PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Andre Battle (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esko Nikkari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Battle comes to the cage accompanied by Break Stuff. Nikkari has chosen Berlin Foot Chase as his entrance music. Esko Nikkari has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Battle
vs
Nikkari

213 cm
24
275 lbs
9 - 4 - 0

185 cm
22
240 lbs
12 - 6 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

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 9 - 4 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Andre Battle!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 12 - 6 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Esko Nikkari!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Sergei Dronov and Igor Prikhodko.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A slow jab from Battle misses its intended target.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nikkari.
Nikkari defending well as Battle loads up on a big left hand.
Battle throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nikkari sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Nikkari throws a quick inside leg kick.
Battle fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nikkari fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Battle.
Battle is breathing heavily.
Nikkari displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Battle swings for the body but Nikkari moves out of range.
Nikkari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nikkari lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nikkari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
Nikkari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Nikkari has closed the distance and engaged Battle in a clinch.
Nikkari leaning his opponent against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Battle's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nikkari with a knee to the head.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nikkari takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Nikkari connects with a knee to the head.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Battle's ribcage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkari landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nikkari lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari lands a knee to the body.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Nikkari lands a good knee to the midsection. Battle won't want to take too many of those.
Nikkari lands a knee to the head.
Nikkari controlling the action here for a moment.
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari leaning his opponent against the cage.
Battle is looking to break free of the clinch but Nikkari has double underhooks.
Nikkari just leaning against Battle, taking a breather.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A right hand to the body from Nikkari.
A short body shot lands from Nikkari as the two fighters clinch.
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Battle's ribcage.
Nikkari working Battle over with knees to the body.
Nikkari connects with a knee to the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari with a knee to the head.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Battle's ribcage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nikkari.
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Battle backwards.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari working Battle over with knees to the body.
Nikkari with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nikkari working Battle over with knees to the body.
Nikkari leaning against his opponent.
Nikkari receives a warning from the referee for stalling.
Nikkari connects with a nasty looking knee right to Battle's face.
Battle being controlled against the cage.
Nikkari is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nikkari lands a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nikkari.
Battle takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari scores with a knee to the head.
Nikkari avoiding damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
Battle being controlled against the cage.
Battle is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nikkari is pushing Battle up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Esko Nikkari.
Nikkari throws a nice looking combination but Battle bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Nikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nikkari throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice cross by Nikkari.
Battle loads up on a big right hand but Nikkari slips the punch.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nikkari, right into the meat.
Nikkari dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nikkari.

Nikkari has closed the distance and engaged Battle in a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari has Battle pressed against the cage.
Battle takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nikkari lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nikkari keeps control of Battle as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nikkari connects with a knee to the head.
Nikkari lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Battle.
Battle has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nikkari avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Battle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nikkari lands a body punch.
Battle is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
A right hand to the body from Nikkari.
Nikkari scores with a knee to the head.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nikkari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Knees to the body from Nikkari.
Nikkari is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nikkari holding his opponent close, against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nikkari.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nikkari throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Battles head.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Nikkari lands a good knee to the midsection. Battle won't want to take too many of those.
Nikkari taking a breather.
Battle is trying to break free.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Nikkari dominated that round.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action!

Nikkari scores with a leg kick.
Nikkari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nikkari with a hook.
Battle takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Nikkari tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Battle was well out of range. Poor timing from Nikkari.

Nikkari pushes Battle up against the cage in a clinch.
Nikkari lands a right hand that snaps the head of Battle backwards.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Battle takes a knee to the side of the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nikkari.
Nikkari landing knees to the head.
Battle takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nikkari obliges.
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!
Nikkari landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nikkari lands a body punch in the clinch.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nikkari.
Nikkari lands with a right to the head.
Nikkari is stalling here. The referee will be looking to step in if he doesn't pick up the pace.
Battle is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nikkari gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Come on Nikkari - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section. Battle lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nikkari with a knee to the head.
Battle takes a knee to the side of the body.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nikkari.
Nikkari pushes Battle back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nikkari - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section. Battle lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
The referee is keeping an eye on Nikkari - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
Knees to the body from Nikkari.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nikkari.
Stalling in the clinch from Nikkari.
Battle has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nikkari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Nikkari cracks Battle with a nice body shot.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nikkari obliges.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nikkari manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Esko Nikkari.
Nikkari scores with a sloppy right hand. Battle should have avoided that one.
Battle defending well as Nikkari loads up on a big left hand.
Nikkari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nikkari lands three nice shots there - that looked like it hurt!
Good leg kick by Nikkari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nikkari keeps Battle at a distance using the push kick.
Nikkari throws a good cross that connects.
Nikkari bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.

