PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Mark Hughes (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Esko Nikkari (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikkari has chosen Koto - Jabdah as his entrance music, which hasn't gone down very well with the crowd. The fight MMA fans around the world have waited their entire lives for!

Hughes
vs
Nikkari

194 cm
25
279 lbs
12 - 1 - 0

185 cm
23
240 lbs
15 - 6 - 0

Good wrestling
Excellent boxer
Very quick

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Powerful

BLKOUT Clothing

Syndicate Drugs
Steve's Services - All of my services are free!

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 12 - 1 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Mark Hughes!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 15 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Esko Nikkari!
The judges for this bout are Aleksandr Martynov, Fedor Mirinova and Illya Tyunina.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Hughes is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Nikkari.
Nikkari looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Nikkari digs a good hook to Hughes's body.
Mark Hughes seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Hughes misses the shot to the body.
Nikkari lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Nikkari thumps Hughes with a low kick.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Hughes throws a jab when Nikkari was well out of range.
Hughes takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Hughes is breathing heavily.

Nikkari instigates a clinch.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nikkari makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Nikkari looking to throw knees to the head but Hughes is blocking nicely.
Nikkari lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nikkari lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nikkari stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Hughes's ribcage.
Nikkari lands a shot to the body.
Nikkari tries a knee to the head but Hughes blocks it.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nikkari with a knee to the head.
Nikkari lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hughes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkari lands a body punch.
Nikkari throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nikkari pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hughes is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Hughes is looking to break free of the clinch but Nikkari has double underhooks.
Nikkari leaning against his opponent.
Nikkari presses Hughes against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nikkari lands an elbow inside that Hughes shrugs off.
Nikkari leaning his opponent against the cage.
Hughes takes a knee right on the jaw!
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nikkari looking to throw knees to the head but Hughes is blocking nicely.
Nikkari lands a good knee to the midsection. Hughes won't want to take too many of those.
Hughes misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nikkari lands a good knee to the midsection. Hughes won't want to take too many of those.
Nikkari connects with a knee to the head.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hughes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes is trying to break the clinch but Nikkari has him pressed against the cage.
Nikkari tries to land knees in the clinch but Hughes avoids the damage to the body.
Nikkari lands an uppercut.
Hughes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nikkari has him pressed against the cage.
Nikkari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nikkari obliges.
Nikkari lands with a left to the head.
Nikkari lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Still in the clinch, Nikkari scores with a nice short uppercut.
Hughes is trying to break the clinch but Nikkari is controlling him.
Nikkari landing knees to the head.
Hughes has had enough of the clinch but Nikkari keeps him there for the moment.
Nikkari blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Hughes lands a nice shot to the body.
A frustrated look appears on Hughes's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nikkari lands a good knee to the midsection. Hughes won't want to take too many of those.
Nikkari looking to throw knees to the head but Hughes is blocking nicely.
Nikkari tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nikkari looking to throw knees to the head but Hughes is blocking nicely.
Nikkari misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Hughes.
Hughes softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hughes lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Hughes working hard to break the clinch.
Hughes working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Nikkari keeps control of Hughes as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Hughes's ribcage.
Nikkari throws a punch but it's blocked by Hughes.
Nikkari stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Hughes avoiding damage as Nikkari throws knees to the body.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Nikkari.
Nikkari keeps control of Hughes as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.

Hughes pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Hughes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nikkari.
Nikkari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hughes on the receiving end of a decent leg kick there by Nikkari. Nikkari obviously looking to wear him down.
Nikkari keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Hughes keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Ouch! a nice leg kick from Nikkari, right into the meat.
Hughes throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Nikkari scores with a punch to the head.
Nikkari lands a nice looking kick to the body. Hughes takes a step back to recover.
Hughes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Hughes tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.
Nikkari tries to clinch up but Hughes circles away and keeps his distance.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A jab from Nikkari does it's job there.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikkari steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hughes.
Hughes looks to land a left hand but Nikkari moved out of range nicely.
Nikkari feints and then cracks Hughes's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Hughes down.
Nikkari steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Hughes.
Like a baseball bat into the meat of his leg there - nice leg kick by Nikkari.
Nikkari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nikkari. Hughes does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nikkari connects with a jab.

