PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paco Nykanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Balu Baluu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nykanen's entrance music is Jeff Mills - The Bells. A fine choice. Baluu has chosen WALK - Pantera as his entrance music. Both fighters really staring eachother down here, as Balu Baluu enters the cage!

Nykanen
vs
Baluu

170 cm
29
166 lbs
16 - 5 - 0

177 cm
27
165 lbs
11 - 5 - 0

Great wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paco Nykanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Balu Baluu!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Baluu stuffs the takedown attempt from Nykanen. Nykanen gets slowly back to his feet.
Nykanen avoids the body shot from Baluu.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nykanen.
Baluu slips a jab from Nykanen.
Baluu misses with a wild body shot.
Nykanen misses with a leg kick
and Nykanen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nykanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nykanen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Baluu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nykanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nykanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Nykanen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Baluu moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Baluu lands a slapping body shot.
Nykanen takes a swing at Baluu's ribcage but misses.
Nykanen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Baluu counters with a lovely shot to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The fight stays on the outside here - Baluu looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Baluu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nykanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
A jab lands there for Nykanen.
Baluu misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nykanen.
Baluu loads up on a big right hand but Nykanen slips the punch.
Baluu lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.

Nykanen fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Baluu to the ground. Nykanen is now in Baluu's guard.
Baluu wants to sweep here but Nykanen controlling him for the moment.
Nykanen wants to pass the guard but Baluu is keeping the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Baluu working a defensive guard here.
Baluu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nykanen.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Baluu holds on and takes a little breather.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nykanen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Baluu seems keen to control Nykanen's posture.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Balu Baluu has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Nykanen thows a leg kick but Baluu checks it
and Baluu counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Balu Baluu is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Baluu throws a body punch but Nykanen moves out of range.
Nykanen scores with a body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen moves forwards but Baluu connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nykanen moves away from the strike by Baluu.
Baluu scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nykanen doesn't seem bothered though.
Baluu blocks a low kick nicely.
Baluu lands with a nice combination. Nykanen backs away looking to recover.
Nykanen takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Baluu doesn't manage to clinch there - Nykanen circles away.
Baluu misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nykanen jabs at Baluu's body.
Nykanen is looking to wear down Baluu with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.

Nykanen bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Nykanen wants to control for a moment but Baluu uses the opportunity to move back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nykanen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Baluu is trying to stand.
Baluu is refusing to be controlled, as Nykanen sits in half guard.
Baluu wants to get back to his feet.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Nykanen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Baluu doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nykanen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Balu Baluu dominated that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nykanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Baluu moves away.
Nykanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nykanen avoids the body shot from Baluu.
Baluu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nykanen moves away.
Baluu lands a jab to the nose.
Baluu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nykanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Paco Nykanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nykanen lunges at Baluu with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Baluu's hand.
The fighters circling - Nykanen throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Baluu has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Nykanen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baluu throws the left hand but Nykanen avoids the punch easily.
Nykanen throws a sloppy body shot
and Baluu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Nykanen feints and then cracks Baluu's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Baluu down.
Baluu thows a body shot but no joy.

Baluu has Nykanen up against the cage in a clinch.
Baluu tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nykanen's elbow.
Nykanen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nykanen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nykanen blocks a body shot from Baluu.
Baluu works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
A shot in the inside from Baluu.

Nykanen's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nykanen finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Baluu listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nykanen throws a jab when Baluu was well out of range.
Nykanen throws a body punch but Baluu moves out of range.
Nykanen connects with a single shot there.
Nykanen looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Baluu is fending him off so far but Nykanen persists. Nope, Baluu circles away and we're back to standing.
A punch combination from Nykanen misses.
Baluu lands a nice looking body shot.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nykanen misses with a right hand
and Baluu cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Baluu missing with a left hand there. Nykanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baluu takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nykanen is looking to score with low kicks.
Nykanen throws a body punch but Baluu moves out of range.
Baluu ducks under a wild hook from Nykanen.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Jab by Baluu.
Baluu digs a good hook to Nykanen's body.
Nykanen walks into a jab.
Baluu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nykanen motions for Baluu to come forward. Nykanen throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Nykanen lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Baluu has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Baluu and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Nykanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baluu scores with a shot to the body.
Baluu throws a jab but it's blocked by Nykanen.
Nykanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baluu is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nykanen is defending well for now.
Nykanen is trying to maintain a safe position but Baluu gets an underhook and turns Nykanen into the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nykanen lands a hook that snaps the head of Baluu backwards.
Baluu working Nykanen over with knees to the body.
Baluu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Baluu tries to work over Nykanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Baluu scores with a shot to the side of Nykanen's head.
Baluu scores with a shot to the side of Nykanen's head.
Baluu misses with a punch to the body.
Baluu working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nykanen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Baluu is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Baluu gets through Nykanen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Baluu trying to control the position but instead, Nykanen has worked for underhooks and has pushed Baluu into the cage.
Nykanen pushes Baluu back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Balu Baluu showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

A big left from Baluu misses.
Baluu throws a right hand that Nykanen ducks under and follows up with a left that Nykanen also avoids with ease.
Baluu throws a body punch but Nykanen moves out of range.

