PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Katsu Higashikuni (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pikku Näkäräinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Näkäräinen's choice of entrance music: Juice Leskinen - Vaasankin veri vapisee. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Higashikuni
vs
Näkäräinen

162 cm
30
146 lbs
25 - 13 - 1

152 cm
31
150 lbs
28 - 13 - 2

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

BJJ Red Belt
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Perkele!

Hellbent
Merciless Gladiators

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 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Katsu Higashikuni!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 13 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Pikku Näkäräinen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Näkäräinen connects with a body shot that sends Higashikuni's belly button to the back.
Higashikuni misses with a hook to the body

and Näkäräinen counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Näkäräinen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Higashikuni is looking to control Näkäräinen's leg but it's slowly edging free. Can Higashikuni avoid being mounted?
Näkäräinen is trying to control the action in half guard but Higashikuni is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Higashikuni tries to get to full guard but Näkäräinen has control of the leg.
Näkäräinen thows a huge punch but Higashikuni dodges it nicely.
Higashikuni wants to improve his position but Näkäräinen is controlling well.
In the pre-fight buildup videos we saw Näkäräinen working his ground and pound in the gym. He isn't landing a great percentage of his ground strikes so far though.
Higashikuni wants to control but Näkäräinen is keeping busy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Näkäräinen is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Higashikuni sees it coming and defends easily.
Näkäräinen trying to pass the guard but Higashikuni defending well.
Higashikuni wants to get back to full guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Higashikuni is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Ruumishuone, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
Higashikuni has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Näkäräinen is working away from the top position though.
Näkäräinen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Higashikuni does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Higashikuni is looking to improve his position.
Higashikuni has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Näkäräinen is working away from the top position though.
Higashikuni wants to get back to full guard.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Higashikuni takes a jab right on the kisser.
Näkäräinen swings for the body but Higashikuni moves out of range.
A low kick from Higashikuni is predictable there

and Näkäräinen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Näkäräinen stopping the sweep attempt from Higashikuni.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Higashikuni swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Näkäräinen wants to control from the top but Higashikuni keeps moving.
Näkäräinen looking to pass the guard.
Higashikuni utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Näkäräinen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Higashikuni's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Higashikuni is looking for a sweep. Näkäräinen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Higashikuni is working hard here to advance position.
Higashikuni moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Näkäräinen won't allow Higashikuni to sweep him here.
Näkäräinen throws a big right hand that misses.

Higashikuni looking for subs off his back but Näkäräinen has passed one foot through into half guard.
Näkäräinen working the head and body with strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Näkäräinen connects with a nice short shot to Higashikuni's temple.
Higashikuni keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Näkäräinen is stalling here. Higashikuni is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Näkäräinen seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Higashikuni has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Higashikuni throwing strikes but Näkäräinen manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
Higashikuni is looking for a sweep.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Higashikuni is not content to let Näkäräinen control the position.

Näkäräinen has hold of Higashikuni's arm here. He's working for an Americana. It looks like he might have it! Higashikuni tries to escape but he's just digging himself in deeper - Näkäräinen cranks the arm and Higashikuni screams in pain! The ref makes a decision and ends the fight before the tap - no complains from Higashikuni, who is just happy to have his arm attached to his body.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Americana). Pikku Näkäräinen!
Pikku Näkäräinen thanked the fans post fight for their support.