PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Dutch Schulz (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Nieminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nieminen has chosen Rentun Ruusu as his entrance music. Timo Nieminen will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Schulz
vs
Nieminen

174 cm
24
142 lbs
7 - 4 - 0

178 cm
23
133 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, for the bantamweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Dutch Schulz!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Timo Nieminen!
The judges for this bout are Marco Blurström, Matti Vanhoillinen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Schulz lands with an uppercut that bounces Nieminen off the ropes and back into rage.

It looks like Timo Nieminen has been cut.
Schulz misses with a jab, cross combination.
Schulz tries to bum rush Nieminen with a series of wild strikes but Nieminen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nieminen avoids the body shot from Schulz.
Good standup being displayed there by Nieminen as he connects with a hook.
A punch combination from Schulz misses.
Nieminen dodges the punch combination from Schulz.

Nieminen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.

Schulz throws his legs up looking for a submission but Nieminen uses it to pass to side control.
Nieminen tries to advance to mount but Schulz denies him.
Nieminen working the body and head with strikes.
Schulz tries to buck Nieminen off but Nieminen is having none of it.

Nieminen tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Schulz is trying to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieminen throws an elbow but Schulz slips to the side and avoids it well.
Schulz manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.

Nieminen is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Schulz doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nieminen.
Nieminen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.
Schulz is pressing down on Nieminen's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nieminen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Schulz is keeping the position for now.

Schulz looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Schulz keeping moving, preventing Nieminen from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Schulz swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Schulz working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nieminen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nieminen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nieminen connects with a couple of short punches.
Nieminen is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nieminen wants to control from the top but Schulz keeps moving.

Schulz working for submissions but it's allowed Nieminen to get to half guard.

Nieminen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Schulz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Nieminen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

Schulz actively working from the bottom here.
Nieminen is trying to control the action in half guard but Schulz is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Schulz trying to control but Nieminen postures up.
Schulz is not content to let Nieminen control the position.
Nieminen wants to pass to mount but Schulz is defending the position.

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.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Schulz avoids the head kick by Nieminen.
Nieminen doesn't manage to clinch there - Schulz circles away.
Dutch Schulz seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Schulz tries to bum rush Nieminen with a series of wild strikes but Nieminen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nieminen throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Schulz throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Nieminen scores with a jab.
Nieminen connects with a single shot there.
Nieminen lands a jab followed by a vicious hook that sends Schulz sprawling to the canvas. Nieminen follows him down, looking for the kill. Can Schulz hang on?

Schulz is rocked!
Nieminen is nestled in close to Schulz, controlling him well. He's worked in a nice elbow to the side of the head as well, for good measure.
Oh Schulz is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
Schulz on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Schulz seems to have got his legs back now.

Schulz looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nieminen is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Schulz!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Nieminen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Timo Nieminen's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nieminen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Schulz swivels and escapes.
Schulz missing with a left hand there. Nieminen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Schulz fails with an attempt to clinch.
Schulz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nieminen counters with a three punch combination, finished off with a leg kick. Nice work.
Nieminen throws and low kick but Schulz moves out of range easily.
The fighters circling - Schulz throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
Schulz will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Schulz misses with a series of wild punches.
Nieminen fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.

Nieminen lands a high kick to the side of Schulz's head that stuns him and send him tumbling down to the canvas! Nieminen dives into guard, looking to finish.
Nieminen connects with a couple of short punches.

Nieminen is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

Schulz is looking for a triangle but Nieminen pushes his legs off easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieminen trying to control the position from guard on top but Schulz is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Schulz is looking for a triangle but Nieminen pushes his legs off easily.

Schulz throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Schulz working a defensive guard here.
Nieminen thows a big elbow that misses.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nieminen lands a head kick. Schulz smiles back at him and beckons him forward.
Timo Nieminen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nieminen lands a head kick!
Nieminen throws a series of punches but Schulz moves out of range.
Nieminen throws a right and a left that Schulz avoids nicely.
Schulz has not gone for a single takedown so far in this fight, which seems like a very strange tactic when you consider that he has the superior wrestling and BJJ.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Schulz wants to clinch but Nieminen slips to the side
letting Nieminen counter with a right hand.
Nieminen throws a head kick that misses.
Schulz falls off balance throwing a combination
and Nieminen counters with a left and a right that stings Schulz.
Schulz lands with a nice combination. Nieminen backs away looking to recover.
Schulz moves in looking to clinch but Nieminen pushes him off.
Nieminen lands a head shot.
A nice combination there by Nieminen.
Nice shot by Schulz.
Dutch Schulz is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Schulz misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dutch Schulz is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Schulz takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?

