PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Skulema Nakashi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tontza Pulikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tontza Pulikka will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Nakashi
vs
Pulikka

185 cm
25
230 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

220 cm
25
269 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Inexperienced

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Skulema Nakashi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Tontza Pulikka!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nakashi wants to clinch up but Pulikka keeps it at a distance.
Nakashi looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Pulikka clinches with his opponent.

Pulikka jumps guard.
Pulikka managing to control the position.
Nakashi wants to get up but he can't break Pulikka's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pulikka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nakashi tries to stand but Pulikka is controlling from the bottom.
Pulikka is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tontza Pulikka hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nakashi misses with a low kick.
Nakashi wants to clinch up but Pulikka keeps it at a distance.

Pulikka has managed to clinch.
Pulikka working some nice short punches in the clinch.

It looks like Skulema Nakashi has been cut.
Nakashi stops a takedown attempt from Pulikka.

Pulikka manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Pulikka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Pulikka wants to get back to his feet but Nakashi is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Pulikka is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pulikka is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nakashi is controlling him.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Pulikka is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nakashi defends well.
Pulikka managing to control the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Tontza Pulikka hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Pulikka ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pulikka scores with a head kick. Nakashi tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Pulikka lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Pulikka shoots in but no luck this time.
Pulikka shoots in looking for a takedown but Nakashi manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Pulikka's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Skulema Nakashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tontza Pulikka.
Pulikka lands the left hand.
A jab from Pulikka finds it's way through Nakashi's defenses.
Skulema Nakashi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice uppercut there from Pulikka.
Pulikka dives in and grabs Nakashi's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nakashi pushes down on Pulikka's head and hops out.
Pulikka scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
Pulikka lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nakashi is looking to clinch but Pulikka is avoiding it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pulikka closes the distance and clinches.

Pulikka breaks from the clinch.
Pulikka shoots in for a takedown but Nakashi shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Pulikka fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nakashi takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Pulikka cracks Nakashi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Pulikka shoots for a double leg takedown but Nakashi sprawls well. He's pushed Pulikka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nakashi throws a sloppy head kick and Pulikka moves out of range easily.
Nakashi takes one to the side of the head.
Pulikka cracks Nakashi with an open hand slap.
Nakashi wants to clinch.
Pulikka has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pulikka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Pulikka scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tontza Pulikka dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Skulema Nakashi's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Pulikka is looking to chop away at Nakashi's legs.

Pulikka clinches with his opponent.

Pulikka's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Pulikka connects with a single shot there.

Pulikka closes the distance and pushes Nakashi back into the cage.
Pulikka tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Nakashi smiles and moves away.
Pulikka avoids the head kick by Nakashi.
Tontza Pulikka seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Pulikka throws a wild combination but nothing lands.

Pulikka has managed to clinch.
Pulikka avoids a wild elbow strike from Nakashi.
Nakashi avoiding damage as Pulikka throws knees to the body.

Pulikka breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nice sprawl there from Nakashi as Pulikka shoots in.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Pulikka throws a series of punches but Nakashi avoids them all with ease.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakashi leaves Pulikka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Skulema Nakashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tontza Pulikka.
Nakashi takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Pulikka throws a one two combo.
Pulikka throws a one two combo.
Pulikka pushes forward with a 1-2 combination that forces Nakashi back to the cage. Pulikka follows up with a solid lead hook to the liver.
Nakashi tries to close the distance and clinch up but Pulikka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Pulikka tests Nakashi's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Pulikka. That's going to slow Nakashi down.
Nakashi moves in looking to clinch but Pulikka pushes him off.
Skulema Nakashi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nakashi defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Pulikka.
Pulikka shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nakashi as he avoids it easily.
Pulikka misses with a kick to the body.
Pulikka lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakashi moves in looking to clinch but Pulikka pushes him off.
Pulikka changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Pulikka is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Pulikka throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A head kick by Nakashi misses
and Pulikka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A head kick misses from Nakashi.
Nakashi displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Pulikka.
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!
Nakashi throws a head kick that half lands.
Nakashi avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Pulikka connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nakashi looks to clinch
and Pulikka counters with a nice uppercut.
Nakashi takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Pulikka has a takedown stuffed.
Pulikka fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nakashi manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pulikka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nakashi's waist but Nakashi gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Pulikka off to one side.
Nakashi scoring well with a low kick there.
Good shot there by Pulikka.
Nakashi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Pulikka misses with a looping left.
Nakashi misses with a head kick.

