PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Tony Ferguson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pasi Nurminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). 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.

Ferguson
vs
Nurminen

183 cm
27
155 lbs
4 - 1 - 1

174 cm
20
166 lbs
6 - 1 - 1

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

Russian Top Team Nutrition

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 4 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Tony Ferguson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 1, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pasi Nurminen!
The judges for this bout are Viktor Lagutenko, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Ferguson shoots in looking for a takedown. Nurminen tries to sprawl out of it but Ferguson keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the ropes. Nurminen manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Nurminen uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Ferguson.
Nurminen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Ferguson throws out the jab.
Nurminen slaps away a takedown attempt from Ferguson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nurminen as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurminen jabs at Ferguson's body.
No luck for Ferguson with that takedown attempt.
Ferguson fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.

Ferguson shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Nurminen is trying to defend but Ferguson finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Nurminen gets back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nurminen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nurminen looking for a sweep. Not yet Nurminen, not yet.
Ferguson chips away with some ground and pound.
Ferguson won't allow Nurminen to get back to his feet.
Ferguson showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

Nurminen pushes Ferguson off and scrambles back to his feet.
Nurminen looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Nurminen on the side of the head.
Ferguson fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Ferguson shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nurminen as he jumps to the side.
Ferguson tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nurminen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Ferguson somewhat.
A big right from Nurminen misses.
Ferguson misses the shot to the body.
Nurminen looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Ferguson closes the distance and scores a nice trip takedown into half guard. Nurminen did well to prevent Ferguson getting side control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Ferguson is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.
Nurminen regains full guard. Nicely done.
Ferguson wants to control from the top but Nurminen keeps moving.
Ferguson stops Nurminen from standing up.
Nurminen tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nurminen has his hands on Ferguson's head, controlling the position.
Nurminen wants to stand up but Ferguson is controlling him.
Ferguson in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nurminen works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nurminen is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
The fighters are trapped in the ropes so we're going to have a reposition here. The ref calls for a break and repositions the fighters in the center of the ring.
Nurminen looking for a sweep. Not yet Nurminen, not yet.
Nurminen preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Ferguson prevents Nurminen from getting back to his feet.

Ferguson has gone for a leg lock! Nurminen slips out almost immediately though and dives into Ferguson's guard.
Nurminen trying to control but Ferguson is working from the bottom.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Nurminen postures up as if he's going to throw some strikes but drops back for an ankle! Ferguson is in big trouble! He looks ready to tap! But no, he's escaped and dives on top of Nurminen, into his guard.
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 Tony Ferguson will probably get the nod.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action.

Nurminen stuffs the takedown.
Nurminen throws a right and a left that Ferguson avoids nicely.
A slow jab from Ferguson misses its intended target.

Ferguson closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nurminen is trying to control but can't.
Ferguson prevents Nurminen from improving his position.
Ferguson perhaps working for something from half guard, or maybe not. It looks like he's just sitting there.
Ferguson is thwarting Nurminen's attempts to control the position.
The fighters are tangled up in the ropes here. We might need a restart if the fighters can't break free themselves.

Nurminen pushes Ferguson off and gets back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nurminen on the side of the head.
Ferguson avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Nice defenses there by Nurminen.
Horrible takedown by Ferguson or perhaps it was just good defense by Nurminen which made him look bad.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nurminen is trying to maintain a safe position but Ferguson gets an underhook and turns Nurminen into the ropes.
Nurminen lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nurminen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Good body shot from Nurminen.
Nurminen prevents the takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurminen tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Ferguson's elbow.
Nurminen lands a body shot.
Ferguson changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nurminen fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Ferguson changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nurminen tries to avoid it but Ferguson manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nurminen to the ground. Nurminen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nurminen throws a right and a left that Ferguson avoids nicely.
Nurminen takes a swing at Ferguson's ribcage but misses.
Decent striking displayed by Nurminen there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Ferguson misses with a lunging right hand
and Nurminen counters with a nice uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen throws a series of punches but Ferguson moves out of range.
Ferguson throws a lazy right hand but Nurminen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Nurminen has closed the distance and engaged Ferguson in a clinch.
Nurminen is looking to control Ferguson's arms but Ferguson gets an underhook and turns him. Now Nurminen has his back to the ropes.
Nurminen is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Ferguson has Nurminen pressed up against the ropes and is working for takedown. Nurminen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nurminen misses with a punch on the inside.
Ferguson is looking to take this one to the mat.
A body shot lands from Nurminen.
A short right from Nurminen on the inside.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Ferguson backwards.
Nurminen is leaning against Ferguson and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.
The referee calls for Nurminen to work.
Nurminen receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
A hook to the body from Nurminen.
A hook to the body from Nurminen.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nurminen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ferguson.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nurminen leaning his opponent against the ropes.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Pasi Nurminen showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! This is the final round!

Ferguson throws a nice looking combination but Nurminen bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nice jab there from Ferguson.
Ferguson looks to land a left hand but Nurminen moved out of range nicely.
Ferguson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nurminen lands a two punch combo.
Nurminen stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nurminen wants it to stay on the feet.
Nurminen paws at his opponent with the jab and then lunges in with a straight, right on the button.
Ferguson shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nurminen defends it nicely.
Ferguson misses with a left hand
and Nurminen cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.
Ferguson shoots in for a double leg but Nurminen sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Tony Ferguson. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A left and a right from Nurminen both land. Nice combination.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ferguson has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Ferguson there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nurminen looks to land a combination. Ferguson sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Ferguson pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nurminen tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nurminen slaps away a takedown attempt from Ferguson, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Pasi Nurminen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Ferguson waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nurminen.
Ferguson throws a lazy uppercut
enabling Nurminen to counter with a crisp jab.
Ferguson throws a big shot that misses.
Ferguson misses with the combination.
Ferguson keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nurminen.
Ferguson is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson throws a right hand that misses
and Nurminen counters with a series of strikes. Ferguson will be more careful next time no doubt.
Ferguson misses with a left hand
and Nurminen counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ferguson is defended easily by Nurminen.
Tony Ferguson is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Good shot there by Ferguson.
Ferguson thows a body shot but no joy.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurminen keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nurminen is looking to clinch.
Tony Ferguson seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Ferguson avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ferguson looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nurminen is fending him off so far but Ferguson persists. Nope, Nurminen circles away and we're back to standing.
Nurminen throws a right and a left that both miss.
A big left from Ferguson misses.
Ferguson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Ferguson ducks right into an uppercut from Nurminen.
Ferguson shoots in and drives through. Nurminen sprawls well.
Ferguson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Ferguson with a nice cross.
Nurminen leaves Ferguson with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nice body punch from Nurminen.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Ferguson is defended easily by Nurminen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nurminen has closed the distance and engaged Ferguson in a clinch.
A hook to the body from Nurminen.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Nurminen struggles to land a body shot inside as Ferguson controls his hands.
Nurminen has Ferguson pressed against the ropes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nurminen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Ferguson wants to get back to striking at distance but Nurminen won't allow it.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pasi Nurminen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Nurminen has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Viktor Lagutenko scores the fight for Pasi Nurminen!
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight for Pasi Nurminen!
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight for Pasi Nurminen!

Pasi Nurminen wins by unanimous decision!