PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Gunnar Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Antonio Figuera (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Gunnar Nelson has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Nelson
vs
Figuera

180 cm
19
175 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
19
168 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Enjoys gardening

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Gunnar Nelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Antonio Figuera!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Roosa Järviläinen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nelson blocks a head kick by Figuera.
Figuera tries to clinch but fails miserably

and Nelson counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Nelson.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Figuera is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Figuera looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nelson is one step ahead there.
Nelson pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Figuera is keeping the position for now.
Nelson engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Nelson tries to free his leg and advance position but Figuera is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson stands and throws Figuera's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Figuera regains half guard.
Figuera is trying to stand back up but Nelson is controlling him
Still in half guard, Nelson seems content to control.

Nelson is working for a kimura but Figuera is defending it quite comfortably.
Figuera is refusing to be controlled, as Nelson sits in half guard.
Nelson wants to pass the guard but Figuera is defending well.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nelson stops Figuera from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Figuera!
Nelson looking to control but Figuera is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Figuera is trying desperately to improve position.
Nelson tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.

Nelson is going oldschool here, as he tries to force Figuera to tap using a forearm choke. This isn't 1993 though, so Figuera shrugs it off.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Figuera is working to get back to half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figuera is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Nelson wants to take his opponent's back but Figuera doesn't allow it.
Figuera wants to control but Nelson is having none of it.
Nelson seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Figuera is holding on tight.

Nelson gets to his feet and calls his opponent to stand. Here come the fireworks!
Antonio Figuera seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nelson avoids a punch combination nicely.

Figuera gets the takedown into side control.
Nelson is breathing heavily.
Figuera wants to stand but Nelson has his arm trapped.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson is trying to buck Figuera off.
Figuera trying to control the position but Nelson is working away.
Nelson is looking for a sweep.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Figuera tries to advance to mount but Nelson instead regains half guard.
Figuera is keen to just control but Nelson is a slippery customer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Nelson dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Figuera is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nelson.
Nelson is looking to score with low kicks.
Nelson walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Figuera checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nelson takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.

Nelson closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

Nelson jumps guard and drags Figuera to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Figuera trying to control the position from guard on top but Nelson is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nelson looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
Figuera pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nelson is keeping the position for now.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Figuera trying to control but Nelson is working from the bottom.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Antonio Figuera wasn't active enough on the ground.
Figuera looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Figuera throws a nice looking combination but Nelson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nelson looks to land a body kick but Figuera moved away.

Nelson moves into the clinch.
A head punch on the inside from Figuera fails to land.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson gets underhooks to prevent Figuera's takedown attempt.

Nelson is trying to trip Figuera. He has hold of a leg but Figuera is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Nelson persists though and gets the takedown into guard.

Nelson stands and steps away. Figuera gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Figuera tries to clinch up.

Nelson shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Figuera keeping moving, preventing Nelson from controlling successfully.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nelson trying to move into half guard but instead Figuera has managed to sweep!
Figuera wants to control from the top but Nelson keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Figuera throws a big elbow that misses.
Gunnar Nelson overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Figuera wants to control from the top but Nelson keeps moving.

Nelson pushes Figuera off and gets back to his feet.
Figuera gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nelson moves into the clinch.
Gunnar Nelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Antonio Figuera.
Figuera is trying to break the clinch but Nelson has him pressed against the cage.
Figuera is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Figuera jumps guard but Nelson turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nelson is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Figuera can't fight it off and eventually Nelson manages to take the fight to the floor. Figuera looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Figuera is trying to control the position but Nelson postures up.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Nelson stands and throws Figuera's legs to the side, diving into side control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nelson working away.
This has been an exciting period of action!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Gunnar Nelson dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Nelson swats away the attempt to clinch by Figuera.

Nelson gets in close and instigates a clinch.

Figuera successfully pulls guard.

Nelson gets to his feet - Figuera follows without any prompting.
Figuera looks to land a combination but Nelson avoids it well.
Figuera misses with a takedown attempt

and Nelson counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Figuera trying to control from the bottom.

Figuera pushes Nelson off, looking to escape but Nelson dives into side control. He's locked up a kimura now - that was fast! He's cranking on it and Figuera is forced to tap! The fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kimura). Gunnar Nelson!