PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Jussi Murikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Josefski Slabadavski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Murikka kept the crowd waiting but all that was forgotten when his ring entrance music started. The incomparable musical genius that is Rock'n'Rolla. Jussi Murikka has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Murikka
vs
Slabadavski

170 cm
24
164 lbs
15 - 4 - 0

164 cm
28
150 lbs
9 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Great elbows
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Bloodbath Fighting Clothes
SPARTA FIGHTWARE-GTI

Crashforce Nutrition

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 15 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Jussi Murikka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 9 - 0 - 0, fighting out of St Petersburg, Josefski Slabadavski!
The judges for this bout are Dmitry Maklakov, Konstantin Menshow and Vladimir Khabensky.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Slabadavski slips a straight right by Murikka.
Murikka fails to land with a series of punches.
Murikka wants to clinch.
Slabadavski tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Murikka swivels and escapes.
Slabadavski will need to close the distance a bit before he attacks - that leg kick was thrown from too far away.
Murikka throws a front kick aimed at Slabadavski's knee but Slabadavski avoids it well.
Murikka connects with a nice looking jab.
Murikka lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Murikka tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Slabadavski was well out of range. Poor timing from Murikka.
A big right from Slabadavski misses.
Murikka looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Murikka fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murikka tries to clinch up but Slabadavski circles away and keeps his distance.
Murikka misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Slabadavski takes a kick to the side of the head.
Slabadavski throws a right hand that Murikka ducks under and follows up with a left that Murikka also avoids with ease.
Slabadavski fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

Murikka instigates a clinch.
Murikka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Slabadavski stalling in the clinch but Murikka improves position.
Slabadavski tries to break free but Murikka pushes him back against the cage.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
Murikka lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Murikka misses with the head strike.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slabadavski is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
A nice glancing elbow lands by Murikka.
Murikka lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Slabadavski or not.
Slabadavski's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
Slabadavski tries to stall but Murikka uses the opportunity to gain a better position.
Slabadavski tries to pull guard but Murikka holds him up against the cage and eventually Slabadavski drops back down to his feet.
Jussi Murikka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josefski Slabadavski.
Murikka lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Slabadavski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slabadavski wants to break free but Murikka has control.
A bit of stalling here from Murikka.
Murikka lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Slabadavski backwards.
Murikka lands a body shot.
Murikka misses with a short punch on the inside.
Slabadavski takes a shot to the head.
Murikka just leaning against Slabadavski, taking a breather.
Murikka misses with the head strike.
Murikka lands an elbow that stopped Slabadavski in his tracks for a moment.
Murikka taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
A frustrated look appears on Slabadavski's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Murikka lands a nice uppercut.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are starting to boo a lack of action.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from Murikka.

Murikka decides to pull guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Murikka looking to sweep using the butterfly guard but Slabadavski puts pay to that idea as he passes nicely into half guard.
Slabadavski really doesn't want to stay on the ground with Murikka. If he can't get it back to his feet, it's only a matter of time before he'll be tapping out.
Murikka is trying to get back to full guard.
Murikka keeping control of the position.
Murikka wants to get back to full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Murikka is working hard here to advance position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jussi Murikka dominated that round.
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.

Jab by Slabadavski.
Slabadavski blocks a low kick nicely.
Murikka dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Slabadavski. That did some damage!
Murikka shoots and misses
and Slabadavski counters with a left to the body.
Slabadavski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Murikka counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Murikka fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Slabadavski checks it well.
Murikka tries a low kick but Slabadavski avoids it.
Murikka checks a leg kick.

Murikka moves into range and clinches up with Slabadavski.
Murikka throws a nice elbow but it doesn't land.
Murikka softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murikka pulls guard.
Murikka looking for a sweep. Not yet Murikka, not yet.
Slabadavski trying to control but Murikka is working from the bottom.
The referee wants the fighters to be more active or he's going to reset them on the feet.
Murikka looking to control the pace of the fight rather than finish it.

That's two 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.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Josefski Slabadavski was stalling too much, according to the referee.
Murikka finds nothing but air with that leg kick attempt.
Murikka uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Murikka is looking to score with low kicks.
Murikka throws a sloppy head kick and Slabadavski moves out of range easily.
Murikka throws a head kick that misses.
Slabadavski throws a lazy right hand but Murikka sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Slabadavski stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Slabadavski wants it to stay on the feet.

Slabadavski darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Murikka tries to get to full guard but Slabadavski has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Murikka is looking to sinch up a guillotine here but Slabadavski pulls his head out easily.
Murikka gets full guard.
Slabadavski is working Murikka over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.

Slabadavski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Slabadavski trying to control but Murikka is working from the bottom.
Murikka controlling Slabadavski's posture.
Slabadavski must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Slabadavski wants to control from the top but Murikka keeps moving.
Murikka working a defensive guard here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Josefski Slabadavski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Back to the action!

