PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Andrzej Wrzeszczycki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Epeli Nailatikau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nailatikau has chosen Number of the Bollywood as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Wrzeszczycki
vs
Nailatikau

168 cm
34
145 lbs
13 - 0 - 0

172 cm
22
154 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent MT
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

CEC Nutrition Q160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 0 - 0, fighting out of London, Andrzej Wrzeszczycki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Epeli Nailatikau!
The judges for this bout are James Ackerman, Sam Margolis and Richard Clark.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nailatikau looks to land a body kick but Wrzeszczycki moved away.
Nailatikau throws a head kick but Wrzeszczycki moves out of range.
Wrzeszczycki tries to clinch up but Nailatikau circles away and keeps his distance.
Wrzeszczycki checks a leg kick nicely.
Nailatikau throws a hook but Wrzeszczycki avoids it easily.
Wrzeszczycki tries to clinch but Nailatikau is having none of it.
Nailatikau cracks the inside of Wrzeszczycki's front leg.
The fight stays on the outside here - Wrzeszczycki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Wrzeszczycki takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.

Wrzeszczycki clinches with his opponent.
Nailatikau blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nailatikau stalling against the cage.
Wrzeszczycki on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nailatikau tries a knee to the head but Wrzeszczycki blocks it.
A knee to the head by Wrzeszczycki.
Nailatikau is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Wrzeszczycki blocks it with crossed arms.

Wrzeszczycki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Wrzeszczycki.
Wrzeszczycki fails with an attempt to clinch.
Wrzeszczycki wants to clinch up but Nailatikau keeps it at a distance.
Nailatikau lands a right hook to the body.
Nailatikau throws a head kick but Wrzeszczycki moves out of range.
Nailatikau scores with a head kick. Wrzeszczycki tried to block it but didn't get his arm up in time.
Wrzeszczycki ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nailatikau feints and then cracks Wrzeszczycki's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Wrzeszczycki down.
Nice defenses there by Wrzeszczycki.

Wrzeszczycki pushes Nailatikau up against the cage in a clinch.
Nailatikau tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nailatikau looking to throw knees to the head but Wrzeszczycki is blocking nicely.

Wrzeszczycki breaks from the clinch.
Epeli Nailatikau is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Wrzeszczycki tries to clinch up.
Nailatikau throws a chopping leg kick but Wrzeszczycki manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Wrzeszczycki steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nailatikau.

Wrzeszczycki has managed to clinch.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Wrzeszczycki takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Nailatikau scores with a shoulder strike.
A body shot lands from Wrzeszczycki.
Nailatikau is stalling here.

Nailatikau successfully pulls guard.
Wrzeszczycki looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nailatikau has his foot on Wrzeszczycki's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Wrzeszczycki works his way back into a safe position though.
Nailatikau has a closed guard, preventing Wrzeszczycki from standing up.
Wrzeszczycki wants to control from the top but Nailatikau keeps moving.
Wrzeszczycki is looking to work some ground and pound but Nailatikau has wrist control.
Wrzeszczycki slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Andrzej Wrzeszczycki has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Wrzeszczycki doesn't manage to clinch there - Nailatikau circles away.
A clash of legs there as Wrzeszczycki blocks the low kick.

Wrzeszczycki clinches with his opponent.
Nailatikau stalling in the clinch but Wrzeszczycki improves position.
Wrzeszczycki using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nailatikau has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nailatikau taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Nailatikau tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Wrzeszczycki using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nailatikau has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nailatikau misses with a body punch.

Wrzeszczycki gets control of Nailatikau's arms and successfully pulls guard. Wrzeszczycki will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Nailatikau must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Wrzeszczycki wants to sweep here but Nailatikau controlling him for the moment.
Wrzeszczycki is pulling down on Nailatikau's head. It's preventing any offense from Nailatikau, at least for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Andrzej Wrzeszczycki will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Wrzeszczycki takes a shot to the eye socket. That's gotta hurt.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Wrzeszczycki.

Wrzeszczycki moves into the clinch.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wrzeszczycki just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nailatikau's brow.
Nailatikau misses with a knee strike.
Wrzeszczycki softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

Wrzeszczycki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wrzeszczycki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nailatikau sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Wrzeszczycki somewhat.
Nailatikau throws a nice inside leg kick.
Wrzeszczycki misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrzej Wrzeszczycki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nailatikau throws a jab but it's blocked by Wrzeszczycki.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick that misses.
Nailatikau looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.
Nailatikau stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nailatikau throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nailatikau keeps the fight on the outside.
Epeli Nailatikau seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Wrzeszczycki scores with a jab to the body.
Nailatikau misses with a head kick.
Wrzeszczycki blocks a low kick nicely.
Nailatikau misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
A slapping body kick lands there for Wrzeszczycki.
Wrzeszczycki tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Wrzeszczycki fails in his attempt to clinch.

