PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Nick Markakis (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Vellun Pitopalvelu (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Markakis
vs
Pitopalvelu

185 cm
25
149 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

176 cm
18
158 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Good chin

Decent wrestler
Counter fighter
Determined

Perkele!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nick Markakis!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Vellun Pitopalvelu!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Wagner Zegers and Nard Betker.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Markakis shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Pitopalvelu counters with a nice uppercut.
Markakis dives in for a single leg takedown but Pitopalvelu sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Pitopalvelu's coach down at McDojo was telling us pre-fight that they have been working on Pitopalvelu's balance. Obviously they view that as a key factor in the outcome of this fight.
Markakis doesn't manage to clinch there - Pitopalvelu circles away.

Markakis rushes Pitopalvelu and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Pitopalvelu lands a nice uppercut.
Markakis is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Pitopalvelu is keeping busy.
Pitopalvelu lands an uppercut.
Markakis jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Pitopalvelu walks away with a smile on his face. Markakis gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Nick Markakis. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
A swing and a miss from Pitopalvelu.
Pitopalvelu lands a nice looking body shot.
Markakis looks to score with a jab to the body but Pitopalvelu is just out of range.
Markakis fails with the takedown
and Pitopalvelu counters with a lovely straight right hand!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Markakis fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Pitopalvelu, pushing him back against the cage.
Markakis jumps guard but Pitopalvelu stands there with Markakis around his waist. Markakis gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Pitopalvelu scores with a shot to the side of Markakis's head.
Pitopalvelu struggles to land a body shot inside as Markakis controls his hands.
Pitopalvelu works on Markakis's body with a couple of short punches.
Markakis being controlled against the cage.
Pitopalvelu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Pitopalvelu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Markakis blocks an uppercut.
Pitopalvelu is pressed up against the cage. Markakis has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pitopalvelu down to the mat. Pitopalvelu avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Markakis throws a head kick that misses
enabling Pitopalvelu to counter with a crisp jab.
Pitopalvelu moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Markakis keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Pitopalvelu.
Pitopalvelu with a jab.
Pitopalvelu lands with a cross.

Pitopalvelu has closed the distance and engaged Markakis in a clinch.
Pitopalvelu lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Pitopalvelu lands a body shot in the clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Pitopalvelu.
Markakis is breathing heavily.
Pitopalvelu lands a right hand.

Markakis is rocked!
Pitopalvelu digs a right hand into Markakis's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Markakis's gas tank.
Pitopalvelu softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Oh Markakis is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Pitopalvelu working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Pitopalvelu pushes Markakis against the cage. Pitopalvelu is working some dirty boxing. Pitopalvelu pushes off with a quick right hook! Markakis goes down! Markakis tries to stand but stumbles back to his kness! Pitopalvelu moves in to finish and the ref steps in to prevent any more damage!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:56 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Vellun Pitopalvelu!
Vellun Pitopalvelu is the new lightweight champion!
A victorious Vellun Pitopalvelu thanked his army of followers in his post fight interview, telling people to make sure they follow him on Twitter.