PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kitsuomi Nanaka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Mansikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Nanaka
vs
Mansikka

190 cm
22
190 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

184 cm
18
195 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Granite chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

BioLuvoil

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 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kitsuomi Nanaka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Teppo Mansikka!
The judges for this bout are Yasuomi Hirokawa, Taro Takaoka and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Mansikka looks to score with a jab to the body but Nanaka is just out of range.

Nanaka looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Mansikka keeping moving, preventing Nanaka from controlling successfully.
Nanaka looking to pass the guard.
Nanaka throwing strikes from guard but Mansikka blocks nicely.
Nanaka throwing strikes but missing.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nanaka postures up in Mansikka's guard and throws a big left but Mansikka blocks it.
Nanaka advances to half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nanaka is keen to just control but Mansikka is a slippery customer.
Nanaka not landing any meaningful shots this time.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Mansikka misses with a straight right.
Kitsuomi Nanaka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nanaka showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Mansikka.
Mansikka throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nanaka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Mansikka avoids it really well and circles away.
Mansikka lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.

Nanaka shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Mansikka manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Mansikka keeping full guard, as Nanaka tries to pass.
Nanaka prevents Mansikka from getting back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nanaka missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nanaka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nanaka has gone for a leg lock! Mansikka slips out almost immediately though and dives into Nanaka's guard.
Nanaka 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.

Nanaka has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Mansikka can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Mansikka is looking to stand up but Nanaka won't let him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Mansikka not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Mansikka wants to stand but Nanaka is controlling his posture from full guard.
Nanaka keeping moving, preventing Mansikka from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nanaka shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Mansikka defends it nicely.
Mansikka throws a nice looking combination but Nanaka bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.

Nanaka drives through with a takedown into guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nanaka accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nanaka stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Mansikka swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Mansikka is looking to stand up but Nanaka isn't so interested in that idea.

Nanaka drops back, looking for a kneebar! Mansikka looks panicked! The fighters roll across the mat, one looking to finish, one looking to escape. Mansikka looks to have wriggled free... Yes, he's got his leg free and he's dived into side control! Good work there from Mansikka!
Mansikka really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Nanaka. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Nanaka is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Nanaka staying out of range there.
Mansikka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nanaka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nanaka avoids the body shot from Mansikka.
Nanaka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Mansikka is fending him off so far but Nanaka persists. Nope, Mansikka circles away and we're back to standing.
Mansikka misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Mansikka throws a leg kick but Nanaka checks it.
Nanaka tries for a takedown but Mansikka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mansikka throws a body punch but Nanaka moves out of range.
Nanaka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kitsuomi Nanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Mansikka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nanaka swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nanaka gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Mansikka misses with a two punch combination.
Nanaka tries for a takedown but Mansikka sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
Mansikka throws a hook but Nanaka avoids it easily.
Mansikka throws a series of punches but Nanaka avoids them all with ease.
Mansikka misses with a few strikes there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nanaka shoots in looking for a takedown. Mansikka tries to sprawl out of it but Nanaka keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Mansikka manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Mansikka lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nanaka circles away quickly and effectively.
Teppo Mansikka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nanaka slips under a jab from Mansikka.
Nanaka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Mansikka throws a right and a left that Nanaka avoids nicely.
Nanaka tries to score a power double leg takedown but Mansikka sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nanaka somewhat.
Mansikka fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Mansikka throws a head kick but Nanaka moves out of range.
No luck for Nanaka with that takedown attempt.
Nanaka shoots in and drives through. Mansikka sprawls well.
Nanaka doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mansikka cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
No luck for Nanaka with that takedown attempt.
Nanaka misses with a takedown
and Mansikka counters with a three punch combo that has Nanaka backing up. Nanaka nods at Mansikka to acknowledge the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nanaka takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Nice sprawl there from Mansikka as Nanaka shoots in.
Mansikka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nanaka.
Mansikka throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Nanaka gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Mansikka counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nanaka moves out of range of the leg kick from Mansikka.
Nanaka dodges the punch combination from Mansikka.
Jab from Mansikka.
Mansikka throws out a leg kick but Nanaka moves out of range and Mansikka only half commits.
Nanaka takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Mansikka displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mansikka swinging wildly here.
Good standup being displayed there by Mansikka as he connects with a hook.

Nanaka looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into mount! Oh, that's bad for Mansikka!

Nanaka looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Mansikka manages to regain half guard. Good work.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Mansikka wants to get back to his feet.
Mansikka is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nanaka is trying to work for a kimura but Mansikka is defending well.
Nanaka is trying to control the action in half guard but Mansikka is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.

Nanaka is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Mansikka doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Nanaka.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nanaka trying to control the action but Mansikka is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Teppo Mansikka 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!

Mansikka misses with a few strikes there.
Nanaka shoots and misses
and Mansikka counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mansikka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nanaka.
Mansikka rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nanaka moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Mansikka lands a jab-cross combination.

It looks like Kitsuomi Nanaka has been cut.
Mansikka misses with a hook.
Nanaka has his takedown stuffed
and Mansikka counters with a lovely straight right hand!
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kitsuomi Nanaka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Nanaka closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nanaka missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.

Nanaka is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Mansikka is just riding it out for now. Nanaka eventually gives up the hold.
Nanaka stops Mansikka from getting back to his feet.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nanaka looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Mansikka is staying active underneath Nanaka, who seems content to just control the action from this position.
Nanaka with a momentary lay and pray from half guard.

Nanaka is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Mansikka defends it well.
Mansikka is not content to let Nanaka control the position.

That's two 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.
A punch combination from Mansikka misses.
Nanaka ducks under a wild hook from Mansikka.
Mansikka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nanaka was well out of range. Poor timing from Mansikka.
Nanaka misses with a takedown attempt
and Mansikka counters with a one-two to the body.
Mansikka looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
Left hook, right uppercut from Mansikka.
Nanaka slips under a jab from Mansikka.
Mansikka misses with a low kick.
Nanaka doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Mansikka connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nanaka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Mansikka circles away.
A punch lands to the side of Nanaka 's head but he takes it in his stride.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Mansikka misses with a double jab.
Nanaka shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Mansikka counters with a crisp one two that drops Nanaka! Mansikka thinks about following him to the mat for a moment but instead steps back and waves Nanaka to his feet! Nanaka is in big trouble!

Nanaka is rocked!
Mansikka works Nanaka's body with a nice hook.
Teppo Mansikka is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Mansikka swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nanaka takes a jab right on the kisser.

Mansikka throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Nanaka was covering up waiting for the punch and Mansikka finishes the takedown easily into guard.
Mansikka is looking to stand up but Nanaka won't let him.
Nanaka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Mansikka is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Mansikka trying to control but Nanaka is working from the bottom.
Mansikka wanted to stand there but Nanaka had control of the position.
Mansikka wants to stand and escape but instead Nanaka has hit a sweep and he's now on top in guard.
Nanaka trying to control the position from guard on top but Mansikka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Kitsuomi Nanaka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nanaka with a flurry of punches that miss.

And that's the end of the fight!
Teppo Mansikka comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Mansikka 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 Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:30
Judge Taro Takaoka scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tatsuya Matsuyama scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Teppo Mansikka!