Wrzeszczycki takes the fight into the clinch.
Nailatikau lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau misses with a hook from the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Wrzeszczycki avoiding damage as Nailatikau throws knees to the body.
Wrzeszczycki lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nailatikau tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Wrzeszczycki tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nailatikau's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Wrzeszczycki looking to throw knees to the head but Nailatikau is blocking nicely.
Nailatikau is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nailatikau jumps guard but Wrzeszczycki turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Wrzeszczycki tries to pull guard but Nailatikau won't allow it.
Nailatikau wants to get back to striking at distance but Wrzeszczycki won't allow it.
Wrzeszczycki content to slow the pace in the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nailatikau is trying to pull guard but Wrzeszczycki has him pressed against the cage.
Nailatikau stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Wrzeszczycki wants a takedown but no success here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Wrzeszczycki.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Wrzeszczycki just misses with a elbow thrown towards Nailatikau's brow.
Nailatikau fails to pull guard.
A short uppercut from Wrzeszczycki.

Wrzeszczycki gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Nailatikau tries to get to full guard but Wrzeszczycki has control of the leg.
Wrzeszczycki missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Wrzeszczycki is keen to just control but Nailatikau is a slippery customer.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Wrzeszczycki decides to stand up and try his luck on the feet.
Some bone on bone action there as Wrzeszczycki checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Wrzeszczycki tries to close the distance and clinch but Nailatikau swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Horrible takedown by Wrzeszczycki or perhaps it was just good defense by Nailatikau which made him look bad.
Nailatikau throws a head kick but Wrzeszczycki moves out of range.
Andrzej Wrzeszczycki is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wrzeszczycki misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nailatikau.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nailatikau, as that shot connected.
Wrzeszczycki dives in and grabs Nailatikau's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nailatikau pushes down on Wrzeszczycki's head and hops out.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A jab from Nailatikau misses.
Wrzeszczycki avoids a kick to the body.

Wrzeszczycki shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Wrzeszczycki showed some decent athleticism there.
Nailatikau is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
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 Andrzej Wrzeszczycki will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action! And we move into the final round!

Nailatikau tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nailatikau throws a sloppy head kick and Wrzeszczycki moves out of range easily.

Wrzeszczycki darts in and clinches Nailatikau up against the cage.
Nailatikau throws a punch but it's blocked by Wrzeszczycki.
Wrzeszczycki wants to stall.
Andrzej Wrzeszczycki has scored more points in the clinch so far.

Wrzeszczycki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Wrzeszczycki uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau cracks Wrzeszczycki with a good jab.
Nailatikau tries to clinch up.
Nailatikau tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Wrzeszczycki manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nailatikau avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Wrzeszczycki fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nailatikau digs a good body shot into Wrzeszczycki's ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau lands a high kick!

Nailatikau gets tackled into the cage by Wrzeszczycki. Wrzeszczycki maintains the clinch.

Wrzeszczycki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nailatikau throws a head kick but Wrzeszczycki moves out of range.
Nailatikau lands with a slapping head kick.
Wrzeszczycki shoots in for a takedown but Nailatikau shows good takedown defense.
Wrzeszczycki tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nailatikau manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Wrzeszczycki moves in looking to clinch but Nailatikau pushes him off.
Nailatikau shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
A solid leg kick lands there for Wrzeszczycki.
Nailatikau is looking to land body kicks.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nailatikau. That's going to slow Wrzeszczycki down.
Wrzeszczycki defending well as Nailatikau loads up on a big left hand.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau thows a leg kick but Wrzeszczycki checks it

and Wrzeszczycki counters by moving into the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nailatikau pushes Wrzeszczycki back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nailatikau tries to break the clinch but Wrzeszczycki is controlling the position.
Nailatikau scores with a knee to the head.
Wrzeszczycki creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nailatikau's defenses.
Nailatikau jumps guard but Wrzeszczycki turns him against the cage and keeps the fight standing.
Nailatikau throws a knee to the head but misses.
Wrzeszczycki is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andrzej Wrzeszczycki. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Wrzeszczycki breaks from the clinch.

Wrzeszczycki gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nailatikau misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nailatikau tries to work over Wrzeszczycki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Wrzeszczycki manages to break the clinch.
Nailatikau throws a body kick that misses.
Nailatikau throws a solid leg kick but Wrzeszczycki takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nailatikau.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nailatikau enables Wrzeszczycki to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nailatikau manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Nailatikau working a defensive guard but Wrzeszczycki passes into half guard.
Nailatikau trying to hold on to Wrzeszczycki's head to control him but Wrzeszczycki postures up.
Wrzeszczycki is trying to control. Nailatikau wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Wrzeszczycki is thwarting Nailatikau's attempts to control the position.

Wrzeszczycki is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Wrzeszczycki content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Wrzeszczycki has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

We're going to have a standup here because Andrzej Wrzeszczycki wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.

Wrzeszczycki is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Nailatikau's half guard.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nailatikau desperately trying to maintain half guard.
Wrzeszczycki throwing shots but Nailatikau is blocking nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Andrzej Wrzeszczycki.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Wrzeszczycki, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 James Ackerman scores the fight for Andrzej Wrzeszczycki!
Judge Sam Margolis scores the fight for Andrzej Wrzeszczycki!
Judge Richard Clark scores the fight for Andrzej Wrzeszczycki!

Andrzej Wrzeszczycki wins by unanimous decision!
A victorious Andrzej Wrzeszczycki thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.