PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Joshua Miki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kristian Eivind Espedal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Eivind Espedal has chosen Incipit Satan as his entrance music. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Miki
vs
Eivind Espedal

170 cm
25
150 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

175 cm
24
150 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
KO power

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Determined

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joshua Miki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kristian Eivind Espedal!
The judges for this bout are Johanna Lukiainen, Arvi Lind and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Eivind Espedal throws a right and a left that Miki avoids nicely.

Miki clinches up against the cage.

Miki decides to pull guard.
Eivind Espedal looking to pass the guard.
Miki has a closed guard, preventing Eivind Espedal from standing up.
Miki is trying to control the position but Eivind Espedal postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Eivind Espedal decides to stand up and beckons his opponent to follow.
A head kick from Eivind Espedal lands but Miki takes it in his stride.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Eivind Espedal forces Miki back against the cage and clinches.
Eivind Espedal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Eivind Espedal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Eivind Espedal moves into range and clinches up with Miki.
A frustrated look appears on Eivind Espedal's face as he tries to break the clinch.

Eivind Espedal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Eivind Espedal has taken the fight to the clinch.
Eivind Espedal fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

Miki breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Miki has managed to clinch.

Eivind Espedal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Eivind Espedal moves into the clinch.
Eivind Espedal misses with a punch on the inside.
Miki is trying to pull guard but Eivind Espedal turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Miki is trying to drag Eivind Espedal to the mat but Eivind Espedal just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

Eivind Espedal's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eivind Espedal takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

Eivind Espedal pushes Miki up against the cage in a clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

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

Eivind Espedal gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Miki taking a breather.
Miki is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Eivind Espedal gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Miki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eivind Espedal leaning against his opponent.
Eivind Espedal lands a shot to the body.
Eivind Espedal is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Eivind Espedal jumps guard but Miki stands there with Eivind Espedal around his waist. Eivind Espedal gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.
Eivind Espedal prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eivind Espedal lands a left hand.
Miki tries a body shot but Eivind Espedal blocks it.
Miki is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Miki creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Eivind Espedal wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Miki has him pressed against the cage.
Miki is trying to drag Eivind Espedal to the mat but Eivind Espedal just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Eivind Espedal controlling the action here for a moment.
Eivind Espedal trying to control the position but instead, Miki has worked for underhooks and has pushed Eivind Espedal into the cage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Eivind Espedal swings wildly with an uppercut but Miki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Eivind Espedal is stalling here.
Eivind Espedal connects with a knee to the head.

Eivind Espedal pulls Miki into guard.
Miki trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Miki engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Eivind Espedal bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Miki's guard.

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

Kristian Eivind Espedal dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Eivind Espedal throws a sloppy head kick and Miki moves out of range easily.

Miki fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Eivind Espedal, pushing him back against the cage.
Miki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Miki fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Eivind Espedal lands a left hand.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Eivind Espedal is trying to break the clinch but Miki is controlling him.
Eivind Espedal tries to pull guard but Miki forces him back to his feet, against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Eivind Espedal slowing the pace effectively.
Miki is stalling here.

Miki breaks from the clinch.

Eivind Espedal gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eivind Espedal makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Eivind Espedal lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Miki tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Eivind Espedal smiles and moves away.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Miki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Eivind Espedal tries a head kick but it misses.

Eivind Espedal moves into the clinch.
A nice left hand lands by Eivind Espedal.
Eivind Espedal effectively controlling the action here.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Miki wants to break the clinch but can't.
Miki fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Eivind Espedal slowing the pace effectively.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Miki.

Eivind Espedal manages to break the clinch.
Eivind Espedal has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Miki keeps the fight on the outside.
And Miki counters with a quick kick to the body but Eivind Espedal blocks it.
Miki shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Eivind Espedal as he avoids it easily.
Miki blocks a head kick by Eivind Espedal.
A punch combination from Eivind Espedal misses.
Eivind Espedal tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Miki manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Eivind Espedal tries to clinch up.

Miki takes the fight into the clinch.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Eivind Espedal tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Miki avoids it.
Come on Eivind Espedal - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.

Miki pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Eivind Espedal keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.

