PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Martin Philippe Njewel (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Rainer Varvaskoukku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Rainer Varvaskoukku has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Philippe Njewel
vs
Varvaskoukku

170 cm
27
145 lbs
16 - 4 - 1

164 cm
32
147 lbs
28 - 11 - 2

Good wrestling
Lethal high kicks
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Milwaukee's Best 160 (85% laundry)
The Big Kabosh

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 16 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Las Vegas, Martin Philippe Njewel!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 11 - 2, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Rainer Varvaskoukku!
The judges for this bout are Don Winkell, Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Njewel scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Njewel swinging wildly here.
Njewel takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Varvaskoukku lands with a nice body kick.
A punch lands to the side of Varvaskoukku 's head but he takes it in his stride.

Varvaskoukku clinches with his opponent.
Varvaskoukku lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Njewel or not.
Njewel lands a body punch in the clinch.
Njewel misses with some punches.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Varvaskoukku tries a body shot but Njewel blocks it.
Njewel struggles to land a body shot inside as Varvaskoukku controls his hands.
Njewel struggles to land a body shot inside as Varvaskoukku controls his hands.
Still in the clinch, Varvaskoukku scores with a nice short uppercut.
Varvaskoukku tries to work over Njewel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Varvaskoukku stalling.
Varvaskoukku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Njewel.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Njewel.
Varvaskoukku takes a shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Varvaskoukku tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Njewel just stands there and leans against the cage.
Varvaskoukku pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Varvaskoukku misses with a body punch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Njewel.
Njewel throws a head punch that misses.
Varvaskoukku takes a shot to the head.
Njewel blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Varvaskoukku misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Njewel.
Njewel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Varvaskoukku lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Njewel lands a body shot in the clinch.
Njewel prevents a body shot from Varvaskoukku.
A head punch on the inside from Varvaskoukku fails to land.
Njewel lands a nice shot to the body.
Njewel lands with a light punch inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Njewel presses Varvaskoukku against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Njewel throws a punch but it's blocked by Varvaskoukku.
Njewel cracks Varvaskoukku with a nice body shot.
Njewel blocks a body shot from Varvaskoukku.
Njewel lands a hook to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku misses with the head strike.
Njewel blocks the elbow strike.
Varvaskoukku blocking some punches.

Njewel is trying to trip Varvaskoukku. He has hold of a leg but Varvaskoukku is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Njewel persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Njewel trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Njewel got a little sloppy there for a moment and Varvaskoukku has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Njewel has managed to get both his arms back between Varvaskoukku's legs - danger averted.
Njewel trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Njewel has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Njewel postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Varvaskoukku wants to sweep but no luck.
Njewel trying to control but Varvaskoukku is working from the bottom.
Varvaskoukku pulls Njewel in to control the position.
Varvaskoukku looking to hit a scissor sweep but Njewel is one step ahead there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku trying to control the position.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Njewel trying to control the position from guard on top but Varvaskoukku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Varvaskoukku stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Njewel.
Varvaskoukku tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Njewel swivels and escapes.
Rainer Varvaskoukku seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Njewel cracks the inside of Varvaskoukku's front leg.
Njewel will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Varvaskoukku scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Njewel doesn't seem bothered though.
Njewel looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Njewel throws out a loose jab but Varvaskoukku uses good head movement to avoid it.
Varvaskoukku slips a jab from Njewel.
Varvaskoukku throws a series of punches but Njewel moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A decent looking cross lands there for Varvaskoukku.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Njewel lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Varvaskoukku has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Varvaskoukku and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
An inside leg kick from Varvaskoukku misses.
Njewel scores with a leg kick.
Varvaskoukku moves out of range as Njewel strikes.
Njewel looks to land a right hand but Varvaskoukku moved out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A clash of legs there as Varvaskoukku blocks the low kick.

Varvaskoukku closes the distance and clinches.
A head punch on the inside from Njewel fails to land.
Varvaskoukku is trying to stall.
Njewel misses with a short punch on the inside.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Njewel is working Varvaskoukku over against the cage.
Njewel misses with a punch to the body.
Njewel tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Njewel misses with a short punch on the inside.
Njewel throws a head punch that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Philippe Njewel dominated that round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Njewel looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Varvaskoukku needs to keep his hands up - Njewel had a free shot at his head there.
Njewel tries to clinch but Varvaskoukku moves out of range.

Njewel gets tackled into the cage by Varvaskoukku. Varvaskoukku maintains the clinch.
Varvaskoukku tries to work over Njewel's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Njewel throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Varvaskoukkus head.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Njewel.

