PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Matti Nykanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Armas Paakku (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nykanen comes to the cage accompanied by Elama on laiffii. These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nykanen
vs
Paakku

183 cm
21
167 lbs
4 - 2 - 0

180 cm
20
160 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Decent elbows
Very strong

BJJ Blue Belt
Decent boxing
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the lightweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matti Nykanen!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Armas Paakku!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Johanna Lukiainen and Roosa Järviläinen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Paakku throws a body punch but Nykanen moves out of range.
Paakku looks to score with a jab to the body but Nykanen is just out of range.
Nykanen tries to clinch up but Paakku circles away and keeps his distance.
Nykanen tries to clinch up.
Nice shot lands for Nykanen.
Paakku swinging wildly here.
Paakku pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Nykanen wants to clinch.

Nykanen has managed to clinch.
A short body shot lands from Paakku as the two fighters clinch.
Paakku lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nykanen.
Nykanen pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nykanen misses with an elbow strike.
A nice left hand lands by Paakku.
Paakku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Paakku looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Paakku fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Paakku tries to throw a body punch but Nykanen avoids it by throwing Paakku back against the cage.
Paakku tries to work over Nykanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nykanen lands a body punch in the clinch.
Paakku tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Nykanen avoids it.
Nykanen misses with a knee strike.
Nykanen blocking some punches.
Nykanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paakku throws a punch but it's blocked by Nykanen.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Nykanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Paakku avoids the damage to the body.
Nykanen scores a nice knee to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Nykanen.
Nykanen connects with a nasty looking knee right to Paakku's face.
Nykanen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Paakku throws a punch but it's blocked by Nykanen.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Paakku creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Nykanen lands a left hand.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Paakku looks gassed!
Nykanen works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Paakku throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nykanen gets through Paakku's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Paakku tries a body shot but Nykanen blocks it.
Paakku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nykanen obliges.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nykanen lands a damaging elbow.
A bit of stalling here from Nykanen.
Nykanen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
A knee to the head by Nykanen.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside.
Nykanen stalling the fight.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside that Paakku shrugs off.
Nykanen scores with a knee to the head.

Paakku is rocked!
Nykanen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Paakku is still on wobbly legs! Can Nykanen finish him?
Nykanen with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nykanen.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Paakku throws a head punch that misses.
Nykanen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Paakku in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
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!
Nykanen lands with a short shot to the head.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Nykanen.
Paakku seems to have recovered his senses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paakku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nykanen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Paakku's defenses.
Paakku struggles to land a body shot inside as Nykanen controls his hands.
A short right from Nykanen on the inside.
Nykanen pushes Paakku back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Nykanen slowing the pace effectively.
Nykanen pushes Paakku back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Paakku swings wildly with an uppercut but Nykanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Paakku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nykanen's elbow.
Nykanen leaning his opponent against the cage.
Nykanen lands with a short punch from the clinch.
Paakku scores with a nice hook to the head.
Paakku pushes off an throws an elbow but Nykanen leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Paakku throws a punch but it's blocked by Nykanen.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow.
Nice elbow from Nykanen.
Paakku presses Nykanen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Nykanen tries to stall but Paakku uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Nykanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paakku blocks it with crossed arms.
Paakku tries to throw a body punch but Nykanen avoids it by throwing Paakku back against the cage.
Nykanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Paakku avoids the damage to the body.
Paakku misses with some punches.
Nykanen blocks a body shot from Paakku.
Nykanen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nykanen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen blocking some punches.
Paakku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Paakku creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Paakku misses with some punches.
Paakku misses with a punch on the inside.
Nykanen lands a damaging elbow.
Nykanen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Paakku's defenses.
Paakku takes an elbow to the temple.
Paakku lands with a short shot to the head.
Paakku presses Nykanen against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.
Paakku misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nykanen.
Paakku misses with a punch to the body.
A head punch on the inside from Paakku fails to land.