Eivind Espedal gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eivind Espedal using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Miki has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Eivind Espedal on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Eivind Espedal wants to break the clinch but can't.
Miki has Eivind Espedal pressed against the cage, preventing Eivind Espedal from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Miki is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Eivind Espedal pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Eivind Espedal softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Eivind Espedal takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Eivind Espedal dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Miki wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Eivind Espedal has him pressed against the cage.
Eivind Espedal prevents a takedown attempt there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Miki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Miki can't get the takedown.
Eivind Espedal misses with a knee to the head.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Miki has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Eivind Espedal after a bit of a struggle.
Miki managing to block the knees to the body from Eivind Espedal.
Eivind Espedal is trying to push Miki away but Miki has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

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

Eivind Espedal closes the distance and pushes Miki back into the cage.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Eivind Espedal managing to block the knees to the body from Miki.

Miki breaks from the clinch.
Eivind Espedal throws a sloppy head kick and Miki moves out of range easily.
A head kick by Eivind Espedal misses

and Miki counters by clinching up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristian Eivind Espedal showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Eivind Espedal tries to close the distance and clinch but Miki swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Miki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Miki shoots in for a double leg but Eivind Espedal sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
As Miki backs off Eivind Espedal throws a huge counter combo but Miki manages to avoid it all.
Miki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Eivind Espedal tries to avoid it but Miki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Eivind Espedal to the ground. Eivind Espedal escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Eivind Espedal pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Eivind Espedal wants to clinch.
Kristian Eivind Espedal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Miki shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Eivind Espedal as he jumps to the side.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Joshua Miki. 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.
Eivind Espedal shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Miki as he avoids it easily.

Eivind Espedal has taken the fight to the clinch.
Eivind Espedal taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Kristian Eivind Espedal seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Eivind Espedal continues to stall. The referee tells him to work or he's going to break them up.
Miki is trying to pull guard but Eivind Espedal turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Eivind Espedal misses with a knee strike.

Miki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Eivind Espedal throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.

Eivind Espedal clinches.

Eivind Espedal escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Left hook, right uppercut from Eivind Espedal.

Miki forces Eivind Espedal back against the cage and clinches.
Miki is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Eivind Espedal to keep the fight standing.
Miki blocks an elbow strike from Eivind Espedal.

Eivind Espedal breaks the clinch.

Miki clinches with his opponent.
Eivind Espedal is pushing Miki up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Miki goes for a takedown in the clinch but Eivind Espedal prevents it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Eivind Espedal throws a punch but it's blocked by Miki.
Eivind Espedal throws an elbow but it's blocked.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Eivind Espedal is trying to pull guard but Miki turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
Eivind Espedal lands a shoulder strike.
Eivind Espedal tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Miki.
A head punch on the inside from Eivind Espedal fails to land.
Eivind Espedal is struggling to control the position.
Eivind Espedal throws a head punch that misses.
Eivind Espedal misses with some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Eivind Espedal dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Eivind Espedal trying to stall but Miki improves his position.
Eivind Espedal prevents the takedown attempt.

Eivind Espedal breaks from the clinch.

Eivind Espedal moves into range and clinches up with Miki.
Eivind Espedal stops a takedown attempt from Miki.
Eivind Espedal is trying to pull guard but Miki turns him against the cage and we stay in the clinch.
A bit of stalling here from Eivind Espedal.
Miki tries to score a body lock takedown but Eivind Espedal shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Miki takes a shot to the head.

Eivind Espedal breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Eivind Espedal stuffs the takedown attempt from Miki. Miki gets slowly back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Eivind Espedal is looking to clinch but Miki is avoiding it.

Miki darts in and clinches Eivind Espedal up against the cage.
Eivind Espedal is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Eivind Espedal takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Eivind Espedal stalling.
Eivind Espedal stops a takedown attempt from Miki.
Miki avoiding damage as Eivind Espedal throws knees to the body.
Miki is trying to push Eivind Espedal away but Eivind Espedal has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Joshua Miki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kristian Eivind Espedal is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
Kristian Eivind Espedal comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Eivind Espedal 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 Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kristian Eivind Espedal!
Kristian Eivind Espedal took to the mic after the fight and begged the organizational hierarchy for a shot at the title.