Varvaskoukku manages to break the clinch.
Varvaskoukku fails with a takedown attempt.
Oooooooooooh, not good. A low kick from Varvaskoukku lands where it shouldn't have, right in the... well, you know what he did? He kicked him in the penis. He's injured, injured bad. The referee sends both fighters to their corners and Njewel has 5 minutes to recover. He's OK now though... a thumbs up from Njewel and we're back underway with a touch of gloves.
Varvaskoukku shoots in for a takedown but Njewel shows good takedown defense.
Njewel lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Njewel.

It looks like Rainer Varvaskoukku has been cut.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Varvaskoukku drives through and clinches with Njewel against the cage.
Njewel lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Njewel lands a left hand that snaps the head of Varvaskoukku backwards.
Varvaskoukku working aggressively here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Njewel struggles to land a body shot inside as Varvaskoukku controls his hands.
Martin Philippe Njewel has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Njewel tries to work over Varvaskoukku's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Varvaskoukku misses with a punch to the body.
Njewel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Varvaskoukku is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Varvaskoukku lands a right hand.
Varvaskoukku wants to stall.
Njewel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Varvaskoukku lands a hook to the side of the head.
Njewel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Varvaskoukku blocking some punches.
Varvaskoukku prevents a takedown attempt there.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Njewel.
Njewel misses with a body punch.
Varvaskoukku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
A head punch on the inside from Njewel fails to land.
Njewel lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Varvaskoukku looking to throw knees to the head but Njewel is blocking nicely.
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!
Njewel softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A nice left hand lands by Njewel.
Varvaskoukku is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Njewel is keeping busy.
Njewel misses with the head strike.
Varvaskoukku missing with knees to the body.
Varvaskoukku blocks a body shot from Njewel.
Varvaskoukku wants to stall.
Njewel misses with a hook from the clinch.
Varvaskoukku throws a punch but it's blocked by Njewel.
Njewel is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Varvaskoukku misses with a knee to the head.
Good body shot from Varvaskoukku.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Njewel lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Njewel working aggressively here.
Njewel lands a left hand that snaps the head of Varvaskoukku backwards.
Njewel lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Varvaskoukku lands a hook to the side of the head.
Njewel gets through Varvaskoukku's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Njewel misses with a body punch.
Njewel leaning his opponent against the cage.
Njewel misses with a punch on the inside.
Varvaskoukku lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Njewel backwards.
Njewel wants to take the fight to the mat but Varvaskoukku manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.
Njewel tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Varvaskoukku's elbow.
Varvaskoukku blocks an uppercut.
Njewel tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Njewel tries to stall but Varvaskoukku uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Njewel throws a head punch that misses.
Varvaskoukku misses with a body punch.
Varvaskoukku prevents a takedown attempt there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Martin Philippe Njewel. That's going to take a lot out of him.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Njewel misses with the head strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Varvaskoukku breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Njewel slaps away a takedown attempt from Varvaskoukku, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Njewel connects with a leg kick. Varvaskoukku looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Varvaskoukku throws a quick inside leg kick.
Njewel throws a mid kick that lands with a slap.
Varvaskoukku misses with a body kick.

Varvaskoukku clinches up with Njewel and pushes him back against the cage.
Varvaskoukku missing with knees to the body.
Njewel lands a nice uppercut.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Varvaskoukku presses Njewel against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Njewel working aggressively here.
Njewel misses with a shot to the kidneys.
A head punch on the inside from Njewel fails to land.
Njewel swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Martin Philippe Njewel dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Rainer Varvaskoukku's cut.
That's time! Njewel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Varvaskoukku lands a jab.
Varvaskoukku uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Njewel has time to react.
Nice body punch from Njewel.
Varvaskoukku misses the shot to the body.

Varvaskoukku shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Njewel is trying to defend but Varvaskoukku finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Varvaskoukku stalling.
Njewel manages to get to full guard.
Njewel is trying to control the position but Varvaskoukku postures up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku cracks Njewel with a solid left hand.
Njewel looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Njewel keeping moving, preventing Varvaskoukku from controlling successfully.
Varvaskoukku controls from within his opponent's guard.
Njewel not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Varvaskoukku missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Njewel looking to control.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters - he looks like he's thinking about a standup.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Varvaskoukku accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Njewel working a defensive guard here.
Varvaskoukku with a nice head shot there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku looking to pass the guard.
Rainer Varvaskoukku has got the better of the ground game so far.
Njewel is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Varvaskoukku trying to control but Njewel is working from the bottom.
Njewel is trying to keep Varvaskoukku in close.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Njewel is on top in guard.
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!
Varvaskoukku 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.

