PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jussi Murikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paco Nykanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murikka's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Rock'n'Rolla. Nykanen has chosen Jeff Mills - The Bells as his entrance music. On his way into the cage it seems that Jussi Murikka has been attacked by a crazed fan! It looks like it might have been the just bleed guy! Luckily Jussi Murikka seems to be OK! I thought that lunatic was in prison!?

Murikka
vs
Nykanen

170 cm
23
164 lbs
14 - 3 - 0

170 cm
26
166 lbs
11 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Granite chin

NFC War Gear
Explosion Dominance Clothing

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 14 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jussi Murikka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paco Nykanen!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Fedor Mirinova and Aleksandr Martynov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nice defenses there by Nykanen.
Nykanen throws a body punch but Murikka moves out of range.
Nykanen throws out a powerful jab.
A telegraphed right hand from Nykanen misses the target.
Nykanen motions for Murikka to come forward. Nykanen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Murikka uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nykanen.
Murikka scores with the left hand. Nykanen knows he should have avoided that one.
Nykanen thuds his right hand into Murikka's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Murikka closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Murikka lands in his opponent's guard.
Murikka preventing the sweep.
Nykanen keeping moving, preventing Murikka from controlling successfully.
Nykanen trying to keep a closed guard but Murikka is proving a slippery customer.
Nykanen keeping full guard, as Murikka tries to pass.
Nykanen wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen wants to hit a switch here but Murikka passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Nykanen there!
Murikka looking to finish Nykanen with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nykanen!
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nykanen tries to reverse the position but Murikka maintains control.
Nykanen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Murikka scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Nykanen?
Murikka dominating with strikes here.
Murikka looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Nykanen is in a horrible position here. Murikka smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nykanen in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Murikka breaks from Nykanen's wrist control and lands an elbow.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen is in all sorts of trouble here.
Murikka trying to control but Nykanen is having none of it.
Nykanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.

Murikka is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Nykanen to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Nykanen shrugs it off.
Murikka avoids the attempt from Nykanen to control.
Nykanen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Murikka controlling his opponent.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen tries to reverse the position but Murikka maintains control.
Murikka looking to control but Nykanen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nykanen tries to reverse the position but Murikka maintains control.
Murikka scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Nykanen?
Nykanen can't escape the position.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Murikka cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Nykanen wants to hold on but Murikka pushes him away.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen is desperately trying to improve his position but Murikka has a good base and remains in mount.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Murikka cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Murikka sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Nykanen keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nykanen is squirming around, avoiding Murikka's attempts to control the action.
Murikka lands with some strikes.
Nykanen is looking to get to half guard.
Murikka unloading with bombs!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jussi Murikka dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nykanen throws a jab when Murikka was well out of range.
Murikka tries to bum rush Nykanen with a series of wild strikes but Nykanen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nykanen with a poor takedown
and Murikka counters with a leg kick.
Murikka fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nykanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Murikka scores with a body shot.
Nykanen takes one to the chin there.
Murikka keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Murikka cracks the inside of Nykanen's front leg.
Nykanen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nykanen throws a hook but Murikka blocks it.
Nice takedown defense from Murikka. No joy for Nykanen on that attempt.
Murikka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A good leg kick by Murikka.
Murikka lands a high kick!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Murikka throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Nykanen's head.
Murikka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nykanen is breathing heavily.
Murikka thumps Nykanen with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murikka misses the shot to the body.
Murikka clobbers Nykanen with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Murikka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nykanen manages to avoid it.
Murikka throws a series of punches but Nykanen moves out of range.
Good exchange - Murikka coming out on top.
Murikka throws a sloppy head kick and Nykanen moves out of range easily.
Nykanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Murikka throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.

Murikka shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Murikka was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Murikka fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Murikka can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nykanen is looking to escape.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murikka lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Murikka lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Murikka prevents Nykanen from getting the reversal.
Murikka looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Nykanen tries to reverse the position but Murikka maintains control.
Nykanen is in a horrible position here. Murikka smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Murikka putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
BOOM! Murikka connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Nykanen is looking to improve his position but Murikka isn't that keen on the idea.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murikka looking to control but Nykanen is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Nykanen working to try and regain half guard.
Murikka with the ground and pound from mount.
Nykanen is looking to improve his position but Murikka isn't that keen on the idea.
Murikka avoids the attempt from Nykanen to control.
Murikka lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Murikka has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murikka content just to control the position here.
Nykanen regains half guard.
Nykanen tries to roll over but Murikka keeps him under control.
Murikka trying to control the action but Nykanen is working from the bottom.
Murikka thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Murikka is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nykanen can do to turn this around?
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Murikka works his foot free and advances to mount.
Murikka wants to control the pace but Nykanen is squirming around nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jussi Murikka dominated that second round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nykanen fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Murikka is out of range.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nykanen.
Nykanen stuns Murikka with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nykanen throws a low kick but Murikka avoids it.