Ouch! a nice leg kick from Murikka, right into the meat.
Slabadavski walks into a stiff left hand from Murikka.
Murikka throws a head kick that Slabadavski semi-blocks.
Slabadavski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Slabadavski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Murikka fakes with the hands and throws a leg kick but Slabadavski is out of range.
Slabadavski takes a punch right to his stomach. That took the wind out of him momentarily.
Murikka throws a head kick but Slabadavski moves out of range.
Jussi Murikka seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Slabadavski looks to land a left hand but Murikka moved out of range nicely.
Slabadavski lands an overhand left. A wild punch that just about connected.
Murikka throws a sloppy head kick
and Slabadavski counters with a slapping leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Murikka fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Slabadavski, pushing him back against the cage.
Murikka lands a nice shot to the body.
Murikka lands an elbow just above Slabadavski 's eye.
Murikka looks to throw an elbow but misses.
Slabadavski tries to break free but Murikka pushes him back against the cage.
Slabadavski tries to pull guard but Murikka holds him up against the cage and eventually Slabadavski drops back down to his feet.
Slabadavski tries to pull guard but Murikka won't allow it.
Jussi Murikka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Josefski Slabadavski.
Slabadavski is trying to break the clinch but Murikka has him pressed against the cage.
Slabadavski tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Slabadavski blocks an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slabadavski dodges an elbow strike from Murikka.
Slabadavski wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Murikka is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Murikka lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.
Murikka misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Slabadavski.
Slabadavski taking a breather.
Murikka lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.
Murikka throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Slabadavskis head.
Slabadavski jumps guard but his hands slip and he falls flat on his back. Well, he's made himself look a right mug there, as Murikka walks away with a smile on his face. Slabadavski gets slowly back to his feet and shakes his head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Slabadavski blocks a low kick nicely.
Murikka thows a body shot but no joy.
Murikka is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Murikka is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Slabadavski.
Murikka throws a body kick that sends a sickening thudding noise reverberating around the arena.
Murikka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Slabadavski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Slabadavski circles away from the clinch attempt

and Slabadavski counters with a shoot takedown. Murikka fights it but they end up in guard.
Murikka wants to stand and escape but Slabadavski is having none of it.
Murikka is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slabadavski trying to control the position from guard on top but Murikka is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Murikka trying to keep a closed guard but Slabadavski is proving a slippery customer.
Murikka controlling Slabadavski's posture.

Murikka had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Slabadavski defends it easily.
Murikka wants to sweep here but Slabadavski controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Jussi Murikka clearly takes that round.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business.

Slabadavski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murikka moves away.
Murikka misses with the combination.
Murikka tries to score with a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Murikka uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Slabadavski.
Slabadavski cracks Murikka with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Murikka throws a sloppy body shot
and Slabadavski counters with a nice uppercut.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Murikka takes a swing at Slabadavski's ribcage but misses.
Slabadavski swings and misses with a shot to the body
and Murikka counters nicely by changing levels and landing a hook to the body.
Murikka thuds his right hand into Slabadavski's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Murikka throws a quick inside leg kick.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Slabadavski moves away from the strike by Murikka.
Murikka tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Slabadavski misses with a looping right.
Murikka will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Slabadavski thows a left - swing and a miss!
Slabadavski staying out of range there.
Slabadavski ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Murikka moves away.
A jab lands there for Slabadavski.
Slabadavski swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.

Slabadavski shoots in and gets a takedown into half guard. Slabadavski showed some decent athleticism there.
Slabadavski sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Murikka defending well though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Slabadavski wants to control but Murikka is keeping him busy.
Murikka regains full guard. Nicely done.

Murikka has an omoplata and is looking to use it perhaps as a submission or perhaps to transition. Slabadavski is in a bit of discomfort here, but he's managed to free himself and has dived into side control! That didn't work out too well for Murikka.
Murikka is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Slabadavski off and has taken his back!
Murikka trying to control.
Murikka is trying to control but Slabadavski is trying to escape here - he's now mounted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murikka controlling the pace for now.
Slabadavski holding onto his opponent's waist for dear life, as Murikka tries to land some strikes to get him to release his grip.

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.
Murikka content just to control the position here.
Murikka's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close fourth round but Josefski Slabadavski will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Murikka slips a jab from Slabadavski.
Slabadavski blocks a head kick by Murikka.
Murikka throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Murikka throws a combination. Slabadavski tries to block but a couple of punches get through.
Murikka tries to land a front kick but Slabadavski steps back. That was a bit too telegraphed.
A chopping leg kick lands by Murikka.
A jab lands there for Murikka.
Murikka tries to clinch but Slabadavski moves out of range.
Murikka closes this distance looking for a takedown but Slabadavski circles away.
Murikka throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Murikka connects with a solid leg kick.
Murikka throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Slabadavski's head.
Murikka tries to close the distance and clinch up but Slabadavski swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Murikka looks for a takedown but Slabadavski sprawls well.
Slabadavski fails miserably with a takedown attempt.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Murikka enables Slabadavski to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Murikka manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Murikka is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Murikka looking for a sweep. Not yet Murikka, not yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Murikka is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Slabadavski wants to control from the top but Murikka keeps moving.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Murikka working for a triangle but Slabadavski defends it easily.
Slabadavski is looking to advance position but Murikka has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Murikka landing strikes from the mount.
Slabadavski is in a horrible position here, under a barrage of strikes, he's managing to avoid any damage.
Murikka throwing strikes but Slabadavski bucks up and reverses the position. He's now in guard on top.
Murikka postures up and lands a big shot to Slabadavski's brow.
Murikka content to stall in guard here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Slabadavski working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Murikka.
Slabadavski keeping moving, preventing Murikka from controlling successfully.
Murikka sitting in guard here, content to control.
Slabadavski 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 fight!
Jussi Murikka showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Murikka has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Dmitry Maklakov scores the fight 48:47
Judge Konstantin Menshow scores the fight 50:47
Judge Vladimir Khabensky scores the fight 50:47

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Jussi Murikka!
Jussi Murikka retains his lightweight title!