PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Kebab Nurminen (ranked 1130 p4p, 1470 weight class) and Romulus Gerber (ranked 157 p4p, 207 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Nurminen
vs
Gerber

180 cm
31
177
13 - 11 - 0

179 cm
30
182
15 - 11 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class 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 13 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Kebab Nurminen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 11 - 1, fighting out of Los Angeles, Romulus Gerber!
The judges for this bout are Ben Hemmingworth, Damien Edna and Skip Squint.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Gerber ducks under a wild hook from Nurminen.
Gerber throws a leg kick

and Nurminen counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Nurminen tries to work over Gerber's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nurminen misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nurminen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gerber gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Nurminen scores with a hook to the body.
A nice left hand lands by Gerber.
Nurminen stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nurminen has Gerber pressed against the cage, preventing Gerber from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurminen misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nurminen goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nurminen can't find room to land a body shot as Gerber controls the action.
Nurminen misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nurminen lands a shot to the body.
Nurminen is trying to drag Gerber to the mat but Gerber just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen scores with a shoulder strike.
Nurminen has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Gerber avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kebab Nurminen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurminen misses with the head strike.
Nurminen struggles to land a body shot inside as Gerber controls his hands.
Gerber throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nurminens head.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Gerber.
Nurminen wants a takedown.
Nurminen misses with a punch on the inside.
Nurminen is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Gerber gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Nurminen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Gerber blocks an uppercut.
Gerber blocking some punches.

Nurminen has double underhooks and is working for a body lock takedown. He's got it. The fighters land in half guard but Gerber regains guard immediately.

Gerber scrambles and gets back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Gerber on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nurminen misses with a right hand
and Gerber makes him pay by landing a thudding low kick.
Nurminen throws a looping overhand right but Gerber ducks down to avoid it.
Gerber blocks a jab.
Kebab Nurminen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Gerber misses with an attempted mid kick.
Gerber on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nurminen lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nurminen punishes Gerber's body with a nice straight punch.
Nurminen scores with a shot to the body.
Nurminen ducks under a wild hook from Gerber.
Nurminen misses with a wild body shot.
Nurminen misses with an uppercut. Gerber saw that one coming.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerber is looking to chop away at Nurminen's legs.
Gerber gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Nurminen.
Gerber wants to slow Nurminen down by chopping away at his legs.
Nurminen misses with a hook.
Nurminen takes a swing at Gerber's ribcage but misses.
Nurminen dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Gerber. That did some damage!
A big left from Nurminen misses.
Nurminen connects with a body shot.
A jab lands there for Nurminen.
Gerber moves out of range as Nurminen strikes.
Nurminen misses with a hook.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Gerber! But no joy.
Some wild striking there from Gerber.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Nurminen checks a leg kick.
Nurminen is looking to counter the offense by Gerber and move into the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen tries to close the distance and clinch but Gerber swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nice body punch from Gerber.
Gerber avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Gerber cracks Nurminen with a right hand to the side of the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nurminen lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Gerber looks for the body kick but Nurminen saw that one coming.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nurminen. Gerber does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nurminen gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Nurminen looks to be in better condition than last time we saw him fight. Obviously he's been working hard on his cardio.
Gerber circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nurminen throws a jab but it's blocked by Gerber.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nurminen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gerber's elbow.
Nurminen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kebab Nurminen dominated that round.
That's time! Nurminen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nice defenses there by Gerber.

Nurminen clinches.
Nurminen lands a shot to the body.
Nurminen is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Gerber can do to turn this around?
Nurminen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nurminen misses with a body punch.

Nurminen has hold of one of Gerber's legs. Gerber is fighting the takedown attempt but Nurminen gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.

Gerber pushes Nurminen off and scrambles back to his feet.
Nurminen misses with a right hand
and Gerber connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nurminen throws an overhand right that lands on Gerber's shoulder, as Gerber tries to avoid the shot.
Gerber let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nurminen looks to land a left hand but Gerber moved out of range nicely.
Nurminen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nurminen is looking to clinch but Gerber is avoiding it.
A head kick misses from Gerber.
Nurminen scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen lands with a shot to the body.
Gerber keeping at a good range here, avoiding a leg kick.
Nurminen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Gerber.
Gerber takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nurminen's jab looks to have found its range, popping Gerber under the eye.
Nurminen just misses with a punch to the body.
Gerber throws a counter combo.

