PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nakki Fakiiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul Poulter (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fakiiri's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Sinä ansaitset kultaa. Paul Poulter has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Fakiiri
vs
Poulter

182 cm
26
175 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

189 cm
39
171 lbs
39 - 19 - 1

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Granite chin

Modern Wear Apparel

GREEN!160

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nakki Fakiiri!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 39 - 19 - 1, fighting out of London, Paul Poulter!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Shigeki Sano.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A shot to the body from Fakiiri misses

and Poulter counters by clinching up.
I was talking to Fakiiri's coach per-fight and he was telling me that they'd been working on the clinch in the runup to this fight.
Poulter missing with knees to the body.
Poulter blocking some punches.
Fakiiri on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Poulter is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Fakiiri is defending well for now.

Fakiiri pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Fakiiri paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nice shot by Fakiiri.
Fakiiri scores with a hook to the body. Poulter takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Fakiiri throws a quick inside leg kick.
A low kick from Fakiiri misses

and Poulter counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Poulter.
Poulter utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Fakiiri tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Fakiiri.
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!
Fakiiri avoiding damage as Poulter throws knees to the body.
A shot in the inside from Fakiiri.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fakiiri has a couple of punches blocked by Poulter.
Fakiiri misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Fakiiri blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Poulter missing with knees to the body.
Fakiiri fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Fakiiri lands with a light punch inside.
Fakiiri is trying to push Poulter away but Poulter has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

Fakiiri pulls Poulter into guard.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Fakiiri holds on and takes a little breather.

Fakiiri looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Poulter postures up.

Fakiiri looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Poulter has picked Fakiiri up and slammed him! Fakiiri can't keep hold of the triangle and Poulter manages to pass to side control!
Fakiiri is trying to get back to half guard.
Fakiiri is working hard here to advance position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri manages to work his way to half guard, despite Poulter's best efforts.
Fakiiri is trying to get back to full guard.
Fakiiri makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Fakiiri.

