PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Epeli Nailatikau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and John Deurell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nailatikau comes to the cage accompanied by Number of the Bollywood. Deurell is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Africa. Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nailatikau
vs
Deurell

172 cm
30
162 lbs
23 - 15 - 0

165 cm
36
165 lbs
10 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Spartan Nutrition

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 23 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Epeli Nailatikau!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 10 - 4 - 0, fighting out of London, John Deurell!
The judges for this bout are Frank Dennis, Stewart Dunkirk and Chris Downing.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Deurell tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nailatikau swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Deurell shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nailatikau defends it nicely.
Nailatikau throws a hook to the side of Deurell's head but Deurell sees it coming and ducks under it beautifully.
Nailatikau misses with a looping left.
Nailatikau lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Deurell chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nailatikau can pounce on him.
Deurell doesn't manage to clinch there - Nailatikau circles away.
Deurell misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deurell walks into a stiff left hand from Nailatikau.
Deurell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nailatikau connects with a body shot.

Deurell shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Nailatikau manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.

Deurell avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Deurell trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nailatikau looking to control.

Deurell is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Nailatikau is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Nailatikau has escaped and now he's on top!
Deurell wants to stand and escape but Nailatikau is having none of it.
Deurell trying to keep a closed guard but Nailatikau is proving a slippery customer.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Deurell wants to sweep here but Nailatikau controlling him for the moment.
Deurell is trying to control the position but Nailatikau postures up.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nailatikau wants to control from the top but Deurell keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Deurell fails with a takedown attempt.
Nailatikau was looking to counter that move with a punch but didn't quite pull the trigger.
Deurell walks forward, straight into a front kick from Nailatikau.
Deurell moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Deurell gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nailatikau.
Deurell keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deurell changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nailatikau tries to avoid it but Deurell manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nailatikau to the ground. Nailatikau escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Epeli Nailatikau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Deurell.
Nailatikau lands a nice shot that snaps Deurell's head back.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nailatikau.
Deurell has a takedown stuffed.
Deurell closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nailatikau circles away.
Nailatikau comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Deurell takes a jab right on the kisser.
Deurell gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nice uppercut lands for Nailatikau. That snapped Deurell's head back.
Deurell moves in looking to clinch but Nailatikau pushes him off.
Deurell looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nailatikau scores with a nice right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice jab there from Nailatikau.
Deurell tries for a takedown but Nailatikau sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Nailatikau throws a low kick, looking for Deurell's leg but Deurell calmly moves out of range.
Deurell chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nailatikau can pounce on him.
Nailatikau looks for the body kick but Deurell saw that one coming.
Nailatikau misses with an uppercut. Deurell saw that one coming.
Deurell is definitely looking for the counter takedowns here.
Nailatikau slaps away a takedown attempt from Deurell, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Deurell throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Deurell shoots for a takedown but Nailatikau saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Deurell dives in and grabs Nailatikau's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nailatikau pushes down on Deurell's head and hops out.
Good leg kick by Nailatikau there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nailatikau scores with a jab. Deurell acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick which misses Deurell's front leg but catches the back leg as Deurell tries to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Epeli Nailatikau dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nailatikau throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice sprawl there from Nailatikau as Deurell shoots in.
An inside leg kick lands from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau misses with a body shot.
Deurell avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Epeli Nailatikau is winning the standup battle so far.
Deurell shoots in for a takedown but Nailatikau shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Deurell drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.
Some bone on bone action there as Deurell checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nailatikau throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Deurell slips under a jab.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deurell tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nailatikau defends well and Deurell ends up having to push Nailatikau into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Epeli Nailatikau has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of John Deurell.
Nailatikau fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nailatikau.
Nailatikau is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Crunch! Nailatikau slams his shin into Deurell's torso.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Deurell on the side of the head.
Nailatikau connects with a right hand. Deurell shakes it off.
Nailatikau throws a looping overhand right but Deurell ducks down to avoid it.
Deurell wants to counter with a clinch but Nailatikau pushes him away.

