PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Massa Munapaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Napalmi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). We have two fighters making their debuts here, so let's see who comes out of this one with their first professional victory.

Munapaa
vs
Napalmi

180 cm
22
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid boxing
Very quick

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Intelligent

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Massa Munapaa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Napalmi!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Napalmi blocks a head kick by Munapaa.

Napalmi clinches with his opponent.
Napalmi gets underhooks to prevent Munapaa's takedown attempt.
Munapaa jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Napalmi walks away with a smile on his face. Munapaa gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

Napalmi is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Munapaa's half guard.
Napalmi thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Napalmi controlling the action here.
Napalmi has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Napalmi is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Napalmi is thwarting Munapaa's attempts to control the position.

Napalmi is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Munapaa has managed to free his arm - good work.

Napalmi is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Munapaa defends it well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munapaa wants to get back to full guard.
Munapaa is trying to maintain the position but Napalmi is very close to passing his half guard.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Munapaa moves out of range as Napalmi strikes.
Napalmi looks gassed!
A head kick misses from Munapaa.
Munapaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Napalmi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Napalmi circles away from the clinch attempt.

Napalmi drives through and clinches with Munapaa against the cage.
Napalmi stalling.
Napalmi stops a takedown attempt from Munapaa.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Massa Munapaa. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Napalmi manages to break the clinch.
Napalmi swats away the attempt to clinch by Munapaa.
Munapaa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's two 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.
Napalmi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Napalmi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Munapaa moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Munapaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Napalmi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Munapaa wants to clinch but Napalmi slips to the side

and Napalmi counters by clinching up.

Napalmi escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Munapaa is looking to clinch.
Munapaa doesn't manage to clinch there - Napalmi circles away.
Munapaa tries to clinch but Napalmi moves away

and Napalmi counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Munapaa's guard now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Munapaa tries to strike from the bottom.

Munapaa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Napalmi throwing strikes but missing.
Munapaa is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Munapaa on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Munapaa tries to get out of the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Napalmi thows a big elbow that misses.
Munapaa wants to stand up but Napalmi is controlling him.

Munapaa is working an open guard so Napalmi takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Munapaa tries to close the distance and clinch but Napalmi swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Napalmi throws a right and a left that both miss.
Munapaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Munapaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Munapaa tries to clinch

and Napalmi counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Munapaa!

Napalmi is in full mount, looking to secure a guillotine but Munapaa is surviving well by controlling Napalmi's body position as best he can.
Munapaa tries to lock up and control but Napalmi gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Napalmi throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Munapaa is really trying hard to get back to his feet.
Napalmi punching from mount but Munapaa doing a good job of avoiding damage.
Munapaa is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Munapaa is wriggling around trying to escape.
Munapaa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Napalmi on the ground.
Napalmi looking to finish with strikes here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Napalmi 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.

Munapaa tries a head kick but it misses.
Munapaa throws a lazy head kick

and Napalmi holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Munapaa trying to control the position but instead, Napalmi has worked for underhooks and has pushed Munapaa into the cage.

Napalmi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Napalmi is trying to hold Munapaa in close to prevent damage but Munapaa has managed to pass into half guard.
Munapaa missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Munapaa wants to stand up but Napalmi is controlling the position.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Napalmi is refusing to be controlled, as Munapaa sits in half guard.
Munapaa is looking to advance position but Napalmi won't allow it.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Napalmi works his way to full guard. Good work.
Munapaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Napalmi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Napalmi wriggles free and stands up.

Napalmi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Munapaa looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.

Napalmi stands up and beckons Munapaa to his feet.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Napalmi.
Munapaa wants to control but Napalmi postures up.
Niko Napalmi has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Napalmi tries for a kimura but Munapaa is defending well.
Munapaa struggling a bit here.
Munapaa is looking to regain half guard here but Napalmi keeps moving and retains side control.