Pulikka darts in and clinches Nakashi up against the cage.
Pulikka blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

Pulikka gets control of Nakashi's arms and successfully pulls guard. Pulikka will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Nakashi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
Nice cross by Pulikka.
Decent striking displayed by Pulikka there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pulikka darts in and clinches Nakashi up against the cage.

Pulikka breaks the clinch.
Pulikka tries a head kick but it misses.
Nakashi tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nakashi takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Pulikka misses with a wild body shot.
Pulikka shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nakashi sprawls well. Nakashi wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Pulikka gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nakashi tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Pulikka takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Pulikka forces Nakashi back against the cage and clinches.

Pulikka pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Nakashi gets tackled into the cage by Pulikka. Pulikka maintains the clinch.

Pulikka breaks the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tontza Pulikka showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Skulema Nakashi's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Nakashi with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Pulikka to score with a decent uppercut.
Pulikka keeps the fight on the outside.
Pulikka works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nakashi takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Pulikka moves into the clinch.
Pulikka is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nakashi gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

Pulikka manages to break the clinch.
Pulikka shoots in for a double leg but Nakashi sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Pulikka lands with a straight right. Nakashi didn't see that one coming.
Nakashi tries to clinch there but Pulikka circles away.
Pulikka cracks Nakashi with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Pulikka lands an overhand right.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Nakashi gets tackled into the cage by Pulikka. Pulikka maintains the clinch.
Pulikka tries to pull guard but Nakashi forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
Skulema Nakashi has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Tontza Pulikka.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nakashi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Pulikka manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pulikka throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nakashi on the side of the head.
Pulikka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nakashi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pulikka somewhat.
Nakashi moves in looking to clinch but Pulikka pushes him off.
Nakashi tries to clinch there but Pulikka circles away.
Pulikka slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Pulikka throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.

Pulikka forces Nakashi back against the cage and clinches.
Pulikka has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Pulikka wants the takedown. Nakashi is fighting it off but Pulikka persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Nakashi's guard against the cage.
Nakashi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Pulikka is looking to stand up but Nakashi won't let him.

Nakashi is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pulikka is trying to break the clinch but Nakashi has him pressed against the cage.
Nakashi is trying to break the clinch but Pulikka has him pressed against the cage.
Nakashi tries to land a knee to the head but Pulikka blocks with his arms.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pulikka has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Nakashi after a bit of a struggle.
Pulikka is trying to break free.
Pulikka has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nakashi is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Pulikka goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nakashi prevents it.
Tontza Pulikka seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Pulikka is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nakashi unloads a knee to the mid-section. Pulikka lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nakashi missing with knees to the body.
Nakashi tries to land a knee to the head but Pulikka blocks with his arms.

Pulikka pulls guard effortlessly.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakashi wants to stand but Pulikka has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Nakashi decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.

Pulikka closes the distance and pushes Nakashi back into the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Nakashi's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Pulikka landing knees to the head.
Nakashi is trying to break free.
Nakashi is trying to push Pulikka away but Pulikka has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Nakashi has had enough of the clinch but Pulikka keeps him there for the moment.
Nakashi is trying to push Pulikka away but Pulikka has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Tontza Pulikka is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pulikka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Pulikka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nakashi sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Pulikka somewhat.
Pulikka connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nakashi's hands.

Pulikka gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nakashi throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Pulikka blocks it with crossed arms.
Pulikka slowing the pace effectively.
Pulikka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nakashis head.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nakashi misses with an elbow strike.

Pulikka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Skulema Nakashi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pulikka jabs Nakashi right on the nose. Nakashi blinks but takes it well.

Pulikka closes the distance and pushes Nakashi back into the cage.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tontza Pulikka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pulikka has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Tontza Pulikka!