PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Randy West (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Epeli Nailatikau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nailatikau comes into a darkened arena with his song building. Number of the Bollywood kicks in, the lights come on and the crowd goes wild! What a showman! Epeli Nailatikau has the eye of the tiger tonight.

West
vs
Nailatikau

180 cm
33
166 lbs
19 - 15 - 0

172 cm
29
162 lbs
20 - 14 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Randy West!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Epeli Nailatikau!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
West takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nailatikau throws out a leg kick but West moves out of range and Nailatikau only half commits.
West is looking to counter the offense by Nailatikau and move into the clinch.
Nailatikau throws a low kick but West avoids it.
West tries a head kick but it misses.
West scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nailatikau walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. West checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
West seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Nailatikau checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Nailatikau tries to clinch but West is having none of it.
West definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
West connects with a good right hand that stumbles Nailatikau. Nailatikau circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Nailatikau misses with a low kick as West jumps back.
Nailatikau tries to close the distance and clinch up but West swats him away and circles back towards the center.
That kick from Nailatikau tenderised West's leg. West is trying to keep his angry face on.
West wants to land a leg kick but Nailatikau is out of range.
We've been informed that Nailatikau has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Some bone on bone action there as West checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
West is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau misses with a leg kick.
West tries to clinch there but Nailatikau circles away.
Nailatikau swats away the attempt to clinch by West.
Nailatikau misses with a leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West throws a body shot but no joy.
Nailatikau throws out a counter right but West avoids it with no problem.
West lands a lovely overhand right.
Nailatikau connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
West misses with a wild body shot.
Nailatikau misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nailatikau fakes high and swings low for a body shot but West manages to avoid it.
West takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Nailatikau chopping away at his opponent's legs.
West moves into range and connects with a jab.
West throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A good leg kick by West.
West moves out of range of the leg kick from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nailatikau ducks down and throws a hook to the body but West moves away.
A low kick from West misses
and Nailatikau counters with a nice leg kick.
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!
Nailatikau looks to throw the jab but West is out of range.
Nailatikau throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
West is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nailatikau.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West takes one on the button.
Nailatikau misses with an attempted mid kick.
As Nailatikau tries to get set, West tries to push him back and clinch up but Nailatikau manages to avoid the attempt.
West moves out of range of the strikes.
West takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
West is looking to slow Nailatikau down with leg kicks.
West fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nailatikau on the side of the head.
West moves out of range as Nailatikau throws a body kick.
Nailatikau misses with a low kick.
West on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nailatikau. Nailatikau obviously looking to wear him down.
Nailatikau throws a right hand that West ducks under and follows up with a left that West also avoids with ease.
Nailatikau misses with a kick to the body.
West seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
West throws a head kick that misses.
West misses with a straight right.
Nailatikau tried to score with a low kick but West checks it.
West staying out of range there.
Nailatikau blocks a jab.
Nailatikau feints and then cracks West's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow West down.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
A nice leg kick lands there from West.
West bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Nailatikau's head backwards.
West fails to land with a series of punches.
Nailatikau replies with a solid counter kick to the body but West blocks it well.
Nailatikau is looking to chop away at West's legs.
Some bone on bone action there as West checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
West throws a hook to the side of Nailatikau's head but Nailatikau sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nailatikau turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nailatikau finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
West tries a head kick but it misses.
Nailatikau tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nailatikau moves in looking to clinch but West pushes him off.
Nailatikau motions for West to come forward. Nailatikau throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
West lands a right hook to the body.
West takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nailatikau throws a sloppy head kick and West moves out of range easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
West defending well as Nailatikau loads up on a big left hand.
West keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nailatikau keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from West.
Nice uppercut there from West.
West thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nailatikau thuds his shin into the meat of West's side.
Nailatikau swings wildly with a hook that is half blocked by West.
Nailatikau tests West's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nailatikau tries to close the distance and clinch up but West swats him away and circles back towards the center.
West stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
West on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
The crowd applaud the fighters' efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nailatikau dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on West. That did some damage!
West checks a low kick from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau tries to land a front kick but West steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
West is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nailatikau checks the leg kick nicely there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Epeli Nailatikau will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nailatikau throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nailatikau slips a jab and a cross from West.
West misses with a left hand
and Nailatikau counters with a slapping leg kick.
Nailatikau pivots, looking for a leg kick but West is out of range and Nailatikau settles back down.
Nailatikau stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from West.
Nailatikau misses with a straight left.
Nailatikau ducks under a wild hook from West.
West throws a head kick but Nailatikau moves out of range.
West checks a low kick from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau dodges the punch combination from West.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nailatikau lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
West tries to check a leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nailatikau's jab looks to have found its range, popping West under the eye.
A slow jab from West misses its intended target.
A bone on bone clash there as Nailatikau blocks the leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West pivots, looking for a leg kick but Nailatikau is out of range and West settles back down.
West tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nailatikau looking to land some kicks to the body here.
Good standup being displayed there by West as he connects with a hook.
Nailatikau swings for the body but West moves out of range.
West throws a leg kick which misses Nailatikau's front leg but catches the back leg as Nailatikau tries to avoid it.
Nailatikau throws a nice head kick!
West misses with a low kick as Nailatikau jumps back.
West scores with a nice right hand.
West misses with a hook. Nailatikau ducked under it nicely.
West looks to throw the jab but Nailatikau is out of range.
Nailatikau pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nailatikau avoids the head kick by West.
Nailatikau feints a counter leg kick.
Nailatikau does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
Nailatikau misses with a low kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by West.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West throws a poor cross that misses
and Nailatikau counters with a body kick.
Epeli Nailatikau seems to be getting the better of the standup.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
West is looking to clinch.
West takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Nailatikau buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
West misses with a straight left.
It seemed like Nailatikau was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Nailatikau attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.
Nailatikau takes a swing at West's ribcage but misses.
West looked to counter that last move with a leg kick but didn't pull the trigger.
West wants to land a leg kick but Nailatikau is out of range.
Nailatikau misses with a low kick.
West blocks a leg kick.
West pulls out of a head kick attempt.
West blocks a low kick nicely.
Nailatikau scoring well with a low kick there.
Nailatikau with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling West to score with a decent uppercut.
Nailatikau wants to slow West down by chopping away at his legs.
Nailatikau misses with an uppercut. West saw that one coming.
West is trying to close the distance and clinch up, after that failed offence from Nailatikau.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
West takes a swing at Nailatikau's ribcage but misses.
Nailatikau throws a solid leg kick but West takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nailatikau.
West scores with a leg kick.
Nailatikau fakes a jab and throws a low kick but West checks it well.
West wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nailatikau throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nailatikau misses with a low kick.
Nailatikau misses with a looping right.

