PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Thomaz Khalifa (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Petteri Nokelainen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Khalifa
vs
Nokelainen

225 cm
18
278 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

215 cm
18
240 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Big heart

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Very confident

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 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thomaz Khalifa!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Petteri Nokelainen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

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

Nokelainen ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Nokelainen no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Khalifa postures up.
Nokelainen lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Khalifa looking for submissions from the bottom here. Moving his hips around, possibly looking for an armbar.
Khalifa knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nokelainen on the ground.
Khalifa wants to sweep here but Nokelainen controlling him for the moment.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nokelainen forces his way into half guard.

Nokelainen is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Khalifa tries to get to full guard but Nokelainen has control of the leg.
Khalifa makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Khalifa.
Khalifa wants to improve his position but instead Nokelainen has moved into half guard.
Khalifa on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Khalifa tries to get out of the position.
Khalifa slips a foot under and gets full guard. Nice work.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Khalifa tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Nokelainen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Khalifa keeping moving, preventing Nokelainen from controlling successfully.
Khalifa has been talking about how he's improved his wrestling in the run up to the fight so let's see if that's enough to sway the balance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Well. There's a bit of a lull in the action here and the crowd are starting to get restless.
Nokelainen throwing strikes but missing.

Khalifa is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Nokelainen defends well.
Nokelainen is looking to work some ground and pound but Khalifa has wrist control.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nokelainen preventing the sweep.
Khalifa lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

Khalifa wants to pass the guard but Nokelainen is keeping the position.
Nokelainen has momentary wrist control but Khalifa slips an elbow through the middle.

Nokelainen has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Khalifa can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Khalifa scoring with punches to the head and body.
Khalifa stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nokelainen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Khalifa pushing down on Nokelainen's thigh, trying to pass to half guard. He's managed it... Nice work.
Khalifa wants to pass the guard but Nokelainen is defending well.
Nokelainen tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
Khalifa looking to pass the half guard. Not this time.
Khalifa is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nokelainen is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Khalifa raining down shots from the mount!
Nokelainen is trying desperately to improve position.
Nokelainen looks winded!
Nokelainen wants to control but Khalifa is having none of it.
Khalifa lands a heavy elbow.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Khalifa pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Khalifa postures up and lands a whopping elbow - oh that's hurt Nokelainen bigstyle! Two more strikes land for Khalifa and the fight is over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 1, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Thomaz Khalifa!
During a confident post fight interview, Thomaz Khalifa thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.