PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Brandon Couture (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Matti Nykanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Chooooooooon! I think Couture might be my favorite fighter, now he's come out to Mama said knock you out. Man, I cannot wait for this one!

Couture
vs
Nykanen

175 cm
32
156 lbs
31 - 10 - 2

165 cm
31
133 lbs
20 - 10 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

FinnFighter Nutrition (Five 160Q supps!)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the featherweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 31 - 10 - 2, fighting out of Helsinki, Brandon Couture!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matti Nykanen!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Couture throws a head kick that looked like it stung.
A shot to the liver by Nykanen. Beautiful body shot.
Couture misses the shot to the body.
Nykanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Couture.
Couture walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.
Nykanen dives in and grabs Couture's left leg, looking for a takedown. Couture pushes down on Nykanen's head and hops out.
Nykanen jabs at Couture's body.
Nykanen misses with a body shot.
Nykanen jabs Couture to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Couture scores to the head and body with a nice combination!
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!
Nykanen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Couture can pounce on him.
Nykanen defending well as Couture loads up on a big left hand.
Nykanen misses with a body shot.
A punch lands to the side of Nykanen 's head but he takes it in his stride.
Couture misses with a lunging right hand

and Nykanen counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
Nykanen must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Nykanen trying to control the position from guard on top but Couture is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Couture wants to stand and escape but Nykanen is having none of it.
Couture keeping full guard, as Nykanen tries to pass.
Nykanen is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Couture keeping moving, preventing Nykanen from controlling successfully.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Matti Nykanen was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Couture lands with a nice body kick.
Couture pulls out of a head kick attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nice shot by Couture.
Nykanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nykanen throws a looping overhand right but Couture ducks down to avoid it.
Couture throws a jab when Nykanen was well out of range.
Nykanen lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Couture circles away quickly and effectively.
Nykanen lands a nice hook to Couture's body. Couture takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Couture looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nykanen ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Nykanen is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Couture rather than just go for the knockout.
Nykanen throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nykanen. Couture does a little dance to reset his feet.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nykanen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Nykanen walks straight into an uppercut. Luckily it didn't land flush.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture lands a jab to the head.

Nykanen is rocked!
Couture misses with a wild body shot.
Nykanen is still on wobbly legs! Can Couture finish him?
Nykanen throws a body punch but Couture moves out of range.
Brandon Couture is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Couture connects with a leg kick. Nykanen looked like he was expecting something else and didn't defend it.
Nykanen seems to have recovered his senses.
Couture staying out of range there.
Couture ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
A punch combination from Nykanen misses.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nykanen crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Couture - the referee stops the clock and Nykanen gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Couture. Nykanen manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Nykanen fails with a takedown attempt.
Couture changes levels and scores with a jab to the body.
Nykanen avoids the body shot from Couture.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture misses with the combination.
Nykanen scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nykanen throws a series of strikes that have Couture backpedaling.
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!
Couture misses with a low kick as Nykanen jumps back.
Nykanen jabs Couture to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nykanen throws a looping overhand right but Couture ducks down to avoid it.
Nykanen just misses with a punch to the body.
Couture lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nykanen jabs Couture to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Couture blocks a jab.
Nykanen misses with a left hand
and Couture counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nykanen thinking.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Couture dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nykanen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Couture doesn't seem bothered though.
Nykanen throws a body punch but Couture moves out of range.
Couture uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nykanen.
Nykanen swings for the body but Couture moves out of range.
Couture avoids the body shot from Nykanen.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as Couture checks a leg kick.
A telegraphed right hand from Nykanen misses the target.
Couture looks to score with a jab to the body but Nykanen is just out of range.
Couture slips a jab from Nykanen.
Couture moves away from the strike by Nykanen.
Nykanen looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.

Couture waves his right hand out in front of him, looking to distract Nykanen. Oh, he's unloaded a beast of a left hand - it worked! He's dropped Nykanen to the canvas! Can he finish him!?

