PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Oupa Nieminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Snowe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Nieminen
vs
Snowe

188 cm
25
251 lbs
12 - 4 - 0

195 cm
25
251 lbs
10 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Decent wrestler
Excellent MT
Powerful

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 12 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Oupa Nieminen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Mike Snowe!
The judges for this bout are Hugh Johnson, Damien Edna and Steve Erwin.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nieminen thuds his right hand into Snowe's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Snowe lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
Nieminen slips a jab and a cross from Snowe.
Snowe moves in looking to clinch but Nieminen pushes him off.
Snowe throws a hook but Nieminen avoids it easily.
Snowe throws a series of punches but Nieminen avoids them all with ease.
Good work by Snowe as he checks the leg kick.
Snowe misses with a hook.
Snowe pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nieminen moves out of range as Snowe strikes.
Nieminen scores with a one two! Snowe had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Mike Snowe seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Snowe avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nieminen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Snowe.
Snowe connects with a nice looking jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieminen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Snowe moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nieminen takes a swing at Snowe's ribcage but misses.

Snowe moves into the clinch.
Snowe lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nieminen throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Snowes head.
Snowe blocking some punches.
Nieminen dodges an elbow strike from Snowe.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Snowe.
Snowe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nieminen is trying to maintain a safe position but Snowe gets an underhook and turns Nieminen into the cage.
Snowe lands a nice elbow.
Nieminen is trying to stall.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nieminen.
Snowe trying to land knees to the body.
Nieminen drops down looking for an ankle pick but Snowe pulls his leg out and moves away.
Snowe feints and then cracks Nieminen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nieminen down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen steps to his left, right into the path of a big body kick from Snowe. That one must have hurt.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nieminen is defended easily by Snowe.
Snowe throws a combination that misses

and Nieminen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Snowe won't be happy with that.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nieminen lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
The strikes coming from Nieminen are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Snowe is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Snowe really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nieminen. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Snowe tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nieminen wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nieminen throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Nieminen working the head with strikes.
Snowe struggling a bit here.
Snowe avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Nieminen.
Nieminen with the ground and pound but Snowe regains half guard under the barage of strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Snowe throws a nice head kick!
A low kick from Nieminen is predictable there
and Snowe counters with a one-two to the body.
Mike Snowe is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Snowe cracks Nieminen with an open hand slap.
Snowe will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
A jab from Snowe misses.
Some wild striking there from Snowe.
Snowe circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nieminen blocks a head kick by Snowe.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen throws a jab when Snowe was well out of range.
Nieminen takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nieminen takes one on the button.
Nieminen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Snowe throws out the jab.
Snowe clinches but Nieminen breaks the clinch
and Nieminen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nieminen is looking to clinch.
Snowe misses with an uppercut.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Snowe misses with a body punch
and Nieminen counters with a left and a right that stings Snowe.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nieminen misses with the combination.

Nieminen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Snowe's guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Snowe dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Nieminen takes one to the chin there.
Snowe wants to clinch.
Snowe throws a hook to the side of Nieminen's head but Nieminen sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nieminen misses with a body shot
and Snowe counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nieminen thinking.
Snowe throws a series of punches but Nieminen moves out of range.
Nieminen throws a big shot that misses.
Snowe 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.
Good standup being displayed there by Snowe as he connects with a hook.
Nieminen takes one on the button.
Snowe misses with a body kick.
Snowe lands a nice looking body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Snowe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nieminen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Snowe scores with a sloppy right hand. Nieminen should have avoided that one.
Snowe tries to clinch but Nieminen moves out of range.
Snowe misses with a two punch combination.
Snowe misses with a straight left.
Snowe thuds his shin into the meat of Nieminen's side.
Mike Snowe seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Snowe scores with a jab to the jaw.
Snowe wants to clinch up but Nieminen keeps it at a distance.
Snowe misses with an uppercut.

Nieminen clinches up with Snowe and pushes him back against the cage.
Snowe with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nieminen tries to circle away but Snowe has him pinned against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Snowe prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nieminen stalling.
Snowe pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nieminen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nieminen dodges an elbow strike from Snowe.
Snowe lands a damaging elbow.
Nieminen tries to work over Snowe's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nice elbow from Snowe.

