PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kemo Nozume (ranked 4599 p4p, 158 weight class) and Veli Urhola (ranked 8553 p4p, 0 weight class). Urhola is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by The Trammps -Disco Inferno. I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Nozume
vs
Urhola

196 cm
27
285 lbs
6 - 4 - 0

194 cm
40
259 lbs
27 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Very quick

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kemo Nozume!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 27 - 19 - 0, fighting out of London, Veli Urhola!
The judges for this bout are Ren Mimura, Tatsuya Matsuyama and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nozume is trying hard to land a takedown here. Urhola sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nozume fails with a takedown attempt.
Nozume shoots in looking for a takedown. Urhola tries to sprawl out of it but Nozume keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Urhola manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kemo Nozume. That's going to take a lot out of him.
No luck for Nozume with that takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nozume has a takedown stuffed.
Urhola tries to counter by closing the distance.
Urhola lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
Nozume misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Urhola counters with a stiff right hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Urhola stuffs the takedown.
Nozume misses with a wild body shot.
Urhola keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Urhola connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nozume falls off balance throwing a combination
and Urhola counters with a two punch combo.
Urhola turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nozume looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
A little jabbing left from Urhola on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Urhola scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nozume tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Urhola swivels and escapes.
Urhola comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Urhola thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Nozume if he has to take too many more of those.
Nozume shoots in and drives through. Urhola sprawls well.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nozume gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Urhola counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nozume is breathing heavily.

Nozume gets a takedown into half guard.
Nozume scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Urhola holds on for dear life, maintaining half guard for now.
Urhola is not content to let Nozume control the position.
Urhola regains full guard, whilst avoiding punches from Nozume.
We've been hearing good reports from Nozume's training camp. Apparently he has been rolling around with some good quality BJJ practitioners and has been sharpening his skills. Let's see if that has an impact on the fight today.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nozume wants to control from the top but Urhola keeps moving.
Nozume looking to pass the guard.
Urhola is pulling down on Nozume's head. It's preventing any offense from Nozume, at least for the moment.
Nozume stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Urhola swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Urhola has Nozume pulled in close to control his posture.
Nozume has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Nozume lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nozume connects with a couple of short punches.
Nozume stays in close to Urhola's body and controls the position.
Urhola wants to sweep but no luck.
Nozume throws a strike but Urhola rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nozume utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Urhola is in close to Nozume's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Urhola throwing strikes from guard but Nozume blocks nicely.
Nozume is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Urhola trying to control but Nozume is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Veli Urhola dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nozume gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
enabling Urhola to counter with a crisp jab.
Nozume misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nozume misses with an uppercut.
Nozume closes this distance looking for a takedown but Urhola circles away.
Urhola thinks about the counter body kick.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kemo Nozume. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Urhola connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nozume fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nozume tries to score a power double leg takedown but Urhola sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nozume somewhat.
It seemed like Urhola was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Urhola connects with a body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Urhola connects with a body shot.
Urhola lands with a kick to the ribs.
Urhola jabs Nozume right on the nose. Nozume blinks but takes it well.
Nozume tries for a takedown but Urhola circles away easily
and Urhola counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Horrible takedown attempt by Nozume or perhaps it was just good defense by Urhola, which made it look bad.
A little jabbing left from Urhola on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Nice sprawl there from Urhola as Nozume shoots in.
Nozume doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nice takedown defense from Urhola. No joy for Nozume on that attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nozume misses with a wild combination.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Urhola. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Nozume misses with a takedown attempt
and Urhola counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Nozume throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Urhola's waist but Urhola gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nozume off to one side.
Urhola has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Crunch! Urhola slams his shin into Nozume's torso.
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!
Urhola connects with a looping right hand.
Nozume shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Urhola counters with a thumping low kick.
Urhola throws a good cross that connects.
Nozume tries for a takedown but Urhola circles away easily
and Urhola counters with a straight right hand.
Nozume fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Urhola lands with an overhand left.
Urhola scores with a body shot.
Nozume throws a wild hook but Urhola just manages to duck under it and - ooooh! Nozume gets nailed by a brutal uppercut which crumples him back against the cage! The referee jumps in - Urhola raises his hands in celebration and walks away!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:24 of round 2, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Veli Urhola!
Veli Urhola seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.
Kemo Nozume spoke after the fight, saying 'Auvers blue?'.