Nikkari moves into range and clinches up with Hughes.
Hughes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nikkari landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.
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 crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nikkari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikkari crunches a lovely knee into Hughes's ribcage.
Nikkari putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hughes in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nikkari tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nikkari pressing his opponent against the cage.
Hughes lands a hook that snaps the head of Nikkari backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Nikkari dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Nikkari misses the shot to the body.
Hughes on the wrong end of a vicious looking body shot.
Nikkari keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Hughes.
Hughes blocks a low kick nicely.
Nikkari fakes the leg kick and cracks Hughes in the body.
Nikkari thuds a mid kick into his opponent's body. That will wear on Hughes if he has to take too many more of those.
Nikkari has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nikkari lands a glancing blow to the side of Hughes's head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nikkari is looking to clinch.
Hughes throws a predictable looking body shot
and Nikkari counters with a thumping low kick.
Nikkari wants to clinch up but Hughes keeps it at a distance.
Nikkari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.

Nikkari moves into the clinch successfully.
Hughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nikkari manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Nikkari scores with a nice hook to the head.
A short right from Nikkari.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nikkari with a knee to the head.
Nikkari controlling the action here for a moment.
Nikkari lands a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkari wants to stall.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nikkari obliges.
Nikkari landing knees to the body.
Hughes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nikkari is working Hughes over against the cage.
Nikkari with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nikkari gets through Hughes's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
A short left from Nikkari.
Hughes takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nikkari with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nikkari using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Good body shot from Nikkari.
Nikkari landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
A nice left hand lands by Nikkari.
Esko Nikkari seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Nikkari connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hughes's face.
Nikkari looking to stall.
Nikkari scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nikkari is stalling here.
Nikkari misses with a knee strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hughes.
Nikkari tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hughes works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.

Hughes manages to break the clinch.
Hughes checks a low kick. Bone on bone - not my idea of a good time.
Hughes misses with a combination
and Nikkari counters with a nice leg kick.
Hughes scores with a nice strike.
Nikkari is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Hughes rather than just go for the knockout.
Hughes keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Nikkari.
Esko Nikkari seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nikkari is looking to clinch but Hughes is avoiding it.
A swing and a miss from Hughes.
Nikkari connects with a jab.
Hughes misses the jab.
Hughes is hobbling a little on that front leg after taking quite a few leg kicks so far in this fight.
Nikkari with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Hughes to score with a decent uppercut.

Nikkari closes the distance and clinches.
Hughes wants to break free but Nikkari has control.
Hughes wants to break the clinch but can't.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Hughes.
Nikkari misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nikkari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hughes blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes wants to break the clinch but can't.
Nikkari landing knees to the head.
Nikkari tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Hughes avoids it.
A real battle for position is taking place between these two warriors.
Hughes lands a right hand.
Hughes has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Hughes lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nikkari backwards.
Hughes lands a left hand.
Nikkari prevents Hughes from breaking the clinch.

Hughes breaks the clinch.
Hughes digs a good hook to Nikkari's body.
Nikkari takes one to the side of the head.
Hughes stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nikkari lands a front kick.
Hughes throws a hook but Nikkari avoids it easily.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Hughes is trying to break the clinch but Nikkari has him pressed against the cage.
Nikkari lands a left hand.
Nikkari with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Hughes tries to work over Nikkari's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Hughes has had enough of the clinch but Nikkari keeps him there for the moment.
Hughes swings wildly with an uppercut but Nikkari uses good head movement to avoid it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari misses with a body punch.
Hughes misses with a punch on the inside.
Hughes tries to work over Nikkari's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nikkari landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nikkari lands a left hand that snaps the head of Hughes backwards.
Hughes lands with a left to the head.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Hughes.
Hughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hughes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari is pushing Hughes up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Nikkari scores with a nice hook to the head.
A nice left hand lands by Hughes.
Nikkari throws a knee to the head but misses.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Nikkari landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Hughes is trying to break the clinch but Nikkari is controlling him.
A head punch on the inside from Hughes fails to land.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
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 the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Nikkari lands with a nice body kick.
Hughes throws a hook but Nikkari avoids it easily.
Nikkari throws a sloppy head kick and Hughes moves out of range easily.
Hughes keeps the fight on the outside.
A big left from Hughes misses.

