PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Paco Nykanen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josefski Slabadavski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nykanen's entrance music is Jeff Mills - The Bells. A fine choice. 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
Slabadavski

170 cm
26
166 lbs
11 - 3 - 0

164 cm
27
150 lbs
8 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Solid boxing
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 11 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Paco Nykanen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josefski Slabadavski!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Igor Prikhodko and Konstantin Menshow.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Slabadavski.
Nykanen misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Slabadavski.

Slabadavski darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Slabadavski passes the guard and advances to mount!
Slabadavski can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nykanen is looking to escape.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slabadavski misses with a series of strikes from mount. He'll no doubt be working on his ground and pound when he gets back to the gym.
Slabadavski lands with some vicious ground and pound - can Nykanen hang on?
Nykanen tries to get back to half guard but can't.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nykanen is squirming around, avoiding Slabadavski's attempts to control the action.
Slabadavski controlling the position easily from mount.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nykanen manages to regain half guard. Good work.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen is trying to get back to full guard.
Slabadavski controlling the pace.
Slabadavski with the ground and pound but Nykanen uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen keeping moving, preventing Slabadavski from controlling successfully.
Slabadavski trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Nykanen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Slabadavski gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Slabadavski looking to pass the guard.

Slabadavski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Slabadavski lands a couple of elbows.
Slabadavski trying to control the position from guard on top but Nykanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nykanen being controlled here, momentarily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Slabadavski throwing strikes but missing.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josefski Slabadavski dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Slabadavski displays some good footwork, moving neatly out of range as Nykanen throws out the jab.

Slabadavski shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Slabadavski not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Slabadavski throwing shots but Nykanen is blocking nicely.
Nykanen gets full guard.
Nykanen keeping moving, preventing Slabadavski from controlling successfully.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slabadavski throws a big right hand that misses.
Slabadavski throws a strike but Nykanen rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.
Slabadavski keeping moving, preventing Nykanen from controlling successfully.
Nykanen throws and elbow that misses. Slabadavski uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Nykanen's guard. Nice move by Slabadavski!
Nykanen wants to sweep but no luck.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nykanen is trying to keep Slabadavski in close.

Nykanen looking for a guillotine here but Slabadavski defends easily.
Slabadavski throws and elbow that misses. Nykanen uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Slabadavski's guard. Nice move by Nykanen!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nykanen throwing strikes but missing.
Nykanen trying to pass the guard. He's being very persistent here but Slabadavski manages to land a sweep and now he's on top!
Nykanen trying to control the position.
Slabadavski sitting in guard here, content to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Slabadavski wants to control from the top but Nykanen keeps moving.
Slabadavski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Slabadavski looking to pass the guard.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nykanen is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Josefski Slabadavski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Good work by Slabadavski as he checks the leg kick.
Slabadavski dives in and grabs Nykanen's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nykanen pushes down on Slabadavski's head and hops out.
Slabadavski looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nykanen is fending him off so far but Slabadavski persists. Nope, Nykanen circles away and we're back to standing.
Slabadavski changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nykanen tries to avoid it but Slabadavski manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nykanen to the ground. Nykanen escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Paco Nykanen has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josefski Slabadavski.
Nykanen misses with a straight left.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Slabadavski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Josefski Slabadavski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nykanen throws a hard body shot but it just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nykanen throws a lazy right hand but Slabadavski sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Slabadavski gets a takedown into half guard.
Nykanen moves his hips nicely and gets into full guard.

Slabadavski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Nykanen keeping moving, preventing Slabadavski from controlling successfully.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Paco Nykanen has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

Nykanen looking for a guillotine here but Slabadavski defends easily.
Slabadavski keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nykanen's head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slabadavski throws a big right hand that misses.
Nykanen keeping moving, preventing Slabadavski from controlling successfully.
Slabadavski looking to pass the guard.
Slabadavski trying to control the position from guard on top but Nykanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Slabadavski makes a bit of distance and scores with some ground and pound, still in guard.

Nykanen throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Nykanen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Slabadavski doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Slabadavski manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Slabadavski trying to control the position from guard on top but Nykanen is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Josefski Slabadavski.
I've got Slabadavski winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 27:30
Judge Igor Prikhodko scores the fight 27:30
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Josefski Slabadavski!