PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Makoto Shibasaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pasi Nurminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Shibasaki's entrance music is Genki Sudo - 'Mind Shift'. A fine choice. The atmosphere really building for this one as we go over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Shibasaki
vs
Nurminen

172 cm
23
164 lbs
8 - 3 - 0

174 cm
24
166 lbs
13 - 6 - 2

Powerful takedowns
Great low kicks
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

[WOT] DTK Designs (Laundry)
ACME-Blood Red Q158 Always $30 (5% Laundry SALE)

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 8 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Makoto Shibasaki!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 13 - 6 - 2, fighting out of St Petersburg, Pasi Nurminen!
The judges for this bout are Ivan Kurochkin, Valeri Chadov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nurminen avoids the head kick by Shibasaki.
Shibasaki tries a head kick but it misses.
Shibasaki shoots for a takedown but Nurminen saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Nurminen misses with a straight left.
Nurminen throws out a loose jab but Shibasaki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Shibasaki checks a low kick from Nurminen.
Shibasaki needs to keep his hands up - Nurminen had a free shot at his head there.
No luck for Shibasaki with that takedown attempt.
A looping hook to the body misses from Shibasaki. Nurminen does a little dance to reset his feet.
Shibasaki blocks a jab.
Shibasaki tries to clinch but Nurminen is having none of it.
Nurminen throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Shibasaki takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
Shibasaki blocks a jab.
Nurminen misses with the combination.
The fight stays on the outside here - Shibasaki looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nurminen clinches up with Shibasaki and pushes him back against the cage.
Shibasaki misses with a punch to the body.
Shibasaki drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Nurminen gets the underhooks and prevents it.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Makoto Shibasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A head punch on the inside from Shibasaki fails to land.
Shibasaki taking a breather.
Shibasaki is looking to take this one to the mat.
Shibasaki has Nurminen pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nurminen manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Shibasaki is working for takedown but Nurminen is calmly controlling the position for now.
Nurminen lands with a short shot to the head.
Nurminen lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Shibasaki or not.
Nurminen scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Shibasaki misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Shibasaki tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nurminen avoids it.
Nurminen is stalling here.
Nurminen blocks an elbow strike.
Nurminen swings away with an uppercut that misses.

Nurminen is fighting off a takedown attempt but Shibasaki is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Nurminen to the mat. Nurminen regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurminen is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Nurminen is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Shibasaki reverses the position - he's now on top in Nurminen's guard.
Nurminen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Shibasaki advances to half guard.
Nurminen is trying to get back to full guard.
Shibasaki is keen to just control but Nurminen is a slippery customer.
Nurminen is looking to get full guard. It looks like he might be successful but at the last minute Shibasaki jumps into side control!
Shibasaki controlling the position.
You can see the frustration on Nurminen's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki tries to advance to mount but Nurminen denies him.
Nurminen pushes Shibasaki away and creates a bit of space to escape. He's almost out here... but no, Shibasaki gets a good hold of his legs and remains firmly in side control.
Nurminen stops Shibasaki from passing to mount.
Nurminen tries to control but end up mounted... ooooh, that's bad.
Nurminen tries to hold on but Shibasaki postures up.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nurminen can't escape the position.
Nurminen wants to hold on but Shibasaki pushes him away.
Shibasaki with good strikes from the mount here!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Pasi Nurminen will probably get the nod.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Shibasaki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nurminen moves away.
Nurminen takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.
Nurminen changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Shibasaki tries to avoid it but Nurminen manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Shibasaki to the ground. Shibasaki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nurminen misses with the combination.
Shibasaki tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nurminen sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Shibasaki somewhat.
Shibasaki misses with a low kick.
An inside leg kick from Nurminen misses.
Nurminen checks the leg kick nicely there.
Nurminen works the jab nicely.
Pasi Nurminen seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nurminen misses the shot to the body.
A good leg kick by Nurminen.
Shibasaki on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nurminen. Nurminen obviously looking to wear him down.
Shibasaki shoots in for a takedown but Nurminen shows good takedown defense.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen lands with a thumping leg kick.
Nurminen throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Shibasaki tries to land a leg kick but Nurminen saw it coming and moves away.
Shibasaki walks into a straight right hand from Nurminen.
Nurminen stuns Shibasaki with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Nurminen cracks Shibasaki with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.

Nurminen shoots in and gets a takedown into Shibasaki's guard.
Shibasaki looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nurminen is one step ahead there.
Shibasaki pulls Nurminen in to control the position.

