PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Tiger Army (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Eero Niinimaa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Army comes into the arena with Tiger Army - Incorporeal blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Army
vs
Niinimaa

183 cm
25
200 lbs
8 - 5 - 1

178 cm
26
193 lbs
13 - 9 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

Big Bear Amsterdam 160Q

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tiger Army!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Eero Niinimaa!
The judges for this bout are , Jack Bonds and Frank Antenori.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niinimaa throws a leg kick but Army sees it coming and moves out of range.
Niinimaa throws a low kick but it's checked well by Army.
Army misses with an uppercut
and Niinimaa counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
A lazy left from Niinimaa finds it's target.
Army scores with a body shot.
Jab from Army.
Army shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Niinimaa as he jumps to the side.
Army ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Niinimaa moves away.
Niinimaa shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A left lands for Army.
Army throws a lazy uppercut
and Niinimaa counters with a one-two to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Army throws a body punch but Niinimaa moves out of range.
Army ducks right into an uppercut from Niinimaa.
Niinimaa throws a nice inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niinimaa moves out of range as Army strikes.
Niinimaa appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.

Niinimaa feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Army has Niinimaa pulled in close to control his posture.

Army escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Niinimaa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Niinimaa wants to control from the top but Army keeps moving.

Army is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Niinimaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Army is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Niinimaa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Army swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Niinimaa wanted to stand there but Army had control of the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Army wants to sweep but no luck.
Niinimaa wants to control from the top but Army keeps moving.

Army is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Army manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Niinimaa manages to get himself to full guard.

Army missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Niinimaa wants to stand and escape but Army is having none of it.
Army slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
You can see the frustration on Niinimaa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
The ground and pound from Army seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

Army tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Niinimaa defending against the ground and pound.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Army looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Niinimaa is trying to control Army's posture but Army avoids it.
Niinimaa taking punishment in the form of punches.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Niinimaa is trying to get back to half guard.

Army is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Niinimaa knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.
Army tries to score with some ground and pound. Niinimaa controls his posture well this time though and the shots don't do any damage.
Niinimaa struggling a bit here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Army working the ground and pound from side control.
Niinimaa can't do much from the bottom here.
Army fails to land a wild elbow strike.
Niinimaa is not content to let Army control the position.
Army is putting a hurting on Niinimaa here, landing some big shots from side control.
Army scores with punches from side control.
What's Niinimaa going to do here then? He's in a bit of a pickle.
Army has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Niinimaa is not content to let Army control the position.

Army working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
You can see the frustration on Niinimaa's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Tiger Army dominated 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.

Army thows a left - swing and a miss!
Niinimaa moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Army misses with a straight left.
Nice uppercut lands for Army. That snapped Niinimaa's head back.
Army missing with a left hand there. Niinimaa was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Army lands a nice shot that snaps Niinimaa's head back.
Army lands a head kick!

Niinimaa is rocked!
Army looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Niinimaa throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Army.
Niinimaa finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Niinimaa scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Army misses with a hook
and Niinimaa counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Army throws a lazy uppercut
and Niinimaa counters with a series of strikes. Army will be more careful next time no doubt.

Niinimaa shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Army napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Niinimaa tries to move into full mount but can't pass Army's legs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niinimaa wants to stand but Army is controlling his arm.
Army tries to get back to half guard but can't.
You can see the frustration on Army's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Niinimaa trying to control the action but Army is working from the bottom.
Army is looking for a sweep.
Army is moving his hips around well on the bottom and has managed to get back to half guard.
Niinimaa is trying to get back to his feet now but his leg is trapped.
The fighters are battling for position here. Army manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Army is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Niinimaa drops back looking for a leg! Army is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Army manages to kick Niinimaa off! Niinimaa jumps back into Army's guard.

Army has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Niinimaa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Niinimaa must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Niinimaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Army is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Army is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Niinimaa is aware though and is defending well.
Niinimaa wants to control from the top but Army keeps moving.
Niinimaa controls from within his opponent's guard.

Army escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Niinimaa gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niinimaa controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Niinimaa trying to control the position from guard on top but Army is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Niinimaa is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

Niinimaa gets to his feet. Army looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
A clash of legs there as Niinimaa blocks the low kick.
Army throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Niinimaa sees it coming and avoids it easily.
A swing and a miss from Army.

Niinimaa bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Army is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
You can see the frustration on Army's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niinimaa trying to control the action but Army is working from the bottom.
Army manages to land a sweep and he's now on top! Lovely Jiu Jitsu!
Army not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Niinimaa is trying to stand.
Niinimaa is looking for a sweep. Army is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Niinimaa is trying to stand up here but Army is controlling him well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Army is thwarting Niinimaa's attempts to control the position.
Ground and pound from Army.
Army thows a huge punch but Niinimaa dodges it nicely.
Niinimaa keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Eero Niinimaa will probably get the nod - 10:9.
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. Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Niinimaa throws a leg kick but Army moved away.
Tiger Army seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Sloppy strikes from Niinimaa. Those never looked like landing.
Niinimaa slips under a jab.
Niinimaa feints a counter leg kick.
Army throws a hook but Niinimaa blocks it.
Niinimaa rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Army moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Army lands with a slapping head kick.

It looks like Eero Niinimaa has been cut.
Army throws a jab when Niinimaa was well out of range.
As Army backs off Niinimaa throws a huge counter combo but Army manages to avoid it all.
Army takes a swing at Niinimaa's ribcage but misses.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Army.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Niinimaa decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Army wants to improve his position but Niinimaa is controlling well.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Army is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Niinimaa's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Niinimaa's back!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niinimaa avoids the strikes from Army.
Niinimaa looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.
Army throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Army lands punches and elbows.

Army is staying calm and holding on to the back position, whilst working on a rear naked choke. Niinimaa is defending well though. Army let's go of the attempt for now.
Army is not going to allow Niinimaa to sit and survive in this position.
Niinimaa tries to escape but Army has the hooks in and won't let him break free.
Niinimaa wants to get back to his feet.
Niinimaa rolls, trying to escape but Army keeps control of the position.
Niinimaa is in a world of trouble here. He's outmatched on the ground here and he'd better get Army off his back sharpish unless he wants to be submitted.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Army tightening his grip on Niinimaa, looking for the choke.
Army lands with a hammerfist to the side of Niinimaa's head.
Niinimaa just trying to survive but Army is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Niinimaa wants to escape the position.
Niinimaa is trying to get back to his feet but Army has full control of the position and if anything, Niinimaa has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Army is punishing Niinimaa with some ground and pound.
Niinimaa prevents Army from getting a body triangle.
I really don't envy Niinimaa right now.
Army is punishing Niinimaa with strikes - can he finish him?!
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Army looking to soften up his opponent with punches.
Niinimaa is still in real trouble! Can Army finish him?
Army is hanging on to Niinimaa's back as he tries to escape.
Army drops a couple of huge strikes from the back position and Niinimaa is in real trouble here! Army lands more strikes and the referee has to step in to end the fight! Army is delighted!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Tiger Army!
Tiger Army seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.