Nieminen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Schulz's guard.

Schulz working for a triangle but Nieminen defends it easily.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.

Schulz escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nieminen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen advances to half guard.

Schulz actively working from the bottom here.
Nieminen is keen to just control but Schulz is a slippery customer.
Nieminen is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
Schulz wants to improve his position but Nieminen is controlling well.
Nieminen wants to take a breather but Schulz is having none of it.
Nieminen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nieminen throwing shots but Schulz is blocking nicely.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Schulz misses with a double jab
and Nieminen counters with a nice kick to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen lunges in with an uppercut that skims his opponent's chin.
Nice sprawl there from Schulz as Nieminen shoots in.
Nieminen throws a series of punches but Schulz moves out of range.
Schulz bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Schulz misses with a wild body shot.
Nieminen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Horrible takedown by Nieminen or perhaps it was just good defense by Schulz which made him look bad.
Dutch Schulz has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timo Nieminen.
Schulz looks to land a combination but Nieminen avoids it well.
Nieminen plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Schulz works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Nieminen tries a head kick but it misses.
Nieminen throws a right and a left that both miss.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Schulz misses with a series of wild punches.
Nieminen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Schulz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nieminen throws a head kick that misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Nieminen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Timo Nieminen's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

Schulz throws a shot from downtown. Nieminen moves away and avoids it.
Schulz misses with a combination
and Nieminen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A combination from Nieminen does no damage.
Schulz pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nieminen's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Nieminen duly obliges.
Schulz throws a right and a left that Nieminen avoids nicely.
Schulz drops his hands momentarily and Nieminen takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.

Schulz moves into the clinch successfully.
Schulz is trying to break the clinch but Nieminen has him pressed against the ropes.
Schulz tries to throw a body punch but Nieminen avoids it by throwing Schulz back against the cage.

Nieminen breaks the clinch.
Schulz on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Schulz on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Nieminen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Schulz moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nieminen throws a sloppy head kick and Schulz moves out of range easily.
Schulz swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.

Nieminen gets the takedown into side control.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Schulz sneaks a leg under to get back to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieminen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nieminen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nieminen not landing any meaningful shots this time.

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

Schulz actively working from the bottom here.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Schulz moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.
Nieminen sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Schulz's guard.
Nieminen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Dutch Schulz has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Schulz wants to stand back up but Nieminen manages to pass into side control.
Schulz gets back to half guard.
Schulz is looking to improve his position.
Nieminen tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Schulz.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Schulz is staying active underneath Nieminen, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Schulz is trying to stand up here but Nieminen is controlling him well.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nieminen will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Schulz tries to clinch up.
Schulz swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nieminen counters with a one-two to the body.
Left hook, right uppercut from Nieminen.
Some wild striking there from Schulz.
Schulz misses with an uppercut.
Nieminen keeps Schulz at a distance using the push kick.

Schulz closes the distance and clinches.
Nieminen wants a takedown but no success here.

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

Nieminen darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.

Schulz looking for submissions off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Schulz slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Nieminen thows a big elbow that misses.
Nieminen is pushing down on Schulz's leg trying to pass to half guard. Schulz is fighting to maintain full guard but Nieminen has managed to sneak the leg through.
Nieminen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nieminen throws a strike but Schulz avoids it easily and moves to full guard.

Schulz had isolated an arm as going for an omaplata. Nieminen is defending the submission well but is in a very vulnerable position. Schulz Is leaning forward trying to finish the omaplata but decides to abandon it, and take Nieminen's back instead.
Timo Nieminen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Schulz missing with strikes from the back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Timo Nieminen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nieminen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timo Nieminen!
Timo Nieminen is the new bantamweight champion!