PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Johanna Tukiainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Thompson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Tukiainen's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Hollywood Undead - Undead . Thompson has chosen Kreator - Extreme Aggressions as his entrance music. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Tukiainen
vs
Thompson

187 cm
21
192 lbs
3 - 1 - 0

185 cm
21
192 lbs
7 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 3 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Johanna Tukiainen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Nick Thompson!
The judges for this bout are Cecil Peabody, Chris Downing and Tiny Johnson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Thompson clinches up against the cage.
Thompson lands a good knee to the midsection. Tukiainen won't want to take too many of those.

Thompson manages to break the clinch.

Tukiainen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Thompson keeping moving, preventing Tukiainen from controlling successfully.
Tukiainen throwing strikes from guard but Thompson blocks nicely.
Tukiainenis looking to pass into half guard but Thompson pushes him away with his feet and jumps on top - now Thompson is in guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Thompson postures up.
Thompson has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Tukiainen is proving hard to escape from.
Tukiainen 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.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Thompson is looking to stand up but Tukiainen won't let him.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Thompson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Thompson wants it to stay on the feet.
Thompson punishes Tukiainen's body with a nice straight punch.
Tukiainen fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Danga de danga de dang - Thompson scores with a four punch combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thompson moves into range and clinches up with Tukiainen.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Thompson has taken the fight to the clinch.
Thompson is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Tukiainen is defending well for now.

Tukiainen is working on a single leg takedown against the cage. Thompson can't fight it off and eventually Tukiainen manages to take the fight to the floor. Thompson looks annoyed but at least he's managed to land in guard.
Thompson is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Thompson avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

Thompson uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Thompson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Tukiainen shoots in for a takedown but Thompson shows good takedown defense.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johanna Tukiainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Tukiainen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Thompson swivels and escapes.
Thompson tries to clinch up.

Thompson has managed to clinch.

Thompson breaks from the clinch.
Thompson scores with a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thompson moves into range and clinches up with Tukiainen.
Tukiainen looking for a takedown.

Thompson breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Thompson lands a jab. Then a cross. Then finally a nice hook to the body. Good work there by Thompson.

Thompson has Tukiainen up against the cage in a clinch.
Thompson is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Thompson wants to break the clinch but can't.
Thompson misses with the head strike.
Thompson tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Tukiainen avoids it.

Tukiainen manages to pull guard.
Tukiainen looking to control.
Thompson wants to stand but Tukiainen is controlling his posture from full guard.
Thompson looks gassed!
Thompson being controlled here momentarily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tukiainen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thompson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tukiainen keeping moving, preventing Thompson from controlling successfully.
Tukiainen lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Thompson!
Tukiainen lands with some strikes.
Tukiainen cracks Thompson with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

It looks like Nick Thompson has been cut.
Tukiainen prevents Thompson from getting the reversal.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Thompson holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Tukiainen tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.
Tukiainen wants to control the pace but Thompson is squirming around nicely.
Tukiainen 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.

Tukiainen looking for a guillotine from mount but Thompson is having none of it.
Tukiainen looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.
Thompson manages to regain half guard. Good work.
Tukiainen drops an elbow to the side of Thompson's head.

That has opened up Nick Thompson's cut even more.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Tukiainen seems to be looking for submissions.
Tukiainen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Johanna Tukiainen dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Nick Thompson's cut.
That's time! Tukiainen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Tukiainen shoots in for a double leg but Thompson sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Tukiainen dives in and grabs Thompson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thompson pushes down on Tukiainen's head and hops out.

Thompson moves into the clinch.
Thompson throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Tukiainen blocks it with crossed arms.
A head punch on the inside from Thompson fails to land.

Tukiainen manages to pull guard. Let's see whether he can land a sub off his back.
Thompson postures up.
Thompson trying to control the position from guard on top but Tukiainen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Tukiainen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Thompson can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tukiainen 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.
Thompson must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Thompson is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tukiainen wants to sweep here but Thompson controlling him for the moment.
Tukiainen is trying to keep Thompson in close.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Thompson looks to land a combination but Tukiainen avoids it well.
Nice jab there from Thompson.
Tukiainen dodges the punch combination from Thompson.
Nick Thompson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nice sprawl there from Thompson as Tukiainen shoots in.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johanna Tukiainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson throws a head kick that Tukiainen semi-blocks.
Thompson ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Thompson throws a series of punches but Tukiainen avoids them all with ease.
Tukiainen fails with a takedown attempt.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Thompson using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Tukiainen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Tukiainen is trying to trip Thompson. He has hold of a leg but Thompson is hopping around, keeping his balance for the moment. Tukiainen persists though and gets the takedown into guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Tukiainen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thompson is keeping the position for now.
Tukiainen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.

