PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Pikku Näkäräinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vevrin Betlach (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Näkäräinen comes to the cage accompanied by Juice Leskinen - Vaasankin veri vapisee. Betlach is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Higher Ground. Vevrin Betlach will no doubt be looking to use his reach advantage to good effect.

Näkäräinen
vs
Betlach

152 cm
29
150 lbs
25 - 10 - 2

176 cm
35
151 lbs
38 - 17 - 0

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

TWGC Champion
World class MT
Granite chin

Hellbent
Mango Nutrition

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 25 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Pikku Näkäräinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 38 - 17 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vevrin Betlach!
The judges for this bout are , Don Winkell and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Betlach is looking to slow Näkäräinen down with leg kicks.
Betlach wants to clinch.
Näkäräinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Betlach is just out of range.
Näkäräinen takes a swing at Betlach's ribcage but misses.
Betlach throws a jab when Näkäräinen was well out of range.
Nice defenses there by Betlach.
Näkäräinen checks a low kick from Betlach.
Betlach moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
Betlach tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.

Näkäräinen manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Betlach on his heels. He'll look to pass Betlach's guard now, I'm sure.
Betlach keeping full guard, as Näkäräinen tries to pass.
Näkäräinen might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Betlach trying to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Näkäräinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Betlach is retaining full guard.
Betlach keeping moving, preventing Näkäräinen from controlling successfully.
Betlach is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Näkäräinen in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Näkäräinen has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Betlach utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Näkäräinen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Näkäräinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Betlach is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Betlach throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Betlach misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Näkäräinen.
Näkäräinen throws a leg kick but Betlach moved away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Näkäräinen.
Vevrin Betlach is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
No joy there for Betlach, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Näkäräinen throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.

Näkäräinen looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Betlach not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Näkäräinen wants to control from the top but Betlach keeps moving.
Betlach trying to control the position.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Näkäräinen wants to pass the guard but Betlach is keeping the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Näkäräinen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Vevrin Betlach hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Näkäräinen scores with a three punch combo!
Betlach doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Näkäräinen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Betlach pinned against the cage. Betlach gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Betlach connects with a leg kick. Näkäräinen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Näkäräinen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Betlach pivots, looking for a leg kick but Näkäräinen is out of range and Betlach settles back down.
Betlach throws a looping overhand right but Näkäräinen ducks down to avoid it.
Betlach checks a leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Betlach was well out of range. Poor timing from Näkäräinen.
Betlach scores with a leg kick.
Näkäräinen shoots for a double leg takedown but Betlach sprawls well. He's pushed Näkäräinen's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Betlach is looking to clinch.
Pikku Näkäräinen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Jab from Betlach.
Betlach throws a leg kick which misses Näkäräinen's front leg but catches the back leg as Näkäräinen tries to avoid it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Betlach fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Näkäräinen on the side of the head.
Betlach throws a nice inside leg kick.
A lazy body kick from Näkäräinen
and Betlach counters with a good low kick that Näkäräinen was not able to check.
Näkäräinen misses with a body shot.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betlach tries a low kick but Näkäräinen avoids it.
Näkäräinen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Pikku Näkäräinen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Betlach connects with an inside leg kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Vevrin Betlach will probably get the nod.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Horrible takedown by Näkäräinen or perhaps it was just good defense by Betlach which made him look bad.

Betlach gets taken down but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Betlach keeping full guard, as Näkäräinen tries to pass.
Näkäräinen cracks Betlach with a solid left hand.
Näkäräinen looking to sit in guard and control but Betlach gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Betlach wants to pass the guard but Näkäräinen is keeping the position.
Betlach landing with the ground and pound.
Näkäräinen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Betlach is one step ahead there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Betlach throws a big elbow that misses.
Näkäräinen 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.
Betlach engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Betlach must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Betlach forces his way into half guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Betlach landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Betlach trying to control the action but Näkäräinen is working from the bottom.
Näkäräinen trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen gets back to full guard.
Betlach missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Betlach trying to control the position from guard on top but Näkäräinen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Betlach stopping the sweep attempt from Näkäräinen.
Betlach stays in close to Näkäräinen's body and controls the position.
Betlach throws a big elbow that misses.
Betlach throws a big right hand that misses.
Betlach wants to control from the top but Näkäräinen keeps moving.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Vevrin Betlach.
Näkäräinen pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Betlach fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Näkäräinen checks it well.
Näkäräinen lands a glancing blow to the side of Betlach's head.
A combination from Betlach does no damage.
Näkäräinen takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Näkäräinen looks to score with a jab to the body but Betlach is just out of range.
Betlach tries to land a leg kick but Näkäräinen saw it coming and moves away.
Betlach thuds his right hand into Näkäräinen's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Näkäräinen takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Näkäräinen lands with a nice body kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Näkäräinen closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Betlach did well to prevent Näkäräinen getting side control.
Pikku Näkäräinen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Näkäräinen is just content to waste time from the top position. Betlach takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Näkäräinen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Näkäräinen throwing strikes from guard but Betlach blocks nicely.
Betlach not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Näkäräinen wants to pass the guard but Betlach is keeping the position.
Betlach controlling the position.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Betlach is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Betlach looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Vevrin Betlach wasn't active enough on the ground.
That kick from Näkäräinen tenderised Betlach's leg. Betlach is trying to keep his angry face on.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Vevrin Betlach will probably get the nod - 10:9.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Näkäräinen shoots in for a double leg but Betlach sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Betlach wants to clinch up but Näkäräinen keeps it at a distance.
No luck for Näkäräinen with that takedown attempt.
Näkäräinen walks forward, straight into a front kick from Betlach.
Näkäräinen throws a hook to the side of Betlach's head but Betlach sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Betlach misses the shot to the body.
Betlach comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Näkäräinen moves into range and connects with a jab.
Betlach throws a looping overhand right but Näkäräinen ducks down to avoid it.
Näkäräinen throws a sloppy body shot
and Betlach counters with a straight right hand.
Näkäräinen throws a leg kick that misses.
Näkäräinen takes a body punch but keeps moving.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Betlach uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Näkäräinen.
Betlach is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
Nice uppercut lands for Näkäräinen. That snapped Betlach's head back.
Betlach fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Näkäräinen looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Näkäräinen thumps Betlach with a low kick.
Näkäräinen throws the kick towards the body but Betlach avoids it.
Näkäräinen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Näkäräinen throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
and Betlach counters with an inside leg kick.
Näkäräinen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.

Betlach lands a big head kick that sends Näkäräinen tumbling to the mat! Betlach takes a step backwards and waves Näkäräinen back to his feet - he wants the finish!

It looks like Pikku Näkäräinen has been cut.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Betlach connects with a leg kick. Näkäräinen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Näkäräinen ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Betlach moves away.
Betlach circles to his right before unloading a perfect head kick! Näkäräinen drops to the canvas, hurt badly! Betlach follows Näkäräinen to the ground and unloads with a series of strikes that force the referee to step in and end the fight! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vevrin Betlach!
Vevrin Betlach made sure to mention his sponsor, Ultra Fight Gear in his post fight interview.