PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Riku Reipas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Story (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Reipas
vs
Story

175 cm
27
148 lbs
14 - 6 - 0

160 cm
27
140 lbs
19 - 5 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
Basic striking
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Cobra Pharmaceuticals (159++ Stamina)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 14 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Riku Reipas!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 19 - 5 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Nick Story!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Ben Zyskovitsi and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Reipas throws out a loose jab but Story uses good head movement to avoid it.
Reipas has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Reipas there as he acknowledges the shot.
Reipas misses with a takedown attempt
and Story counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Reipas thinking.
Reipas fails with an attempt to clinch.
Story changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Reipas with a lazy takedown attempt

and Story counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Story lands a body shot.
Story taking a breather.
Reipas jumps guard but Story stands there with Reipas around his waist. Reipas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Riku Reipas. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Story escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Reipas tries for a takedown but Story circles away easily
letting Story counter with a right hand.
Reipas tries to clinch up but Story circles away and keeps his distance.
Reipas slips a jab from Story.
Story looks to score with a jab to the body but Reipas is just out of range.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

Story manages to break the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Reipas fails to land the takedown.
Reipas looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Story is fending him off so far but Reipas persists. Nope, Story circles away and we're back to standing.
Story jabs Reipas to the body, keeping him at a distance.
A lazy left from Story finds it's target.

Story forces Reipas back against the cage and clinches.

Story breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Story lands a slapping body shot.
Reipas misses with a takedown
and Story connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Reipas fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Story manages to avoid it.
Reipas doesn't succeed with the takedown
enabling Story to counter with a crisp jab.
Reipas with a lazy takedown attempt

and Story counters by moving into the clinch.
Reipas is trying to pull guard but Story turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Story digs a right hand underneath Reipas's ribcage. Reipas let out a lung full of air as it connected.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Reipas fails to pull guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Story escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
A telegraphed right hand from Story misses the target.
Reipas takes a body punch but keeps moving.
Story lands a head shot.
Reipas tries to score a power double leg takedown but Story sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Reipas somewhat.
Reipas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Story connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Reipas is breathing heavily.

Story has Reipas up against the cage in a clinch.

Story breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Reipas with that takedown attempt.
Reipas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Story cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Reipas doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Story counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Reipas with a poor takedown

and Story holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.
Story softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A short right from Story on the inside.

Story breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Story is landing a lot of head punches in this opening round! Reipas had better start moving his head a bit unless he wants his face to turn into pâté.
A lazy left from Story finds it's target.
Reipas slips under a jab.
Story scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Reipas tries for a takedown but Story circles away easily
enabling Story to counter with a crisp jab.
Story lands a body shot.
Story throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Reipas sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Riku Reipas seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Reipas fails with the takedown.
Story moves out of range of the body kick from Reipas.
Reipas takes one to the chin there.
Reipas has his takedown stuffed

and Story moves into the clinch.

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

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Story instigates a clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Story.
Story scores with a hook to the body.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Story escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Reipas uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Story.
Reipas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Story counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Reipas takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Story drives through with a takedown into guard.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.
Story trying to control but Reipas is working from the bottom.
Reipas looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Story stands and steps away. Reipas gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Reipas misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Story.
Reipas tries for a takedown but Story sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Reipas wants to clinch
and Story counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Story lands a jab to Reipas's midsection.
Story throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Reipas misses with a takedown attempt
and Story counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Reipas shoots for a double leg takedown but Story sprawls well. He's pushed Reipas's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Story scores with a nice strike.

Story throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Reipas was covering up waiting for the punch and Story finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Story wants to stand but Reipas has a closed guard, so he can't escape.