Murikka pushes Nykanen up against the cage in a clinch.
Nykanen being controlled against the cage.
Nykanen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Murikka lands a body shot.
Nykanen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nykanen throws a head punch that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murikka.
Murikka lands an elbow inside that Nykanen shrugs off.
Nykanen can't get the takedown.
Nykanen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nykanen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
A head punch on the inside from Nykanen fails to land.
Nykanen has a couple of punches blocked by Murikka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A short left from Nykanen.
Murikka pushes Nykanen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nykanen tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Murikka smiles and moves away.
Nykanen takes a kick to the side of the head.
Nykanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Murikka moves away from the strike by Nykanen.
A swing and a miss from Nykanen.
Nykanen swinging wildly here.

Murikka clinches.
Murikka prevents a body shot from Nykanen.
Nykanen lands a right hand.
Nykanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Murikka is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nykanen misses with a punch to the body.
Murikka working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nykanen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Murikka.
Nykanen misses with some punches.
Nykanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nykanen can't find room to land a body shot as Murikka controls the action.
Murikka lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nykanen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A head punch on the inside from Nykanen fails to land.
Nykanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nykanen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Murikka lands an elbow inside.
Murikka stalling in the clinch.
Nykanen can't break the clinch.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
A hook to the body from Murikka.
Murikka landing knees to the body.
Murikka lands with a short shot to the head.
Murikka scores with a shoulder strike.
Murikka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right handed body shot lands from Murikka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murikka lands an elbow inside.
Murikka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Murikka comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Murikka dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Murikka lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Murikka stalling the fight.
Murikka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Murikka stalls.

Nykanen breaks from the clinch.
Nykanen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nykanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Nykanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Murikka.
Murikka lands a nice leg kick that just misses Nykanen's sensitive parts.
Murikka throws a nice outside leg kick.
Murikka lands with a kick to the temple. Nykanen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murikka fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Murikka is looking to slow Nykanen down with leg kicks.
Murikka throws a nice inside leg kick.
Murikka wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Nykanen shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Murikka but Murikka pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Jussi Murikka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paco Nykanen.
A slapping leg kick lands for Murikka.
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!

Murikka instigates a clinch.
Murikka lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Murikka blocking some punches.
Nykanen takes an elbow to the forehead.
The referee calls for Murikka to work.
Nykanen misses with a hook from the clinch.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Murikka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nykanen backwards.
Nykanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
The referee is keeping an eye on Murikka - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nice body punch from Nykanen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jussi Murikka clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Murikka listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.
Murikka walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nykanen swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Murikka counters with a stiff right hand.
Nykanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Murikka keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nykanen.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nykanen. Murikka does a little dance to reset his feet.
Murikka defending well as Nykanen loads up on a big left hand.
Murikka thows a body shot but no joy.
Nykanen takes a swing at Murikka's ribcage but misses.
The fight stays on the outside here - Murikka looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nykanen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nykanen lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
A jab from Nykanen does it's job there.
Nykanen defending well as Murikka loads up on a big left hand.
Nykanen avoids the body shot from Murikka.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murikka feints and then cracks Nykanen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Nykanen down.
Murikka moves away from the strike by Nykanen.
Nice defenses there by Nykanen.
Murikka fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nykanen throws an overhand right that lands on Murikka's shoulder, as Murikka tries to avoid the shot.
Murikka throws a hook but Nykanen avoids it easily.
Murikka throws an overhand right that lands on Nykanen's shoulder, as Nykanen tries to avoid the shot.
Nykanen takes a swing at Murikka's ribcage but misses.
Murikka defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nykanen.
Nykanen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A punch combination from Murikka misses.
Murikka ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nykanen moves away.
Murikka throws a low kick but Nykanen avoids it.
Murikka slips under a jab.
Murikka wants to clinch.
Nykanen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Murikka pinned against the cage. Murikka gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.

