PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Njord Freyr (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Niko Sirkiä (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Freyr comes to the cage accompanied by Twilight of the Thunder God. Sirkiä has chosen Thergothon - Elemental as his entrance music. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Freyr
vs
Sirkiä

195 cm
35
248 lbs
27 - 12 - 0

178 cm
31
229 lbs
28 - 7 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Zipp Zapp

Hellbent

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 27 - 12 - 0, fighting out of New York, Njord Freyr!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Niko Sirkiä!
The judges for this bout are Donald Grub, James Glass and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Good leg kick by Freyr there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Freyr looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Freyr throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Freyr clobbers Sirkiä with an overhand right that has the crowd gasping. That made a horrendous noise.
Freyr fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Sirkiä manages to avoid it.
Sirkiä uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Freyr.
Freyr throws a body kick, spinning off balance

and Sirkiä counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Freyr pulls Sirkiä in to control the position.
Freyr trying to control the position.
Sirkiä is fighting to break Freyr's control of his arms but Freyr is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Njord Freyr.
Freyr lands with a thumping leg kick.
Freyr throws a leg kick which misses Sirkiä's front leg but catches the back leg as Sirkiä tries to avoid it.
Sirkiä on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Freyr scores with a jab to the body.
Freyr misses with a body kick.
Freyr closes the distance and lands a one-two.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Freyr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Sirkiä walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freyr is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Sirkiä.
Sirkiä takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Freyr tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and Sirkiä is able to avoid easily.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Freyr. Sirkiä shrugs it off though.
Freyr misses with a low kick as Sirkiä jumps back.
Freyr thuds a left hand into Sirkiä's body.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Freyr. Sirkiä shrugs it off though.
Njord Freyr is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nice body kick from Freyr.
Sirkiä blocks a head kick by Freyr.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A head kick misses from Freyr.
Freyr lands with a nice body punch.
Freyr is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Freyr misses with a looping right.
Sirkiä uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Freyr.
Freyr tests Sirkiä's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A good leg kick by Freyr.
Freyr is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Freyr throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Freyr fakes a jab and scores with a low kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freyr lands a nice shot that snaps Sirkiä's head back.
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!
Freyr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sirkiä has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Freyr lets loose with a powerful body kick. Sirkiä will feel that in the morning.
Sirkiä looks winded!
Sirkiä checks the leg kick.
Freyr doesn't manage to clinch there - Sirkiä circles away.
Sirkiä checks a leg kick.
Freyr lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Sirkiä is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Freyr.
Freyr misses with a straight right.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Njord Freyr dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Sirkiä avoids a kick to the body.
Sirkiä has his front leg slapped to the side - a nice low kick landing there from Freyr.
Sirkiä on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Sirkiä uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Freyr.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Freyr, right into the meat.
Freyr scores with a push kick.
Sirkiä has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Nice body kick from Freyr.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A leg kick checked by Sirkiä.
Sirkiä swats away the attempt to clinch by Freyr.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freyr throws a nice outside leg kick.
Sirkiä is breathing heavily.
Freyr cracks the inside of Sirkiä's front leg.
A solid leg kick lands there for Freyr.

Freyr has taken the fight to the clinch.
Freyr swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Sirkiä blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sirkiä prevents a body shot from Freyr.
Freyr can't find room to land a body shot as Sirkiä controls the action.
Sirkiä has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Freyr.
Freyr misses with a punch on the inside.
Freyr unloads a knee to the mid-section.
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!
Freyr throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Sirkiäs head.
Sirkiä's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sirkiä is trying to break free.
Freyr has Sirkiä pressed against the cage, preventing Sirkiä from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Sirkiä.
Still in the clinch, Freyr scores with a nice short uppercut.
Freyr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sirkiä's elbow.
Freyr using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Sirkiä has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Freyr misses with a hook from the clinch.
Sirkiä blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Sirkiä blocks a body shot from Freyr.
Freyr misses with a knee strike.
Freyr misses with a punch to the body.
Freyr lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Freyr makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freyr is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Sirkiä is defending well for now.
A nice right hand lands inside from Freyr.
Freyr with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Freyr doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Freyr lands a body punch in the clinch.

Sirkiä has dropped down and is working for a takedown. Freyr is trying to keep an underhook but Sirkiä manages to get the takedown into half guard.
Freyr wants to control but Sirkiä is keeping busy.
Freyr is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Freyr controlling the position well.
Sirkiä prevents Freyr from improving his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freyr is trying to maintain the position but Sirkiä is very close to passing his half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!

The ref stands the fighters back up because Njord Freyr just wasn't active enough.
Sirkiä takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
Freyr wants to clinch.
Sirkiä uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Freyr.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Njord Freyr dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Freyr has managed to clinch.
Sirkiä blocks a body shot from Freyr.
Freyr swings wildly with an uppercut but Sirkiä uses good head movement to avoid it.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Freyr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Freyr prevents Sirkiä from breaking the clinch.
Freyr trying to land knees to the body.
Freyr landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Freyr struggles to land a body shot inside as Sirkiä controls his hands.
Sirkiä blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sirkiä blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Sirkiä takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Freyr doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Freyr with an attempt at a knee that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freyr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sirkiä's elbow.

