PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Beni Nikaido (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Aleksi Hihnavaara (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hihnavaara has chosen Slayed as his entrance music. I'm sure you'll be fascinated to know that I was talking to some pointless Z list celebrity before the fight and he thought that Aleksi Hihnavaara was going to win. Let's see if he was right.

Nikaido
vs
Hihnavaara

174 cm
21
150 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

175 cm
23
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

ENDLESS 152

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 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Beni Nikaido!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Aleksi Hihnavaara!
The judges for this bout are Patrick Alders, Radbod Blank and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hihnavaara throws the left hand but Nikaido avoids the punch easily.
Nikaido slips under a jab.
Hihnavaara slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Nikaido displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hihnavaara throws out the jab.

Nikaido closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nikaido lands in his opponent's guard.

Hihnavaara is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Hihnavaara has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nikaido can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Nikaido trying to control but Hihnavaara is working from the bottom.
Hihnavaara is trying to keep Nikaido in close.

Hihnavaara has his foot on Nikaido's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nikaido works his way back into a safe position though.

Hihnavaara escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nikaido gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nikaido trying to control but Hihnavaara is working from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikaido working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

Nikaido got a little sloppy there for a moment and Hihnavaara has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nikaido has managed to get both his arms back between Hihnavaara's legs - danger averted.
Nikaido looking to pass the guard.
Nikaido throws a big right hand that misses.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nikaido looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Hihnavaara is fending him off so far but Nikaido persists. Nope, Hihnavaara circles away and we're back to standing.
Nikaido misses with a series of wild punches.
Hihnavaara thows a body shot but no joy.
Danga de danga de dang - Hihnavaara scores with a four punch combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikaido fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Hihnavaara throws a body punch but Nikaido moves out of range.
Nikaido is looking to clinch but Hihnavaara is avoiding it.
Hihnavaara swats away the attempt to clinch by Nikaido.
Aleksi Hihnavaara is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikaido doesn't manage to clinch there - Hihnavaara circles away.
Nikaido slips a jab and a cross from Hihnavaara.

Nikaido rushes Hihnavaara and presses him up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nikaido.
Nikaido has Hihnavaara pressed against the cage, preventing Hihnavaara from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Hihnavaara lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nikaido tries to work over Hihnavaara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nikaido has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Hihnavaara avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Beni Nikaido. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikaido throws a punch but it's blocked by Hihnavaara.
Nikaido tries to work over Hihnavaara's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hihnavaara softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hihnavaara tries a body shot but Nikaido blocks it.
Nikaido misses with a punch to the body.
Hihnavaara wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nikaido has him pressed against the cage.
Nikaido drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Hihnavaara gets the underhooks and prevents it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikaido is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Hihnavaara wants to break the clinch but can't.

Nikaido pulls guard.

Hihnavaara postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nikaido is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Hihnavaara, into his guard.

Nikaido thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Nikaido is breathing heavily.

Hihnavaara is working actively from the bottom, looking for submissions. He's escaped his hips to the side and he's going for an armbar! Nikaido has his hands clasped together but Hihnavaara extends an breaks Nikaido's desperate grasp, forcing a tap out due to armbar! Nice BJJ displayed there by Hihnavaara.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:52 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Aleksi Hihnavaara!