PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Ed Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Okko Ukkonen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nelson kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Stephen Lynch - Special Ed. Okko Ukkonen struggled to make weight for this fight. He only made it down to 146.3lbs at the first attempt and had to take the additional two hours to make the official bout weight. Let's see how much it's taken out of him. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nelson
vs
Ukkonen

175 cm
26
152 lbs
8 - 1 - 0

178 cm
26
153 lbs
15 - 8 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Ed Nelson!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Okko Ukkonen!
The judges for this bout are Seu Braga, Emerson Jorge and Alexandre Firmino.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ukkonen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nelson throws out the jab.
Good shot there by Nelson.

Ukkonen is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Nelson's half guard.

Ukkonen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Ukkonen looks gassed!
Nelson gets back to full guard.

Nelson is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Ukkonen defends well.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nelson manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Nelson looking to control and managing it successfully.
Nelson lands a nice shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson controlling the position easily from mount.
Nelson is landing with some decent strikes but Ukkonen is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Nelson is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Ukkonen can't stay in a position like this for much longer.
Nelson connects with a couple of good shots from mount.

Ukkonen is rocked!

Nelson working from mount. He moves in close and looks like he might be going for an arm triangle... He's hopped off to the side and he's transitioned into an Anaconda choke. Ukkonen turning a nasty shade of purple. He's refusing to tap but he's gone! He's out! The ref rips Nelson off and cradles Ukkonen's limp body as Nelson celebrates with his corner.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:51 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Anaconda Choke). Ed Nelson!
Ed Nelson retains his featherweight title!