Paakku takes an elbow to the temple.
Nykanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paakku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nykanen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Paakku's defenses.
Nykanen works on Paakku's body with a couple of short punches.
Paakku blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nykanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nykanen scores a nice knee to the body.
Nykanen lands a damaging elbow.
Paakku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nykanen tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Paakku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nykanen lands with a left to the head.
Nykanen taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Paakku blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A right handed body shot lands from Nykanen.
Paakku takes an elbow to the temple.
Nykanen misses with an elbow over the top.
Paakku throws a head punch that misses.
Paakku trying to land knees to the body.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside.
Nice elbow from Nykanen.
Nykanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paakku blocks it with crossed arms.
Nykanen avoids the elbow strike from Paakku, against the cage.
Paakku lands a body punch.
Nykanen pushes Paakku back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Still in the clinch, Paakku scores with a nice short uppercut.
Paakku takes an elbow to the forehead.
Paakku misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nykanen looking to slow down the pace here.
Paakku throws a head punch that misses.
Paakku misses with a hook from the clinch.
Paakku swings wildly with an uppercut but Nykanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside that Paakku shrugs off.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nykanen tries a knee to the head but Paakku blocks it.
Paakku tries to work over Nykanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nykanen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Paakku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Paakku misses with some punches.
Paakku takes an elbow to the forehead.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Paakku has closed the distance and engaged Nykanen in a clinch.
Nykanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paakku blocks it with crossed arms.
Paakku avoids a wild elbow strike from Nykanen.
Nykanen trying to stall but Paakku improves his position.
Paakku lands a body shot in the clinch.
Paakku looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nykanen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Paakku managing to block the knees to the body from Nykanen.
Paakku lands a nice shot to the body.
Nykanen is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Paakku blocks the elbow strike.
Nykanen looking to stall.
Nykanen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Paakku.
Paakku lands a body punch in the clinch.
Paakku missing with knees to the body.
Paakku swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nykanen misses with a knee strike.
Paakku lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Paakku misses with a punch to the body.
Paakku misses with a punch on the inside.
Paakku blocks the elbow strike.
Paakku swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nykanen blocks a body shot from Paakku.
A short right from Paakku on the inside.
Paakku lands an elbow just above Nykanen 's eye.
Nykanen throws a punch but it's blocked by Paakku.
A short left from Nykanen.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paakku avoiding damage as Nykanen throws knees to the body.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nykanen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Paakku's brow.
Nykanen misses with some punches.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Paakku.
Nykanen fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Matti Nykanen has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Nykanen misses with the head strike.
Nykanen scores with a knee to the head.
Nykanen has a couple of punches blocked by Paakku.
Nykanen throws an elbow but it misses.
A hook to the body from Paakku.
Nice body punch from Paakku - that landed with a thud.
A nice right hand lands inside from Paakku.
Paakku on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nykanen blocks an uppercut.
Nykanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Paakku lands a hook that snaps the head of Nykanen backwards.
Paakku scores with a nice hook to the head.
Paakku lands a shot to the body.
Nykanen takes an elbow to the temple.
A short body shot lands from Paakku as the two fighters clinch.
Nykanen blocking some punches.
Paakku scores with a hook to the body.
Paakku stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Paakku swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paakku makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Paakku gets through Nykanen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paakku.
Paakku makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Paakku lands a body shot.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paakku lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Paakku tries to throw a body punch but Nykanen avoids it by throwing Paakku back against the cage.
Paakku digs a right hand underneath Nykanen's ribcage. Nykanen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Paakku softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Nykanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paakku blocks it with crossed arms.
Paakku scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nykanen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Paakku lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Paakku lands a right hand.
Nykanen misses with a punch to the body.
Nykanen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A short body shot lands from Paakku as the two fighters clinch.
Nykanen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Paakku misses with an elbow over the top.
Nykanen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nykanen.
Paakku blocks the elbow strike.