Story gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Reipas doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Story moves into the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Riku Reipas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reipas jumps guard but Story stands there with Reipas around his waist. Reipas gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Story scores with an uppercut up the middle.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Story pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Reipas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Story counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Story throws out a powerful jab.
Story defending well as Reipas loads up on a big left hand.
Reipas slips a straight right by Story.
Story lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Reipas at a distance.
Story dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Reipas misses with a takedown attempt
and Reipas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Reipas swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Story counters with a straight right hand.
Reipas fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Reipas takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Reipas tries to close the distance and clinch but Story swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A big right from Story misses.
Nick Story seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Story throws a jab but it's blocked by Reipas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Story swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Reipas fails with the takedown
and Story counters with a lovely straight right hand!
This is turning into a torrid day at the office for Reipas. He's trying desperately to land a takedown but he's failing miserably and getting slapped silly on the feet to compound his misery.
Story checks the leg kick nicely there.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Reipas with a lazy takedown attempt
and Story counters with a left to the body.
Story takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Story ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Reipas moves away.
Story lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Reipas shoots and misses
and Story connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Story lands an overhand right.
A jab from Story finds it's way through Reipas's defenses.
Story cracks a nice hook into Reipas's ribs.
Story misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Reipas.
A jab from Story misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Story connects with the punch.
Reipas gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Story counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Story cracks Reipas with an open hand slap.
Reipas takes a swing at Story's ribcage but misses.
Story has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Story lunges at Reipas with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Reipas's hand.
Story lands with a shot to the body.
Story swats away the attempt to clinch by Reipas.
A looping hook to the body misses from Reipas. Story does a little dance to reset his feet.
Story throws a hook but Reipas avoids it easily.
Story lands with a cross.
Reipas with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Story to score with a decent uppercut.
Reipas takes one to the side of the head.
Story ducks down and throws a hook to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Story throws a jab when Reipas was well out of range.
Reipas takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Reipas gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Story shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Reipas manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

Reipas escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Story gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Story passes Reipas's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Story trying to control from half guard but Reipas is working away.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Reipas regains full guard. Nicely done.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nick Story showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

A jab from Story finds it's way through Reipas's defenses.

Story clinches.
A short right from Story on the inside.

Story breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Story looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Reipas throws a big shot that misses.
Reipas tries for a takedown but Story circles away easily
and Story counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Reipas closes the distance looking to clinch
and Story counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Reipas thinking.
No luck for Reipas with that takedown attempt.
Story leaves Reipas with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Riku Reipas. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Reipas takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Story closes the distance and clinches.
Story lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Reipas jumps guard but Story turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

Story breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Reipas has his takedown stuffed

and Story counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Story digs a right hand into Reipas's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Reipas's gas tank.
Nice body punch from Story - that landed with a thud.
Story works on Reipas's body with a couple of short punches.
Story scores with a nice hook to the head.
Story controlling the action here for a moment.
Story lands a shot to the body.

Story escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Story moves into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Good body shot from Story.
Reipas jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Story walks away with a smile on his face. Reipas gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice body punch from Story.
Reipas tries to clinch but Story is having none of it.
Reipas shoots and misses
and Reipas takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Reipas looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Story bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Reipas's head.

Story has Reipas up against the cage in a clinch.
Story lands a hook that snaps the head of Reipas backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Story.
Story lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Story lands a hook to the side of the head.
Story stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.

Story manages to break the clinch.
Story's jab looks to have found its range, popping Reipas under the eye.
Reipas with a poor takedown
and Story counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Reipas keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Story.

Story moves into the clinch successfully.
Reipas letting Story take a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Story lands a body shot.
Story is leaning against Reipas and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

Story manages to break the clinch.
Reipas closes this distance looking for a takedown but Story circles away.
Story lands a nice looking body shot.
Reipas is trying hard to land a takedown here. Story sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Story throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Reipas on the side of the head.

Story clinches.
Nice body punch from Story.
Story lands a left hand.
Story pushes Reipas back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.

Story breaks the clinch.
Story works the jab nicely.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Story's jab looks to have found its range, popping Reipas under the eye.
Story lands an overhand right.
Riku Reipas has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot lands for Story.
Reipas shoots for a takedown but Story saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Story gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Story lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Story lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Story lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nice body punch from Story.
Story is working Reipas over against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Story.

Story breaks from the clinch.
Reipas tries to clinch up but Story circles away and keeps his distance.
Reipas shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Story counters by moving into the clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
A nice left hand lands by Story.
A body shot lands from Story.
Story lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nick Story is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
A short right from Story.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Story comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Story 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Story!
After winning the bout, Nick Story thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.