PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Epeli Nailatikau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Seppo Jouppi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nailatikau comes into the arena with Number of the Bollywood blaring out of the sound system. 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.

Nailatikau
vs
Jouppi

172 cm
22
154 lbs
7 - 3 - 0

166 cm
26
154 lbs
4 - 0 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Good knees
Cardio machine

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Epeli Nailatikau!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Seppo Jouppi!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Johanna Lukiainen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Jouppi throws a hook but Nailatikau blocks it.
Nailatikau takes a hook to the side of the head. I wonder if that's got his ears ringing.
Nailatikau throws the left hand but Jouppi avoids the punch easily.
Nailatikau misses with a head kick.
Jouppi throws a chopping leg kick but Nailatikau manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Jouppi misses with a low kick.
Jouppi misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nailatikau throws a head kick but Jouppi moves out of range.
Nailatikau is looking to slow Jouppi down with leg kicks.
Nailatikau tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Jouppi manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nailatikau connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Jouppi momentarily.
Jouppi throws the left hand but Nailatikau avoids the punch easily.
The fighters circle momentarily. Jouppi darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
Nailatikau avoids the body shot from Jouppi.
Jouppi throws out a loose jab but Nailatikau uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau is looking to chop away at Jouppi's legs.
Nailatikau is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jouppi.
Nailatikau pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nailatikau tries a head kick but it misses.
Nailatikau swings widly with a right hand
and Jouppi counters with a left to the body.
Nailatikau misses with a leg kick
and Nailatikau takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nailatikau scoring well with a low kick there.
Nailatikau tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Nailatikau tries to grapple but his opponent circles
and Jouppi counters with a shot to the ribs. That looked like it hurt.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick which misses Jouppi's front leg but catches the back leg as Jouppi tries to avoid it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau throws a low kick but Jouppi avoids it.
Jouppi pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Jouppi jabs Nailatikau to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Nailatikau scoring well with a low kick there.
Jouppi uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau misses with a low kick as Jouppi jumps back.
Nailatikau throws a chopping leg kick but Jouppi manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nailatikau ducks under a wild hook from Jouppi.
Good work by Nailatikau as he checks the leg kick.
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!
Nailatikau swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nailatikau throws the left hand but Jouppi avoids the punch easily.
Nailatikau scores with a jab to the jaw.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Jouppi checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Jouppi throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nailatikau with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nailatikau is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Jouppi.
An inside leg kick from Nailatikau misses.
Nailatikau throws a couple of head shots and lands with the final one - a decent hook, which struck Jouppi on the side of the head.
Some bone on bone action there as Nailatikau checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Jouppi lands with a shot to the body.
Nailatikau fakes low and throws an overhand right that catches Jouppi on the side of the head.
Nailatikau throws a sloppy head kick and Jouppi moves out of range easily.
Nailatikau lands a leg kick that knocks Jouppi off balance momentarily.
Nailatikau throws a head kick that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jouppi walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Nailatikau checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Nailatikau displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Jouppi throws out the jab.
Jouppi scores with a punch to the head.
Nailatikau lands a nice leg kick that just misses Jouppi's sensitive parts.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nailatikau chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Jouppi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nailatikau moves away.
Jouppi steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau slips under a jab from Jouppi.
Jouppi throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nailatikau.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nailatikau attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Jouppi just misses with a punch to the body.
An inside leg kick from Nailatikau misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Epeli Nailatikau dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Jouppi takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Nailatikau throws a nice inside leg kick.
Epeli Nailatikau is winning the standup battle so far.
A bone on bone clash there as Jouppi blocks the leg kick.
Jouppi misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nailatikau.
Jouppi thows a body kick. Nailatikau tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Nailatikau fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Jouppi manages to avoid it.
Nailatikau misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jouppi.
A clash of legs there as Jouppi blocks the low kick.
Jouppi blocks a head kick by Nailatikau.
Jouppi moves out of range as Nailatikau throws a body kick.
Nailatikau misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Jouppi.
Nailatikau misses with a low kick.
Jouppi uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Nailatikau.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Jouppi misses with a right hand

and Nailatikau moves into the clinch.
A shot in the inside from Jouppi.
Jouppi can't find room to land a body shot as Nailatikau controls the action.
Jouppi blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Jouppi misses with a body punch.
Jouppi is trying to maintain a safe position but Nailatikau gets an underhook and turns Jouppi into the cage.
Jouppi seems frustrated at his inability to get double underhooks.
Jouppi wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nailatikau tries a knee to the head but Jouppi blocks it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Jouppi.
Jouppi struggles to land a body shot inside as Nailatikau controls his hands.
A body shot lands from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jouppi blocks it with crossed arms.
Nailatikau is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Jouppi's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Jouppi works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nailatikau wants to stall.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nailatikau blocks an uppercut.
Jouppi misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Jouppi softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nailatikau tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Jouppi working aggressively here.
Jouppi misses with some punches.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nailatikau obliges.
Jouppi content to slow the pace in the clinch.
Nailatikau scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Nailatikau throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Jouppi blocks it with crossed arms.