It looks like Oupa Nieminen has been cut.
Nieminen blocks an elbow strike from Snowe.
Snowe gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Snowe throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nieminens head.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nieminen takes an elbow to the temple.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Snowe.
Nieminen takes a knee right on the jaw!
Snowe lands an elbow that stopped Nieminen in his tracks for a moment.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Snowe.
Snowe lands an elbow that stopped Nieminen in his tracks for a moment.
Snowe scores with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nieminen is looking to control Snowe's arms but Snowe gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nieminen has his back to the cage.
Snowe lands a nice elbow.
Nieminen takes an elbow to the forehead.
A knee to the head by Snowe.
Snowe lands a shoulder strike.
Snowe lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nieminen is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Snowe pulls him back up using the underhooks.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Oupa Nieminen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Snowe lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nieminen backwards.
Snowe lands a damaging elbow.
Snowe lands an elbow just above Nieminen 's eye.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Snowe lands an elbow that stopped Nieminen in his tracks for a moment.
Nieminen trying to control the position but instead, Snowe has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nieminen into the cage.
Snowe landing knees to the head.
Snowe lands a knee to the body.
Snowe lands an elbow just above Nieminen 's eye.
Nieminen takes an elbow to the temple.
Snowe lands an elbow just above Nieminen 's eye.
Snowe lands an elbow inside.
Snowe lands an elbow inside.
Snowe lands an elbow that stopped Nieminen in his tracks for a moment.
Nieminen throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Snowe with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Snowe.
Snowe lands an elbow inside that Nieminen shrugs off.
Nice elbow from Snowe.
Snowe lands a nice knee to the body.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Snowe lands an elbow inside.
Mike Snowe seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Snowe using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A right handed body shot lands from Snowe.
Snowe landing knees to the body.
Nieminen trying to stall but Snowe improves his position.
Snowe lands a nice elbow.
Snowe landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Snowe lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Snowe lands an elbow just above Nieminen 's eye.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Snowe crunches a lovely knee into Nieminen's ribcage.
Nieminen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Snowe comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Snowe lands a knee to the head.
Snowe lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Snowe gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Snowe keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Nieminen's efforts to push away.
Nieminen wants to get back to striking at distance but Snowe won't allow it.
Snowe softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Snowe with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Snowe lands a right hand.
Nieminen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

Nieminen breaks the clinch.
Snowe fails in his attempt to clinch.
A lazy left from Nieminen finds it's target.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Snowe throws a body punch but Nieminen moves out of range.
Nieminen tries to clinch but Snowe moves away
and Snowe finishes the little exchange by landing a big kick to the body.
Snowe throws a left and a right that both miss

and Nieminen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Mike Snowe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Oupa Nieminen's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

A combination from Nieminen does no damage.
Oupa Nieminen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Snowe looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Snowe fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Snowe.
A punch lands to the side of Nieminen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Snowe keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Snowe pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nieminen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Snowe throws out the jab.
Nieminen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Snowe jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Snowe avoids a punch combination nicely.
Snowe has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieminen misses with a shot to the body
and Snowe counters with a nice body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nieminen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Snowe throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Nieminen.
Snowe moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Nieminen shoots in for a takedown but Snowe shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Snowe throws the left hand but Nieminen avoids the punch easily.
Snowe bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nieminen's head.
Nieminen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Snowe manages to avoid it.
Snowe misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nieminen.
Snowe slips under a jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Snowe tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nieminen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nieminen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Snowe.
Nieminen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Snowe counters with a stiff right hand.
A slow jab from Snowe misses its intended target.
Snowe throws a combination that misses
and Nieminen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Snowe cracks Nieminen with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A big left from Snowe misses.
Nieminen takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Snowe lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen moves out of range of the body kick.

Snowe moves into range and clinches up with Nieminen.
Snowe tries to land a knee to the head but Nieminen blocks with his arms.
Nieminen has a couple of punches blocked by Snowe.
Snowe gets through Nieminen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Snowe pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nieminen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Snowe gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Snowe unloads a knee to the mid-section. Nieminen lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nice elbow from Snowe.
Snowe comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nieminen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Snowe lands an elbow inside that Nieminen shrugs off.

Oupa Nieminen's cut is getting worse.
Snowe comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Oupa Nieminen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Snowe lands a nice elbow.
Snowe gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Snowe lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Snowe lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Snowe lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
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!
Nieminen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Snowe comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Snowe scores a nice knee to the body.
Snowe lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Snowe creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nieminen's defenses.
Snowe lands an elbow inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Snowe lands an elbow just above Nieminen 's eye.
Snowe connects with a knee to the head.
Snowe lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

Oupa Nieminen's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.
Snowe with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Snowe lands a nice elbow.
Snowe lands an elbow inside that Nieminen shrugs off.
Snowe comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Snowe lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Knees in the clinch landing for Snowe.
Nieminen takes an elbow to the temple.
Nieminen wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Snowe with a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Snowe.
Snowe blocking some punches.
Nieminen is looking to control Snowe's arms but Snowe gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nieminen has his back to the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Snowe.
Nieminen wants to break free but Snowe has control.
Snowe pushes Nieminen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Snowe lands an elbow just above Nieminen 's eye.
Nieminen avoids a wild elbow strike from Snowe.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nieminen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Snowe trying to land knees to the body.
Nieminen wants to break free but Snowe has control.
Snowe has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nieminen blocks an elbow strike.
Nieminen takes a shot to the head.
Mike Snowe is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Snowe scores a nice knee to the body.
Nieminen lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nieminen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mike Snowe comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Snowe winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Hugh Johnson scores the fight 26:30
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 26:30
Judge Steve Erwin scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Snowe!