PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Esko Nikkari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Bud Spencer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikkari kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Koto - Jabdah . Spencer has chosen Banana Joe Theme 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.

Nikkari
vs
Spencer

185 cm
23
240 lbs
16 - 6 - 0

194 cm
23
275 lbs
11 - 4 - 1

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Very strong

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Esko Nikkari!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Amsterdam, Bud Spencer!
The judges for this bout are , Timothy Bukovac and Jack Bonds.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Spencer misses with a body shot.
Nikkari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nikkari tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Spencer paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Spencer lands a jab to the nose.

It looks like Esko Nikkari has been cut.
Spencer fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nikkari walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Spencer checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Spencer takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Spencer staying out of range there.
A solid body kick from Nikkari.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Spencer connects with a hook to the side of his opponent's head.
Nikkari explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Spencer takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Spencer wants to clinch up but Nikkari keeps it at a distance.
Nikkari keeps the fight on the outside.
Nice body kick there by Nikkari.
Spencer looks gassed!
No luck for Spencer with that takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Good leg kick by Nikkari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Spencer throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Spencer misses with a hook.
Nikkari tries to clinch up.
Nikkari throws a leg kick but Spencer checks it.
Nikkari throws a leg kick which misses Spencer's front leg but catches the back leg as Spencer tries to avoid it.
Nikkari throws a nice inside leg kick.
Spencer walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikkari lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nikkari wants to clinch up but Spencer keeps it at a distance.
Spencer avoids the head kick by Nikkari.
Nikkari throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer avoids the head kick by Nikkari.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nikkari.
Esko Nikkari seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nikkari lands a nice shot that snaps Spencer's head back.
A good leg kick by Nikkari.
Nikkari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Spencer.
Nikkari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nikkari throws a solid leg kick but Spencer takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nikkari.
Nikkari tries to clinch up but Spencer circles away and keeps his distance.
Nikkari scoring well with a low kick there.
Nikkari lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nikkari throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nikkari fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Spencer looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nikkari throws a head kick but Spencer moves out of range.
Nikkari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nikkari throws a big shot that misses.
Nikkari tries to land a front kick but Spencer steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nikkari, right into the meat.
Spencer moves out of range as Nikkari throws a body kick.
Nikkari misses with a wild combination.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Spencer crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nikkari - the referee stops the clock and Spencer gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nikkari. Spencer manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Spencer ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nikkari throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nikkari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nikkari jabs at Spencer's body.
Spencer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nikkari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nikkari looks to score with a jab to the body but Spencer is just out of range.
Nikkari throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Spencer dives in and grabs Nikkari's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nikkari pushes down on Spencer's head and hops out.
Esko Nikkari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bud Spencer.
Spencer takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nikkari throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nikkari pushes Spencer away with a front kick.
Nikkari cracks Spencer with an open hand slap.
Nikkari fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Spencer.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Nikkari dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Esko Nikkari'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.

Nikkari fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nikkari scores with a leg kick.
Spencer defending well as Nikkari loads up on a big left hand.
Spencer fails with the takedown.
An inside leg kick lands from Nikkari.
Spencer defending well as Nikkari loads up on a big left hand.

Nikkari pushes Spencer up against the cage in a clinch.
Nikkari throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Spencers head.
Spencer is looking to control Nikkari's arms but Nikkari gets an underhook and turns him. Now Spencer has his back to the cage.
Nikkari tries to land knees in the clinch but Spencer avoids the damage to the body.
Spencer is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
A battle for position here, against the cage.
Nikkari connects with a knee to the head.
Spencer is breathing heavily.
Nikkari misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Spencer blocks an uppercut.
Spencer takes a shot to the head.
Spencer manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Nikkari lands a right hand that snaps the head of Spencer backwards.
Spencer's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
Nikkari tries to land knees in the clinch but Spencer avoids the damage to the body.
Nikkari landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Nikkari scores with a shot to the side of Spencer's head.
Nikkari lands with a left to the head.
Spencer swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nikkari tries to land a knee to the head but Spencer blocks with his arms.
Nikkari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Spencer takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nikkari trying to land knees to the body.
Spencer scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nikkari tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

