PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Pasi Nurminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Tony Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Nurminen
vs
Ferguson

174 cm
22
166 lbs
10 - 2 - 2

183 cm
28
155 lbs
6 - 5 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Hopkins Athletics

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 10 - 2 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pasi Nurminen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 5 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tony Ferguson!
The judges for this bout are Konstantin Menshow, Dmitry Maklakov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson throws a body punch but Nurminen moves out of range.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurminen.
Ferguson misses with a two punch combination.
Ferguson misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nurminen.
Ferguson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurminen manages to avoid it.

Ferguson gets a clinch.
Ferguson has a couple of punches blocked by Nurminen.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nurminen.
Ferguson tries for a takedown. No joy.
Ferguson working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ferguson.
Ferguson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ferguson struggles to land a body shot inside as Nurminen controls his hands.

Nurminen breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nurminen darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Ferguson is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nurminen.
Nurminen tries to close the distance and clinch but Ferguson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nurminen tries to clinch there but Ferguson circles away.
Ferguson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
A jab from Nurminen misses.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurminen tries to clinch up.
Ferguson throws the left hand but Nurminen avoids the punch easily.
Ferguson avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nurminen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Some wild striking there from Nurminen.
Ferguson fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nurminen avoids it really well and circles away.
Ferguson takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nurminen swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!

Ferguson closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Nurminen gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurminen tries to get to full guard but Ferguson has control of the leg.
Nurminen desperately trying to maintain half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen trying to control from the bottom.

Ferguson is looking for a kimura here.
Ferguson wants to pass to mount but Nurminen is defending the position.
Ferguson not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nurminen is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Ferguson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Nurminen defending well though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Ferguson.
Nurminen is trying to stand.
Nurminen wants to control but Ferguson is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nurminen is trying to get back to full guard.
Ferguson wants to pass to mount but Nurminen is defending the position.
Ferguson not doing much here.
Ferguson lands with a punch from half guard.
Nurminen gets full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throwing strikes from guard but Nurminen blocks nicely.
Ferguson keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nurminen's head.
Ferguson content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nurminen avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Ferguson is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Ferguson throws an elbow that misses. Nurminen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Ferguson's guard. Nice move by Nurminen!
Nurminen controlling from the top position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nurminen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ferguson is keeping the position for now.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Tony Ferguson will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nurminen defending well as Ferguson loads up on a big left hand.
Nurminen wants to clinch up but Ferguson keeps it at a distance.
Nurminen lands an overhand right.
Ferguson swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Ferguson throws a hook but Nurminen avoids it easily.
Nurminen throws a jab but it's blocked by Ferguson.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nurminen looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Ferguson lands with a shot to the body.
Nurminen will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ferguson enables Nurminen to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ferguson manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Tony Ferguson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nurminen trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
Ferguson keeping full guard, as Nurminen tries to pass.
Ferguson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson is trying to control the position but Nurminen postures up.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Ferguson tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Pasi Nurminen just wasn't active enough.
Nurminen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ferguson throws a body punch but Nurminen moves out of range.
Ferguson is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nurminen rather than just go for the knockout.
Ferguson uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurminen.

Ferguson rushes Nurminen and presses him up against the cage.
Ferguson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nurminen.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ferguson.
Ferguson misses with the head strike.
Nurminen taking a breather.
Good body shot from Ferguson.
Nurminen tries to work over Ferguson's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head punch on the inside from Nurminen fails to land.
Nurminen displaying some good clinch control by pressing Ferguson up against the cage.
Ferguson tries to work over Nurminen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
A short left from Ferguson.
Ferguson misses with a punch on the inside.
Nurminen trying to control the position but instead, Ferguson has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nurminen into the cage.
Ferguson is working Nurminen over against the cage.
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!
Nurminen tries to throw a body punch but Ferguson avoids it by throwing Nurminen back against the cage.

