PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Jermaine Castro (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Risto Niemi (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters will be looking to make this an exciting fight for the fans, I'm sure!

Castro
vs
Niemi

210 cm
18
151 lbs
1 - 0 - 0

168 cm
18
145 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Tends to cut

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jermaine Castro!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Risto Niemi!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niemi misses with a takedown

and Castro counters by moving into the clinch.
Niemi is trying to force a seperation but Castro has the dominant position.
Castro misses with a punch to the body.

Castro jumps into guard, dragging Niemi to the mat.
Castro really does look like a pencil wearing a pair of gloves. Let's hope he has a gameplan to suit that ridiculous body shape.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Castro seems keen to control Niemi's posture.
Castro 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.
Niemi trying to control the position from guard on top but Castro is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Castro is active off his back here, looking for submissions.

Castro had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Niemi defends it easily.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro thows some rabbit punches from the bottom but they don't do any damage.

Niemi got a little sloppy there for a moment and Castro has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Niemi has managed to get both his arms back between Castro's legs - danger averted.
Castro has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.

Castro looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Castro controlling Niemi's posture.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Castro lands a couple of shots from the bottom.
Niemi pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Castro is keeping the position for now.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Castro has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Niemi can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Castro looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Niemi stops Castro from standing up.
Niemi wants to control from the top but Castro keeps moving.

Castro escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Niemi gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Castro throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Castro is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Niemi loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro keeping moving, preventing Niemi from controlling successfully.
Niemi wants to stand but Castro is controlling his posture from full guard.
Niemi trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Castro will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.
Niemi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Castro's guard.

Castro is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

Castro is looking for a triangle but Niemi pushes his legs off easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Castro has managed to wall walk up one of the corner posts to get back to his feet. Niemi is pushing him up against the cage, looking to control the position.
Castro pushes Niemi back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Niemi fails to pull guard.

Castro drags the fight down to the ground.
Castro is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Niemi trying to stand up but can't free himself from Castro's guard.

Castro working for a triangle but Niemi defends it easily.
Castro is breathing heavily.
This has been an exciting period of action!
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Niemi stops Castro from standing up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Castro dominated that round.
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.

Castro avoids the head kick by Niemi.
Niemi misses with a head kick.
Niemi looks to clinch

and Castro counters with a nice double leg into guard.
Castro distracts Niemi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Castro working some strikes from top position.
Castro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Niemi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Castro lands a couple of elbows.
Castro lands a couple of digs.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Castro working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Niemi's head.
Castro has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Castro won't allow Niemi to sweep him here.
Castro scoring with some ground and pound.
Castro lands a couple of digs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Niemi controls Castro momentarily but Castro frees himself.
Niemi is breathing heavily.
Castro stands up over Niemi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Niemi has momentary wrist control but Castro slips an elbow through the middle.
Castro cracks Niemi with a solid left hand.
Castro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Niemi looking for a sweep. Not yet Niemi, not yet.
Castro working some strikes from top position.
Castro content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Castro with a nice head shot there.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Castro is working Niemi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Castro scoring with some ground and pound.
Castro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Castro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Castro is in close to Niemi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Castro lands a couple of digs.
Castro working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Niemi's head.
Castro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Castro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Castro is working Niemi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Niemi has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Castro can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Castro stands up over Niemi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Castro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Castro is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Niemi can do to turn this around?

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro is in close to Niemi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Castro distracts Niemi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Castro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Castro scoring with punches to the head and body.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.
Castro content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Castro postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Castro gets to his feet. Niemi looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!

Niemi gets caught napping as Castro dives in and scores a takedown. Niemi manages to retain guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Niemi is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Castro is working Niemi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

Castro stands and steps away. Niemi gets to his feet too and we're back to the striking game.
Castro is looking to clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro tries to clinch but Niemi moves out of range.

Castro shoots in and gets a takedown into Niemi's guard.

Niemi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Castro doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Castro manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Castro scoring with some ground and pound.
Castro lands a couple of digs.
Castro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Castro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Castro postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Castro working some strikes from top position.
Castro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jermaine Castro dominated that second round.
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. This is the final round!

Castro clinches up against the cage.
Niemi is trying to break the clinch but Castro has him pressed against the cage.
Castro missing with knees to the body.

Niemi decides to pull guard.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Castro landing with the ground and pound.
Castro working some strikes from top position.
Castro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Castro lands a couple of elbows.
Niemi has momentary wrist control but Castro slips an elbow through the middle.
Castro postures up and lands a big shot to Niemi's brow.
Niemi preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Niemi takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Castro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Castro works over Niemi with some ground and pound from guard.
Niemi is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Castro scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Castro cracks Niemi with a solid left hand.
Castro keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Niemi's head.
Castro distracts Niemi with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.
Castro cracks Niemi with a solid left hand.
Castro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Castro postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.

Niemi is throwing his legs up, looking for submissions. Castro is aware though and is defending well.
Castro lands a couple of elbows.
Castro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Castro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Niemi has momentary wrist control but Castro slips an elbow through the middle.
Castro is working Niemi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Castro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Castro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Castro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Castro stands up over Niemi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Castro is working Niemi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Castro lands a couple of decent looking shots.

Niemi is rocked!
Castro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Niemi is still in real trouble! Can Castro finish him?
Castro is in close to Niemi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Castro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.
Castro cracks Niemi with a solid left hand.
Castro working some strikes from top position.
Castro content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Castro keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Niemi's head.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.
Castro lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Castro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Castro lands a couple of elbows.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Castro chips away with some ground and pound.
Castro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Castro working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Niemi's head.
Castro postures up and lands a big shot to Niemi's brow.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.
Castro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Castro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Castro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Castro is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Castro is working Niemi over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Castro landing with the ground and pound.
Castro postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Castro with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Niemi wants to get back to his feet but Castro is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Castro is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Castro works over Niemi with some ground and pound from guard.
Jermaine Castro overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Castro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Castro landing some decent shots from guard.
Castro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Castro's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Castro works over Niemi with some ground and pound from guard.
Castro lands a couple of elbows.
Castro landing with the ground and pound.
Castro stands up over Niemi, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Castro prevents Niemi from getting back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Castro landing some decent shots from guard.
Niemi looking to control.
Niemi has momentary wrist control but Castro slips an elbow through the middle.
Castro working some strikes from top position.
Castro postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
Castro scoring with some ground and pound.
Niemi wants to stand up but Castro is controlling him.
Castro is in close to Niemi's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Castro landing with the ground and pound.
Castro makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Castro with a nice head shot there.
Castro connects with a couple of short punches.
Castro preventing the sweep.
Castro working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.
Niemi seems to have recovered his senses.
Castro lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Castro working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Niemi's head.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Castro throws a big right hand that misses.
Niemi throwing strikes off his back to little effect.
Risto Niemi has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Jermaine Castro is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Niemi throws a couple of weedy looking strikes off his back.

And that's the end of the fight!
Jermaine Castro showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Castro has outscored his opponent in every aspect of the fight today. Only a scarily incompetent judge or two will keep him from a well deserved win... 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 Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 30:26
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 30:27
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 30:26

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jermaine Castro!