PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Sakari Nurmi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Abe Goldman (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nurmi comes into the arena with Turisas -Take the day! blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nurmi
vs
Goldman

176 cm
23
185 lbs
8 - 2 - 0

190 cm
28
190 lbs
18 - 5 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Skin-Clothes Designing
Skin-Clothes Designing

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 8 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Sakari Nurmi!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Abe Goldman!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Anni Minnemäki and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Goldman throws a combination. Nurmi tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Goldman keeps the fight on the outside.
Nurmi throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Goldman counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.

Nurmi clinches up with Goldman and pushes him back against the cage.

Nurmi wants the takedown. Goldman is fighting it off but Nurmi persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Goldman's guard against the cage.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Nurmi trying to control but Goldman is working from the bottom.
Nurmi stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Goldman swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Goldman being controlled here, momentarily.
Nurmi seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Goldman for as long as he can get away with.

That's one minute gone in the round.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Sakari Nurmi just wasn't active enough.
A jab from Goldman finds it's way through Nurmi's defenses.
Nurmi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Goldman.
Goldman wants to clinch up but Nurmi keeps it at a distance.

Goldman tries to sprawl but Nurmi drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Nurmi working to pass to mount. He's got his hand pressing down on Goldman's thigh. Goldman counters though and makes it back to full guard.
Nurmi controls from within his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Goldman keeping full guard, as Nurmi tries to pass.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurmi trying to control but Goldman is working from the bottom.
Nurmi slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Sakari Nurmi just wasn't active enough.
Sloppy strikes from Goldman. Those never looked like landing.
Nurmi pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Goldman is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
Nice takedown defense from Goldman. No joy for Nurmi on that attempt.
Nurmi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Goldman fails with an attempt to clinch.
Goldman lands a lovely overhand right.

It looks like Sakari Nurmi has been cut.
Nurmi shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Goldman scores with a nice head shot.
Nurmi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Goldman.
Goldman has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.

Nurmi closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Goldman quickly recovers to half guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurmi is just content to waste time from the top position. Goldman takes advantage of the situation and regains full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurmi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nurmi might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Nurmi wants to control from the top but Goldman keeps moving.
Nurmi is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.

Goldman has his feet on Nurmi's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Abe Goldman seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Nurmi darts in and clinches Goldman up against the cage.

Goldman pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nurmi rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Goldman moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Sakari Nurmi will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Sakari Nurmi'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.

Nurmi takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Goldman tries to clinch but Nurmi moves out of range.
Nurmi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Goldman moves away.
Goldman uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nurmi has time to react.
Goldman throws a hook but Nurmi blocks it.
Nurmi has a takedown stuffed.
Sakari Nurmi is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nurmi tries to move into range but Goldman moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.
Goldman jabs Nurmi right on the nose. Nurmi blinks but takes it well.
Goldman might want to mix his strikes up a bit more. He's just going for head shots at the moment and that can become a bit predictable.
Goldman cracks Nurmi with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
Nurmi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Nurmi lands a leg kick that knocks Goldman off balance momentarily.

Nurmi changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Goldman looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Goldman is trying to buck Nurmi off.
Nurmi landing strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Goldman wants to control but Nurmi postures up.
The strikes coming from Nurmi are missing the target in this wave of attacks.
Nurmi trying to control the position but Goldman is working away.
Nurmi taking a breather here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nurmi throwing strikes but missing, from side control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here as Nurmi stalls from top position.
Nurmi taking a break here but Goldman is having none of it and regains half guard.
Nurmi looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurmi wants to advance to full mount but Goldman doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Nurmi's corner is telling him to maintain position.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Sakari Nurmi.
Good exchange - Nurmi coming out on top.
Nurmi tries to clinch there but Goldman circles away.
Goldman lands a right hook to the body.
Nurmi closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
That kick from Goldman tenderised Nurmi's leg. Nurmi is trying to keep his angry face on.
Goldman is using his reach advantage to land shots from outside his opponent's range.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Goldman moves in looking to clinch but Nurmi pushes him off.
Nurmi displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Goldman throws out the jab.
Nurmi shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Goldman pinned against the cage. Goldman gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Goldman lets loose with a powerful body kick. Nurmi will feel that in the morning.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Goldman scores with a jab.
Goldman tries to bum rush Nurmi with a series of wild strikes but Nurmi uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Abe Goldman is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nurmi showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Goldman.
Goldman throws a leg kick that misses.
A leg kick checked by Goldman.
Goldman stuffs the takedown attempt from Nurmi. Nurmi gets slowly back to his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sakari Nurmi. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nurmi gets in close and instigates a clinch.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Goldman misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nurmi has Goldman pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Goldman manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Goldman lands an elbow inside.
Nurmi has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Goldman is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abe Goldman showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Sakari Nurmi's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Goldman.
Goldman lands with a kick to the ribs.
Goldman pushes Nurmi away with a front kick.
Goldman lunges at Nurmi with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Nurmi's hand.
Goldman looks to land a combination but Nurmi avoids it well.
Goldman leaves Nurmi with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nurmi looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Goldman lands a leg kick that knocks Nurmi off balance momentarily.
Goldman is looking to clinch.
Nurmi takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.