Paakku scores with a shot to the side of Nykanen's head.
Paakku swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paakku struggles to land a body shot inside as Nykanen controls his hands.
With the fighters up against the cage, Paakku throws an elbow but misses.
Nykanen looking to stall.
Paakku throws a punch but it's blocked by Nykanen.
Paakku misses with a body punch.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Paakku tries to work over Nykanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen lands a nice knee to the body.
Paakku misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside.
Nykanen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Paakku takes an elbow to the forehead.
Paakku working on landing some head shots here - that one got through nicely.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nykanen.
Paakku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nykanen lands a damaging elbow.
Paakku tries a body shot but Nykanen blocks it.
Nykanen stalling against the cage.
Nykanen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nykanen is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Nykanen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Paakku misses with a punch on the inside.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside.
Nykanen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nykanen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Paakku's defenses.
Paakku takes a knee to the side of the body.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Paakku.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nykanen.
Nykanen makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Paakku managing to block the knees to the body from Nykanen.
Nykanen pushes off an throws an elbow but Paakku leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Paakku is leaning against Nykanen and scores with a nice uppercut to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen blocks a body shot from Paakku.
Nykanen is trying to stall.
Paakku lands a shoulder strike.
A hook to the body from Paakku.
Paakku avoids a wild elbow strike from Nykanen.
Nykanen blocks an uppercut.
Paakku lands a right hand.
Paakku tries a body shot but Nykanen blocks it.
Nykanen tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Paakku swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Paakku takes an elbow to the temple.
Nykanen stalling the fight.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nykanen.
Nykanen trying to land knees to the body.
Paakku lands a shot to the body.
Nykanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Paakku uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nykanen blocking some punches.
Paakku tries to throw a body punch but Nykanen avoids it by throwing Paakku back against the cage.
Nykanen unloads a knee to the mid-section. Paakku lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Paakku tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Nykanen landing knees to the head.
Paakku gets through Nykanen's defenses to land a nice punch to the side of the head.
Paakku takes an elbow to the temple.
A short right from Paakku.
Nykanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Paakku avoids the damage to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Armas Paakku 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.

Paakku lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Nykanen tries to close the distance and clinch but Paakku swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Paakku darts in trying to clinch

and Nykanen counters by moving into the clinch.
Paakku blocks an elbow strike.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow.
Paakku misses with a body punch.
Nykanen blocks a body shot from Paakku.
Paakku throws a punch but it's blocked by Nykanen.
Paakku lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Paakku misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Paakku misses with a punch to the body.
Paakku swings wildly with an uppercut but Nykanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Paakku lands a hook that snaps the head of Nykanen backwards.
Nykanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Paakku avoids it.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nykanen is pushing Paakku up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Paakku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nykanen tries to land a knee to the head but Paakku blocks with his arms.
Paakku lands a nice shot to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Paakku.
Nykanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nykanen lands an elbow just above Paakku 's eye.
Paakku throws a head punch that misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen is trying to maintain a safe position but Paakku gets an underhook and turns Nykanen into the cage.
Paakku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nice body punch from Paakku.
Nykanen pushes off an throws an elbow but Paakku leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
Nykanen looking to throw knees to the head but Paakku is blocking nicely.
Nykanen blocking some punches.
Paakku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Paakku throws a punch but it's blocked by Nykanen.
Paakku swings wildly with an uppercut but Nykanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
A short right from Paakku.
Nykanen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Paakku lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nykanen backwards.
Nykanen blocking some punches.
Nykanen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nykanen throws an elbow but it misses.
Paakku lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Paakku has a couple of punches blocked by Nykanen.
Paakku blocks an elbow strike from Nykanen.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Paakku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nykanen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nykanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Paakku avoids it.
Nice body punch from Paakku - that landed with a thud.
Nykanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Paakku lands a body punch in the clinch.
Paakku throws a punch but it's blocked by Nykanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paakku blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
A shot in the inside from Paakku.
