PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Robert Urban (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikola Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Urban
vs
Veljanovski

186 cm
19
240 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

182 cm
22
234 lbs
4 - 3 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Intelligent

Good wrestler
Counter fighter
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Robert Urban!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Veljanovski!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Veljanovski fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Urban sprawls well initially but Veljanovski persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Veljanovski content to control rather than advance.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Veljanovski is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Veljanovski tries to pass the half guard into mount. Urban knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Veljanovski uses his free foot to push down on Urban's thigh. Eventually he works his other foot free and he's advanced to mount - this is trouble for Urban.
Urban is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Urban could do with losing a few pounds - he looks very soft around the mid section, to put it politely.
Urban tries to lock up and control but Veljanovski gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veljanovski sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Urban wants to get back to his feet.
Veljanovski controlling from the full mount.
Veljanovski unloading with bombs!
Veljanovski sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Let's hope that Veljanovski has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Veljanovski avoids the attempt from Urban to control.
Urban is trying desperately to improve position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski controlling the pace for now.
Urban is desperately trying to improve his position but Veljanovski has a good base and remains in mount.
Veljanovski controlling the position easily from mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nikola Veljanovski has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Urban with a lazy takedown attempt

and Veljanovski counters with a single leg into guard. Urban didn't expect that.
Urban is breathing heavily.
Veljanovski pushing down on Urban's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Still in half guard, Veljanovski seems content to control.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Veljanovski landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Veljanovski working Urban over with strikes.
Well, if Veljanovski 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.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Veljanovski fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Urban to the ground. Veljanovski is now in Urban's guard.
Veljanovski passes Urban's left leg - he's now in half guard.
Veljanovski trying to mount his opponent but Urban defends it.
Urban trying to hold on to Veljanovski's head to control him but Veljanovski postures up.
Veljanovski stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.

We're going to have a standup here because Robert Urban wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Urban changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Veljanovski tries to avoid it but Urban manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Veljanovski to the ground. Veljanovski escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Urban moves in looking to clinch but Veljanovski pushes him off.
Veljanovski steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Urban.

Veljanovski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Veljanovski works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Veljanovski won't allow Urban to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Veljanovski tries to free his leg and advance position but Urban is retaining full guard.
Veljanovski not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nikola Veljanovski.
Urban tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Veljanovski swivels and escapes.

Veljanovski bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Veljanovski taking a breather here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Veljanovski tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Veljanovski has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Veljanovski lands a few punches from side control.
Nikola Veljanovski has got the better of the ground game so far.
Urban stops Veljanovski from passing to mount.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Urban struggling a bit here.
Veljanovski just content to control the position.

Veljanovski is trying to land an Americana. He has the arm isolated but Urban is keeping cool and he's avoided the danger for now.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
A lull in the action here as Veljanovski stalls from top position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Veljanovski changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Urban looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Veljanovski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Veljanovski decides to take the fight back to the feet.

Veljanovski has Urban up against the cage in a clinch.
Veljanovski drops down looking for an ankle pick but Urban pulls his leg out and moves away.
Urban gets cracked with a nice right hand there by Veljanovski.
Veljanovski tried to score with a low kick but Urban checks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Veljanovski dives in and scores a takedown into Urban's guard.
Veljanovski is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

Veljanovski drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Veljanovski jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Veljanovski engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Nikola Veljanovski has forced the referee to step in and restart the fight on the feet.
Urban with a lazy takedown attempt

and Veljanovski counters with a takedown into side control! That could mean trouble for Urban!
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Veljanovski controlling the position from side mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
If this pace continues, the referee will definitely step in and force a standup.
Veljanovski is working Urban over with some ground and pound from side control.
Veljanovski lands a nice forearm strike.
Urban is trying to escape and get back to his feet.
Veljanovski moving around in side mount but really he's just happy to control for now.

Veljanovski looking for an arm triangle but it's way too loose to do anything.
Urban being controlled for a moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Veljanovski tries for an arm triangle. That looks pretty tight to me. Is this one over!?! Possibly, maybe, no Veljanovski has let go of the choke. Obviously it wasn't as tight as we thought!
Veljanovski working the body and head with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikola Veljanovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Veljanovski has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 26:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikola Veljanovski!