Jouppi pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
A head kick from Jouppi lands but Nailatikau takes it in his stride.
Jouppi blocks a low kick nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jouppi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nailatikau moves away.
Good leg kick by Nailatikau there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Jouppi cracks Nailatikau with a right hand to the side of the head.
Nailatikau defending well as Jouppi loads up on a big left hand.
Nailatikau misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Epeli Nailatikau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nailatikau connects with a right hand. Jouppi shakes it off.
Nailatikau pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jab by Jouppi.
Nailatikau connects with a looping right hand.
Nailatikau ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Jouppi moves away.
Jouppi misses the body punch
and Nailatikau counters with a straight right hand.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau tries to score with a low kick but Jouppi moves his leg out of the way.
Nailatikau swings widly with a right hand
and Jouppi counters with an inside leg kick.
Jouppi fakes a couple of low kicks, before throwing one on the third attempt. It connects and Nailatikau has to reset his feet before getting ready to engage.
Nailatikau throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nailatikau pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Jouppi checks a leg kick nicely.
Nailatikau defending well as Jouppi loads up on a big left hand.
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!
Nailatikau throws a head kick but Jouppi moves out of range.
Nailatikau swings and misses with a hook to the body.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nailatikau shapes like he's going to throw a leg kick but settles back down.
Nailatikau fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Jouppi.
Decent striking displayed by Jouppi there.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Epeli Nailatikau will probably get the nod.
That's time! Nailatikau's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Jouppi takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.
Nailatikau scores with a straight right hand, right through his opponent's guard.
Nailatikau throws a shot from downtown. Jouppi moves away and avoids it.
Nailatikau blocks a leg kick.
Jouppi throws a body punch but Nailatikau moves out of range.
Jouppi checks a leg kick nicely.
Nailatikau throws the kick towards the body but Jouppi avoids it.
Nailatikau scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Nailatikau plants his feet and lands a nice head kick!
Nailatikau is looking to clinch but Jouppi is avoiding it.
Jouppi throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Jouppi throws a hook but Nailatikau blocks it.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau throws out a loose jab but Jouppi uses good head movement to avoid it.
Jouppi tries a low kick but Nailatikau avoids it.
Jouppi throws a looping overhand right but Nailatikau ducks down to avoid it.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick
and Jouppi counters with a straight punch to the midsection.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick which misses Jouppi's front leg but catches the back leg as Jouppi tries to avoid it.
Nailatikau slips a jab from Jouppi.
Nailatikau throws a low kick but Jouppi avoids it.
Jouppi avoids the head kick by Nailatikau.
Some bone on bone action there as Jouppi checks a low kick. Luckily it wasn't a particularly hard one.
Nailatikau throws an overhand right that lands on Jouppi's shoulder, as Jouppi tries to avoid the shot.
Jouppi bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nailatikau's head.
Nailatikau ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nailatikau. That's going to slow Jouppi down.
Nailatikau doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nailatikau walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Jouppi checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
A jab from Nailatikau misses.
Jouppi on the wrong end of an overhand right that came out of nowhere.
Jouppi moves forwards but Nailatikau connects with a nice, crisp jab.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Jouppi tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nailatikau tries to work over Jouppi's front leg with a kick but Jouppi checks it.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nailatikau.
Nailatikau bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Jouppi's head.
Jouppi slips a straight right by Nailatikau.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Jouppi with a hook.
Nailatikau tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Jouppi ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
Nailatikau lands a leg kick that knocks Jouppi off balance momentarily.
Jouppi checks a leg kick.
Jouppi fails to land with a series of punches.
Jouppi goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nailatikau lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nailatikau 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.
Nailatikau lands with a slapping head kick.
Jouppi throws a series of punches but Nailatikau moves out of range.
Jouppi takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Jouppi is looking to chop away at Nailatikau's legs.
Seppo Jouppi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
A slapping leg kick lands for Nailatikau.
Jouppi throws a leg kick but Nailatikau moved away.
Nailatikau moves into range and lands a nice body kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nailatikau throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nailatikau misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nailatikau just misses with a punch to the body.
Jouppi misses with the combination.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Good standup being displayed there by Jouppi as he connects with a hook.
Epeli Nailatikau is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nailatikau scoring well with a low kick there.

And that's the end of the fight!
Epeli Nailatikau showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nailatikau, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Epeli Nailatikau!
Epeli Nailatikau seemed lost for words in his post fight interview but he remembered to thank his fans and directed everyone to his website.