PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Jeff Hecker (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Skyler Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Hecker comes to the cage accompanied by The Ultimate Warrior. Nelson comes into a darkened arena with his song building. One kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Hecker
vs
Nelson

175 cm
32
135 lbs
19 - 12 - 0

180 cm
41
145 lbs
18 - 24 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Granite 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 19 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jeff Hecker!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 24 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Skyler Nelson!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hecker fails to land with a series of punches.
Jeff Hecker seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hecker cracks Nelson with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
A nice combination there by Hecker.

It looks like Skyler Nelson has been cut.
A cross from Hecker lands.
A combination from Hecker does no damage.
Hecker swings for the body but Nelson moves out of range.
And Nelson tries to counter it with a takedown but Hecker pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hecker throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped

and Nelson counters with a takedown into side control.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hecker stops Nelson from passing to mount.
Hecker is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Nelson has just dragged him back down to the mat.

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

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hecker tries to escape but Nelson is in control.

Nelson tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Hecker is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Hecker trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

Nelson tries for a kimura but Hecker is defending well.

Nelson tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Nelson has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Hecker is pushing Nelson's head away, looking to escape. Nelson manages to hold on to the position though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Nelson tries for a kimura but Hecker is defending well.

Nelson working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Hecker wants to get back to his feet.

Nelson is trying to get an arm triangle but Hecker is defending well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Hecker is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Hecker fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nelson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hecker swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by Nelson.
Jeff Hecker is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nelson slips a jab and a cross from Hecker.
Hecker throws a series of punches but Nelson moves out of range.
Hecker throws a left and a right that both miss

so Nelson counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Nelson tries to free his leg and advance position but Hecker is retaining full guard.

Hecker has his feet on Nelson's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Nelson uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hecker.
Nelson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
No joy there for Hecker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hecker misses with a two punch combination.
Nelson with the counter takedown but Hecker avoids it easily.
Hecker lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Nelson backs up against the cage.
Nelson takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
No joy there for Hecker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Nelson walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Hecker throws a right hand that misses

and Nelson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.

Nelson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hecker dives on top into guard.

Hecker stands up and waves to Nelson to follow him.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Hecker dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Skyler Nelson's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Hecker misses with a jab, cross combination.
Hecker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nelson tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Hecker swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Nelson counters with a nice double leg into side control. Hecker won't be happy with that.
Skyler Nelson has got the better of the ground game so far.
Hecker tries to escape but Nelson is in control.

Nelson goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Hecker rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Nelson's guard! Nice work there by Hecker!
Hecker would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.

Nelson working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Hecker doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Hecker manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Hecker gets to his feet. Nelson looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
We've been told by Hecker's head coaches at Bad Pluto! (17 Elite Coach) that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nelson drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Hecker fails to land with a series of punches.
Nelson feints the counter takedown.
No joy there for Hecker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hecker misses with a double jab

and Nelson counters with a shoot takedown. Hecker fights it but they end up in guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson won't allow Hecker to get back to his feet.

Nelson drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Hecker dives on top into guard.

Nelson looking for a guillotine here but Hecker defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Nelson is working an open guard so Hecker takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Hecker really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Hecker lands a body shot.
Jeff Hecker is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hecker misses with a series of wild punches.
Hecker cracks Nelson with a good jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hecker throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
A punch combination from Hecker misses.
No joy there for Hecker, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Hecker lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nelson circles away quickly and effectively.
Nelson is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Hecker fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Hecker misses with a double jab.
Some wild striking there from Hecker.
Nelson changes levels for a counter takedown but doesn't follow through with his attempt.
Hecker misses with a series of wild punches.
Nelson with the counter takedown but Hecker avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hecker fails to land with a series of punches.
Hecker punishes Nelson's body with a nice straight punch.
Hecker throws a nice looking combination but Nelson bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nelson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hecker defends it well.
Nelson keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
And Nelson tries to counter it with a takedown but Hecker pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Hecker connects with a body shot that sends Nelson's belly button to the back.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nelson takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
Hecker fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nelson drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Hecker defends it well.
Hecker throws a series of strikes that have Nelson backpedaling.
Hecker lands a powerful looking uppercut that connected with his opponent's jaw.
Hecker swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jeff Hecker dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Skyler Nelson's cut.
That's time! Hecker's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Hecker misses with a lunging right hand

and Nelson counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nelson wants to pass the guard but Hecker is keeping the position.
Hecker wants to get back to his feet but Nelson is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nelson wants to pass the guard but Hecker is keeping the position.

Nelson drops back for a leg here. A bit of a high risk move... He's looking for a kneebar by the looks of things. Now both of them are looking for submissions. Nelson seems to have locked his on tight now - Hecker screams in pain and taps out furiously! It certainly was a high risk move but it's paid off for Nelson, as he picks up the win!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 0:44 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Kneebar). Skyler Nelson!
A relieved looking Skyler Nelson thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.
Jeff Hecker was interviewed post fight and said 'I......I don't know.....It didn't go my way. I'm gonna hit the gym, and come back better than ever.'.