Sirkiä's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Freyr connects with a looping right hand.
Freyr jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Freyr shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Sirkiä blocks a head kick by Freyr.
Sirkiä avoids the head kick by Freyr.
Freyr tries to work over Sirkiä's front leg with a kick but Sirkiä checks it.
Njord Freyr is winning the standup battle so far.
Freyr thows a body kick. Sirkiä tries to catch it but that hurt him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sirkiä takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A cross from Freyr lands.
Freyr lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Freyr throws a nice inside leg kick.
Freyr throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Freyr misses with a low kick as Sirkiä jumps back.
Sirkiä tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Freyr lands a nice leg kick that just misses Sirkiä's sensitive parts.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freyr throws a head kick that misses.
Njord Freyr seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Freyr's jab looks to have found its range, popping Sirkiä under the eye.
Freyr moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Freyr rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Sirkiä moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Freyr connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
A punch combination from Freyr misses.
Sirkiä circles away from the clinch attempt.
Freyr misses with an uppercut

and Sirkiä counters with a takedown into side control.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Freyr gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sirkiä seems to be working for a kimura but Freyr defends the submission attempt.
Freyr is trying to maintain the position but Sirkiä is very close to passing his half guard.

Freyr is defending against the submission attempts here by Sirkiä.
Sirkiä throwing shots but Freyr is blocking nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Njord Freyr clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Freyr thows a body shot but no joy.
Freyr pushing out the jab but it's not landing.

Freyr gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Freyr misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Freyr lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Freyr keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Sirkiä's efforts to push away.
Freyr swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Freyr is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Sirkiä can do to turn this around?
Sirkiä taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Freyr prevents Sirkiä from breaking the clinch.
Freyr working aggressively here.
Freyr misses with a short punch on the inside.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freyr throws a punch but it's blocked by Sirkiä.
Sirkiä blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Freyr tries a knee to the head but Sirkiä blocks it.
Freyr lands a hook to the side of the head.
Freyr doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Freyr doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Sirkiä blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Sirkiä wants to break free but Freyr has control.
Freyr crunches a lovely knee into Sirkiä's ribcage.
Sirkiä is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Freyr tries a body shot but Sirkiä blocks it.
A right handed body shot lands from Freyr.
This has been an exciting period of action!
A short right hand to the side of the head by Freyr.
Freyr lands a body punch in the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freyr misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Sirkiä.
Freyr is leaning against Sirkiä and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
Freyr tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Sirkiä is looking to control Freyr's arms but Freyr gets an underhook and turns him. Now Sirkiä has his back to the cage.
Sirkiä blocks a body shot from Freyr.
Freyr throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Sirkiä blocks it with crossed arms.
Freyr tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Sirkiä's elbow.
Njord Freyr has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Freyr misses with a hook to the ribs.
Freyr tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Freyr has a couple of punches blocked by Sirkiä.
Sirkiä blocking some punches.
Freyr swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freyr working aggressively here.
Freyr tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Freyr lands a hook that snaps the head of Sirkiä backwards.
Sirkiä is trying to push Freyr away but Freyr has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Freyr has a couple of punches blocked by Sirkiä.
Freyr tries a knee to the head but Sirkiä blocks it.
Freyr misses with a knee strike.
Sirkiä blocks an uppercut.

Sirkiä breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A bone on bone clash there as Sirkiä blocks the leg kick.
Freyr throws a leg kick but Sirkiä sees it coming and checks it nicely.
Sirkiä keeps the fight on the outside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freyr doesn't manage to clinch there - Sirkiä circles away.
Freyr throws a shot from downtown. Sirkiä moves away and avoids it.
Freyr throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Niko Sirkiä is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
A punch lands to the side of Sirkiä 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Freyr throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Freyr motions for Sirkiä to come forward. Freyr throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Freyr getting the better of the striking in that exchange.
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!
A shot to the liver by Freyr. Beautiful body shot.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Njord Freyr had his way with Niko Sirkiä in that round.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Freyr lands a front kick.
Freyr scores with a jab to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Freyr.
Freyr moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Freyr uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Sirkiä has time to react.
Sirkiä checks the leg kick nicely there.
Freyr lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Sirkiä takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
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!
Freyr fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Sirkiä has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Freyr turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Sirkiä is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Freyr lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Sirkiä uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Freyr.
The fighters circle momentarily. Freyr darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Freyr lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Freyr swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Freyr throws a leg kick but Sirkiä sees it coming and checks it nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Freyr tries to work over Sirkiä's front leg with a kick but Sirkiä checks it.
Freyr lands a right hook to the body.
Freyr throws a head kick that misses.
Sirkiä uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Freyr.
Freyr throws a front kick that sends Sirkiä stumbling back into the cage.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Freyr fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nice shot by Freyr.
Jab, jab by Freyr - just one landing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Freyr scores with the left hand. Sirkiä knows he should have avoided that one.
Freyr smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
A low kick from Freyr is predictable there

and Sirkiä counters with a takedown into side control.
Sirkiä sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Freyr is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Freyr takes a nasty elbow to the side of the head.
Sirkiä lands a few punches from side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Sirkiä working the ground and pound but Freyr is defending the strikes.
Sirkiä working the head and body with strikes.
Niko Sirkiä has got the better of the ground game so far.
Freyr gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Freyr avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Sirkiä.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Freyr slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Freyr is avoiding any damage by keeping wrist control.
Sirkiä stands and throws Freyr's legs to the side, diving into side control.
Niko Sirkiä has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Freyr dodges the ground and pound from Sirkiä.
Sirkiä creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Freyr sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
You can see the frustration on Freyr's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Freyr gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Njord Freyr showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Freyr, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Donald Grub scores the fight 50:45
Judge James Glass scores the fight 50:45
Judge Andrew Berry scores the fight 50:45

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Njord Freyr!
Njord Freyr seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Niko Sirkiä spoke after the fight, saying '"That is not dead which can eternal lie, and with strange aeons even death may die." '.