Paakku lands an uppercut.
Nykanen lands an elbow that stopped Paakku in his tracks for a moment.
A nice left hand lands by Paakku.
Nykanen blocks an elbow strike.
Nykanen digs a right hand into Paakku's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Paakku's gas tank.
Nykanen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Paakku throws a hook to the body. More of an arm punch but it's all scoring with the judges.
Nykanen unloads a knee to the mid-section. Paakku lets out a prehistoric sounding urrrrgh.
Nykanen holding his opponent close, against the cage.
Nykanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paakku misses with a body punch.
Paakku throws a head punch that misses.
A short uppercut from Nykanen.
Nykanen tries a knee to the head but Paakku blocks it.
Nykanen stalling in the clinch but Paakku improves position.
Paakku lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nykanen lands an elbow that stopped Paakku in his tracks for a moment.
Paakku tries a body shot but Nykanen blocks it.
Paakku swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Good body shot from Paakku.
Nykanen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Paakku looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Nykanen lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Paakku backwards.
Nykanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paakku takes an elbow to the temple.
A short right from Paakku on the inside.
Nykanen lands an elbow just above Paakku 's eye.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow.
Paakku works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Nykanen lands an elbow just above Paakku 's eye.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nykanen.
Paakku lands a nice shot to the body.
Nykanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nykanen looks to throw an elbow but misses.
A hook to the body from Paakku.
Paakku managing to block the knees to the body from Nykanen.
Paakku missing with knees to the body.
Nykanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nykanen obliges.
Paakku tries a body shot but Nykanen blocks it.
Paakku misses with some punches.
Paakku takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nykanen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Paakku tries to throw a body punch but Nykanen avoids it by throwing Paakku back against the cage.
Paakku lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Paakku swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nykanen lands a knee to the body.
Nykanen prevents a body shot from Paakku.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nykanen tries a knee to the head but Paakku blocks it.
Nykanen landing knees to the head.
Paakku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paakku misses with a short punch on the inside.
Paakku working aggressively here.
Paakku fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nice elbow from Nykanen.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nykanen.
Nykanen lands an elbow just above Paakku 's eye.
Paakku misses with a hook from the clinch.
Paakku tries to work over Nykanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Nykanen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nykanen lands a body shot.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nykanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paakku blocks it with crossed arms.
Paakku pushes Nykanen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Paakku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside.
Paakku misses with a body punch.
Nykanen blocks an elbow strike from Paakku.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nykanen lands a knee to the body.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Paakku being controlled against the cage.
Paakku takes a knee to the side of the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Nykanen clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nykanen steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Paakku.
Paakku misses with a body shot.

Nykanen takes the fight into the clinch.
Paakku takes an elbow to the forehead.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Nykanen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Paakku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Paakku lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nykanen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Nykanen scores with a shoulder strike.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside that Paakku shrugs off.
Paakku takes an elbow to the temple.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside.
Knees to the body from Nykanen.
Nykanen with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Paakku fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nykanen stalling in the clinch.
A right hand to the body from Paakku.
Nykanen creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Paakku's defenses.
Nykanen blocks a body shot from Paakku.
Paakku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nykanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Paakku avoids the damage to the body.
Paakku takes an elbow to the forehead.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Paakku avoids a wild elbow strike from Nykanen.
Paakku stays in close to his opponent and throws a right hand to the body.
Paakku misses with a hook to the ribs.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Paakku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nykanen's elbow.
Nykanen lands an elbow just above Paakku 's eye.
Nykanen lands a hook that snaps the head of Paakku backwards.
Paakku misses with a punch on the inside.
Paakku works on Nykanen's body with a couple of short punches.
Nykanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Paakku lands a body shot.
A short uppercut from Nykanen.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Nykanen's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Nykanen lands an elbow just above Paakku 's eye.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Paakku digs a right hand into Nykanen's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Nykanen's gas tank.