Napalmi decides to take the fight back to the feet.
Napalmi circles away from the clinch attempt
and Napalmi counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Munapaa thinking.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Munapaa tries to clinch but Napalmi moves away

and Napalmi counters with a single leg into guard. Munapaa didn't expect that.
Napalmi advances position into side control!
Munapaa is looking for a sweep.

Napalmi has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.
Napalmi lands a nice shot that snaps Munapaa's head back.
A head kick misses from Munapaa.

Napalmi closes the distance and pushes Munapaa back into the cage.
Munapaa tries to score a body lock takedown but Napalmi shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Napalmi working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Munapaa wants to break the clinch but can't.
Munapaa wants a takedown but no success here.

Napalmi is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Munapaa can't fight it off and eventually Napalmi manages to take the fight to the floor. Munapaa looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Napalmi gets to his feet. Munapaa looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Munapaa wants to clinch.
Munapaa wants to clinch
and Napalmi counters with a straight right hand.
Munapaa tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Napalmi counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Napalmi circles away from the clinch attempt.
Munapaa on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Napalmi misses with the combination.
Niko Napalmi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Munapaa throws a sloppy head kick and Napalmi moves out of range easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Napalmi looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Munapaa!
Munapaa working to try and regain half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Niko Napalmi showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

A head kick by Munapaa misses

and Napalmi counters by clinching up.
Napalmi is pressed up against the cage. Munapaa has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Napalmi down to the mat. Napalmi avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Napalmi looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Munapaa is fending him off so far but Napalmi persists. Nope, Munapaa circles away and we're back to standing.
Munapaa stuffs the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Munapaa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Munapaa tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Napalmi counters with a single leg into guard. Munapaa didn't expect that.
Napalmi 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.

Napalmi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Munapaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Napalmi scores with a push kick.
Napalmi tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Munapaa swivels and escapes.
Massa Munapaa has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Niko Napalmi.
Munapaa wants to clinch up but Napalmi keeps it at a distance.
Munapaa is looking to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Munapaa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Munapaa fails in his attempt to clinch.
Napalmi avoids the head kick by Munapaa.
Munapaa tries to clinch up.
Munapaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Munapaa tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Napalmi paws at him with a jab and circles away.

Napalmi fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Munapaa, pushing him back against the cage.
Napalmi is trying to drag Munapaa to the mat but Munapaa just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Munapaa tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Napalmi just stands there and leans against the cage.
Napalmi throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Munapaas head.

Napalmi's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Napalmi will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Napalmi looks to land a combination. Munapaa sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Napalmi blocks a head kick by Munapaa.
Massa Munapaa is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Napalmi fails with the takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Napalmi moves into the clinch.

Napalmi jumps guard.
Munapaa postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Napalmi tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Munapaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Napalmi is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Napalmi seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Munapaa wants to get up but he can't break Napalmi's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Napalmi pulls Munapaa in close to prevent any damage.
Munapaa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Napalmi swivels though and keeps the full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Napalmi looking to control.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Napalmi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Munapaa tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Munapaa throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Napalmi has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Munapaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Napalmi lands a nice looking body shot.
Munapaa is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Massa Munapaa seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Munapaa pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Napalmi throws a series of punches but Munapaa avoids them all with ease.
Napalmi dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Munapaa tries a head kick but it misses.

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.
Munapaa misses with a head kick.
Munapaa tries to clinch but Napalmi is having none of it.
Napalmi shoots in but Munapaa avoids the takedown attempt easily.
Napalmi chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Munapaa misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

Napalmi closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Napalmi decides to return to a standing position.
A head kick misses from Munapaa.
Napalmi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Munapaa tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Napalmi makes him pay by landing a nice hook to the body before moving out of range.

Napalmi has closed the distance and engaged Munapaa in a clinch.

Napalmi manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

Napalmi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Napalmi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

And that's the end of the fight!
Niko Napalmi comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Napalmi 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 25:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 25:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 25:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Niko Napalmi!