PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matti Nykanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jonny Stevens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Nykanen
vs
Stevens

165 cm
26
133 lbs
6 - 0 - 0

175 cm
23
138 lbs
4 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter striker
Very quick

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matti Nykanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jonny Stevens!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Stevens shoots in and bounces Nykanen off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.
Stevens stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nykanen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Stevens trying to control but Nykanen is working from the bottom.
Nykanen is looking to stand up but Stevens isn't so interested in that idea.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Nykanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Stevens in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nykanen wants to get back to his feet but Stevens is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Nykanen keeps moving.
Stevens postures up in Nykanen's guard and throws a big left but Nykanen blocks it.
Stevens stops Nykanen from standing up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

OK we're going to have a standup here. Jonny Stevens hasn't been effective enough on the ground and the referee wants a restart.
Nykanen jabs at Stevens's body.
Stevens shoots and misses
and Stevens takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nykanen as he avoids it easily.
Stevens shoots in and drives through. Nykanen sprawls well.
Matti Nykanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Stevens.
Stevens fails with the takedown
and Nykanen counters with a straight punch to the midsection.

Stevens changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Nykanen looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nykanen is trying to get back to his feet.
Nykanen is not content to let Stevens control the position.
The strikes coming from Stevens are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Nykanen is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Stevens has just dragged him back down to the mat.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Nykanen is avoiding damage well.
Nykanen is putting a lot of effort into getting back to his feet here.
Stevens has knee on belly and moves into mount.
Stevens trying to control but Nykanen is having none of it.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nykanen is not a happy chappy… he wants out of there.
Stevens connects with a couple of good shots from mount.
Stevens trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Nykanen is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Stevens has his opponent pinned against the cage, landing some nasty ground and pound that is really making a bit of a mess out of Nykanen's face.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Stevens trying to control but Nykanen is having none of it.
Nykanen on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nykanen tries to get out of the position.
Nykanen is trying to stand.
Stevens tries to control but Nykanen wriggling away.
Nykanen is looking to get back to his feet - it's going to be hard from this position.
Stevens content just to control the position here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Stevens looking to control and managing it successfully.
Stevens won't let Nykanen get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Stevens with shots to the head and body - Nykanen looks very uncomfortable down there.
Stevens won't let Nykanen get back to his feet... He wants to keep the fight where it is for now.
Nykanen is squirming around, avoiding Stevens's attempts to control the action.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Stevens might have to switch it up a bit here because his efforts to control Nykanen kaven't been going to plan, at least at the current moment in time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens thuds his fist into the canvas! Oooouch!
Nykanen is trying to get to the cage to help him get back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jonny Stevens dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Stevens shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nykanen but Nykanen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Nykanen throws a nice hook to the body that draws an oooh from the crowd.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stevens.

Stevens drives through with a takedown into Nykanen's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Stevens throwing strikes from guard but Nykanen blocks nicely.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Nykanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Nykanen wriggles free and stands up.

Nykanen throws the overhand right but ducks down into a quick takedown attempt. Stevens was covering up waiting for the punch and Nykanen finishes the takedown easily into guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Stevens works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Stevens is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Nykanen showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
Nykanen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Stevens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nykanen.
Stevens preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nykanen trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Nykanen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stevens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Nykanen.
Nykanen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Stevens is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Nykanen accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nykanen throwing strikes but missing.
Stevens avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nykanen controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Nykanen throwing strikes but missing.
Stevens preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Nykanen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Stevens is trying to keep Nykanen in close.
Nykanen trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nykanen wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stevens.
Matti Nykanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Stevens.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stevens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stevens looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nykanen is fending him off so far but Stevens persists. Nope, Nykanen circles away and we're back to standing.
Nykanen misses with a body shot.
Jonny Stevens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Stevens has his takedown stuffed
and Nykanen counters with a nice body shot.
Stevens has his takedown stuffed

and Nykanen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Stevens won't be happy with that.
Stevens has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
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.
Nykanen is chipping away with strikes.
Nykanen throwing strikes but missing, from side control.
Nykanen throwing strikes but Stevens manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Nykanen dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Stevens tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nykanen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Stevens somewhat.
Nykanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Stevens shoots for a double leg takedown but Nykanen sprawls well. He's pushed Stevens's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Stevens attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Stevens fails with the takedown

and Nykanen counters with a single leg into guard. Stevens didn't expect that.
Matti Nykanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Stevens.
Nykanen wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
Nykanen looking to sit in guard and control but Stevens gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.
Stevens prevents Nykanen from getting back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stevens wants to control from the top but Nykanen keeps moving.
Nykanen wants to stand up but Stevens is controlling him.
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Nykanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Jonny Stevens was stalling too much, according to the referee.

