PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Matti Nieminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Thomas Nieminen (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). The crowd seem to be enjoying Thomas Nieminen's choice of entrance music: Scream, Aim, Fire!. 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.

Nieminen
vs
Nieminen

170 cm
22
143 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

174 cm
22
154 lbs
2 - 0 - 0

Decent wrestler
Counter striker
Prefers ground

BJJ Purple Belt
Counter striker
Likes ground

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Matti Nieminen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Thomas Nieminen!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Ben Zyskovitsi and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Matti Nieminen feints and as Thomas Nieminen raises his hands in defense, Matti Nieminen changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

Thomas Nieminen escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Matti Nieminen gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Matti Nieminen throwing strikes from guard but Thomas Nieminen blocks nicely.

Matti Nieminen avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Matti Nieminen stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Thomas Nieminen swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Thomas Nieminen wants to stand up but Matti Nieminen is controlling him.
Matti Nieminen pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Thomas Nieminen is keeping the position for now.
Matti Nieminen is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Thomas Nieminen looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Matti Nieminen won't allow Thomas Nieminen to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Matti Nieminen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thomas Nieminen's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Thomas Nieminen has an active guard here but Matti Nieminen has managed to pass into half guard.
Thomas Nieminen blocking the ground and pound attempt from Matti Nieminen.
Matti Nieminen wants to stand up but Thomas Nieminen is controlling the position.
Matti Nieminen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thomas Nieminen's head.
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Matti Nieminen in particular looking to stall.
Thomas Nieminen trying to control from the bottom.
Matti Nieminen tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Thomas Nieminen.
Matti Nieminen thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Thomas Nieminen's head.

Matti Nieminen is trying to work for a kimura but Thomas Nieminen is defending well.
Matti Nieminen is breathing heavily.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.

Matti Nieminen shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Thomas Nieminen's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Thomas Nieminen working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Matti Nieminen doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Matti Nieminen manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.

Thomas Nieminen is looking to sinch up a triangle. Matti Nieminen throws the leg off to one side though and gets in tight to Thomas Nieminen's body to avoid the submission. Thomas Nieminen has instead reached around Matti Nieminen's neck and now has a guillotine! Oh, this is biiiig trouble! Thomas Nieminen arches his back and squeezes and forces the tap from his hapless opponent.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 2:39 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Thomas Nieminen!