PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jannis Arvanitidis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jake Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Jake Nelson has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Arvanitidis
vs
Nelson

169 cm
34
157 lbs
23 - 19 - 0

150 cm
36
148 lbs
35 - 9 - 0

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

//buriedALIVE// Fight Gear

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 23 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Jannis Arvanitidis!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 35 - 9 - 0, fighting out of London, Jake Nelson!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Tarja Halkonen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nelson tried to score with a low kick but Arvanitidis checks it.
Arvanitidis tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nelson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Arvanitidis somewhat.
Arvanitidis uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nelson.

Arvanitidis shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Nelson is trying to defend but Arvanitidis finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Arvanitidis missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Arvanitidis is looking for the mount but instead finds himself back in full guard.
Arvanitidis trying to control but Nelson is working from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Arvanitidis stands and throws Nelson's legs to the side, diving into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Arvanitidis working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.

Arvanitidis wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nelson, who protects the arm well.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Arvanitidis is trying to get an arm triangle but Nelson is defending well.

Arvanitidis is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Nelson knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Arvanitidis is looking to take a break and control but Nelson is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nelson is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.

Arvanitidis tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Arvanitidis has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Nelson gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Arvanitidis is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Nelson has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Arvanitidis is working away from the top position though.
Nelson works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arvanitidis trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Arvanitidis throws a strike but Nelson rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Arvanitidis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nelson trying to control but Arvanitidis is working from the bottom.
Arvanitidis seems to have improved his submission grappling technique since last time we saw him. Let's see if he can pull off a submission.
Nelson trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Arvanitidis looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Arvanitidis keeping moving, preventing Nelson from controlling successfully.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nelson accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nelson trying to control but Arvanitidis is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Arvanitidis is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nelson scoring with some ground and pound.

Nelson got a little sloppy there for a moment and Arvanitidis has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nelson has managed to get both his arms back between Arvanitidis's legs - danger averted.
Arvanitidis wants to sweep here but Nelson controlling him for the moment.

Arvanitidis looking for a guillotine here but Nelson defends easily.
Arvanitidis will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Arvanitidis looking to control.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nelson trying to control but Arvanitidis is working from the bottom.

Arvanitidis escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nelson gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jannis Arvanitidis dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Nelson throws a head kick that half lands.
Arvanitidis will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Arvanitidis moves out of range as Nelson throws a body kick.
Nelson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Arvanitidis was well out of range. Poor timing from Nelson.
Nelson throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Arvanitidis moves out of range of the leg kick from Nelson.
Arvanitidis misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nelson has been working on his striking defense in training and it's paying off as Arvanitidis is landing a low percentage of strikes.
Arvanitidis punishes Nelson's body with a nice straight punch.
Arvanitidis shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nelson sprawls well. Nelson wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Arvanitidis gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jannis Arvanitidis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nelson throws a head kick but Arvanitidis moves out of range.
Arvanitidis gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nelson counters with a straight right hand.
Arvanitidis takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nelson misses with a low kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson ducks right into an uppercut from Arvanitidis.
Nelson throws a body punch but Arvanitidis moves out of range.
Nelson is looking to slow Arvanitidis down with leg kicks.
Nelson throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Arvanitidis sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Arvanitidis takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
A lazy left from Nelson finds it's target.
Nelson dives in for a single leg takedown but Arvanitidis sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Arvanitidis fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Arvanitidis dodges the punch combination from Nelson.
Nelson scores with a shot to the body.
Nelson tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Arvanitidis was well out of range. Poor timing from Nelson.
Nelson just misses with a punch to the body.
Arvanitidis feinted with a counter takedown.
Nelson tries to clinch but Arvanitidis moves out of range.
The fighters circling - Nelson throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Nelson avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nelson keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Arvanitidis ducks right into an uppercut from Nelson.
Horrible takedown attempt by Arvanitidis or perhaps it was just good defense by Nelson, which made it look bad.
Nice takedown defense from Nelson. No joy for Arvanitidis on that attempt.

Nelson shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Arvanitidis manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Nelson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.

Arvanitidis working for a triangle but Nelson defends it easily.

Arvanitidis is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nelson defends well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson wants to control from the top but Arvanitidis keeps moving.
Nelson has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nelson content to stall in guard here.
Nelson trying to control the position from guard on top but Arvanitidis is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nelson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Arvanitidis's head.
Nelson working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Arvanitidis's head.
Nelson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

Arvanitidis looking for a guillotine here but Nelson defends easily.
Nelson slips nicely into half guard.
Jannis Arvanitidis overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Arvanitidis is refusing to be controlled, as Nelson sits in half guard.
Arvanitidis regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nelson connects with a couple of short punches.
Arvanitidis tries to land a sweep but no joy.

Arvanitidis is looking for a triangle but Nelson pushes his legs off easily.
Nelson controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jake Nelson showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Arvanitidis fails to land the takedown.
Jannis Arvanitidis seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Arvanitidis looks to land a combination. Nelson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nelson darts in looking for a takedown but Arvanitidis gets double underhooks and turns Nelson into the cage.
Nelson defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Arvanitidis.
Arvanitidis has a takedown stuffed.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jannis Arvanitidis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nelson lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Nelson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nelson scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

Nelson gets a clinch.
Nelson just leaning against Arvanitidis, taking a breather.
Arvanitidis is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Arvanitidis is looking to break free of the clinch but Nelson has double underhooks.
Nelson has Arvanitidis pressed against the cage.
Nelson stops a takedown attempt from Arvanitidis.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Nelson landing knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Arvanitidis lands a right hand.
Nelson tries to score a body lock takedown but Arvanitidis shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Arvanitidis gets underhooks to prevent Nelson's takedown attempt.
Arvanitidis wants to break free but Nelson has control.

Nelson is fighting off a takedown attempt but Arvanitidis is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Nelson to the mat. Nelson regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Nelson is trying to keep Arvanitidis in close.

Arvanitidis postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Nelson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Arvanitidis, into his guard.

Arvanitidis throws his legs up looking for a submission but Nelson uses it to pass to side control.
Nelson trying to control the action but Arvanitidis is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson scoring with punches and elbows.
Arvanitidis tries to improve position but can't.
Nelson has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nelson with good strikes from the mount here!
Nelson working Arvanitidis over with strikes here.
Arvanitidis is trying to escape the mount.
Arvanitidis regains half guard.
Arvanitidis is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arvanitidis is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Nelson scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nelson wants to pass the guard but Arvanitidis is defending well.
Nelson is keen to just control but Arvanitidis is a slippery customer.
Nelson sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Arvanitidis defending well though.
Nelson trying to mount his opponent but Arvanitidis defends it.
Nelson thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Arvanitidis trying to hold on to Nelson's head to control him but Nelson postures up.
Nelson trying to advance position but Arvanitidis counters by regaining guard.
Arvanitidis keeping moving, preventing Nelson from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Arvanitidis working for a triangle but Nelson defends it easily.
Arvanitidis keeping moving, preventing Nelson from controlling successfully.

Arvanitidis throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nelson preventing the sweep.
Nelson looking to pass the guard.
Arvanitidis working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nelson.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jake Nelson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nelson has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jake Nelson!
An out of breath Jake Nelson thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.