PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Timo Nieminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Max Miniano (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nieminen's entrance music is Rentun Ruusu. A fine choice. Timo Nieminen has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Nieminen
vs
Miniano

178 cm
22
133 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

164 cm
20
130 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Timo Nieminen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Max Miniano!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nieminen looks for a takedown but Miniano sprawls well.
Nieminen goes to the watering hole and comes back with a big thumbs up from the judges as he scores a three punch combo.
Nieminen throws a head kick but Miniano moves out of range.

Miniano gets a clinch.
Nieminen wants to get back to striking at distance but Miniano won't allow it.

Nieminen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Miniano wants to control from the top but Nieminen keeps moving.
Miniano would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Miniano must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Miniano sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Nieminen's guard.
Miniano tries to stand and escape but Nieminen is controlling the position.
Nieminen is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nieminen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Miniano's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Miniano's back!
A lull in the action here.
Miniano turns into Nieminen and is now in his guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Miniano won't allow Nieminen to sweep him here.
Nieminen really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Miniano in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Miniano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nieminen is looking for a triangle but Miniano pushes his legs off easily.
Miniano trying to control but Nieminen is working from the bottom.
Nieminen throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Miniano trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nieminen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Miniano gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nieminen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Miniano!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miniano is trying to reverse the position but instead Nieminen has taken his back - oops!
Miniano trying to control but not successfully.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Nieminen's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.

Nieminen is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Miniano knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Miniano for a finish.

Miniano defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.
Nieminen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Nieminen is breathing heavily.
Miniano is in bad spot here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen is trying to stick to Miniano's back but Miniano is turning into Nieminen. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Nieminen's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Miniano.

Nieminen had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Miniano is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Nieminen Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Miniano's back instead.
Miniano turns into Nieminen and is now in his guard.
Miniano wants to control from the top but Nieminen keeps moving.
Nieminen is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Nieminen keeping moving, preventing Miniano from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Miniano wants to get up but he can't break Nieminen's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.

Nieminen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Nieminen is looking for a triangle but Miniano pushes his legs off easily.
Miniano wants to control from the top but Nieminen keeps moving.
Miniano slips nicely into half guard.
Nieminen is looking for a sweep. Miniano is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Nieminen dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Miniano is looking to clinch but Nieminen is avoiding it.
Timo Nieminen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Some wild striking there from Nieminen.
Nieminen tries a head kick but it misses.
Nieminen throws a head kick that misses.
Miniano circles away from the clinch attempt.

Miniano drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Miniano wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nieminen keeps working.
Miniano wants to stand but Nieminen has his arm trapped.
Miniano is breathing heavily.
Miniano taking a break here but Nieminen is having none of it and regains half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieminen is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Miniano's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Miniano's back!
Nieminen lands shots from the back.

Nieminen patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?

Nieminen is looking for the choke from the back position but Miniano is controlling his hands well.

Nieminen working for a RNC but it's not happening just yet.
Miniano rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Miniano trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Miniano trying to hold on to Nieminen's head to control him but Nieminen postures up.
Nieminen prevents Miniano from improving his position.

Nieminen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Nieminen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Miniano's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Miniano has hold of Nieminen's hands but Nieminen slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Miniano is trying to stand up here but Nieminen is controlling him well.
Miniano is trying to control but can't.

Nieminen wants to work for an arm triangle but Miniano is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nieminen wants to control but Miniano is keeping him busy.
Nieminen passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Miniano!
Nieminen tries to control but Miniano wriggling away.
Miniano tries to hold on but Nieminen postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nieminen working for a guillotine from mount but Miniano is in no mood to give up.

Miniano reaches up to try and pull Nieminen in and control his posture, but Nieminen latches on to an arm and pivots quickly for an armbar! Miniano taps out and this one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:36 of round 2, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Timo Nieminen!