West rushes Nailatikau and presses him up against the cage.
West with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
West doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A right handed body shot lands from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau prevents a body shot from West.
Nailatikau tries to work over West's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
West misses with a hook to the ribs.
West on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
West avoiding damage as Nailatikau throws knees to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau missing with knees to the body.
West avoiding damage as Nailatikau throws knees to the body.
West trying to control the position but instead, Nailatikau has worked for underhooks and has pushed West into the cage.
West controlling the action here for a moment.
Nice body punch from West.
West using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nailatikau has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nailatikau obliges.
West misses with the head strike.
West with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
West misses with a hook from the clinch.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nailatikau misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from West.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nailatikau - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Epeli Nailatikau will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nailatikau cracks the inside of West's front leg.
Nice straight punches there by Nailatikau. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nailatikau.
Nailatikau throws a low kick but it's checked well by West.
West checks a leg kick.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick but West sees it coming and checks it nicely.
West on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nailatikau scores with a punch to the head.
West checks a leg kick nicely.
West throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A low kick from West misses
and Nailatikau counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
West misses with a straight left.
Nailatikau fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and West has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Nailatikau.
West thumps Nailatikau with a low kick.

West has managed to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau trying to land knees to the body.
West is leaning against Nailatikau and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
A shot in the inside from West.
West dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Nailatikau fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
West tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nailatikau's elbow.
West swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nailatikau throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
West avoiding damage as Nailatikau throws knees to the body.
Nailatikau working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nailatikau prevents a body shot from West.
West can't find room to land a body shot as Nailatikau controls the action.
Nailatikau blocks the elbow strike.
West looking to throw knees to the head but Nailatikau is blocking nicely.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Randy West has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West avoids the elbow strike from Nailatikau, against the cage.
Nailatikau throws a head punch that misses.
West avoiding damage as Nailatikau throws knees to the body.
Nailatikau putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has West in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
West stalls.
West trying to land knees to the body.
West using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Nailatikau has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nailatikau working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
West is trying to stall.
West looking to slow down the pace here.
Nailatikau tries a body shot but West blocks it.
West on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. West is defending well for now.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nailatikau creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
A short body shot lands from West as the two fighters clinch.
Nailatikau tries to land knees in the clinch but West avoids the damage to the body.
Nailatikau lands a right hand.
West is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
West misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nailatikau trying to land knees to the body.
Nailatikau blocking some punches.
Nailatikau pushes West back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nailatikau missing with knees to the body.
West misses with a hook from the clinch.
West is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nailatikau lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West throws a punch but it's blocked by Nailatikau.
Nailatikau swings wildly with an uppercut but West uses good head movement to avoid it.
West misses with a hook from the clinch.
West misses with a punch to the body.
West throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nailatikaus head.
Nailatikau doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
West looking to throw knees to the head but Nailatikau is blocking nicely.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
West trying to control the position but instead, Nailatikau has worked for underhooks and has pushed West into the cage.
West throws a punch but it's blocked by Nailatikau.
West digs a right hand into Nailatikau's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nailatikau's gas tank.
West trying to land knees to the body.
Epeli Nailatikau is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nailatikau tries to land knees in the clinch but West avoids the damage to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Epeli Nailatikau comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nailatikau 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Epeli Nailatikau!
A victorious Epeli Nailatikau thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.