Spencer breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Nikkari with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Spencer to score with a decent uppercut.
Esko Nikkari is winning the standup battle so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An inside leg kick from Nikkari misses.
Spencer throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Spencer misses with a wild body shot.
Spencer is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nikkari rather than just go for the knockout.
Nikkari fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nikkari blocks a jab.
Spencer takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
A lazy left from Spencer finds it's target.
Nikkari lands a front kick.
Spencer throws a lazy right hand but Nikkari sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Jab, jab by Nikkari - just one landing.
Nikkari throws a nice head kick!
This has been an exciting period of action!
Spencer tries to clinch up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown but Nikkari shows good takedown defense.
Some bone on bone action there as Spencer checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nikkari stuffs the takedown attempt from Spencer. Spencer gets slowly back to his feet.
Esko Nikkari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bud Spencer.
Spencer throws a decent looking leg kick but it doesn't land clean.
Nikkari throws a nice inside leg kick.
A low kick from Nikkari is predictable there
and Spencer counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Spencer darts in and out, connecting with a jab.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nikkari.
Nikkari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nikkari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari scores with a jab.
Nikkari sizes up Spencer with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Spencer has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nikkari.
An inside leg kick lands from Nikkari.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nikkari scores with a hook to the body. Spencer takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.

Nikkari pushes Spencer up against the cage in a clinch.
Spencer is trying desperately to land a takedown but Nikkari is having absolutely none of it. This is turning into a bit of a nightmare for Spencer.
Spencer on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nikkari with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nikkari with a knee to the head.
A short right from Nikkari.
Nikkari is working Spencer over against the cage.
Nikkari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Spencer blocks it with crossed arms.
Nikkari misses with a knee strike.
Nikkari working some nice short punches in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Spencer throws a head punch that misses.
Nikkari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Spencer blocks it with crossed arms.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Spencer blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Nikkari here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Spencer slows down the pace here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Nikkari dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Esko Nikkari's cut.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nikkari throws a looping overhand right but Spencer ducks down to avoid it.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nikkari.
Nikkari throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nikkari rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Spencer moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nikkari connects with a right hand. Spencer shakes it off.
Nikkari tries to clinch but Spencer is having none of it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nikkari throws a jab when Spencer was well out of range.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nikkari ducks under a wild hook from Spencer.
Spencer uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nikkari has time to react.
Spencer dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Nikkari. That did some damage!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkari lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Spencer tests Nikkari's chin there with a solid looking shot.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nikkari. That's going to slow Spencer down.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A swing and a miss from Spencer.
Spencer takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nikkari fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Spencer manages to avoid it.
Nikkari lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Spencer has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
The fighters circling - Spencer throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A punch lands to the side of Nikkari 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Spencer fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Nikkari manages to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari wants to clinch.
Spencer staying out of range there.
Nikkari tries to work over Spencer's front leg with a kick but Spencer checks it.
Nikkari throws a wild body kick that Spencer sees coming a mile off.
Spencer walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nikkari fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Spencer checks it well.
Spencer needs to keep his hands up - Nikkari had a free shot at his head there.
A cross from Nikkari lands.
Spencer uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nikkari.
Nikkari tries a head kick but it misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari avoids the body shot from Spencer.
Nikkari misses with an uppercut.
Spencer checks the leg kick nicely there.
Spencer throws a head kick but Nikkari moves out of range.
A jab from Nikkari finds it's way through Spencer's defenses.
Nikkari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Spencer throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nikkari counters with a good low kick that Spencer was not able to check.
Nikkari misses with a hook. Spencer ducked under it nicely.
Nikkari feints and then cracks Spencer's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Spencer down.
Esko Nikkari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikkari avoids the body shot from Spencer.
Nikkari scores with a leg kick.
Spencer throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nikkari sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari connects with a right hand. Spencer shakes it off.
Nikkari lands a right hook to the body.
Nikkari throws a sloppy head kick and Spencer moves out of range easily.
Spencer dodges the punch combination from Nikkari.
Nikkari on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nikkari throws a monster uppercut resembling something out of street fighter but it doesn't land.
Spencer throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Spencer tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nikkari paws at him with a jab and circles away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikkari throws a leg kick

and Spencer counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Spencer in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but Esko Nikkari did the better work so I'd imagine he'll take it.
The cut man is working on Esko Nikkari's cut.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Nikkari tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
A decent looking cross lands there for Nikkari.
Nikkari is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Spencer can do to turn this around?