Nykanen looking to score a takedown here. Stevens is defending well but Nykanen drives through and ends up in Stevens's guard.
Nykanen wants to control from the top but Stevens keeps moving.
Nykanen is really struggling to control Stevens but he's trying to hold on to the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen tries to free his leg and advance position but Stevens is retaining full guard.
Nykanen postures up in Stevens's guard and throws a big left but Stevens blocks it.
Nykanen working some strikes from top position.
Nykanen landing with the ground and pound.
Nykanen throws a big right hand that misses.
Stevens avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nykanen stopping the sweep attempt from Stevens.
Nykanen is looking to work some ground and pound but Stevens has wrist control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nykanen throwing strikes from guard but Stevens blocks nicely.
Stevens tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nykanen throws and elbow that misses. Stevens uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nykanen's guard. Nice move by Stevens!
Stevens trying to control the position from guard on top but Nykanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nykanen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nykanen trying desperately to get back to his feet here but he's not having any joy at all. He's going to tire himself out if he's not careful.
Nykanen keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nykanen pushes Stevens off for just long enough to get back to his feet. Very athletic spring there.

Nykanen shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Stevens is trying to defend but Nykanen finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Nykanen looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Stevens has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nykanen is working away from the top position though.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Stevens is trying to get back to full guard.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nykanen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Stevens defending well though.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Nykanen clearly takes that round.
That's time! Nykanen's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Stevens is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nykanen sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nykanen misses the shot to the body.
Stevens shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Nykanen but Nykanen pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Stevens misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nykanen.
Jonny Stevens seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stevens fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nykanen avoids it really well and circles away.
Matti Nykanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jonny Stevens.

Nykanen shoots in and bounces Stevens off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Nykanen throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen lands a couple of digs.
Nykanen missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nykanen trying to control but Stevens is working from the bottom.
Nykanen thows a big elbow that misses.
Stevens not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Stevens has momentary wrist control but Nykanen slips an elbow through the middle.
Stevens controls Nykanen momentarily but Nykanen frees himself.
Nykanen postures up in Stevens's guard and throws a big left but Stevens blocks it.
Nykanen not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Stevens looking for a sweep. Not yet Stevens, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen throws and elbow that misses. Stevens uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nykanen's guard. Nice move by Stevens!
Nykanen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

Nykanen is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
Stevens wants a takedown but no success here.
Stevens tries for a takedown but Nykanen manages to get underhooks.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Stevens is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Stevens is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stevens is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Stevens stalling the fight.

Nykanen gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Well, if Nykanen is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Nykanen working over Stevens with some ground and pound. Stevens looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nykanen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nykanen stalling away here and it's allowed Stevens to slip out his trapped foot and regain full guard.
Nykanen postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Stevens manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Nykanen is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

Nykanen wriggles free and stands up.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nykanen scores with a decent looking hook.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nice takedown defense from Nykanen. No joy for Stevens on that attempt.
Nykanen thows a body shot but no joy.
Stevens shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nykanen defends it nicely.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Nykanen had his way with Jonny Stevens in that round.
That's time! Back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Stevens misses with a takedown

and Nykanen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Stevens!
Nykanen throwing strikes here but Stevens is writhing around nicely and avoiding any serious damage.
Nykanen thowing strikes but they're hitting the gloves, not doing any damage.
Nykanen working Stevens over with strikes here.
Nykanen looking to control but Stevens is working nicely, looking to advance position himself.
Matti Nykanen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Nykanen with the ground and pound from mount.
Nykanen scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Nykanen landing shots from mount.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nykanen sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Stevens sneaks a leg back under and regains half guard and is working straight away to try and get back to guard. He hasn't managed just yet though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Nykanen missing with the ground and pound from half guard.
Nykanen missing with some ground and pound from the half guard.
Nykanen thows a huge punch but Stevens dodges it nicely.
Nykanen wants to lay and pray for a moment but Stevens keeps working.
Stevens blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nykanen.
Nykanen misses with a head shot. Stevens uses the momentum to regain guard.
Nykanen is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nykanen forces his way into half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stevens tries to get to full guard but Nykanen has control of the leg.
Nykanen working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Nykanen drops an elbow to the side of Stevens's head.
Stevens is trying to get back to full guard.
Nykanen wants to control but Stevens is keeping him busy.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen is controlling the pace.
Nykanen not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Stevens is controlling Nykanen's position as best he can from this difficult position.
Stevens works his way to full guard. Good work.
Stevens bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nykanen's guard.
Nykanen wants to stand and escape but Stevens is having none of it.
Stevens pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nykanen is keeping the position for now.
Stevens is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Stevens won't allow Nykanen to get back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.
Nykanen wants to stand but Stevens is controlling the position.
Jonny Stevens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nykanen keeping moving, preventing Stevens from controlling successfully.

The ref calls for a clean break and stands the fighters back up. Jonny Stevens wasn't active enough on the ground.

Stevens shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Matti Nykanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nykanen is looking to escape.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nykanen is looking to get back to is feet but Stevens passes into side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matti Nykanen showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nykanen 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 49:46
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matti Nykanen!