PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Tim Pierno (ranked 7134 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kebab Nurminen (ranked 3717 p4p, 0 weight class). Pierno comes to the cage accompanied by Sick Puppies - You're Going Down . Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Pierno
vs
Nurminen

180 cm
41
175 lbs
38 - 32 - 2

180 cm
24
177 lbs
2 - 4 - 0

Abu Dhabi Champ
World class boxer
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent MT
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 38 - 32 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Tim Pierno!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kebab Nurminen!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Matti Vanhoillinen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurminen falls off balance throwing a combination
and Pierno counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Pierno takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nurminen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Pierno tries to avoid it but Nurminen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Pierno to the ground. Pierno escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.

Pierno closes the distance and clinches.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
We've been informed that Nurminen has been sparring a lot of Muay Thai in the buildup to this fight so let's see if that has an impact on the result.
Nurminen has Pierno pressed against the cage, preventing Pierno from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Pierno blocks a body shot from Nurminen.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nurminen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Pierno is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Pierno wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nurminen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Pierno's elbow.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Nurminen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen is trying to maintain a safe position but Pierno gets an underhook and turns Nurminen into the cage.
Pierno has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nurminen drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Tim Pierno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kebab Nurminen.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nurminen - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Pierno working hard to break the clinch.
Pierno wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nurminen lands a body punch.

Pierno escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Nurminen wants to clinch
and Pierno counters with a nice uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Nurminen catches Pierno right on the button with a cross.
Nurminen avoids the body shot from Pierno.
Tim Pierno seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Pierno tries to clinch up but Nurminen circles away and keeps his distance.
Nurminen scores with a jab. Pierno acknowledges it with a nod of the head.

Pierno moves into the clinch.

Nurminen is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Pierno can't fight it off and eventually Nurminen manages to take the fight to the floor. Pierno looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pierno wants to stand and escape but Nurminen is having none of it.
Nurminen scoring with some ground and pound.
Pierno keeping moving, preventing Nurminen from controlling successfully.
Nurminen is in a good position here but he's just trying to control... And he's not even managing to do that successfully.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pierno is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nurminen is controlling him.
Nurminen trying to control the position from guard on top but Pierno is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nurminen won't allow Pierno to get back to his feet.
Pierno trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.

Pierno closes the distance and clinches.
Pierno is trying to break the clinch but Nurminen is controlling him.
Pierno has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Pierno wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Pierno tries to circle away but Nurminen has him pinned against the cage.
Pierno is pressed up against the cage. Nurminen has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Pierno down to the mat. Pierno avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.

That's four 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.

Nurminen scores with a takedown into Pierno's guard.
Pierno wants to stand and escape but Nurminen is having none of it.
Nurminen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Pierno wants to get back to his feet but Nurminen is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Nurminen lands a couple of elbows.
Pierno is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nurminen is controlling him.
Pierno can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Nurminen controls the pace.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pierno wants to stand and escape but Nurminen is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Kebab Nurminen will probably get the nod.
That's time! Back to the action!

Pierno jabs Nurminen to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nurminen misses with a looping right.
Pierno tries to clinch up.
Nurminen doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nurminen. That's going to slow Pierno down.
Pierno is on the wrong end of a nice combination from Nurminen.
Nurminen takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nurminen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Pierno.
Pierno takes one to the chin there.
Pierno stuffs the takedown.
Nurminen looking to take his opponent's legs away with the low kicks.

Pierno moves into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen tries for a takedown. No joy.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Pierno as Nurminen tries to tie him up.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Pierno wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nurminen just leaning against Pierno, taking a breather.
Pierno wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Pierno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Pierno doesn't manage to clinch there - Nurminen circles away.

Pierno gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Nurminen dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.

