PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Shuji Nakamura (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Hirvikangas (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shuji Nakamura has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nakamura
vs
Hirvikangas

161 cm
19
164 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

175 cm
21
165 lbs
5 - 3 - 0

Good wrestling
Brawler
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent boxing
Powerful

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Shuji Nakamura!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 5 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Timo Hirvikangas!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hirvikangas lands a body shot.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Nakamura is defended easily by Hirvikangas.
Hirvikangas misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Hirvikangas scores with a shot to the body.
Hirvikangas swats away the attempt to clinch by Nakamura.
Hirvikangas looks to score with a jab to the body but Nakamura is just out of range.
Good standup being displayed there by Hirvikangas as he connects with a hook.
Hirvikangas throws a series of punches but Nakamura moves out of range.
Nakamura looks for the body kick but Hirvikangas saw that one coming.
Nakamura uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Hirvikangas.
Hirvikangas misses with the combination.
Nakamura looks to land a right hand but Hirvikangas moved out of range.
Nakamura misses with a body punch
and Hirvikangas counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Nakamura takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvikangas tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nakamura was well out of range. Poor timing from Hirvikangas.
Hirvikangas scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Nakamura doesn't seem bothered though.
A combination from Hirvikangas does no damage.
Hirvikangas swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nakamura shoots for a takedown but Hirvikangas saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Hirvikangas misses with the combination.
Nakamura tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Hirvikangas counters with a right hand to the body.

Hirvikangas gets caught flat footed, as Nakamura shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nakamura wants to control from the top but Hirvikangas keeps moving.
Nakamura is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Hirvikangas is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvikangas seems keen to control Nakamura's posture.
Hirvikangas's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.
Nakamura trying to control but Hirvikangas is working from the bottom.
Nakamura tries to free his leg and advance position but Hirvikangas is retaining full guard.
Hirvikangas wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Hirvikangas keeping full guard, as Nakamura tries to pass.
Hirvikangas pulls Nakamura in close to prevent any damage.
Nakamura might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura trying to control but Hirvikangas is working from the bottom.
Hirvikangas trying to control the position here.
Hirvikangas wants to sweep here but Nakamura controlling him for the moment.
Nakamura postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Hirvikangas is on top in guard.
Nakamura is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.

Nakamura looking for a guillotine here but Hirvikangas defends easily.
Hirvikangas lands a couple of digs.
Hirvikangas sneaks a leg through and gets to half guard. That was like a knife through butter how easily he passed Nakamura's guard.
Hirvikangas trying to control the pace.
Hirvikangas slips a nice elbow through Nakamura's hands, connecting with Nakamura's forehead.
Hirvikangas controlling the pace.
Hirvikangas is trying to control. Nakamura wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Hirvikangas dominated that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nakamura tries for a takedown but Hirvikangas circles away easily
and Hirvikangas counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nakamura thinking.
Shuji Nakamura is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Hirvikangas scores with a three punch combo!

It looks like Shuji Nakamura has been cut.

Hirvikangas gets the takedown into side control.
Hirvikangas has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Hirvikangas prevents Nakamura from getting the reversal.
Hirvikangas working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Nakamura taking shots to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
A nice elbow there by Hirvikangas.
Hirvikangas lands a big shot there that rocks Nakamura but he's holding on and managing to survive for now.
Nakamura tries to reverse the position but Hirvikangas maintains control.
Nakamura taking shots to the head.
Hirvikangas lands a nice shot to the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Hirvikangas looking to finish Nakamura with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nakamura!
Hirvikangas lands with some strikes.
Hirvikangas looking to control but Nakamura is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Hirvikangas unloading with bombs!
Hirvikangas working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hirvikangas scoring with strikes but Nakamura is staying in there.
Nakamura is desperately trying to improve his position but Hirvikangas has a good base and remains in mount.
Nakamura is working hard here to advance position.
Hirvikangas postures up and cracks his opponent a couple of times before moving back into close ground control. Nakamura looks a forlorn figure.
Hirvikangas with good strikes from the mount here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura taking shots to the head.
Nakamura tries to lock up and control but Hirvikangas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Hirvikangas pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Hirvikangas fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Nakamura is looking to get to half guard.
A nice elbow there by Hirvikangas.
The crowd growing excited in anticipation of a finish here! Right on cue, Hirvikangas cracks his opponent with a massive right hand that draws loud cheers!
Nakamura in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nakamura is looking to get to half guard.
Nakamura is bucking up trying to escape but Hirvikangas cracks him with another couple of good strikes.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvikangas scoring with strikes but Nakamura is staying in there.
Hirvikangas lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Hirvikangas dominating with strikes here.
Hirvikangas lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Nakamura on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nakamura tries to get out of the position.
Nakamura wants to hold on but Hirvikangas pushes him away.
Nakamura keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Hirvikangas avoids the attempt from Nakamura to control.
Nakamura is in a horrible position here. Hirvikangas smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Hirvikangas lands a heavy elbow.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nakamura is in all sorts of trouble here.
Hirvikangas connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Hirvikangas avoids the attempt from Nakamura to control.
Nakamura is looking to improve his position but Hirvikangas isn't that keen on the idea.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Hirvikangas working away from the top, dropping strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hirvikangas with the ground and pound from mount.
Nakamura tries to hold on but Hirvikangas postures up.
Hirvikangas has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Nakamura is looking to get to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Hirvikangas showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Shuji Nakamura's cut.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nakamura keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hirvikangas just misses with a punch to the body.
Nice sprawl there from Nakamura as Hirvikangas shoots in.
Hirvikangas looks to score with a jab to the body but Nakamura is just out of range.
Hirvikangas lands with a shot to the body.
Hirvikangas misses with a wild combination.
Hirvikangas scores with a nice right hand.
Hirvikangas just misses with a punch to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Hirvikangas throws the left hand but Nakamura avoids the punch easily.

Nakamura drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Hirvikangas is trying to control Nakamura's posture but Nakamura avoids it.
The ground and pound from Nakamura seems to be hitting the mat more than his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nakamura throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Hirvikangas works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Hirvikangas is controlling Nakamura's trapped leg to prevent Nakamura from advancing to side control.
Hirvikangas slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
Hirvikangas lands a beautiful switch and he's in full mount! That could spell trouble for Nakamura!
Nakamura tries to lock up and control but Hirvikangas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hirvikangas lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
Nakamura is wriggling around trying to escape.
Hirvikangas working away from the top, dropping strikes.
Hirvikangas trying to control but Nakamura is having none of it.
Nakamura tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Hirvikangas landing punches.
Nakamura is looking to get to half guard.
Hirvikangas is landing with some decent strikes but Nakamura is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hirvikangas cracks Nakamura with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Hirvikangas has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Hirvikangas is landing with some decent strikes but Nakamura is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Hirvikangas punishing his opponent with strikes.
Nakamura is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nakamura is looking to improve his position but Hirvikangas isn't that keen on the idea.
Nakamura tries to lock up and control but Hirvikangas gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
Nakamura is trying desperately to improve position.
Timo Hirvikangas is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Hirvikangas fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
Hirvikangas tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Nakamura knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Hirvikangas on the ground.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Hirvikangas in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

Hirvikangas throws some shoulder strikes here and then postures up. Oh, he's gone for an armbar! Nakamura has his hands clasped together but Hirvikangas breaks the hold and Nakamura is forced to tap! This one is aaaaaaaaaaall over! That was lightning fast by Hirvikangas!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Timo Hirvikangas!