PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kristof Nikitin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pertti Rauta (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikitin comes to the cage accompanied by Arch Enemy - My Apocalypse. Rauta has chosen Frederik - Harva Meistä On Rautaa as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nikitin
vs
Rauta

192 cm
23
243 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

192 cm
28
265 lbs
13 - 8 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Heavy handed

Crashforce Nutrition (Authentic 159Q Recovery $79)

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kristof Nikitin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pertti Rauta!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nikitin tries to clinch up.
Rauta lands a jab to Nikitin's midsection.
Nikitin misses with a straight left.
Rauta misses with a straight left.
Nikitin looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Rauta is fending him off so far but Nikitin persists. Nope, Rauta circles away and we're back to standing.
A jab from Rauta misses.
Rauta thows a body shot but no joy.
Nikitin lands with a hook. Rauta tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Nikitin attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Rauta throws a low kick but Nikitin moves out of range easily.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nikitin.
Rauta tries to land a leg kick but Nikitin saw it coming and moves away.
Rauta throws a low kick, looking for Nikitin's leg but Nikitin calmly moves out of range.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikitin takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nikitin thows a left - swing and a miss!

Rauta has taken the fight to the clinch.

Nikitin drags the fight down to the ground.
Rauta is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Rauta pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nikitin is keeping the position for now.
Nikitin looking for a sweep. Not yet Nikitin, not yet.
Rauta tries to free his leg and advance position but Nikitin is retaining full guard.
Rauta stopping the sweep attempt from Nikitin.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Rauta trying to control but Nikitin is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Pertti Rauta hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nikitin throws a hook to the side of Rauta's head but Rauta sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nikitin moves forwards but Rauta connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nikitin tries to close the distance and clinch up but Rauta swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nikitin closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nikitin is defended easily by Rauta.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kristof Nikitin. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Nikitin scores a takedown into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Rauta holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Nikitin tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Rauta is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Rauta wants to hold on but Nikitin pushes him away.
Rauta is looking to get to half guard.
Nikitin tries to control but Rauta wriggling away.
Rauta avoids a series of strikes thrown by Nikitin.

Nikitin is giving the impression that he's looking to ground and pound but he switches suddenly into a beautiful far side armbar! Rauta is forced to tap! Great finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:04 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Kristof Nikitin!