Nykanen tries to stall but Paakku uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Paakku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Paakku misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nykanen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nykanen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paakku goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Nykanen putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Paakku in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nykanen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nykanen blocks a body shot from Paakku.
Nykanen takes an elbow to the forehead.
Nykanen is struggling to control the position.
A short right from Nykanen.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Paakku avoids it.
Paakku lands an uppercut.
Nykanen misses with a knee strike.
Nykanen blocking some punches.
Paakku has a couple of punches blocked by Nykanen.
Paakku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nykanen lands a good knee to the midsection. Paakku won't want to take too many of those.
A right handed body shot lands from Paakku.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paakku.
Nykanen using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Paakku tries to throw a body punch but Nykanen avoids it by throwing Paakku back against the cage.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside.
Nykanen scores with a nice hook to the head.
Nykanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Paakku creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through Nykanen's defenses.
Nykanen lands an elbow just above Paakku 's eye.
Paakku tries to throw a body punch but Nykanen avoids it by throwing Paakku back against the cage.
Nykanen throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Nykanen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Paakku.
Paakku avoids a wild elbow strike from Nykanen.
Paakku blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Paakku lands with a short head shot on the inside.
A short left from Paakku.
Nykanen misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Paakku.
Nykanen misses with an elbow over the top.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nykanen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Paakku's brow.
Paakku misses with the head strike.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Paakku lands a damaging elbow.
Paakku fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Paakku has a couple of punches blocked by Nykanen.
Paakku lands a shot to the body.
Paakku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
Paakku swings wildly with an uppercut but Nykanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nykanen's corner are urging him to control the action in the clinch for a moment, rather than mount any serious offense. I'm sure the crowd appreciate those instructions... not.
Paakku tries a body shot but Nykanen blocks it.
Paakku lands an elbow inside that Nykanen shrugs off.
A right hand to the body from Paakku.
Nykanen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
A head punch on the inside from Paakku fails to land.
Nykanen tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Paakku lands a body shot.
Nykanen blocking some punches.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Paakku pushes Nykanen back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Paakku lands a hook that snaps the head of Nykanen backwards.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Nykanen.
Paakku takes a knee to the side of the body.
Nykanen dodges an elbow strike from Paakku.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Nykanen.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paakku.
A shot in the inside from Nykanen.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Paakku cracks Nykanen with a nice body shot.
Paakku misses with a hook to the ribs.
A left hand lands to the body for Paakku.
Nykanen connects with a knee to the head.
A short uppercut from Paakku.
Paakku lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nykanen.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Nykanen crunches a lovely knee into Paakku's ribcage.
Nykanen is pushing Paakku up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nykanen just misses with a elbow thrown towards Paakku's brow.
Nykanen unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Paakku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nykanen swings wildly with an uppercut but Paakku uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nykanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Paakku struggles to land a body shot inside as Nykanen controls his hands.
Paakku misses with an elbow over the top.
Paakku lands a body punch.
Nykanen lands a damaging elbow.
Paakku takes a shot to the head.
Nykanen throws an elbow but it misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Matti Nykanen had his way with Armas Paakku in that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Paakku misses the shot to the body.
Nykanen tries to close the distance and clinch but Paakku swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Nykanen wants to clinch up but Paakku keeps it at a distance.

Nykanen has taken the fight to the clinch.
Nykanen lands with a right to the head.
A hook to the body from Paakku.
Nykanen landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nykanen.
Nice elbow from Nykanen.
Nykanen is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nykanen trying to land knees to the body.
Paakku has a couple of punches blocked by Nykanen.
Nykanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Paakku avoids the damage to the body.
Paakku misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nykanen lands an elbow just above Paakku 's eye.
Paakku misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Nykanen blocks an uppercut.
Nykanen lands a shot to the body.
Paakku struggles to land a body shot inside as Nykanen controls his hands.
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.
A right handed body shot lands from Paakku.