Shibasaki looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Shibasaki tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Shibasaki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nurminen defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nurminen trying to control the position from guard on top but Shibasaki is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nurminen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Nurminen stopping the sweep attempt from Shibasaki.
Nurminen looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Pasi Nurminen has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Nurminen connects with a looping right hand.
Nurminen throws a right and a left that Shibasaki avoids nicely.
Shibasaki throws a hook but Nurminen blocks it.
A kick lands to the mid section there for Shibasaki.
Nurminen throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
Nurminen takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
No joy there for Nurminen, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

Nurminen has managed to clinch.
Shibasaki blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Nurminen misses with a punch to the body.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nurminen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen holding his opponent close, against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nurminen.
Shibasaki is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nurminen is keeping busy.
Nurminen doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A short uppercut from Nurminen.
Shibasaki lands an elbow inside that Nurminen shrugs off.
Shibasaki is looking for a takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Makoto Shibasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurminen stalling in the clinch.
Shibasaki can't find room to land a body shot as Nurminen controls the action.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Shibasaki struggles to land a body shot inside as Nurminen controls his hands.
Shibasaki pushes Nurminen back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nurminen effectively controlling the action here.
Shibasaki throws a head punch that misses.
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! Shibasaki's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nurminen throws a low kick but it's checked well by Shibasaki.
Nurminen scores with a nice strike.
Both fighters circling a little - Nurminen finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
A low kick from Nurminen misses
and Shibasaki counters with a nice jab to the body that keeps Nurminen thinking.
Nurminen is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Nurminen checks a low kick from Shibasaki.
Pasi Nurminen seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Shibasaki doesn't manage to clinch there - Nurminen circles away.
Shibasaki misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nurminen lands a front kick.
Nurminen lands a nice hook to Shibasaki's body. Shibasaki takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Shibasaki throws a lazy right hand but Nurminen sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nurminen fails with an attempt to clinch.
Shibasaki tries a low kick but Nurminen avoids it.
Nurminen fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nurminen rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Shibasaki moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nurminen ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Pasi Nurminen is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Shibasaki.
Nurminen fails with a takedown attempt.
Nurminen turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Shibasaki throws a leg kick but Nurminen checks it.
Shibasaki misses with a takedown attempt
and Nurminen counters with a one-two to the body.
Shibasaki shoots in and drives through. Nurminen sprawls well.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Shibasaki keeps the fight on the outside.
Nurminen chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Shibasaki can pounce on him.
Shibasaki takes an uppercut right on the button but keeps his composure.
Shibasaki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A big left from Nurminen misses.
Nurminen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nurminen scores with a jab to the head.
Nurminen misses with a combination
and Nurminen takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nurminen sizes up Shibasaki with a pawing jab and scores with a straight right down the middle.
Nurminen scores with a hook.
Shibasaki displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nurminen.
Shibasaki throws a nice inside leg kick.
Shibasaki walks forward, straight into a front kick from Nurminen.
Nurminen fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nurminen cracks Shibasaki with an open hand slap.
Nurminen pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Nurminen slaps away a takedown attempt from Shibasaki, before circling back to the center of the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Makoto Shibasaki. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nurminen cracks Shibasaki with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Shibasaki lands a leg kick that knocks Nurminen off balance momentarily.
Nurminen checks a leg kick.
Nurminen lands a nice looking body shot.
Shibasaki avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Nurminen. That snapped Shibasaki's head back.
Nurminen throws a body kick despite being completely out of range
and Shibasaki counters with a head kick. That will keep Nurminen thinking before he tries any more sloppy attacks!
Nurminen stuns Shibasaki with a nice body shot, before stepping back out of range.
Shibasaki scores with a leg kick.
Nurminen lands with a cross.
Shibasaki looks to land a right hand but Nurminen moved out of range.
Nurminen swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nurminen blocks a jab.
Shibasaki scores with a slapping inside leg kick.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown by Shibasaki or perhaps it was just good defense by Nurminen which made him look bad.
Shibasaki does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
A slow jab from Nurminen misses its intended target.
Makoto Shibasaki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurminen misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nurminen buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nurminen tries to clinch but Shibasaki is having none of it.

Nurminen instigates a clinch.
Shibasaki taking a breather.
Pasi Nurminen is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
With the fighters up against the cage, Shibasaki throws an elbow but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nurminen tries to throw a body punch but Shibasaki avoids it by throwing Nurminen back against the cage.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nurminen creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Shibasaki looking to slow down the pace here.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nurminen.

And that's the end of the fight!
Pasi Nurminen comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nurminen winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Ivan Kurochkin scores the fight 27:30
Judge Valeri Chadov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Pasi Nurminen!