Nikkari moves into the clinch.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Nikkari. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Battle has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nikkari is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Battle takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nikkari lands a good knee to the midsection. Battle won't want to take too many of those.
Nikkari throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nikkari obliges.
Nikkari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nikkari landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nikkari lands a good knee to the midsection. Battle won't want to take too many of those.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Nikkari takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
Knees to the body from Nikkari.
Nikkari displaying some good clinch control by pressing Battle up against the cage.
Nikkari is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Battle wants to break free but Nikkari has control.
Nikkari lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nikkari effectively controlling the action here.
A hook to the body from Nikkari.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
The referee calls for Nikkari to work.
Nikkari landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nikkari leaning his opponent against the cage.
Nikkari misses with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Come on Nikkari - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
The ref breaks the fighters up, due to lack of action by Esko Nikkari.
Battle looks to land a left hand but Nikkari moved out of range nicely.
Nikkari bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nikkari.
Nikkari scores with a leg kick.
Some wild striking there from Nikkari.
Nikkari takes a jab right on the kisser.
Battle throws the left hand but Nikkari avoids the punch easily.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nikkari tries to close the distance and clinch but Battle swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Battle shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Nikkari as he avoids it easily.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Battle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikkari tries to clinch up but Battle circles away and keeps his distance.
Nikkari throws a leg kick which misses Battle's front leg but catches the back leg as Battle tries to avoid it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Nikkari showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's time! Back to the action! Let's hear some noise people - this is the final round!

Nikkari cracks the inside of Battle's front leg.
Nikkari looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
A head kick misses from Nikkari.
Battle shoots in for a double leg but Nikkari sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Battle slips a jab from Nikkari.
Nikkari throws a sloppy head kick and Battle moves out of range easily.
Battle misses with a straight left.
Nikkari misses the shot to the body.
The crowd cheers as Nikkari lands an impressive looking overhand right. Battle doesn't seem phased though.
Battle takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Nikkari swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nikkari throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nikkari throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Esko Nikkari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nikkari throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nikkari with a body punch. A glancing blow.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nikkari. That's going to slow Battle down.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Battle doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Esko Nikkari is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Nikkari throws a nice outside leg kick.
Nikkari connects with a solid leg kick.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nikkari.
Nikkari keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Nikkari tries to bum rush Battle with a series of wild strikes but Battle uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Nikkari takes the fight into the clinch.
Nikkari lands a good knee to the midsection. Battle won't want to take too many of those.
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
A short left from Nikkari.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Battle's ribcage.
Nikkari stalling against the cage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
Nikkari is pushing Battle up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Battle wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nikkari leaning his opponent against the cage.
Nikkari landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The referee calls for Nikkari to work.
Nikkari lands a good knee to the midsection. Battle won't want to take too many of those.
Nikkari has Battle pushed against the cage.
A right hook to the body lands for Nikkari.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Battle.
Nikkari scores with a knee to the head.
Battle has Nikkari pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nikkari manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.
Battle takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nikkari.
Battle letting Nikkari take a breather here.
Nikkari has Battle pressed against the cage, preventing Battle from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Nikkari avoiding damage.
Nikkari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari lands a body shot in the clinch.
Battle tries to score a body lock takedown but Nikkari shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Andre Battle. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A right hook to the body lands for Nikkari.
Nikkari dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Battle wants a takedown but no success here.
Battle drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nikkari is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nikkari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Battle blocks it with crossed arms.
Nikkari dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Knees to the body from Nikkari.
Andre Battle has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nikkari is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nikkari putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Battle in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Battle has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nikkari is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Nikkari pushes Battle back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Knees to the body from Nikkari.
Battle is trying to break the clinch but Nikkari has him pressed against the cage.
Nikkari stalling in the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari scores with a knee to the head.
Nikkari controlling the action here for a moment.
Battle misses with the head strike.
Battle tries to break the clinch but Nikkari is controlling the position.
Nikkari lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nikkari lands a body shot.
Nikkari prevents Battle from breaking the clinch.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Battle's ribcage.
Battle wants a takedown but no success here.
Battle wants to get back to striking at distance but Nikkari won't allow it.
Nikkari effectively controlling the action here.
Nikkari lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Battle.
Nikkari with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nikkari controlling the action here for a moment.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Battle changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nikkari fights it off and pushes away nicely.
Nikkari jabs at Battle's body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Esko Nikkari comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Nikkari 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 Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 24:30
Judge Sergei Dronov scores the fight 24:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 24:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esko Nikkari!