Deurell looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Nailatikau won't allow Deurell to pass to mount.

Deurell is sneakily working for an arm triangle but Nailatikau sees it coming and defends easily.
Deurell seems content to maintain position for now, rather than mounting any offense.
Nailatikau is looking for a sweep. Deurell is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.

Deurell seems to be working for a kimura but Nailatikau defends the submission attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Deurell wants to pass the guard but Nailatikau is defending well.
Deurell lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Deurell trying to control the action but Nailatikau is working from the bottom.

Deurell is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nailatikau defends it well.

Deurell is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nailatikau has managed to free his arm - good work.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Deurell works his foot free and advances to mount.
Deurell seems to be looking to move to his opponent's back but Nailatikau is holding on tight.

Deurell swings around for an armbar but it's a sloppy attempt and Nailatikau is now in Deurell's guard. A big mistake from Deurell there, giving up the dominant position!
Nailatikau won't allow Deurell to sweep him here.
Nailatikau pushes down on Deurell's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Deurell is looking to improve his position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Deurell looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nailatikau is trying to control the action in half guard but Deurell is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Deurell wants to control but Nailatikau is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The referee calls for the fighters to work.

Nailatikau is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Deurell has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nailatikau is thwarting Deurell's attempts to control the position.
Nailatikau is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Deurell can do to turn this around?
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Epeli Nailatikau dominated that second round.
That's time! Nailatikau's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Deurell dives in for a single leg takedown but Nailatikau sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Deurell's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nailatikau jabbing away but nothing is landing.
And Deurell tries to counter it with a takedown but Nailatikau pushes his down on his head and steps out.
Nailatikau lands a nice leg kick that just misses Deurell's sensitive parts.
Deurell takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nailatikau tries a low kick but Deurell avoids it.
Nailatikau looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.

Deurell is looking for a takedown here. He's shot in and has managed to get it, finishing up in Nailatikau's half guard.
Nailatikau trying to control from the bottom.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Deurell thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

Deurell is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Deurell passes to full mount!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Deurell unloading with bombs!
Nailatikau wants to hold on but Deurell pushes him away.
Deurell putting on the heat here with some good ground and pound!
Nailatikau prevents any damage by holding on tight.
Poor strikes thrown by Deurell there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Deurell landing strikes, looking to finish!
Deurell takes Nailatikau's back.

Nailatikau fending off the submission attempt from Deurell.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nailatikau defends a rear naked choke attempt by controlling one of Deurell's arms.
Deurell is not going to allow Nailatikau to sit and survive in this position.
I would not like to be Nailatikau right now.

Deurell looking for the choke but no joy.
Nailatikau tries to escape the position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Deurell patiently working for the choke. Which fighter will keep their nerve here?
Deurell lands shots from the back.
Nailatikau trying to control the position but Deurell manages to sink in the hooks.
Nailatikau rolls and manages to get back to half guard. Nicely done.
Deurell throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Deurell is keen to just control but Nailatikau is a slippery customer.
John Deurell has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Deurell throwing shots but Nailatikau is blocking nicely.

Deurell is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Deurell not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Deurell seems to be working for a kimura but Nailatikau defends the submission attempt.

Deurell is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nailatikau defends it well.
Deurell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Deurell uses his free foot to push down on Nailatikau's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Nailatikau.
Epeli Nailatikau is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
John Deurell has got the better of the ground game so far.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Deurell moves into side control, trying to work for a kimura. That looks painful! Will he finish!!?? No, Nailatikau has worked his arm free - good work by Nailatikau!

And that's the end of the fight!
John Deurell comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nailatikau has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Frank Dennis scores the fight 29:28
Judge Stewart Dunkirk scores the fight 29:28
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Epeli Nailatikau!
Epeli Nailatikau decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.
The defeated John Deurell had this to say: 'I pity da foo' dat got lucky against me!'.