Nurminen breaks from the clinch.
Nurminen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurminen looks to land a combination but Ferguson avoids it well.
Ferguson looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Ferguson fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Nurminen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Nurminen tries to close the distance and clinch but Ferguson swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nurminen looks to land a combination but Ferguson avoids it well.

Ferguson gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Ferguson fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Good body shot from Nurminen.
Ferguson pushes Nurminen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nurminen working aggressively here.
Ferguson misses with the head strike.
Nurminen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nurminen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nurminen lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Nurminen scores with a shoulder strike.
A short right from Nurminen on the inside.
Ferguson lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Nurminen or not.
Nurminen gets through Ferguson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Nurminen misses with some punches.
Nurminen misses with a punch on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurminen blocking some punches.
Ferguson misses with a short punch on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from Ferguson fails to land.
Nurminen prevents a body shot from Ferguson.
A short left from Nurminen.
Tony Ferguson seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
A short left from Nurminen.
Nurminen gets through Ferguson's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Ferguson is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Ferguson works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nurminen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Ferguson tries a body shot but Nurminen blocks it.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nurminen gets underhooks to prevent Ferguson's takedown attempt.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nurminen is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Ferguson has a couple of punches blocked by Nurminen.
Ferguson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nurminen's elbow.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Pasi Nurminen will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nurminen throws a series of punches but Ferguson moves out of range.
Nurminen throws a shot from downtown. Ferguson moves away and avoids it.
Ferguson digs a good body shot into Nurminen's ribs.
Nurminen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Ferguson throws a big shot that misses.
Nurminen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ferguson just misses with a punch to the body.
Nurminen throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Ferguson.
Nurminen throws the left hand but Ferguson avoids the punch easily.
Nurminen misses with a two punch combination.

Nurminen tries to keep at a distance but Ferguson has taken the fight into the clinch.
Nurminen is looking to control Ferguson's arms but Ferguson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nurminen has his back to the cage.
Ferguson doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Ferguson blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Ferguson can't find room to land a body shot as Nurminen controls the action.
Nurminen prevents a body shot from Ferguson.
Ferguson struggles to land a body shot inside as Nurminen controls his hands.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Ferguson misses with a punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen swings wildly with an uppercut but Ferguson uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ferguson blocks a body shot from Nurminen.
A left hand lands to the body for Ferguson.
Ferguson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nurminen.

