PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Sebastien Linne (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pikku Näkäräinen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Linne comes to the cage accompanied by Arcturus - The Chaos Path. Näkäräinen has chosen Juice Leskinen - Vaasankin veri vapisee as his entrance music. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Linne
vs
Näkäräinen

170 cm
40
158 lbs
36 - 15 - 0

152 cm
32
150 lbs
31 - 14 - 2

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

BJJ Red Belt
World class MT
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160
****160Q Energy for $150****

Hellbent
Milwaukee's Best 160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 36 - 15 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Sebastien Linne!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 31 - 14 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Pikku Näkäräinen!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Ben Zyskovitsi and Tarja Halkonen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
No luck for Linne with that takedown attempt.
Linne misses the jab.
Näkäräinen sees a low kick coming and goes to check it, but it's actually a body kick and it thuds into his unprotected ribs.
Linne steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Näkäräinen.
Näkäräinen thumps Linne with a low kick.
Linne looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Sebastien Linne seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Linne thows a leg kick but Näkäräinen checks it

and Näkäräinen counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Linne's guard now.
Näkäräinen throws an elbow that misses. Linne uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Näkäräinen's guard. Nice move by Linne!
Linne will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Näkäräinen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Linne gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
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!
Näkäräinen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Linne!
Linne's coaches at The Stray Dogs have been working on his defensive grappling in preparation for this fight so let's see if he can get out of this tricky position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linne is desperately trying to improve his position but Näkäräinen has a good base and remains in mount.
Linne wants to hold on but Näkäräinen pushes him away.
Näkäräinen looking to control but Linne is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Näkäräinen looking to finish with strikes here!
Näkäräinen trying to control but he's not successful this time.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linne tries to hold on but Näkäräinen pushes him away.
Näkäräinen with a couple of short strikes.
Näkäräinen lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Linne hang on?
Näkäräinen has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Linne is working to get back to half guard.
Linne tries to hold on but Näkäräinen pushes him away.
Näkäräinen looking to finish Linne with some ground and pound. This is bad for Linne!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Linne is in all sorts of trouble here.

Näkäräinen goes for an armbar but Linne turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Linne.
Linne wants to control from the top but Näkäräinen keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen looking for a sweep. Not yet Näkäräinen, not yet.
Linne controls the pace of the fight for a moment.

Näkäräinen has an active guard here but Linne has managed to pass into half guard.
Näkäräinen wants to get back to full guard but Linne has mounted him!
Näkäräinen is working to get back to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Linne content just to control the position here.
Näkäräinen is squirming around, avoiding Linne's attempts to control the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Linne avoids the attempt from Näkäräinen to control.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pikku Näkäräinen dominated that round.
That's time! Linne's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Linne throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Linne blocks a leg kick.
Linne takes a swing at Näkäräinen's ribcage but misses.
Linne throws a leg kick that misses.
Näkäräinen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Näkäräinen.
Näkäräinen displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Linne.
Näkäräinen staying out of range there.
Linne throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Näkäräinen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linne throws a low kick, looking for Näkäräinen's leg but Näkäräinen calmly moves out of range.
Näkäräinen moves out of range of the leg kick from Linne.
Linne fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Näkäräinen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Linne finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Näkäräinen throws a hook but Linne blocks it.
Linne slips under a jab from Näkäräinen.
Näkäräinen lands with a hook. Linne tried to avoid it but it clipped the top of his head.
Linne leaves Näkäräinen with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Linne uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Näkäräinen.
Näkäräinen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Näkäräinen.
Näkäräinen misses with a body kick.
Linne is looking to land body kicks.
Näkäräinen throws a half hearted mid kick.
Näkäräinen chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Näkäräinen showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Linne.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Näkäräinen lands a really nice looking cross but Linne seems unphased.
Linne keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Näkäräinen moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Näkäräinen connects with a solid leg kick.
Näkäräinen just misses with a punch to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Linne digs a good body shot into Näkäräinen's ribs.
Linne connects with a crisp jab.
Näkäräinen is looking to slow Linne down with leg kicks.
Näkäräinen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Linne misses with a body kick.
Nice sprawl there from Linne as Näkäräinen shoots in.
Sebastien Linne has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pikku Näkäräinen.
A shot to the body from Linne misses

and Näkäräinen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Näkäräinen.
Näkäräinen seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Näkäräinen trying to control but Linne is working from the bottom.
Linne preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Näkäräinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Linne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Pikku Näkäräinen hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Näkäräinen lands with a kick to the ribs.
Näkäräinen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Linne misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Näkäräinen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.