Thompson has his feet on Tukiainen's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Tukiainen avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Thompson connects with a solid leg kick.
Tukiainen fails to land the takedown.
Tukiainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thompson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tukiainen somewhat.
Tukiainen shoots in and drives through. Thompson sprawls well.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.
Thompson has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Thompson's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Thompson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Thompson scores with a nice body kick.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Thompson works the jab nicely.
Johanna Tukiainen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Tukiainen has a takedown stuffed.

Thompson fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Tukiainen, pushing him back against the cage.
Tukiainen jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Thompson walks away with a smile on his face. Tukiainen gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.
Thompson tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Tukiainen paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Thompson closes the distance and lands a one-two.
Thompson paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Thompson lands a slapping body shot.
Tukiainen has a takedown stuffed.
Thompson pushes Tukiainen away with a front kick.
Tukiainen fails to land the takedown.
A left and a right from Thompson both land. Nice combination.
Thompson will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.

Tukiainen shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Thompson is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Tukiainen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Tukiainen trying to control but Thompson is working from the bottom.
Thompson 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.

Thompson pushes Tukiainen off and scrambles back to his feet.

Tukiainen feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tukiainen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Thompson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Thompson not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Tukiainen passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Thompson tries to get back to half guard but can't.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nick Thompson will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Nick Thompson'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!

Tukiainen shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Thompson pinned against the cage. Thompson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Tukiainen.
Thompson uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Thompson wants to clinch.

Thompson rushes Tukiainen and presses him up against the cage.
Thompson tries to break free but Tukiainen pushes him back against the cage.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Tukiainen tries to score a power double leg takedown but Thompson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Tukiainen somewhat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Johanna Tukiainen. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Thompson turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Tukiainen fails to land the takedown.
The fight stays on the outside here - Thompson looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Thompson explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
No luck for Tukiainen with that takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Thompson gets in close and instigates a clinch.
A right hook to the body lands for Thompson.
Tukiainen looking for a takedown.
A right hook to the body lands for Thompson.

Thompson manages to break the clinch.

Thompson closes the distance and clinches.

Thompson pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Thompson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Tukiainen dives in and grabs Thompson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Thompson pushes down on Tukiainen's head and hops out.
Thompson scores with a head kick.
Thompson scores with a leg kick.
Thompson misses with the combination.
Tukiainen has a takedown stuffed.
Thompson lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.

Thompson has taken the fight to the clinch.

Thompson breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
A solid body kick from Thompson.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tukiainen takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Thompson tries to bum rush Tukiainen with a series of wild strikes but Tukiainen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Thompson displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Tukiainen.
Thompson lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!

Thompson gets a clinch.
A short left from Thompson.
Tukiainen is trying to drag Thompson to the mat but Thompson just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Thompson comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.

Thompson breaks the clinch.
Thompson slaps away a takedown attempt from Tukiainen, before circling back to the center of the mat.

Thompson clinches up against the cage.

Thompson breaks the clinch.

Tukiainen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Tukiainen showed some decent athleticism there.
Johanna Tukiainen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tukiainen thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Tukiainen is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Thompson regains full guard. Nicely done.
Thompson looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Tukiainen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Thompson is looking to stand up but Tukiainen isn't so interested in that idea.
Tukiainen throws a big right hand that misses.
Thompson has momentary wrist control but Tukiainen slips an elbow through the middle.
Thompson wants to stand and escape but Tukiainen is having none of it.
Tukiainen throwing strikes from guard but Thompson blocks nicely.
Tukiainen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

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.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tukiainen misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.

Thompson has closed the distance and engaged Tukiainen in a clinch.

Tukiainen decides to pull guard.
Tukiainen working a defensive guard here.
Tukiainen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Thompson wants to control from the top but Tukiainen keeps moving.
Tukiainen has control of Thompson's left arm, preventing Thompson from doing any damage.
Thompson tries to stand but Tukiainen is controlling from the bottom.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nick Thompson comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Thompson 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 Cecil Peabody scores the fight 28:29
Judge Chris Downing scores the fight 28:29
Judge Tiny Johnson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nick Thompson!