PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matti Nykanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Pleasures (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). There are an array of beautiful celebrities at ringside tonight! I wonder if any of them paid for their tickets.

Nykanen
vs
Pleasures

165 cm
31
133 lbs
20 - 12 - 0

174 cm
31
158 lbs
23 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

$10

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 20 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matti Nykanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 23 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, John Pleasures!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Pleasures rushes Nykanen and presses him up against the cage.

Nykanen is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Pleasures can't fight it off and eventually Nykanen manages to take the fight to the floor. Pleasures looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pleasures keeping moving, preventing Nykanen from controlling successfully.
Pleasures lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Nykanen!
Pleasures misses with a head shot.
Pleasures unloads with some shots from mount but Nykanen bucks and avoids them well.
Nykanen wriggling around on the bottom manages to avoid the strikes thrown by Pleasures.
Pleasures wants to control the action but instead Nykanen gets a body lock and reverses into Pleasures's guard! Nice work!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pleasures wants to sweep but no luck.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Pleasures holds on and takes a little breather.
Nykanen trying to control but Pleasures is working from the bottom.
Nykanen throws a big right hand that misses.
Pleasures 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.
Pleasures is pulling down on Nykanen's head. It's preventing any offense from Nykanen, at least for the moment.
Nykanen trying to control but Pleasures is working from the bottom.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
A big right from Pleasures misses.
Pleasures throws a head kick that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures tries to clinch up but Nykanen circles away and keeps his distance.
Pleasures lands a body shot.
Pleasures is looking to land body kicks.
Nykanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pleasures manages to avoid it.
Pleasures looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Pleasures shoots in looking for a takedown. Nykanen tries to sprawl out of it but Pleasures keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nykanen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
The fighters circling - Pleasures throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nykanen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Pleasures sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A slow jab from Pleasures misses its intended target.
Nykanen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Pleasures.
Pleasures ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nykanen moves away.
Nice takedown defense from Pleasures. No joy for Nykanen on that attempt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nykanen throws a jab but it's blocked by Pleasures.
Nykanen looks to throw the jab but Pleasures is out of range.
Nice cross by Pleasures.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Pleasures swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
A left lands for Pleasures.
Nykanen throws a looping overhand right but Pleasures ducks down to avoid it.
Nykanen dives in and grabs Pleasures's left leg, looking for a takedown. Pleasures pushes down on Nykanen's head and hops out.
Pleasures scores with a jab.
Nykanen throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Pleasures on the side of the head.
Nykanen misses with a body shot.
Pleasures gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nykanen.
Pleasures looks to score with a jab to the body but Nykanen is just out of range.

Nykanen shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Pleasures napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Pleasures sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.
Nykanen is trying to control the action in half guard but Pleasures is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Pleasures desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Pleasures wants to get back to full guard.
Nykanen wants to pass to mount but Pleasures is defending the position.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Pleasures is holding on to half guard well.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nykanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pleasures.
Pleasures fails with a takedown attempt.
Nykanen thows a body shot but no joy.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nykanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pleasures manages to avoid it.
Nykanen throws an overhand right that lands on Pleasures's shoulder, as Pleasures tries to avoid the shot.
Nykanen throws a predictable looking body shot
and Pleasures counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but John Pleasures will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Pleasures gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nykanen wants a takedown.

Pleasures breaks the clinch.
Pleasures throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Pleasures tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nykanen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nykanen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Pleasures.
Pleasures throws out a loose jab but Nykanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
John Pleasures seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pleasures is looking to clinch.
Pleasures tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Nykanen manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nykanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nykanen takes a swing at Pleasures's ribcage but misses.
A slow jab from Pleasures misses its intended target.
Nykanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Pleasures was well out of range. Poor timing from Nykanen.
Pleasures throws a push kick but Nykanen slaps the foot to one side.
Nykanen is looking to wear down Pleasures with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Pleasures swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Pleasures throws out a loose jab but Nykanen uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pleasures.
Pleasures takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Pleasures scores with a one two! Nykanen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
Pleasures doesn't manage to clinch there - Nykanen circles away.
Pleasures punishes Nykanen's body with a nice straight punch.
Nykanen loads up on a big right hand but Pleasures slips the punch.
Nykanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pleasures throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nykanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Pleasures misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Pleasures keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nykanen punishes Pleasures's body with a nice straight punch.
Nykanen takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
John Pleasures seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nykanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Pleasures pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Pleasures tries to clinch but Nykanen moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nykanen throws a hook but Pleasures avoids it easily.
A decent looking cross lands there for Pleasures.
Pleasures thows a body shot but no joy.
Nykanen moves out of range as Pleasures strikes.
Nykanen takes one on the button.
Pleasures misses with a looping left.
Nykanen lands a nice shot that snaps Pleasures's head back.
Nykanen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Nykanen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Pleasures is trying to get back to full guard.
Pleasures trying to control from the bottom.
Pleasures is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures gets full guard.
Nykanen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Pleasures swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Pleasures not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Pleasures wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Nykanen preventing the sweep.
Nykanen with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nykanen trying to control but Pleasures is working from the bottom.
Pleasures wants to sweep here but Nykanen controlling him for the moment.
Nykanen being controlled here momentarily.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Nykanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen moves out of range of the strikes.
Nykanen lands a body shot.