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture trying to control but Nykanen is working from the bottom.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Brandon Couture has forced the referee to step in and bring the fight back to the feet.
Nykanen misses with a wild body shot.
Nykanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Couture.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen misses with a body shot.
Couture fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nykanen.
Nykanen doesn't succeed with the takedown
and he gets countered with a snapping leg kick.
Couture throws a body kick that misses.
Nykanen slips a jab from Couture.
Nykanen takes a swing at Couture's ribcage but misses.
Couture slips a jab from Nykanen.
Nykanen slips in close and lands a nice hook before moving back out of range.
Couture looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
Nykanen with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Couture to score with a decent uppercut.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Couture throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture throws a hook but Nykanen blocks it.
Couture misses with a body shot.
Some bone on bone action there as Couture checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nykanen scores with the left hand. Couture knows he should have avoided that one.
Nykanen moves out of range as Couture throws a body kick.
Nykanen misses with a straight left.
Couture steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nykanen.
Nykanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Couture.
Nykanen misses with a body shot
and Couture counters with a leg kick.
Nykanen throws a big shot that misses.
Nykanen swings for the body but Couture moves out of range.
Nykanen misses the shot to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Couture tries to bum rush Nykanen with a series of wild strikes but Nykanen uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Nykanen takes a swing at Couture's ribcage but misses.
Nykanen throws a big shot that misses.
Couture throws a hook but Nykanen avoids it easily.
Couture lands a nice looking body shot.
Nykanen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Couture counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Couture moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nykanen misses the shot to the body.
Couture scores with a one two! Nykanen had his feet all tangled up there and couldn't avoid the strikes.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nykanen shoots in for a takedown but Couture shows good takedown defense.
Brandon Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matti Nykanen.
Couture finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Couture throws a hook but Nykanen avoids it easily.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Couture dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nykanen swings for the body but Couture moves out of range.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Couture.
Nykanen fails with the takedown.
Nykanen takes a swing at Couture's ribcage but misses.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Couture, right into the meat.
Nykanen misses the jab.
Couture misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nykanen.
Nykanen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Couture sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nykanen throws a body punch but Couture moves out of range.
Couture lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Couture lands with an uppercut that bounces Nykanen off the cage and back into range.
Nykanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nykanen throws a low kick but Couture moves out of range easily.
Nykanen moves out of range as Couture throws a body kick.
Nykanen jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nykanen throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nykanen misses with a jab to the body
and Couture counters with a nice leg kick.
Nykanen misses with a right hand
and Couture connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Couture swings for the body but Nykanen moves out of range.
Nykanen lunges at Couture with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Couture's hand.
Nykanen fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Couture jabbing away but nothing is landing.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen moves out of range as Couture throws a body kick.
Couture thows a body shot but no joy.
Couture stuffs the takedown.
Brandon Couture has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Matti Nykanen.
Couture is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nykanen.
Nykanen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Couture counters with a good low kick that Nykanen was not able to check.
Nykanen misses with a straight right.
Couture tests Nykanen's chin there with a solid looking shot.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nykanen wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Brandon Couture is winning the standup battle so far.
Nykanen has a takedown stuffed.
Nykanen takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nykanen misses with an uppercut.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Couture chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Couture tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nykanen was well out of range. Poor timing from Couture.
Nykanen throws out a loose jab but Couture uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nykanen misses the jab.
Nykanen misses with a wild body shot.
Couture avoids the body shot from Nykanen.
A swing and a miss from Nykanen.
Couture throws a good cross that connects.
Nykanen misses the shot to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Couture. Nykanen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Couture throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nykanen. Couture does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nykanen takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Matti Nykanen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Couture misses with a straight right.
Nykanen throws a leg kick
and Couture counters with a body kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nykanen tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Couture was well out of range. Poor timing from Nykanen.
Couture scores with a jab to the jaw.
Nykanen misses the jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nykanen ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Nykanen throws a one two combo.
Nykanen takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Brandon Couture clearly takes that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Couture scores with a punch to the gut of his opponent.
Couture takes a swing at Nykanen's ribcage but misses.
Couture avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nykanen is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Couture.
Nykanen walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Couture checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A jab from Nykanen misses.
Nykanen uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Couture.
Nykanen lands with an uppercut that bounces Couture off the cage and back into range.
Nykanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nykanen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Nice uppercut there from Couture.
Nykanen scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Couture doesn't seem bothered though.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Couture fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.
Nykanen scores with a jab. Couture acknowledges it with a nod of the head.
Nykanen fails with a takedown attempt.
Couture throws a body kick but he was well out of range there.
Nykanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Couture keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Couture throws a leg kick which misses Nykanen's front leg but catches the back leg as Nykanen tries to avoid it.
Nykanen misses with a wild body shot.
Couture missing with a left hand there. Nykanen was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Nykanen throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Couture sees it coming and avoids it easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen throws a hook but Couture avoids it easily.
Nykanen swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nykanen digs a good body shot into Couture's ribs.
Nykanen swings for the body but Couture moves out of range.
Couture ducks under a wild hook from Nykanen.
Couture fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Nykanen on the side of the head.
Nykanen takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Couture lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nykanen circles away quickly and effectively.
Nykanen throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nykanen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Couture dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Nykanen displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Couture throws out the jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen scores with a nice head shot.
Nykanen misses with a right hand
and Couture counters with an outside leg kick.
Nykanen swinging wildly here.
Nykanen is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.
A big right from Nykanen misses.
Nykanen rushes in with a sloppy looking punch
and Couture connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
Nykanen misses with a body shot.
Couture takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
Nykanen tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Couture swivels and escapes.
Couture avoids a punch combination nicely.
Nykanen misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Nykanen is countered with a crisp right hand from Couture that sends him to the canvas! Couture follows him to the mat into side control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
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!
Couture wants to control but Nykanen is keeping him busy.

Couture stands up and beckons Nykanen to his feet.
Couture cracks Nykanen on the jaw with a powerful right hand and Nykanen falls backwards against the cage. Couture follows up with more strikes that drop Nykanen to his knees. Couture keeps the pressure on and the referee jumps in to save Nykanen! This one is all over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:31 of round 4, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Brandon Couture!
Brandon Couture retains his featherweight title!
Brandon Couture managed to slip a mention for his sponsors, Punishment Nutrition - All 159Q products now $75, into his post fight interview.