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.
Murikka throws a leg kick which misses Nykanen's front leg but catches the back leg as Nykanen tries to avoid it.
Jussi Murikka is winning the standup battle so far.
Murikka misses with a body shot.
Murikka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Nykanen.
Nykanen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Murikka is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Murikka throws a hook but Nykanen blocks it.
Nykanen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nykanen defending well as Murikka loads up on a big left hand.
Murikka throws a head kick but Nykanen moves out of range.
Murikka takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Murikka walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nykanen checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murikka tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
The fighters circling - Murikka throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nice uppercut lands for Nykanen. That snapped Murikka's head back.
A jab from Nykanen misses.
Nykanen slips a jab from Murikka.
Nykanen looks to land a right hand but Murikka moved out of range.
Nykanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murikka.
Nice body punch from Nykanen.
Murikka throws a hook but Nykanen blocks it.
A telegraphed right hand from Nykanen misses the target.
Nykanen misses with a hook. Murikka ducked under it nicely.
Murikka looks to score with a jab to the body but Nykanen is just out of range.
Nykanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murikka.
A big left from Murikka misses.
Nykanen throws a lazy right hand but Murikka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nykanen throws the kick towards the body but Murikka avoids it.

That's four 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.
Murikka scores with a kick to the midsection.
Nykanen on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nykanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Murikka.
Nykanen throws a hook but Murikka blocks it.
Nykanen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Murikka lands a really nice looking cross but Nykanen seems unphased.
Nykanen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Murikka throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nykanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Murikka.
Murikka tries a head kick but it misses.
No joy there for Nykanen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nykanen misses with a shot to the body
and Murikka counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nykanen misses with a takedown attempt
and Murikka counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Jussi Murikka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Paco Nykanen.
Nykanen takes a head kick and keeps coming.

Murikka closes the distance and clinches.
A right hook to the body lands for Nykanen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jussi Murikka had his way with Paco Nykanen in that round.
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.

Nykanen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Murikka misses with a head kick.
Murikka tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nykanen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nykanen takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nykanen misses with an uppercut. Murikka saw that one coming.
Nykanen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Murikka dips to his left and cracks Nykanen with an uppercut!
Nykanen avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nykanen's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

Murikka has closed the distance and engaged Nykanen in a clinch.
Nykanen misses with some punches.
Murikka creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nykanen's defenses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice body punch from Murikka.
Murikka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Murikka lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Murikka.
Nykanen has a couple of punches blocked by Murikka.
Murikka lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nykanen or not.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Murikka as Nykanen tries to tie him up.
Nykanen is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murikka pressing his opponent against the cage.
Murikka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nykanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nykanen tries to stall but Murikka uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Murikka.
Murikka lands with a short shot to the head.
Nykanen tries to work over Murikka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Murikka putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Nykanen in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
A hook to the body from Murikka.
Nykanen misses with a punch to the body.
Nice elbow from Murikka.
A head punch on the inside from Nykanen fails to land.
Nykanen misses with some punches.
Murikka lands a nice knee to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Murikka lands a hook that snaps the head of Nykanen backwards.
Nykanen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Murikka pushes Nykanen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Murikka scores with a shoulder strike.
Murikka lands a hook to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Murikka to work.
A right hook to the body lands for Murikka.
Paco Nykanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Murikka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Murikka utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nykanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Murikka lands a nice knee to the body.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Murikka as Nykanen tries to tie him up.
Murikka is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
A right hook to the body lands for Murikka.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murikka stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Murikka lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Murikka gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
The referee calls for Murikka to work.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nykanen.
Murikka lands a body shot in the clinch.
Murikka lands a nice elbow.
Murikka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Murikka lands a left hand that snaps the head of Nykanen backwards.
Murikka scores with a hook to the body.
Nice elbow from Murikka.
Murikka lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Murikka displaying some good clinch control by pressing Nykanen up against the cage.
Nykanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Murikka.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Murikka landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Murikka lands with a light punch inside.
Murikka gets through Nykanen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nykanen tries a body shot but Murikka blocks it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Murikka lands a nice elbow.
Murikka stalling.
Nykanen is looking to control Murikka's arms but Murikka gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nykanen has his back to the cage.
Nice body punch from Murikka.
Murikka lands with a light punch inside.
Murikka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nykanen misses with a punch to the body.
Murikka working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Murikka's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Nykanen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Murikka lands with a light punch inside.
Murikka stalling the fight.
Knees to the body from Murikka.
A head punch on the inside from Nykanen fails to land.
Murikka lands with a short shot to the head.
Nykanen can't find room to land a body shot as Murikka controls the action.
Nykanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Murikka.
Nykanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Murikka.
Jussi Murikka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Murikka comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nykanen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Murikka's elbow.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jussi Murikka showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Murikka has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 50:43
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 50:43
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 50:44

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jussi Murikka!
Jussi Murikka retains his lightweight title!