Pleasures scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Pleasures trying to control the action but Nykanen is working from the bottom.
Nykanen wants to get back to full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nykanen has hold of Pleasures's hands but Pleasures slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Pleasures thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nykanen's head.
Pleasures slows the pace down in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

John Pleasures showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nykanen throws a shot from downtown. Pleasures moves away and avoids it.
A leg kick checked by Pleasures.
Pleasures throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
A slow jab from Pleasures misses its intended target.
Nykanen with a nice cross.
Pleasures tries to close the distance and clinch but Nykanen swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nykanen has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Nykanen there as he acknowledges the shot.
A big right from Nykanen misses.
Nykanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Pleasures throws a wild body kick that Nykanen sees coming a mile off.
A slow jab from Pleasures misses its intended target.
Nykanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Pleasures.
Nykanen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nykanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nykanen takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen throws a looping overhand right but Pleasures ducks down to avoid it.
Nykanen moves out of range as Pleasures strikes.
Nykanen throws a leg kick that is checked
and Pleasures counters with a stiff right hand.
Pleasures jabs at Nykanen's body.
Sloppy strikes from Nykanen. Those never looked like landing.
Nykanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Pleasures throws out the jab.
Pleasures ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pleasures lands with an overhand left.
Pleasures throws an overhand right that lands on Nykanen's shoulder, as Nykanen tries to avoid the shot.
Pleasures misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nykanen shoots in for a takedown but Pleasures shows good takedown defense.
Nykanen fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Pleasures manages to avoid it.

Nykanen shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Pleasures manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Nykanen is working Pleasures over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures wants to sweep here but Nykanen controlling him for the moment.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Pleasures is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Pleasures pulls Nykanen in close to his closed guard and prevents Nykanen from doing any damage or advancing position.
Nykanen tries to free his leg and advance position but Pleasures is retaining full guard.
Nykanen trying to control but Pleasures is working from the bottom.
We must be close to a standup if these guys don't pick up the pace.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nykanen scores with a sloppy right hand. Pleasures should have avoided that one.
Pleasures throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nykanen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nykanen scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pleasures jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nykanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Pleasures ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nykanen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

Pleasures darts in and clinches Nykanen up against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Nykanen's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Pleasures lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Nykanen tries to work over Pleasures's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nykanen wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.

Pleasures manages to break the clinch.
Nykanen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Pleasures moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Pleasures scores with a punch to the head.
Pleasures misses with the combination.
Nykanen blocks a jab.
Nykanen misses with a two punch combination.
Matti Nykanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen scores with a crisp jab that stopped Pleasures in his tracks.
Pleasures staying out of range there.
Nykanen swings for the body but Pleasures moves out of range.
John Pleasures is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nykanen takes a swing at Pleasures's ribcage but misses.
Pleasures throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pleasures defending well as Nykanen loads up on a big left hand.
Pleasures looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Nykanen throws an overhand right that lands on Pleasures's shoulder, as Pleasures tries to avoid the shot.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Pleasures lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nykanen throws a hook to the side of Pleasures's head but Pleasures sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Pleasures delivers a nice body kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A jab from Pleasures misses.
Pleasures lands with a kick to the temple. Nykanen shrugs as if to say "is that all you've got?"
Pleasures jabs away that one connects to the head of his opponent.
Nykanen thows a body shot but no joy.

And that's the end of the fight!
John Pleasures comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Pleasures 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... John Pleasures!
A victorious John Pleasures thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.