Nikkari closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Hughes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
A nice right hand lands inside from Hughes.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nikkari.
Hughes lands with a right to the head.
Hughes tries to circle away but Nikkari has him pinned against the cage.
Nikkari fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Hughes fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nikkari looking to throw knees to the head but Hughes is blocking nicely.
Hughes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nikkari obliges.
Hughes working hard to break the clinch.
Still in the clinch, Nikkari scores with a nice short uppercut.
A short body shot lands from Nikkari as the two fighters clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Hughes's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nikkari lands a knee to the head.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nikkari taking a breather.
Nikkari working Hughes over with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Nikkari missing with knees to the body.
Nikkari scores with a knee to the head.
Nikkari swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nikkari effectively controlling the action here.
Nikkari tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Hughes misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nikkari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hughes blocks it with crossed arms.
Hughes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nikkari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hughes blocks it with crossed arms.
Hughes is trying to break the clinch but Nikkari is controlling him.
Nikkari using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hughes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Hughes lands a right hand.
Hughes lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nikkari keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hughes's efforts to push away.
Hughes tries to break free but Nikkari pushes him back against the cage.
Hughes can't break the clinch.
Hughes lands with a short head shot on the inside.

Hughes breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Hughes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nikkari.
Nikkari bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps Hughes's head backwards.
Hughes lands with a nice body punch.
Hughes throws a jab but it's blocked by Nikkari.
Nikkari takes a jab on the nose. He smiles like he loves it and keeps coming.
Nikkari throws a solid leg kick but Hughes takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Nikkari.
Hughes's corner calls for a 1-2. Hughes obliges with the 1 part as he scores the single shot and moves back out of range.
Nikkari fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nikkari throws a sloppy head kick and Hughes moves out of range easily.
Hughes connects with a looping right hand.
Hughes lands a right hook to the body.
Nikkari's corner calls for a 1,2 combination and Nikkari duly obliges.
The step up in weight doesn't seem to be a problem for Nikkari. He's performing admirably here against the bigger man.
Hughes misses with an uppercut.
Hughes scores with a decent looking hook.
A nice combination there by Hughes.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nikkari misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Hughes.
Nikkari slips under a jab.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes misses with a combination

and Nikkari counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nikkari.
Nikkari lands a left hand.
Nikkari throws an elbow but it misses.
Hughes lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nikkari.
Hughes lands a body punch in the clinch.
Nice body punch from Hughes.
Hughes throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Hughes tries to circle away but Nikkari has him pinned against the cage.
Hughes is looking to break free of the clinch but Nikkari has double underhooks.
Nikkari blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hughes softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Hughes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nikkari backwards.
Hughes scores with a shot to the side of Nikkari's head.
Hughes wants to get back to striking at distance but Nikkari won't allow it.
Hughes lands a body shot.

Hughes breaks the clinch.
Hughes jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Hughes scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Hughes swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nikkari counters with a straight right hand.
Hughes misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Nikkari.
Nice uppercut lands for Nikkari. That snapped Hughes's head back.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Good leg kick by Nikkari there. It's the ones that make that thud noise that hurt and that was an almighty thud.
Nikkari is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Hughes circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nikkari walks forward and throws out a flicking leg kick. Hughes checks it nicely though, as he moves to the side.
Hughes misses with an uppercut.
Hughes walks forward, straight into a front kick from Nikkari.
Nikkari lands a jab to the head.