Varvaskoukku is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Njewel is aware though and is defending well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!

Varvaskoukku has control of Njewel's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Njewel regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Njewel is squirming around, avoiding Varvaskoukku's attempts to control the action.
Varvaskoukku prevents Njewel from getting the reversal.
Njewel wants to control but Varvaskoukku is having none of it.
Varvaskoukku with the ground and pound from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku prevents Njewel from getting the reversal.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Varvaskoukku wants to control the pace but Njewel is squirming around nicely.
Njewel is trying to escape the mount.
Varvaskoukku throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Varvaskoukku misses with a head shot.
Njewel is working to get back to half guard.
Njewel bucks up and manages to get a nice reversal! He's in guard on the top - nicely done!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Njewel throwing strikes from guard but Varvaskoukku blocks nicely.

Varvaskoukku is looking for a triangle but Njewel pushes his legs off easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rainer Varvaskoukku really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Rainer Varvaskoukku's cut.
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.

Varvaskoukku lands a body shot.
Martin Philippe Njewel is winning the standup battle so far.
Some bone on bone action there as Njewel checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Varvaskoukku throws a leg kick that misses.
Varvaskoukku scores with a kick to the body.
Varvaskoukku is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Njewel.
Njewel slips a straight right by Varvaskoukku.
Varvaskoukku fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Njewel looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

Varvaskoukku scores with a nice takedown into half guard. Let's see what he's got on the ground.
Njewel has hold of Varvaskoukku's hands but Varvaskoukku slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Varvaskoukku thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Njewel looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Varvaskoukku lands with a punch from half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku prevents Njewel from improving his position.
Varvaskoukku working over Njewel with some ground and pound. Njewel looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Varvaskoukku wants to control but Njewel is keeping him busy.
Njewel has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Varvaskoukku is working away from the top position though.
Varvaskoukku is keen to just control but Njewel is a slippery customer.
Njewel blocking the ground and pound attempt from Varvaskoukku.
Varvaskoukku wants to pass to mount but Njewel is defending the position.
Varvaskoukku thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Njewel controlling the leg, holding on to half guard.
Njewel blocking the ground and pound attempt from Varvaskoukku.
Varvaskoukku is looking to advance position but Njewel won't allow it.
Njewel tries to roll over but Varvaskoukku keeps him under control.
Varvaskoukku lands strikes from half guard.
Njewel regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Varvaskoukku.
Varvaskoukku throws an elbow that misses. Njewel uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Varvaskoukku's guard. Nice move by Njewel!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Varvaskoukku 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.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Varvaskoukku looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Njewel passes into half guard.
Varvaskoukku is trying to get back to full guard.
Njewel trying to control the pace.
Njewel is keeping good posture, landing some ground and pound.
Njewel is trying to control the action in half guard but Varvaskoukku is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Varvaskoukku wants to improve his position but Njewel is controlling well.
Njewel not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Njewel wants to advance to full mount but Varvaskoukku doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Njewel trying to control the position from guard on top but Varvaskoukku is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Varvaskoukku trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Varvaskoukku tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Varvaskoukku is looking for a triangle but Njewel pushes his legs off easily.
Varvaskoukku is trying to control the position from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Rainer Varvaskoukku dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Rainer Varvaskoukku's cut.
That's time! Njewel's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Varvaskoukku slips under a jab.
Varvaskoukku goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Varvaskoukku tries to move into range but Njewel moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Varvaskoukku misses with an uppercut. Njewel saw that one coming.

Varvaskoukku instigates a clinch.

Varvaskoukku pulls Njewel into guard.
Njewel working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Varvaskoukku's head.
Njewel stopping the sweep attempt from Varvaskoukku.
Varvaskoukku keeping moving, preventing Njewel from controlling successfully.
Njewel won't allow Varvaskoukku to sweep him here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Njewel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Varvaskoukku is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Njewel in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Njewel loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Njewel avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Varvaskoukku controls Njewel momentarily but Njewel frees himself.
Njewel cracks Varvaskoukku with a solid left hand.
Njewel advances to half guard.
Njewel wants to pass the guard but Varvaskoukku is defending well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Njewel thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Varvaskoukku's head.
Varvaskoukku regains full guard. Nicely done.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Njewel accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Njewel stopping the sweep attempt from Varvaskoukku.
Varvaskoukku is trying to keep Njewel in close.

Varvaskoukku is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Njewel rolls with it to try and escape but Varvaskoukku cranks on the arm and Njewel is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:57 of round 5, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Rainer Varvaskoukku! Rainer Varvaskoukku retains his featherweight title!
Rainer Varvaskoukku thanked the fans post fight for their support.