Fakiiri looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Poulter has picked Fakiiri up and slammed him! Fakiiri can't keep hold of the triangle and Poulter manages to pass to side control!
Fakiiri can't do much from the bottom here.
Fakiiri tries to slip a leg under to move to half guard but Poulter presses down on the leg and jumps into full mount!
Poulter controlling from mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri wants to hold on but Poulter pushes him away.
Poulter controlling his opponent.
Fakiiri keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Fakiiri tries to hold on but Poulter postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Fakiiri sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Poulter trying to control the pace.
Fakiiri wants to improve his position but Poulter is controlling well.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Nakki Fakiiri will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Poulter checks a leg kick.
Poulter is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Fakiiri lands with a nice body kick.
Fakiiri misses with a body shot.
Fakiiri jabs Poulter right on the nose. Poulter blinks but takes it well.
Fakiiri misses with a straight left.
Poulter steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri misses with a series of wild punches.
Poulter steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri tries to land a leg kick but Poulter saw it coming and moves away.
Poulter tries to counter with a clinch but Fakiiri shakes him off and moves away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fakiiri swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Poulter steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri scores with a push kick.
Fakiiri misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The crowd cheers as Fakiiri lands an impressive looking overhand right. Poulter doesn't seem phased though.
Poulter moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Fakiiri moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Poulter checks a low kick from Fakiiri.
Poulter tries to counter with a clinch but Fakiiri shakes him off and moves away.
Fakiiri throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Poulter wants to counter the offense by Fakiiri and move into the clinch position.
Poulter uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Fakiiri.
Poulter tries to counter by closing the distance.
Poulter defending well as Fakiiri loads up on a big left hand.
Poulter is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Fakiiri throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Poulter on the side of the head.
Some wild striking there from Fakiiri.
Poulter wants to counter the offense by Fakiiri and move into the clinch position.
Fakiiri is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Poulter can do to turn this around?
A kick lands to the mid section there for Fakiiri.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri looks to land a right hand but Poulter moved out of range.
Fakiiri connects nicely with a jab. Noted by the judges no doubt.
Nakki Fakiiri is winning the standup battle so far.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Fakiiri throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Fakiiri connects with a single shot there.
Fakiiri throws a leg kick but Poulter moved away.
A head kick misses from Fakiiri.
Poulter tries to counter with a clinch but Fakiiri shakes him off and moves away.
Fakiiri throws a wild body kick that Poulter sees coming a mile off.
Poulter is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Poulter blocks a low kick nicely.
Poulter has done a lot of speed work in the buildup to this fight.
Fakiiri lands with a thumping leg kick.
Poulter blocks a head kick by Fakiiri.
Nakki Fakiiri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Poulter uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri moves into range and connects with a jab.
Good shot there by Fakiiri.
Fakiiri scoring well with a low kick there.
Poulter ducks under a wild hook from Fakiiri.
Poulter steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Poulter has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Fakiiri lands with a good body shot.
A jab lands there for Fakiiri.
Fakiiri throws a big shot that misses.
Fakiiri throws a head kick that misses.
Poulter steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri looks to land a left hand but Poulter moved out of range nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Poulter tries to counter with a clinch but Fakiiri shakes him off and moves away.
Fakiiri lands a nice looking body kick.
Poulter defending well as Fakiiri loads up on a big left hand.
Fakiiri sets himself, and Poulter steps forward looking for the clinch! Fakiiri avoids it this time.
The fighters circling - Fakiiri throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Poulter is trying to avoid his opponent's strikes and get into the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Fakiiri tries to clinch up.
Poulter wants to counter with a clinch but Fakiiri pushes him away.
Fakiiri lands a front kick.
Fakiiri pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Fakiiri finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nakki Fakiiri dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Fakiiri throws a hook but Poulter blocks it.
Poulter tries to counter with a clinch but Fakiiri shakes him off and moves away.
Poulter moves forwards but Fakiiri connects with a nice, crisp jab.
Fakiiri throws a big shot that misses.
Poulter tries to counter with a clinch but Fakiiri shakes him off and moves away.
Fakiiri swings away with a leg kick that misses.
Poulter tries to counter with a clinch but Fakiiri shakes him off and moves away.
Fakiiri misses with a hook. Poulter ducked under it nicely.
Poulter steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri throws a right and a left that both miss.
Poulter tries to counter by closing the distance.
Fakiiri swings wildly with a couple of big hooks

and Poulter counters by clinching up.
Fakiiri stalls.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fakiiri lands a right hand that snaps the head of Poulter backwards.
Fakiiri is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Poulter to keep the fight standing.
Fakiiri tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Fakiiri on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Fakiiri scores with an uppercut up the middle.

Fakiiri manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Fakiiri looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.

Fakiiri has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Poulter can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

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

Fakiiri escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Poulter gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Poulter must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Poulter tries to free his leg and advance position but Fakiiri is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Fakiiri escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Poulter gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Poulter passes Fakiiri's right leg, so he's now in half guard.
Poulter prevents Fakiiri from improving his position.
Fakiiri has a hand on Poulter's thigh, trying to get back to full guard. Poulter takes advantage of the position though and mounts him!
Fakiiri wants to control but Poulter is having none of it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Poulter controlling the position easily from mount.
Fakiiri is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Fakiiri tries to hold on but Poulter pushes him away.
Fakiiri tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Fakiiri manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Fakiiri wants to control the action here but instead Poulter manages to pass to full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri tries to lock up and control but Poulter gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Poulter prevents Fakiiri from getting the reversal.
Poulter looking to control but Fakiiri is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Poulter content just to control the position here.
Fakiiri is wriggling around trying to escape.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Poulter controlling the position easily from mount.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Nakki Fakiiri.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Fakiiri, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 30:26
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nakki Fakiiri!
Nakki Fakiiri was full of energy after the big win and talked about how he thinks he can do big things in this sport. The crowd were appreciative of his determination to succeed.