PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Jaakoppi Niskala (ranked 4233 p4p, 4565 weight class) and Ostap Radchenko (ranked 532 p4p, 548 weight class). Ostap Radchenko has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Jaakoppi Niskala's chin.

Niskala
vs
Radchenko

200 cm
22
200
1 - 0 - 0

180 cm
18
214
0 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jaakoppi Niskala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Ostap Radchenko!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Arvi Lind and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Niskala closes the distance and gets a double leg, slamming Radchenko to the mat! Radchenko manages to get full guard.
Radchenko really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Niskala. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Radchenko wants to sweep but no luck.
Radchenko looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niskala stopping the sweep attempt from Radchenko.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niskala controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
The referee is pacing around the two fighters, thinking about a standup.
Radchenko tries to land a sweep but no joy.

The ref stands the fighters back up due to a lack of activity.
Niskala shoots for a double leg takedown but Radchenko sprawls well. He's pushed Niskala's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Radchenko rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Niskala moves out of range and avoids them all easily.

Radchenko gets caught on his heels momentarily as he allows Niskala to score an easy takedown into full guard.
Niskala is breathing heavily.
Radchenko avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Radchenko trying to control the position here.
Radchenko throwing strikes off his back to little effect.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Radchenko controls Niskala momentarily but Niskala frees himself.
A real slowdown in the pace of the fight for a moment, as Radchenko holds on and takes a little breather.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Radchenko can do anything to dispel that myth.
Radchenko tries to land a sweep but no joy.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Niskala trying to control but Radchenko is working from the bottom.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Radchenko throws an overhand right that lands on Niskala's shoulder, as Niskala tries to avoid the shot.
Niskala thuds his right hand into Radchenko's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.

Niskala fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Radchenko, pushing him back against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radchenko is trying to stall.
Radchenko trying to control the position but instead, Niskala has worked for underhooks and has pushed Radchenko into the cage.
Niskala tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Radchenko smiles and moves away.
Radchenko misses with a looping right.
Niskala tries to clinch up but Radchenko circles away and keeps his distance.
A little jabbing left from Radchenko on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Niskala uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Radchenko.
Radchenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Niskala.
Radchenko throws a sloppy body shot

and Niskala counters by moving into the clinch.

Niskala pulls guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niskala pulls Radchenko in close to prevent any damage.
Radchenko wants to control from the top but Niskala keeps moving.
Niskala controls Radchenko momentarily but Radchenko frees himself.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Radchenko controls the pace of the fight for a moment.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Niskala utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Radchenko content to stall in guard here.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jaakoppi Niskala dominated that round.
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.

Niskala fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Radchenko looks to land a right hand but Niskala moved out of range.

Niskala looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.
Radchenko is trying to get back to full guard.
Radchenko wants to get back to his feet.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Radchenko manages to get to full guard.
Jaakoppi Niskala overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Radchenko managing to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Radchenko 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.
Radchenko working a defensive guard here.
Radchenko looking to hit a scissor sweep but Niskala is one step ahead there.
Radchenko pulls Niskala in close to prevent any damage.

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

That's two 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.
A looping hook to the body misses from Radchenko. Niskala does a little dance to reset his feet.
Radchenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Niskala.
Radchenko jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Niskala tries to counter with a takedown but Radchenko is quick to defend against it.
Niskala tries for a takedown but Radchenko sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
A little jabbing left from Radchenko on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Radchenko misses with a series of wild punches.
Niskala uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Radchenko.
Niskala swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Radchenko throws a jab but it's blocked by Niskala.
A big left from Radchenko misses.
Radchenko ducks under a wild hook from Niskala.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niskala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Radchenko throws an overhand right that lands on Niskala's shoulder, as Niskala tries to avoid the shot.
Radchenko throws a shot from downtown. Niskala moves away and avoids it.
Jaakoppi Niskala seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Radchenko thows a left - swing and a miss!
Radchenko throws a big shot that misses.

Niskala decides to change it up a bit and drives through with a nice takedown into half guard.
Radchenko is refusing to be controlled, as Niskala sits in half guard.
Radchenko keeping hold of Niskala's head, controlling as best he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Radchenko tries to get to full guard but Niskala has control of the leg.
Radchenko trying to control here.
Radchenko is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Radchenko is really struggling to land any decent head shots against his taller opponent.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Radchenko throws a hook but Niskala avoids it easily.

Radchenko gets tackled into the cage by Niskala. Niskala maintains the clinch.
Niskala tries for a takedown. No joy.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Ostap Radchenko showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Niskala's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Niskala moves out of range as Radchenko strikes.
Niskala drops down looking for a counter takedown but Radchenko sprawls and moves away.
Niskala fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Radchenko will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Radchenko throws a hook but Niskala blocks it.
Niskala tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Radchenko paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Radchenko lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Jaakoppi Niskala is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Radchenko throws a right and a left that both miss.
Niskala steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Radchenko.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
No joy there for Radchenko, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Niskala slips a jab and a cross from Radchenko.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Niskala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Radchenko.
Niskala moves out of range of the strikes.
Niskala throws a counter high kick but Radchenko was just alert enough to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice defenses there by Niskala.
Niskala shoots in for a takedown but Radchenko shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Radchenko throws the left hand but Niskala avoids the punch easily.
Radchenko misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Niskala.
Niskala misses with a right hand

and Radchenko counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Niskala looking for a sweep. Not yet Niskala, not yet.
Niskala can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Radchenko controls the pace.
Niskala is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Radchenko engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Radchenko is continuing to stall.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Niskala showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Radchenko.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Radchenko throws a hook but Niskala blocks it.
Niskala tries to counter with a takedown but Radchenko is quick to defend against it.
Niskala shoots in for a double leg but Radchenko sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Niskala sets himself, and Radchenko steps forward looking for the clinch! Niskala avoids it this time.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Jaakoppi Niskala. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A swing and a miss from Radchenko.
Niskala slips under a jab from Radchenko.
As Radchenko tries to get set, Niskala tries to push him back and clinch up but Radchenko manages to avoid the attempt.
Radchenko throws a jab when Niskala was well out of range.
Radchenko misses with a hook.
Niskala bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Radchenko looks to throw the jab but Niskala is out of range.
Niskala uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Radchenko.
Nice takedown defense from Radchenko. No joy for Niskala on that attempt.
Radchenko has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niskala uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Radchenko.
Radchenko might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Radchenko throws a jab when Niskala was well out of range.
Radchenko waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Niskala.
Niskala drops down looking for a counter takedown but Radchenko sprawls and moves away.
Radchenko throws a shot from downtown. Niskala moves away and avoids it.
Radchenko looks to land a left hand but Niskala moved out of range nicely.
Niskala fails with a takedown attempt.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Niskala displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Radchenko throws out the jab.
Niskala shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Radchenko defends it nicely.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ostap Radchenko comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Radchenko has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:29
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:29
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ostap Radchenko!