Sakari Nurmi's cut is getting worse.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nice uppercut lands for Goldman. That snapped Nurmi's head back.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nurmi.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sakari Nurmi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goldman tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Nurmi paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurmi is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Goldman lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nurmi throws out a loose jab but Goldman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nice sprawl there from Goldman as Nurmi shoots in.
Goldman misses with a body shot.
Goldman throws a wild body kick that Nurmi sees coming a mile off.
Abe Goldman seems to be getting the better of the standup.
A cross from Goldman lands.
A good leg kick by Goldman.
Nurmi throws a head kick that misses.

Nurmi gets a double leg takedown into Goldman's guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Goldman manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Goldman content just to control the position here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmi is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

Abe Goldman has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Goldman slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.

Sakari Nurmi's cut is bleeding quite badly. He's got to try and protect it.

Nurmi gets the takedown into side control.
Nurmi is trying to ground and pound but Goldman uses the momentary lack of control by Nurmi to regain half guard.
Goldman is trying to control but Nurmi passes into side control!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nurmi working away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Abe Goldman really dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Sakari Nurmi's cut.
That's time! Back to the action!

Goldman throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nurmi looks to score with a jab to the body but Goldman is just out of range.
Nurmi slips a jab and a cross from Goldman.
Nurmi gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
Goldman loads up on a big right hand but Nurmi slips the punch.
Nurmi throws out a loose jab but Goldman uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nurmi shoots for a takedown but Goldman saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Goldman closes the distance and clinches.
Goldman misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Goldman tries a body shot but Nurmi blocks it.
Nurmi wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Nurmi has had enough of the clinch but Goldman keeps him there for the moment.
Goldman stalls.
Goldman misses with a body punch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A nice left hand lands by Goldman.
Nurmi wants a takedown.
Nurmi can't get the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Sakari Nurmi. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Goldman lands a left hand.
Goldman pushes Nurmi back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Goldman works on Nurmi's body with a couple of short punches.
Nurmi is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Goldman pulls him back up using the underhooks.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Goldman stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Goldman lands a shoulder strike.
Nurmi letting Goldman take a breather here.
Nurmi takes a shot to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurmi is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Goldman is keeping busy.
Goldman working some nice short punches in the clinch.

Goldman breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Goldman avoids the head kick by Nurmi.
Nurmi doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Goldman with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurmi shoots for a double leg takedown but Goldman sprawls well. He's pushed Nurmi's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Goldman uses good footwork to get in and out and land a nice right hand before Nurmi has time to react.
Nurmi looks for a takedown but Goldman sprawls well.
Goldman lands with an overhand left.
Goldman tries to clinch up.
Nurmi misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nurmi looks like he's developed a pretty tasty lump over his left eye. He'll need to avoid taking much more damage to that.
Goldman thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Nurmi if he has to take too many more of those.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Goldman lands a head kick!
Goldman's corner calls for a 1, 2 combination and Goldman duly obliges.
Goldman misses with the combination.
Nurmi looks for the body kick but Goldman saw that one coming.
Goldman fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Jeez, Sakari Nurmi's cut is really nasty now. The referee must be thinking about getting that checked.
Goldman misses with a wild combination.
Goldman with a nice cross.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nurmi.
Goldman lands with a slapping head kick.

The referee calls the doctor in to look at Sakari Nurmi's cut. Oh no, the doctor has called an end to the bout!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:07 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Cut). Abe Goldman! Abe Goldman retains his middleweight title!
Abe Goldman really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that Gilop® logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.