PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Matti Nieminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Teppo Tuska (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Teppo Tuska has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Matti Nieminen's chin.

Nieminen
vs
Tuska

170 cm
23
143 lbs
6 - 6 - 0

180 cm
23
140 lbs
4 - 7 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Experienced

BJJ Purple Belt
Brawler
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 6 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matti Nieminen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Teppo Tuska!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Tarja Halkonen and Matti Vanhoillinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Nieminen drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Tuska trying to control the position.
Nieminen throwing strikes but missing.
Nieminen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tuska works some decent striking defense from the bottom.

Nieminen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nieminen has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.

Tuska looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nieminen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!

Tuska has his foot on Nieminen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nieminen works his way back into a safe position though.
Nieminen wants to pass the guard but Tuska is keeping the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nieminen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nieminen lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Tuska trying to keep a closed guard but Nieminen is proving a slippery customer.
Nieminen throwing strikes but missing.
Nieminen wants to pass the guard but Tuska is keeping the position.
Nieminen with a nice head shot there.
Nieminen trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Tuska is looking for a triangle but Nieminen pushes his legs off easily.
Tuska working a defensive guard here.
Nieminen tries to free his leg and advance position but Tuska is retaining full guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nieminen trying to control but Tuska is working from the bottom.

Tuska throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Tuska looks gassed!
Nieminen stands up over Tuska, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nieminen connects with a couple of short punches.
Nieminen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Tuska is trying to keep Nieminen in close.
Nieminen content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Nieminen with a flurry of punches that miss.

Tuska looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nieminen passes into half guard.

Tuska looking for submissions off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Tuska is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tuska is not content to let Nieminen control the position.
Nieminen lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Nieminen connects with a nice short shot to Tuska's temple.
Tuska is looking for a sweep. Nieminen is wise to his cunning plan and keeps the top position.
Nieminen looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Tuska with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Tuska is a painfully thin specimen of a man. You do wonder whether a good body kick would snap him clean in two.
Nice strikes from Nieminen there.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nieminen working Tuska over with strikes.
Nieminen seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Tuska does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Nieminen slips a nice elbow through Tuska's hands, connecting with Tuska's forehead.
Tuska is looking to improve his position.

Tuska looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Tuska is refusing to be controlled, as Nieminen sits in half guard.
Nieminen scoring with strikes to the body and head.
Nieminen scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tuska shoots in but doesn't get the takedown

and Nieminen counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Tuska!
Nieminen with the ground and pound from mount.
Tuska is squirming around, avoiding Nieminen's attempts to control the action.
Nieminen landing strikes from the mount and Tuska is in trouble!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Nieminen dominated that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Tuska misses with a takedown attempt

and Nieminen decides to take the opportunity to score a takedown. He's landed in Tuska's guard.

Tuska working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nieminen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nieminen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nieminen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nieminen works over Tuska with some ground and pound from guard.
Nieminen throwing strikes but missing.
Nieminen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Tuska is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nieminen stands up over Tuska, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Nieminen scoring with punches to the head and body.

Tuska has his foot on Nieminen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nieminen works his way back into a safe position though.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tuska escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nieminen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nieminen wants to pass the guard but Tuska is keeping the position.

Nieminen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nieminen scoring with punches to the head and body.
Nieminen working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nieminen working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Tuska's head.
Nieminen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tuska bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nieminen's guard.
Nieminen looking to hit a scissor sweep but Tuska is one step ahead there.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nieminen has a closed guard, preventing Tuska from standing up.
Nieminen throws some sloppy strikes off his back.

Tuska thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Tuska trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nieminen punching from the bottom - just letting Tuska know he's still in a fight.
Nieminen lands an upkick as Tuska stands over him.
Nieminen trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Tuska gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nieminen counters with a shoot takedown. Tuska fights it but they end up in guard.

Tuska has his foot on Nieminen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nieminen works his way back into a safe position though.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen scoring with some ground and pound.

Tuska looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nieminen lands a couple of elbows.
Tuska bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Nieminen's guard.
Nieminen tries to strike from the bottom.
Nieminen throws some sloppy strikes off his back.
Nieminen 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.
Tuska is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Tuska slips nicely into half guard.
Nieminen throws a strike from the bottom that misses.
Tuska trying to control the action but Nieminen is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Tuska with a poor takedown

so Nieminen counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Matti Nieminen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Teppo Tuska.

Tuska has a loose triangle. He'll be looking to tighten that up but Nieminen can see exactly what he's planning and manages to posture up and free himself.
Tuska keeping full guard, as Nieminen tries to pass.
Matti Nieminen overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Nieminen's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
Tuska is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nieminen is looking to improve his position.
Tuska wants to take a breather but Nieminen is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Nieminen dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Nieminen throws a head kick that misses.
Tuska with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nieminen counters with a nice double leg into side control. Tuska won't be happy with that.
Tuska parries the strikes from Nieminen easily there. Nieminen is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Tuska to escape.
Tuska dodges the ground and pound from Nieminen.
Nieminen throws a strike aimed at the side of Tuska's head but Tuska avoids it well.
Tuska manages to get back to half guard.
Tuska is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Tuska blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nieminen.
Nieminen is trying to control. Tuska wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Nieminen sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Tuska defending well though.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Tuska fails with the takedown

and Nieminen counters with a shoot takedown. Tuska fights it but they end up in guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nieminen trying to control the position from guard on top but Tuska is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Tuska keeping full guard, as Nieminen tries to pass.
Nieminen throwing strikes from guard but Tuska blocks nicely.

Tuska working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Nieminen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Nieminen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Nieminen makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.
Nieminen trying to control but Tuska is working from the bottom.
Nieminen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tuska works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nieminen is in close to Tuska's body, working some short punches and elbows.

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

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Tuska preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Nieminen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.

Tuska has his foot on Nieminen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nieminen works his way back into a safe position though.

Tuska is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Nieminen wants to control from the top but Tuska keeps moving.

Tuska has his foot on Nieminen's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nieminen works his way back into a safe position though.
Nieminen postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nieminen throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Tuska works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Nieminen postures up in Tuska's guard and throws a big left but Tuska blocks it.
Tuska looking to control.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Nieminen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Tuska swivels though and keeps the full guard.

Tuska pushes Nieminen off and scrambles back to his feet.

Nieminen shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Nieminen showed some decent athleticism there.
Nieminen lands with a punch from half guard.
Nieminen throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Tuska is trying to control but can't.
Nieminen thows a big elbow that misses, also allowing Tuska to regain full guard.
Tuska 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.
Nieminen wants to control from the top but Tuska keeps moving.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nieminen postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Tuska is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nieminen is controlling him.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nieminen throws a quick inside leg kick.

Nieminen shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in full mount! That's better than Nieminen was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Matti Nieminen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nieminen controlling the position easily from mount.
Teppo Tuska has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Tuska tries to lock up and control but Nieminen gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Nieminen is working for a guillotine from mount but Tuska frees his head quite easily.
Nieminen tries to control but Tuska wriggling away.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matti Nieminen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nieminen 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 30:27
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 30:27
Judge Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matti Nieminen!