Ferguson tightens his grip and picks Nurminen up, before dumping him to the ground. Nurminen manages to land in guard.
Ferguson makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Ferguson distracts Nurminen with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Nurminen is controlling Ferguson's posture.
Ferguson preventing the sweep.
Ferguson's corner is telling him to maintain position.
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!
Ferguson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nurminen looking for a sweep. Not yet Nurminen, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson scoring with some ground and pound.
Nurminen keeping moving, preventing Ferguson from controlling successfully.
Nurminen trying to control the position here.
Ferguson sitting in guard, not really doing much.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Ferguson lands with a right hand.
Ferguson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Ferguson scores with a hook to the body. Nurminen takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Nurminen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nurminen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Ferguson cracks Nurminen with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurminen manages to avoid it.
Ferguson defending well as Nurminen loads up on a big left hand.
Nurminen lands with a cross.
Ferguson dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Ferguson works Nurminen's body with a nice hook.
Nurminen throws a good cross that connects.
Ferguson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nurminen tries to clinch up but Ferguson circles away and keeps his distance.
Nurminen misses with the combination.
Ferguson throws a series of punches but Nurminen moves out of range.
Pasi Nurminen is winning the standup battle so far.
Nurminen is looking to clinch but Ferguson is avoiding it.
Nurminen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ferguson fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nurminen manages to avoid it.
Pasi Nurminen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Ferguson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
No joy there for Nurminen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Ferguson lands a nice shot that snaps Nurminen's head back.
Ferguson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nurminen's hands.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Ferguson gets tackled into the cage by Nurminen. Nurminen maintains the clinch.
Nurminen tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nurminen can't find room to land a body shot as Ferguson controls the action.
Ferguson misses with a short punch on the inside.
Ferguson gets through Nurminen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurminen prevents the takedown attempt.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nurminen.
Ferguson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nurminen works on Ferguson's body with a couple of short punches.
Ferguson swings wildly with an uppercut but Nurminen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ferguson blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nurminen looking to slow down the pace here.
Ferguson lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nurminen backwards.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nurminen blocking some punches.
Nurminen prevents a body shot from Ferguson.
Nurminen blocking some punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tony Ferguson really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ferguson.
Ferguson circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nurminen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nurminen lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nurminen throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Ferguson lands with a nice body punch.
Nurminen slips a jab from Ferguson.
Nurminen moves forwards but Ferguson connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Nurminen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nurminen darts in trying to clinch
enabling Ferguson to counter with a crisp jab.
Ferguson throws a big shot that misses.
Nurminen takes a swing at Ferguson's ribcage but misses.
Ferguson throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nurminen fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Ferguson just misses with a punch to the body.
Nurminen is looking to clinch but Ferguson is avoiding it.
A punch lands to the side of Ferguson 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Nurminen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Ferguson clinches with his opponent.
Ferguson presses Nurminen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nurminen.
A short body shot lands from Ferguson as the two fighters clinch.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Nurminen trying to stall but Ferguson improves his position.
Ferguson working aggressively here.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Ferguson.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nurminen.
Nurminen blocks a body shot from Ferguson.
Nurminen misses with a body punch.
Ferguson swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nurminen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nurminen blocks an uppercut.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Ferguson drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nurminen pulls his leg out and moves away.
Ferguson misses the shot to the body.
Nurminen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen tries to move into range but Ferguson moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Nurminen tries to clinch there but Ferguson circles away.
Ferguson sizes up Nurminen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nurminen takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Ferguson connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Nurminen's hands.

Ferguson clinches up against the cage.
Ferguson tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nurminen is trying to maintain a safe position but Ferguson gets an underhook and turns Nurminen into the cage.
Still in the clinch, Ferguson scores with a nice short uppercut.
Ferguson misses with the head strike.
Nurminen blocks an uppercut.
Nurminen blocks a body shot from Ferguson.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Ferguson.
Ferguson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nurminen's elbow.
Ferguson lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nurminen works on Ferguson's body with a couple of short punches.
Nurminen lands a body punch.
Nice body punch from Nurminen - that landed with a thud.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen stalling in the clinch but Ferguson improves position.
Nice body punch from Ferguson.
A nice left hand lands by Nurminen.
Nurminen lands a nice uppercut.
Nurminen tries to stall but Ferguson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ferguson misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nurminen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Ferguson avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Ferguson stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Ferguson scores with a hook to the body.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nurminen.
A hook to the body from Nurminen.
Ferguson misses with a hook to the ribs.
Ferguson can't find room to land a body shot as Nurminen controls the action.
Ferguson has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
A nice right hand lands inside from Ferguson.
Ferguson tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nurminen's elbow.
Nurminen tries to stall but Ferguson uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Ferguson scores with a shoulder strike.

Nurminen is rocked!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A head punch on the inside from Ferguson fails to land.
Oh Nurminen is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Ferguson.
Ferguson misses with the head strike.
Nurminen lands with a light punch inside.
Ferguson lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nurminen taking a breather.
Ferguson cracks Nurminen with a nice body shot.
A short right from Ferguson.
A body shot lands from Ferguson.

Ferguson has hold of one of Nurminen's legs. Nurminen is fighting the takedown attempt but Ferguson gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Ferguson loads up on a big left hand. Nurminen felt that one! He's just covering up now, not defending himself intelligently - Ferguson looks towards the ref and unloads with 3 more big shots and the ref has no choice but to stop the fight! Nurminen can't hide his disappointment, as Ferguson celebrates the victory.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:33 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tony Ferguson!
Tony Ferguson is the new lightweight champion!
Tony Ferguson made sure to mention his sponsor, Hopkins Athletics in his post fight interview.