Nurminen closes the distance and pushes Gerber back into the cage.
Nurminen cracks Gerber with a nice body shot.
Gerber leaning against his opponent.

Nurminen gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Nurminen throwing shots but Gerber is blocking nicely.
Nurminen thows a huge punch but Gerber dodges it nicely.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurminen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nurminen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gerber defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Gerber wants to get back to full guard.
Nurminen 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.
Gerber is trying to control but can't.
Nurminen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Gerber defending well though.
Nurminen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Gerber trying to control here.
Nurminen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Nurminen throwing shots but Gerber is blocking nicely.
Nurminen looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Nurminen misses with a head shot. Gerber uses the momentum to regain guard.
Nurminen keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Gerber's head.
Nurminen throws a big elbow that misses.
Nurminen throws a strike but Gerber rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nurminen keeping moving, preventing Gerber from controlling successfully.
Gerber wants to stand but Nurminen has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Gerber sitting in guard here, content to control.
Nurminen wants to sweep but no luck.
Nurminen is pulling down on Gerber's head. It's preventing any offense from Gerber, at least for the moment.
Gerber wants to control from the top but Nurminen keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nurminen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nurminen is trying to keep Gerber in close.
Gerber stopping the sweep attempt from Nurminen.
Gerber slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Gerber preventing the sweep.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nurminen lands a lovely overhand right.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Kebab Nurminen dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare each other down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nurminen rushes Gerber and presses him up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nurminen.
Nurminen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Gerber's elbow.
Nurminen swings away with an uppercut that misses.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nurminen scores with a shoulder strike.
Nurminen misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nurminen swings wildly with an uppercut but Gerber uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nurminen has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Gerber is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nurminen can't find room to land a body shot as Gerber controls the action.
Come on Nurminen - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nurminen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Gerber.
A shot in the inside from Nurminen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gerber looking to slow down the pace here.
Nurminen misses with a punch to the body.
Gerber doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nurminen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nurminen lands with a light punch inside.
Nurminen is looking to take this one to the mat.
Gerber prevents a body shot from Nurminen.
Nurminen drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Gerber gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kebab Nurminen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurminen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Gerber backwards.
Nurminen changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Gerber fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nurminen looks to throw the jab but Gerber is out of range.
Gerber flicks out a counter leg kick but Nurminen steps away.
Romulus Gerber has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kebab Nurminen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen connects with a body shot.
Decent striking displayed by Nurminen there.
Gerber missing with a left hand there. Nurminen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nurminen with a jab.
Nurminen moves out of range as Gerber throws a body kick.
Nurminen works Gerber's body with a nice hook.
Nurminen uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Gerber.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Gerber ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurminen moves away.
Gerber on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nurminen throws out a loose jab but Gerber uses good head movement to avoid it.

Nurminen closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Gerber is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Gerber tries to work over Nurminen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

Gerber breaks from the clinch.
Nurminen closes the distance looking to clinch
and Gerber counters with a nice body kick.
Gerber checks a leg kick.
Kebab Nurminen is winning the standup battle so far.
Nurminen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
Gerber avoids the body shot from Nurminen.
Gerber takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Nurminen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Nurminen lands with a nice body punch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Gerber's hands.
Gerber uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nurminen.
Nurminen punishes Gerber's body with a nice straight punch.
Nurminen tries to clinch but Gerber moves out of range.
Gerber throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Gerber steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nurminen.
Gerber takes a shot to the body in his stride.
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!
Gerber throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Nurminen connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nurminen cracks Gerber with an open hand slap.
Nurminen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Gerber.
Nurminen throws a leg kick but Gerber checks it.
Nurminen cracks Gerber with a good jab.
Nurminen connects with a leg kick.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kebab Nurminen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nurminen has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ben Hemmingworth scores the fight 30:27
Judge Damien Edna scores the fight 30:27
Judge Skip Squint scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kebab Nurminen!
After the fight, Kebab Nurminen was humble in paying tribute to his opponent but made it clear he wants to go on to bigger and better things. It seemed to go down well with the crowd who cheered him loudly.