Nykanen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Baluu on his heels. He'll look to pass Baluu's guard now, I'm sure.
Baluu working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nykanen.
Nykanen wants to pass the guard but Baluu is keeping the position.
Nykanen postures up in Baluu's guard and throws a big left but Baluu blocks it.
Nykanen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Baluu wants to stand and escape but Nykanen is having none of it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nykanen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nykanen wants to control from the top but Baluu keeps moving.
Nykanen is taking a break and basically stalling. The referee will not allow him to do that for long.
Nykanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Baluu misses with a looping right.
Nykanen shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Baluu as he avoids it easily.
Baluu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nykanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Baluu.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen digs a good body shot into Baluu's ribs.
Baluu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nykanen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Baluu lands with a shot to the body.
Baluu pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Baluu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nykanen moves away.
Baluu scores with a shot to the body.
A slow jab from Baluu misses its intended target.
Nykanen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nykanen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
A big right from Baluu misses.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nykanen bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen tries to move into range but Baluu moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nykanen closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Baluu displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nykanen throws out the jab.
A big right from Nykanen misses.
Baluu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baluu misses with a lunging right hand
and Nykanen makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nykanen lands an overhand right.
Nykanen swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Baluu counters with a stiff right hand.
Baluu falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nykanen counters with a stiff right hand.
Nykanen misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Baluu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Baluu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Baluu gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nykanen moves away from the strike by Baluu.
A punch lands to the side of Nykanen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nykanen scores with a decent looking hook.
Baluu throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nykanen sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nykanen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Baluu swivels and escapes.
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!
Nykanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baluu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nykanen.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Balu Baluu just about did enough to take it.
That's time! Back to the action!

Baluu just misses with a punch to the body.
Nykanen takes a swing at Baluu's ribcage but misses.
Baluu scores with a jab to the body.
Nykanen misses with a leg kick.
Nykanen tries a head kick but it misses.
Baluu throws out a powerful jab.
Baluu ducks under a wild hook from Nykanen.
Balu Baluu seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Baluu looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Baluu lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Baluu fails to land with a series of punches.
Baluu cracks Nykanen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Nykanen misses with a few strikes there.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baluu swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nykanen has a takedown stuffed.
Baluu dips to his left and cracks Nykanen with an uppercut!
Nykanen swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Nykanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baluu throws a looping overhand right but Nykanen ducks down to avoid it.
Nykanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Baluu manages to avoid it.
A low kick from Nykanen misses
and Baluu counters with a nice uppercut.
Sloppy strikes from Nykanen. Those never looked like landing.
Baluu misses the jab.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nykanen will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Baluu scores with a one two! Nykanen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Nykanen pivots, looking for a leg kick but Baluu is out of range and Nykanen settles back down.
Baluu misses the shot to the body.
Baluu throws a hook but Nykanen blocks it.
Baluu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Baluu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nykanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Baluu.
Baluu takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nykanen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Baluu closes the distance but Nykanen moves to the side
and Nykanen counters with a straight right hand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen slips under a jab.
Nykanen throws a body kick that misses.
Baluu takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nykanen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nykanen throws a hook but Baluu avoids it easily.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Nykanen!
A slow jab from Baluu misses its intended target.
Baluu keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Baluu throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Baluu throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nykanen on the side of the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen looks to land a body kick but Baluu moved away.
Nykanen misses with a wild body shot.
Baluu takes a swing at Nykanen's ribcage but misses.
Baluu throws a hook but Nykanen blocks it.
Nykanen misses with a looping left.
Baluu throws a hook but Nykanen avoids it easily.
Baluu misses with a combination
and Nykanen counters with a right hand to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Baluu missing with a left hand there. Nykanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Baluu throws a hook but Nykanen avoids it easily.

Baluu gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Balu Baluu dominated that fourth round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Baluu drops his hands momentarily and Nykanen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nykanen slips under a jab from Baluu.
Nykanen lands a slapping body shot.
A big left from Nykanen misses.
Nykanen moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
Nykanen throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nykanen misses with a wild body shot.
Baluu rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nykanen moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nykanen dodges the punch combination from Baluu.
Baluu with a nice cross.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Baluu throws a big shot that misses.
Nykanen slips a straight right by Baluu.
Baluu dips to his left and cracks Nykanen with an uppercut!
A bone on bone clash there as Baluu blocks the leg kick.
Baluu looks to throw the jab but Nykanen is out of range.
Nykanen slips a jab and a cross from Baluu.
Baluu throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nykanen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Baluu is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Baluu misses with the combination.

Nykanen drives through with a takedown into Baluu's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen throws a big right hand that misses.
Nykanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nykanen 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.
Nykanen tries to free his leg and advance position but Baluu is retaining full guard.
Baluu keeping moving, preventing Nykanen from controlling successfully.
Paco Nykanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nykanen slips nicely into half guard.
Baluu is pressing down on Nykanen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nykanen is looking to work some ground and pound but Baluu has wrist control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Balu Baluu is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nykanen controlling from the top position.
Nykanen loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Nykanen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nykanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nykanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Paco Nykanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nykanen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen looking to sit in guard and control but Baluu gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Baluu wants to pass the guard but Nykanen is keeping the position.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.

Baluu stands and steps away. Nykanen gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.

And that's the end of the fight!
Paco Nykanen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Baluu has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 46:49
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 46:49
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 46:49

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Balu Baluu!