PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Willis Joyner (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nuri Atman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Willis Joyner has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Joyner
vs
Atman

204 cm
20
193 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

187 cm
25
193 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Willis Joyner!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nuri Atman!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Arvi Lind and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Atman looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Joyner is fending him off so far but Atman persists. Nope, Joyner circles away and we're back to standing.
Joyner appears to be looking for a counter takedown.

Joyner darts in and clinches Atman up against the cage.
Joyner managing to block the knees to the body from Atman.

Atman pulls guard.
Joyner connects with a couple of short punches.
Joyner is looking to work some ground and pound but Atman has wrist control.
Atman is adopting a defensive guard.
Joyner throws a big right hand that misses.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atman trying to control the position.
Atman is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Joyner postures up in Atman's guard and throws a big left but Atman blocks it.
Joyner lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Atman is adopting a defensive guard.
Joyner working some strikes from top position.
Joyner will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Atman controlling the position.

Atman escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Joyner gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Atman is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Atman is controlling Joyner's posture.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Joyner goes for a double leg but Atman avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Atman continues to drive forward.

Joyner gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Joyner drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Atman gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Joyner has a couple of punches blocked by Atman.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Joyner misses with a hook from the clinch.
Joyner really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
Atman goes for a takedown attempt but Joyner pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Atman throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Joyner's waist but Joyner gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Atman off to one side.
Willis Joyner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nuri Atman.

Atman darts in and clinches Joyner up against the cage.

Joyner breaks the clinch.
Joyner defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Atman.

Joyner moves into the clinch successfully.
Atman lands an elbow that stopped Joyner in his tracks for a moment.

It looks like Willis Joyner has been cut.
Atman blocks an uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Joyner jumps guard.

Joyner looking for a guillotine here but Atman defends easily.
Joyner is trying to keep Atman in close.
Joyner looking for a sweep. Not yet Joyner, not yet.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Atman throws a strike but Joyner rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Willis Joyner dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Willis Joyner's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Atman dives in and grabs Joyner's left leg, looking for a takedown. Joyner pushes down on Atman's head and hops out.
Joyner is looking to counter the offense by Atman and move into the clinch.
Joyner shoots for a takedown but Atman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Atman forces Joyner back against the cage and clinches.

Atman breaks from the clinch.
Atman misses with a takedown attempt - Joyner sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Atman bobs and weaves and then throws a good body kick.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Atman moves into the clinch successfully.

Atman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Joyner darts in and clinches Atman up against the cage.
Atman is working Joyner over against the cage.
Joyner is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Atman pulls him back up using the underhooks.

Atman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Atman dives in for a single leg takedown but Joyner sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Joyner appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Willis Joyner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nuri Atman.
Atman throws a lazy head kick

and Joyner holds on and brings the fighters into a clinch.

Atman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Joyner clinches up against the cage.
Atman lands a nice uppercut.
Joyner looking to throw knees to the head but Atman is blocking nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Atman escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nice takedown defense from Joyner. No joy for Atman on that attempt.

Joyner has Atman up against the cage in a clinch.
Atman managing to block the knees to the body from Joyner.

Atman gets control of Joyner's arms and successfully pulls guard. Atman will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Atman wants to control but Joyner passes easily into half guard.
Atman is trying to control but can't.

Joyner is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Atman doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Joyner.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Joyner is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Atman wants to improve his position but Joyner is controlling well.
Joyner missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Joyner missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Joyner is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Atman wants to control but Joyner is keeping busy and won't allow it.
Atman is trying to control but Joyner passes into side control!
Atman looks to move to half guard but instead Joyner has passed into mount! Damn!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Joyner goes for an armbar but Atman turns quickly into his guard - lovely anticipation from Atman.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nuri Atman will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Willis Joyner's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

No luck with that takedown attempt from Atman.
As Atman looks to move away, Joyner throws a big counter combo but Atman just gets out of the way.
Atman pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Willis Joyner is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Atman has Joyner up against the cage in a clinch.
Atman blocking some punches.
Joyner goes for a takedown attempt but Atman pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Atman fails with a takedown attempt.

Joyner has Atman up against the cage in a clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Atman tries for a takedown. No joy.
Willis Joyner has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nuri Atman.
Atman fails to pull guard.
Joyner tries to land knees in the clinch but Atman avoids the damage to the body.

Atman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Joyner is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Atman can do to turn this around?
Atman shoots in for a takedown but Joyner shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.

Joyner closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Atman pushes Joyner off but Joyner dives into side control.
Atman takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Atman is positioning himself to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Joyner looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Atman is trying to buck Joyner off.
Atman is trying to get back to half guard.
Atman tries to control the position but he's not in luck - Joyner easily slips into full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Joyner looking for a guillotine from mount but Atman is having none of it.
Atman regains half guard.
Atman is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Atman makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Atman.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Joyner missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

Atman is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Atman looking for subs off his back but Joyner has passed one foot through into half guard.

Joyner seems to be working for a kimura but Atman defends the submission attempt.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Atman is trying to control but can't.

And that's the end of the fight!
Willis Joyner showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Joyner 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 Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Willis Joyner!