Pierno manages to break the clinch.
Pierno throws a lazy uppercut
and Nurminen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Tim Pierno is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nurminen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pierno misses the shot to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pierno tries to clinch but Nurminen moves out of range.
Pierno misses with a wild body shot.
Pierno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Kebab Nurminen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nurminen slips a jab from Pierno.
Nurminen works the jab nicely.
Nurminen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Pierno.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Pierno, as that shot connected.
Pierno throws a right hand that misses
and Nurminen counters with a straight right hand.
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!
Nurminen connects with a solid leg kick.
Nurminen misses the shot to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pierno takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Pierno is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nurminen.
Pierno throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Pierno feints a straight left to the body, then turns around with a flashy move and hits Nurminens jaw with a dramatic spinning back fist!
Nurminen tries to clinch but Pierno moves out of range.
A jab from Nurminen finds it's way through Pierno's defenses.
Pierno just misses with a punch to the body.
Nurminen feints a counter leg kick.
Nurminen lands a jab.
Nurminen cracks Pierno with a good jab.
Pierno tries to clinch but Nurminen moves out of range.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen scores with a sloppy right hand. Pierno should have avoided that one.
Nurminen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurminen fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Pierno on the side of the head.
Pierno drops his hands and takes a jab to the jaw for his troubles.

Pierno is rocked!
Pierno swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Oh Pierno is still all over the place! His legs are completely gone! Will he be able to recover?!!
Nurminen wants to clinch up but Pierno keeps it at a distance.
Pierno seems to have got his legs back now.

Pierno closes the distance and clinches.

Pierno breaks from the clinch.
Nurminen lands a nice shot to the body.
Nurminen scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nurminen with a nice cross.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kebab Nurminen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Pierno throws an overhand right that lands on Nurminen's shoulder, as Nurminen tries to avoid the shot.
Nurminen throws out a counter right but Pierno avoids it with no problem.
Pierno scores with a sloppy right hand. Nurminen should have avoided that one.
Pierno walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Pierno looks to throw the jab but Nurminen is out of range.
Nurminen lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Pierno cracks Nurminen with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
A jab from Nurminen misses.
Pierno checks the leg kick.
It looked like Pierno wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Pierno closes the distance and clinches.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nurminen.
Pierno prevents the takedown attempt.
Nurminen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Pierno backwards.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen avoiding damage.
Nurminen has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nurminen takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd are getting on Nurminen's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Nurminen misses with a punch to the body.
Nurminen pressing his opponent against the cage.
Nice body punch from Nurminen.
Nurminen presses Pierno against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nurminen keeps control of Pierno as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nurminen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Pierno gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nurminen stalling in the clinch.

That's two 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.

Pierno pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A swing and a miss from Pierno.
Pierno tries to clinch but Nurminen moves away
and Nurminen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nurminen swats away the attempt to clinch by Pierno.
Nurminen misses with a takedown attempt - Pierno sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Tim Pierno has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Kebab Nurminen.
Nurminen cracks Pierno with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Pierno closes the distance and pushes Nurminen back into the cage.
Nurminen is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pierno is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Nurminen misses with a body punch.

Pierno manages to break the clinch.
Nurminen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nurminen drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Pierno defends it well.
Nurminen smiles there as he lands a nice right hand right on the button.
Pierno looks to land a right hand but Nurminen moved out of range.
Pierno tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nurminen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nurminen tries to clinch but Pierno is having none of it.
Nurminen lands a head shot.
Nurminen misses with a hook. Pierno ducked under it nicely.
Nurminen bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
A left lands for Nurminen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Pierno wants to clinch
and Nurminen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Pierno misses with a looping right.
Tim Pierno has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Pierno moves in looking to clinch but Nurminen pushes him off.
Pierno tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nurminen swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kebab Nurminen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nurminen on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
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!
Pierno is looking to clinch.
Nurminen tries a quick counter leg kick but Pierno is wise to it.
Pierno looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Pierno lands with a cross.
Pierno throws a body punch but Nurminen moves out of range.
Nurminen sizes up Pierno with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kebab Nurminen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nurminen 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 27:30
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kebab Nurminen!
A less than humble Kebab Nurminen misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.