PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Thomas Raith (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Sakari Nurmi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nurmi has chosen Turisas -Take the day! as his entrance music. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Raith
vs
Nurmi

188 cm
31
175 lbs
18 - 20 - 0

176 cm
29
172 lbs
14 - 14 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Basic striking
Experienced

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 18 - 20 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Thomas Raith!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sakari Nurmi!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Anni Minnemäki and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Raith tries to land a front kick but Nurmi steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.

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

Raith is fighting off a takedown attempt but Nurmi is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Raith to the mat. Raith regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Nurmi throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Raith works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Raith will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nurmi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Raith is keeping the position for now.
Nurmi postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nurmi passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nurmi landing with strikes to the head and body from side control.
Nurmi works a knee to the body and follows up with a nice elbow to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Raith prevents Nurmi from moving into mount.
Nurmi scores with punches from side control.
Nurmi trying to control the action but Raith is working from the bottom.

Nurmi tries for a kimura but Raith is defending well.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmi grinds an elbow into Raith's temple.
A lull in the action here as Nurmi stalls from top position.
Nurmi is looking to take a break and control but Raith is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Raith gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Nurmi with good strikes from the mount here!

Raith is rocked!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nurmi lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Raith hang on?
Oh Raith is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
BOOM! Nurmi connects with a massive shot to the dome!
Oooh a big shot lands for Nurmi! Raith is out! The ref dives in to save him from more punishment!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:27 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Sakari Nurmi!
A relieved looking Sakari Nurmi thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.