Nikkari has Hughes up against the cage in a clinch.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nikkari is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nikkari misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nikkari lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nikkari with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Hughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Hughes tries to break the clinch but Nikkari is controlling the position.
Nikkari lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Hughes lands with a short shot to the head.
Hughes working hard to break the clinch.
Nikkari manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close third round but Esko Nikkari just about did enough to take it.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nikkari throws a big shot that misses.
Hughes throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nikkari counters with an inside leg kick.
Hughes throws out a loose jab but Nikkari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nikkari staying out of range there.
Nikkari tries to clinch up but Hughes circles away and keeps his distance.
Nice jab there from Hughes.
Hughes looks to land a left hand but Nikkari moved out of range nicely.
Nikkari moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nikkari ducks under a wild hook from Hughes.
Hughes scores with a nice strike.
Hughes throws a hook but Nikkari blocks it.
Nikkari displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hughes throws out the jab.
Hughes will be looking to protect his midsection after taking some solid kicks to the body.
A slow jab from Hughes misses its intended target.
Nikkari slips under a jab.
Hughes throws the left hand but Nikkari avoids the punch easily.
Nice uppercut lands for Nikkari. That snapped Hughes's head back.
Hughes throws a sloppy body shot
and Nikkari counters with a low kick, right behind Hughes 's knee.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkari displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Hughes throws out the jab.
Nice shot lands for Hughes.
Hughes throws a hook but Nikkari avoids it easily.
A solid body kick from Nikkari.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nikkari.
Nikkari lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.
A combination from Hughes does no damage.
Nikkari scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Nikkari with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Hughes takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nikkari cracks the inside of Hughes's front leg.
Nikkari scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Hughes lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nikkari at a distance.
Nikkari turns his hip over beautifully as he lands a nice leg kick.
Nikkari buckles his opponent's knee momentarily with a nice leg kick.
Nikkari is looking to slow Hughes down with leg kicks.
Nikkari scores with a slapping inside leg kick.
Nikkari swings and misses with a hook to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari slips a jab from Hughes.
Hughes throws a jab but it's blocked by Nikkari.
Nikkari moves into range and connects with a jab.

Nikkari closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
Knees to the body from Nikkari.
Nikkari with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nikkari putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Hughes in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nikkari misses with a knee to the head.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nikkari.
Nikkari lands a knee to the head.
Nikkari lands a knee to the head.
Nikkari manages to get underhooks and slows down the pace for a moment.
Nikkari stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari misses with a knee strike.
Hughes's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nikkari takes a shot to the head.
Nikkari misses with a knee to the head.
Hughes lands a hook to the side of the head.
Hughes scores with a shoulder strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.

Hughes escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
Hughes is really head hunting here, hardly looking to strike to the body at all.
Nikkari is looking to clinch.
Hughes misses with a telegraphed body shot
and Nikkari counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
Hughes stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nikkari.
Hughes with a jab.
Hughes throws out a loose jab but Nikkari uses good head movement to avoid it.
Hughes rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nikkari moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Hughes throws an uppercut from half a mile away. Nikkari sees it coming and avoids it easily.
Hughes just misses with a punch to the body.
Nikkari throws a hook but Hughes avoids it easily.
Nikkari misses with a series of wild punches.
Hughes throws a combination that misses

and Nikkari counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nikkari.
Hughes is looking to break free of the clinch but Nikkari has double underhooks.
Nikkari trying to control the position but instead, Hughes has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nikkari into the cage.
Hughes working aggressively here.
Nikkari tries to land a knee to the head but Hughes blocks with his arms.
Hughes looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
A right hand to the body from Hughes.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Hughes.

Hughes breaks from the clinch.
Nikkari chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nikkari thows a body kick. Hughes tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Nikkari scores with a leg kick.
Hughes misses with a looping right.
Hughes lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Nikkari at a distance.
Hughes scores with a body shot.
Nikkari takes a jab on the nose there. A little bit of blood seems to be coming out. Hopefully that won't affect his breathing.
Nikkari tries to close the distance and clinch up but Hughes swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nikkari ducks under a wild hook from Hughes.
Hughes moves into range and throws a combination. A nice jab followed by a hook to the body.
Nikkari throws the kick towards the body but Hughes avoids it.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikkari slips a jab from Hughes.
Hughes looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A decent looking cross lands there for Hughes.
Nikkari closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Esko Nikkari dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Nice defenses there by Nikkari.
Nikkari moves out of range of the strikes.
Hughes uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Nikkari.
Nikkari tries to clinch there but Hughes circles away.
Nikkari wants to land a leg kick but Hughes is out of range.
Hughes misses with a double jab.
Hughes throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nikkari counters with a nice kick to the body.
Hughes takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Hughes tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

