PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Santeri Norzu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ishe Sithole (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Norzu kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Anekdoten - Karelia. Sithole has chosen Tan Dun - For The World (Hero Soundtrack) as his entrance music. Santeri Norzu could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Ishe Sithole's chin.

Norzu
vs
Sithole

185 cm
20
163 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

187 cm
20
159 lbs
5 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Good kicks
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Santeri Norzu!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Ishe Sithole!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Marco Blurström and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Norzu throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Sithole moves away from the strike by Norzu.

Sithole moves into range and clinches up with Norzu.
Sithole wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Norzu stalls.
Norzu is trying to maintain a safe position but Sithole gets an underhook and turns Norzu into the cage.
Sithole throws a knee to the head but misses.
Sithole content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Sithole is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Sithole with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Sithole misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Norzu.
Norzu is trying to stall.

Sithole pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Norzu closes the distance and lands a one-two.

It looks like Ishe Sithole has been cut.

Sithole gets a clinch.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Sithole is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Norzu is defending well for now.
Sithole trying to land knees to the body.
Norzu avoiding damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd are getting pretty annoyed with Norzu for his constant stalling in the clinch and are voicing their displeasure.
Sithole stalling in the clinch but Norzu improves position.
Sithole wants to break free but Norzu has control.
Norzu is trying to break the clinch but Sithole is controlling him.
Sithole throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Norzu blocks it with crossed arms.
Norzu stalls.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Norzu as Sithole tries to tie him up.
Norzu on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Sithole tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sithole has had enough of the clinch but Norzu keeps him there for the moment.
Norzu is trying to stall.
Sithole tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Norzu avoids a wild elbow strike from Sithole.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Sithole breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Norzu misses with a two punch combination.
Sithole swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Norzu counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Sithole looks to land a combination but Norzu avoids it well.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Norzu takes a swing at Sithole's ribcage but misses.
Sithole throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Sithole throws a head kick that misses.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Sithole.
Norzu lands a right hook to the body.
Sithole looks gassed!
Nice shot by Norzu.
Norzu throws a shot to the body.
Sithole walks into a straight right hand from Norzu.
Sithole misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Norzu waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Sithole.
Sithole throws out a loose jab but Norzu uses good head movement to avoid it.
Norzu throws a nice looking combination but Sithole bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Norzu scores with a jab. Sithole acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Sithole is rocked!
Norzu circles away from the clinch attempt
and Norzu counters with a huge left! Sithole is in big trouble! He's backing up but Norzu isn't giving him chance to recover. Under a barage of punches the ref has to step in to save Sithole from any more damage. A dominating finish by Norzu!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:58 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Santeri Norzu!
Santeri Norzu retains his lightweight title!