Nykanen creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Nykanen blocks an uppercut.
A right handed body shot lands from Paakku.
Nykanen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A right hook to the body lands for Paakku.
Nykanen throws a knee to the head but misses.
Paakku digs a right hand underneath Nykanen's ribcage. Nykanen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Paakku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nykanen prevents a body shot from Paakku.
Paakku throws an elbow but it misses.
Nykanen gets an overhook and lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Paakku tries to throw a body punch but Nykanen avoids it by throwing Paakku back against the cage.
Paakku takes a knee right on the jaw!
A nice glancing elbow lands by Paakku.
Nykanen lands a left hand.
Nice body punch from Paakku - that landed with a thud.
Nykanen lands an elbow that stopped Paakku in his tracks for a moment.
Paakku avoids a wild elbow strike from Nykanen.
Paakku misses with the head strike.
Nykanen with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nykanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nykanen is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Paakku is defending well for now.
Paakku swings wildly with an uppercut but Nykanen uses good head movement to avoid it.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paakku.
Nykanen throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Paakku blocks it with crossed arms.
Paakku lands with a short head shot on the inside.
Paakku lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Paakku misses with a punch on the inside.
Nykanen lands a right hand that snaps the head of Paakku backwards.
Paakku swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Paakku.
Paakku misses with a body punch.
Paakku tries a body shot but Nykanen blocks it.
Paakku misses with the head strike.
Nykanen landing knees to the head.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow.
Nykanen stalling in the clinch.
Paakku lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Nykanen.
Paakku lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nykanen backwards.
Nykanen lands an elbow that stopped Paakku in his tracks for a moment.
Paakku has a couple of punches blocked by Nykanen.
Nykanen is trying to stall.
Nykanen tries to land knees in the clinch but Paakku avoids the damage to the body.
Paakku digs a right hand underneath Nykanen's ribcage. Nykanen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Paakku blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Paakku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nykanen's elbow.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
A right handed body shot lands from Paakku.
Nykanen tries to stall but Paakku uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Paakku avoids the elbow strike from Nykanen, against the cage.
Nykanen blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nykanen avoids a wild elbow strike from Paakku.
Nykanen lands an elbow that stopped Paakku in his tracks for a moment.
A short right from Paakku on the inside.
Paakku misses with a punch to the body.
Paakku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Nykanen lands an elbow inside.
Nykanen taking a breather.
A knee to the head by Nykanen.
A left hand lands to the body for Paakku.
Paakku doesn't land with the attempted body shot.
Nykanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut to the body lands inside from Nykanen.
Nykanen lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
Nykanen landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Paakku tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nykanen's elbow.
Nykanen with a knee to the head.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Paakku creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Paakku lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Nykanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Nykanen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Nykanen utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Nykanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Nykanen lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Paakku.
Paakku swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Nykanen lands a shoulder strike that jolts his opponent's head backwards.
Nykanen blocks an uppercut.
Paakku tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Nykanen lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Paakku blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Still in the clinch, Nykanen scores with a nice short uppercut.
Paakku blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Paakku lands a body punch.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow.
Nykanen comes over the top with an elbow. That landed flush.
Matti Nykanen is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nykanen blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Paakku misses with the head strike.
Nykanen prevents a body shot from Paakku.
Nykanen on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Armas Paakku has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nykanen blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Paakku can't find room to land a body shot as Nykanen controls the action.
Nykanen lands a nice elbow.
Paakku misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nykanen will no doubt start fighting again in a minute but for now he's just having a little rest, leaning Paakku up against the cage.
Paakku takes an elbow to the temple.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Paakku digs a right hand underneath Nykanen's ribcage. Nykanen let out a lung full of air as it connected.
Paakku tries to work over Nykanen's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

And that's the end of the fight!
Matti Nykanen showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Nykanen 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 49:46
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Matti Nykanen!
Matti Nykanen is the new lightweight champion!