Hughes tries to keep at a distance but Nikkari has taken the fight into the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nikkari.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nikkari.
Nikkari landing knees to the head.
Nikkari with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari tries a knee to the head but Hughes blocks it.
Nikkari lands a knee to the head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikkari lands a nice shot to the body.
Hughes doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nikkari trying to control the position but instead, Hughes has worked for underhooks and has pushed Nikkari into the cage.
Hughes gets through Nikkari's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
Nikkari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hughes blocks it with crossed arms.
Come on Nikkari - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Nikkari working aggressively here.
Nikkari blocking some punches.
Hughes tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Hughes is trying to force a seperation but Nikkari has the dominant position.
Nikkari throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Hughes blocks it with crossed arms.
Hughes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nikkari has him pressed against the cage.
A right hand to the body from Hughes.
Hughes lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nikkari backwards.

Hughes manages to break the clinch.
Nikkari cracks a nice hook into Hughes's ribs.
Nikkari cracks the inside of Hughes's front leg.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nikkari.
Hughes takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
A leg kick checked by Hughes.
Nikkari throws a low kick but his opponent is out of range.
Hughes throws out a token jab with nothing on it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Hughes.
Hughes misses with a hook. Nikkari ducked under it nicely.
Hughes throws a shot from downtown. Nikkari moves away and avoids it.
Good exchange - Nikkari coming out on top.
Hughes misses with a double jab.
Nikkari throws a nice outside leg kick.
Hughes throws a body punch but Nikkari moves out of range.
Nikkari ducks under a wild hook from Hughes.
Hughes throws the left hand but Nikkari avoids the punch easily.
Hughes throws an overhand right that lands on Nikkari's shoulder, as Nikkari tries to avoid the shot.
A looping hook to the body misses from Hughes. Nikkari does a little dance to reset his feet.
Nikkari uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Hughes.
Hughes takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
The crowd cheers as Nikkari lands an impressive looking overhand right. Hughes doesn't seem phased though.
Nikkari is looking to slow Hughes down with leg kicks.
Good work by Hughes as he checks the leg kick.
Nikkari lands a head kick. Hughes smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Hughes throws a hook but Nikkari avoids it easily.
A good leg kick by Nikkari.
Nikkari thows a body kick. Hughes tries to catch it but that hurt him.

Nikkari forces Hughes back against the cage and clinches.
Nikkari keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Hughes's efforts to push away.
Hughes takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nikkari connects with a nasty looking knee right to Hughes's face.
Nikkari lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Hughes.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Nikkari lands with a right to the head.
Mark Hughes has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Hughes wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nikkari has him pressed against the cage.
Nikkari stalling in the clinch but Hughes improves position.
Nikkari blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Hughes lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nikkari obliges.
Hughes takes a knee right on the jaw!
Hughes misses with some punches.
Nikkari is working Hughes over against the cage.
Hughes has a couple of punches blocked by Nikkari.
Nikkari looking to throw knees to the head but Hughes is blocking nicely.
Knees to the body from Nikkari.
Hughes swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nikkari misses with a knee strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikkari blocks an uppercut.
Hughes misses with a hook from the clinch.
Nikkari lands a body shot in the clinch.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nikkari using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Hughes has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nikkari works on Hughes's body with a couple of short punches.
Nikkari lands a body punch in the clinch.
Hughes throws a punch but it's blocked by Nikkari.
A knee to the head by Nikkari.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nikkari softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
A frustrated look appears on Hughes's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Hughes has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.
Nikkari scores with an uppercut up the middle.
Hughes on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nikkari scores a nice knee to the body.
Hughes misses with the head strike.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nikkari unloads a knee to the mid-section. Hughes lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nikkari utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nikkari misses with a knee to the head.
Hughes makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Hughes lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nikkari is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Aleksandr Martynov scores the fight 43:50
Judge Fedor Mirinova scores the fight 43:50
Judge Illya Tyunina scores the fight 43:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Esko Nikkari!
Esko Nikkari is the new heavyweight champion!