Näkäräinen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pikku Näkäräinen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Näkäräinen looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Näkäräinen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Näkäräinen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Linne's head.
Linne keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Näkäräinen passes the half guard and he's now in mount! Big trouble for Linne!
Näkäräinen dominating with strikes here.
Näkäräinen unloading with bombs!
Näkäräinen looking to finish Linne with some ground and pound. This is bad for Linne!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Näkäräinen wants to control the pace but Linne is squirming around nicely.
Linne is bucking up trying to escape but Näkäräinen cracks him with another couple of good strikes.
Linne is looking to improve his position but Näkäräinen isn't that keen on the idea.
Näkäräinen misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Näkäräinen scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Näkäräinen pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Näkäräinen lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Näkäräinen trying to control but Linne is having none of it.
Näkäräinen raining down hammerfists from mount.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Näkäräinen goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Linne is on top in guard.
Näkäräinen looking for a sweep. Not yet Näkäräinen, not yet.
Näkäräinen is trying to keep Linne in close.
Näkäräinen tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen trying to keep a closed guard but Linne is proving a slippery customer.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Pikku Näkäräinen was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Näkäräinen fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Linne checks it well.
Näkäräinen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Linne.
Näkäräinen moves out of range as Linne throws a body kick.
Näkäräinen lands a nice shot that snaps Linne's head back.
Pikku Näkäräinen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Linne with a nice cross.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen misses with a hook. Linne ducked under it nicely.
Näkäräinen sizes up Linne with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Näkäräinen tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Linne counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Linne changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Näkäräinen tries to avoid it but Linne manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Näkäräinen to the ground. Näkäräinen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Good leg kick by Linne there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Näkäräinen tries to clinch but Linne moves out of range.
Linne fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Näkäräinen.
Linne misses with a wild body shot.
Näkäräinen tries to clinch but Linne is having none of it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Näkäräinen looks for the body kick but Linne saw that one coming.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Näkäräinen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Linne lands a jab.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pikku Näkäräinen really dominated that round.
That's time! Linne's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Näkäräinen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Linne is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Linne moves out of range of the body kick from Näkäräinen.

Linne drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Näkäräinen is looking to regain half guard here but Linne keeps moving and retains side control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Näkäräinen is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Linne's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Näkäräinen tries to get to full guard but Linne has control of the leg.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen trying to hold on to Linne's head to control him but Linne postures up.
Näkäräinen wants to improve his position but Linne is controlling well.
Linne not doing much here.
Näkäräinen is trying to maintain the position but Linne is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Linne fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Näkäräinen.
Linne throws a solid leg kick but Näkäräinen takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Linne.
Näkäräinen keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Linne.
Linne sizes up Näkäräinen with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Näkäräinen.
Näkäräinen pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Linne works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
That kick from Näkäräinen tenderised Linne's leg. Linne is trying to keep his angry face on.
Linne throws a wild body kick that Näkäräinen sees coming a mile off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen closes the distance and clinches up with Linne, looking for a takedown. Näkäräinen pushes Linne against the cage but Linne circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A leg kick checked by Näkäräinen.

Näkäräinen drives through and clinches with Linne against the cage.
Linne tries to work over Näkäräinen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Linne scores with a hook to the body.

Näkäräinen breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Näkäräinen shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Linne counters with a good low kick that Näkäräinen was not able to check.
Sebastien Linne has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Pikku Näkäräinen.
A lazy body kick from Näkäräinen
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Linne blocks the body kick.
Linne misses with a body kick.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Pikku Näkäräinen will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Näkäräinen on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Linne. Linne obviously looking to wear him down.
Linne feints and then cracks Näkäräinen's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Näkäräinen down.
Linne throws out a leg kick but Näkäräinen moves out of range and Linne only half commits.
Näkäräinen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Linne.
Linne slaps away a takedown attempt from Näkäräinen, before circling back to the center of the mat.
A low kick from Linne misses

and Näkäräinen counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Näkäräinen.
Näkäräinen tries to free his leg and advance position but Linne is retaining full guard.
Linne looking to control.
Näkäräinen is in close to Linne's body, working some short punches and elbows.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Linne trying to control the position.
Näkäräinen trying to control the position from guard on top but Linne is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Linne looking to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
Näkäräinen wants to control from the top but Linne keeps moving.
Linne wants to hit a switch here but Näkäräinen passes into full mount! Oh no, disaster for Linne there!
Näkäräinen trying to control but Linne is having none of it.
Sebastien Linne has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Linne is desperately trying to improve his position but Näkäräinen has a good base and remains in mount.
Näkäräinen landing punches.
Näkäräinen pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Linne working to try and regain half guard.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Linne is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Linne is squirming around, avoiding Näkäräinen's attempts to control the action.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen controlling his opponent.
Linne is in a horrible position here. Näkäräinen smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Näkäräinen landing strikes, looking to finish!
Näkäräinen can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Linne is looking to escape.
Näkäräinen landing strikes, looking to finish!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Näkäräinen with a couple of short strikes.
Pikku Näkäräinen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Näkäräinen tries to control but Linne wriggling away.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Linne in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Näkäräinen tries to control but Linne wriggling away.
Näkäräinen avoids the attempt from Linne to control.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Näkäräinen raining down shots from the mount!
Näkäräinen scores with a couple of good head shots there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pikku Näkäräinen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Näkäräinen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 45:50
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 45:50
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 45:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pikku Näkäräinen!
Pikku Näkäräinen is the new featherweight champion!
Pikku Näkäräinen thanked the fans post fight for their support.
Sebastien Linne was interviewed post fight and said 'Feel proud now, huh? Beating up an old man like me?'.