminen ducks under a wild hook from Herugrim.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A jab lands there for Herugrim.
Herugrim throws a big overhand right that connects, sending Nieminen tumbling to the canvas!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Herugrim has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Nieminen is proving hard to escape from.
Herugrim stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nieminen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Herugrim stands and throws Nieminen's legs to the side, diving into side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herugrim has knee on belly and now moves to full mount! Trouble for Nieminen!

Herugrim looking to secure an arm triangle but Nieminen defends it well.
Nieminen really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Herugrim goes for an armbar but he's not got it… Nieminen turns into him and now he's in Herugrim's guard.
Nieminen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nieminen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Herugrim not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.

Herugrim throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Nieminen escapes and throws Herugrim's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Herugrim is trying to improve his position.
Nieminen lands a knee to the body and follows it up with some ground and pound to the head. That will wear Herugrim down.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Conan Herugrim dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Oupa Nieminen's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Herugrim misses with a looping left.
Herugrim swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Herugrim misses with a two punch combination.
Nieminen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Nieminen moves into the clinch.
Nieminen is stalling here.
Herugrim is trying to break the clinch but Nieminen is controlling him.
Nieminen missing with knees to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Herugrim's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nieminen misses with a series of wild punches.
Herugrim looks to throw the jab but Nieminen is out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieminen avoids the body shot from Herugrim.
A telegraphed right hand from Herugrim misses the target.
Conan Herugrim seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Herugrim waving his hands out infront of him, looking to distract Nieminen.
Herugrim throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Nieminen counters with a straight right hand.

It looks like Conan Herugrim has been cut.
Nieminen dodges the punch combination from Herugrim.
Nieminen avoids the body shot from Herugrim.
Herugrim throws an overhand right that lands on Nieminen's shoulder, as Nieminen tries to avoid the shot.
Herugrim catches Nieminen with a nice straight right. He seems pissed - ooooh, it's on now! On like donkey kong!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Herugrim backs up against the cage.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Herugrim scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nieminen doesn't seem bothered though.
Conan Herugrim is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Herugrim slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Donk. Herugrim catches Nieminen right on the button with a cross.
A shot to the body from Herugrim misses

and Nieminen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Herugrim won't be happy with that.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Herugrim is trying to escape the position but Nieminen is controlling the position.
Nieminen scoring with punches from side control.

Nieminen goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Herugrim rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Nieminen's guard! Nice work there by Herugrim!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen striking off his back but it's not causing Herugrim any problems.
Herugrim tries to free his leg and advance position but Nieminen is retaining full guard.

Herugrim gets to his feet. Nieminen looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
Herugrim works over Nieminen's head and body with a nice combination.
Herugrim misses with a wild body shot.
Herugrim swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen slips a jab from Herugrim.
Herugrim keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nieminen.
Nieminen misses with a two punch combination.
Herugrim jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Herugrim ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nieminen moves away.
Nieminen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Herugrim.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Herugrim thows a body shot but no joy.

Nieminen shoots in and bounces Herugrim off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Oupa Nieminen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Herugrim misses with a body punch

and Nieminen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Herugrim!
Herugrim tries to reverse the position but Nieminen maintains control.
Nieminen with the ground and pound from mount.
Nieminen postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Herugrim looks a forlorn figure.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Herugrim is looking to get to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieminen working the ground and pound effectively.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nieminen landing strikes, looking to finish!
Nieminen in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.
Herugrim really trying hard to get back to half guard here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herugrim is trying to escape but when you're mounted that's not too easy.
Herugrim is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herugrim regains half guard.
Nieminen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nieminen prevents Herugrim from improving his position.

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.
Nieminen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Herugrim's head.
Nieminen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Herugrim with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Herugrim is refusing to be controlled, as Nieminen sits in half guard.
Herugrim has hold of Nieminen's hands but Nieminen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Oupa Nieminen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nieminen 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 Damien Edna scores the fight 28:29
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 28:29
Judge John Mangel scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Oupa Nieminen!