Spencer gets the takedown into side control.
Spencer working the ground and pound but he's contacting the mat, not the fighter.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Spencer works to advance to full mount. Nikkari defends for a few seconds but eventually he succumbs.
Spencer controlling the position easily from mount.
Nikkari is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Spencer is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
Spencer prevents Nikkari from getting the reversal.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Nikkari is trying to stand.
Nikkari takes a big shot to the head but keeps on trying to improve his position.
Spencer throwing strikes here but Nikkari is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Spencer lands an elbow that was bordering on illegal but the referee lets it go with a warning.
Spencer content just to control the position here.
Spencer in mount throwing good strikes here, bouncing his opponent's head off the canvas.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer throwing shots from mount but they're not landing.
Spencer misses with a head shot.
Spencer trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Spencer throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Spencer thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Spencer thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Spencer is trying to control here but Nikkari has managed to regain half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer moves nicely into side control.
Spencer advances nicely into full mount.
Nikkari is in a horrible position here. Spencer smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Spencer breaks from Nikkari's wrist control and lands an elbow.
Spencer scoring with some good ground and pound from mount here. Will he manage to finish Nikkari?
Spencer thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Spencer misses with a head shot.
Spencer sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Nikkari is desperately trying to improve his position but Spencer has a good base and remains in mount.
Spencer misses with a head shot.
Spencer looking to finish Nikkari with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nikkari!
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nikkari is desperately trying to improve his position but Spencer has a good base and remains in mount.
Spencer looking to finish Nikkari with some ground and pound. This is bad for Nikkari!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Bud Spencer dominated that fourth round.
The cut man is working on Esko Nikkari's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nikkari misses with a series of wild punches.
Nikkari looks to clinch
and Spencer counters with a lovely shot to the body.
Nikkari takes one on the chin but seems OK.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Spencer.
Spencer waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nikkari.
Spencer throws a looping overhand right but Nikkari ducks down to avoid it.
Spencer throws a leg kick that is checked
and Nikkari counters with a straight right hand.
Spencer tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nikkari scoring well with a low kick there.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Nikkari misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Spencer misses with a double jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Spencer checks a leg kick.
Spencer takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nikkari, as that shot connected.
Spencer shoots in for a takedown but Nikkari shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Nikkari tries to clinch up.
Spencer slips under a jab from Nikkari.
Spencer blocks a leg kick.
Spencer scores with a jab to the head.
Spencer lands a nice shot to the body.
Nikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
A leg kick checked by Spencer.
Nikkari tries to clinch but Spencer moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Spencer just misses with a punch to the body.
A swing and a miss from Nikkari.
Spencer pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nikkari darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Spencer misses with a looping left.
Nikkari lands with a thumping leg kick.
Spencer avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice straight punches there by Spencer. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Spencer.
Nikkari thuds a left hand into Spencer's body.
Nikkari throws a head kick but Spencer moves out of range.
Nikkari thows a leg kick but Spencer checks it
and Spencer cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nikkari takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Spencer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nikkari's waist but Nikkari gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Spencer off to one side.
Esko Nikkari has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Bud Spencer.

Spencer darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Nikkari blocking the ground and pound attempt from Spencer.
Spencer trying to control from half guard but Nikkari is working away.
Spencer throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nikkari is trying to stand.
Bud Spencer has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Spencer thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Spencer controlling the action here.
Spencer wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nikkari keeps working.
Spencer stalling away here and it's allowed Nikkari to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nikkari throws a low kick but Spencer avoids it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Bud Spencer comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nikkari has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Percy O'Donnell scores the fight 48:47
Judge Timothy Bukovac scores the fight 48:47
Judge Jack Bonds scores the fight 48:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esko Nikkari!
Esko Nikkari retains his heavyweight title!