PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Liam Nate (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mike Stillao (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Mike Stillao has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Nate
vs
Stillao

170 cm
29
147 lbs
9 - 9 - 1

166 cm
20
147 lbs
4 - 6 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Basic striking
Big right hand

Decent wrestler
Brawler
Knockout power

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 9 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Liam Nate!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 6 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Mike Stillao!
The judges for this bout are Roosa Järviläinen, Tarja Halkonen and Anni Minnemäki.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nate lands a really nice looking cross but Stillao seems unphased.
Nate looks exhausted already! Oh dear, he should have come in in better shape than this!

Stillao closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Stillao lands in his opponent's guard.
Stillao is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Stillao stands up over Nate, holding his feet. He dives back in and lands a decent shot to the head.
Stillao keeps in close for a moment and lands a decent shot to the side of Nate's head.
Stillao wants to control from the top but Nate keeps moving.
Stillao working some strikes from top position.
Nate keeping full guard, as Stillao tries to pass.
Stillao is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Nate is wriggling around but Stillao manages to pass to half guard.
Stillao controlling the pace.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nate taking some punishment here, with Stillao in his half guard.
Stillao winds up and cracks Nate with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Stillao looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nate with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Nate is not content to let Stillao control the position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Stillao lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Stillao is trying to control. Nate wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stillao not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
Nate is trying to stand up here but Stillao is controlling him well.
Nate is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Stillao scores with a couple of nice shots.
Nate has hold of Stillao's hands but Stillao slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Ground and pound from Stillao.
Stillao working over Nate with some ground and pound. Nate looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Nate taking some punishment here, with Stillao in his half guard.
Stillao winds up and cracks Nate with a swinging punch to the side of the head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stillao is trying to control. Nate wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stillao not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nate has hold of Stillao's hands but Stillao slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stillao is looking to take a break and control but Nate is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Stillao landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Nate looks like he's trying to stand up.
Nate has hold of Stillao's hands but Stillao slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Stillao wants to control but Nate is keeping him busy.
Stillao winds up and cracks Nate with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Stillao takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Stillao drops an elbow to the side of Nate's head.
Stillao seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nate does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Stillao working the head and body with strikes.
Stillao stops Nate from getting back to his feet.
Stillao seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nate does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Stillao lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Stillao lands with a punch from half guard.
Nate is trying to stand back up but Stillao is controlling him
Stillao is trying to control. Nate wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Stillao working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Stillao working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Stillao lands a nice short elbow.
Nate is looking to escape.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stillao working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Stillao working over Nate with some ground and pound. Nate looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stillao connects with a nice short shot to Nate's temple.
Nate wants to get back to his feet.
Nate has hold of Stillao's hands but Stillao slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Stillao working over Nate with some ground and pound. Nate looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Stillao seems to be taking a bit of a break to think of his next move. He lands a short punch in the meantime.
Nate tries to kick Stillao off but Stillao keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Stillao is keen to just control but Nate is a slippery customer.
Stillao working Nate over with strikes.
Nate on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Stillao looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nate with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.

Nate is rocked!
Stillao looks towards his corner to check for any instructions. The corner give him nothing to work with, so he cracks Nate with a short hammerfist. I guess that's as good as any advice he could get in this position.
Oh Nate is still in real trouble! Will he be able to recover?!!
The two fighters exchange a few words. I couldn't hear what they were saying but maybe it's more fun if you make it up yourself. Stillao connects with a nice short shot to Nate's temple.
Stillao working some ground and pound from close in. He's looking to maintain this position and strike for a while by the looks of things... although he'll probably advance to full mount in a minute now I've said that.
Ground and pound from Stillao.
Stillao prevents Nate from standing back up.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Stillao pivots as if he's going to throw a leg kick but stops half way.
Nate seems to have got his legs back now.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Stillao.
Stillao takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Stillao throws a head kick but Nate moves out of range.
Liam Nate seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Stillao throws a jab but it's blocked by Nate.
Nate fails to land with a series of punches.
Nate throws a series of punches but Stillao moves out of range.
Stillao misses with a head kick.
Liam Nate is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nice uppercut lands for Nate. That snapped Stillao's head back.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nate avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Stillao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stillao shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nate defends it nicely.
Stillao lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Nate circles away quickly and effectively.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nate swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stillao is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nate sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Liam Nate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Stillao.
A head kick misses from Stillao.
Stillao is looking to clinch but Nate is avoiding it.

Stillao gets a double leg takedown into Nate's guard.

Nate wriggles free and stands up.
Stillao is looking to take this fight into the clinch.
Stillao wants to clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Stillao is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nate sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Stillao fails to land the takedown.
Jab, cross, leg kick. Nice combination by Nate!
Nate lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stillao backs up against the cage.
Stillao tries to clinch but Nate is having none of it.
Stillao shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Nate looks to land a combination. Stillao sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
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!
Stillao is looking to clinch but Nate is avoiding it.
Nate misses with a jab, cross combination.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Stillao darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Mike Stillao has got the better of the ground game so far.

Nate kicks Stillao off and gets back to his feet.
Stillao doesn't manage to clinch there - Nate circles away.
No joy there for Stillao, who threw a few shots but didn't land.
Stillao's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Nate connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Stillao scrambles back to his feet.

Stillao drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Nate working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Stillao.
Stillao must be cautious of submissions here, given that his opponent has the superior Jiu Jitsu.
Nate wants to stand but Stillao is controlling the position.

Nate is edging up against the cage. He's using the cage to get back to his feet. Nice work there - the fighters are clinched.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Nate breaks from the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nate stuffs the takedown.
Nate lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Stillao backs up against the cage.
Nate swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Stillao looks to land a combination but Nate avoids it well.
Nate cracks Stillao with a good jab.
Nate defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Stillao.
Stillao tries to clinch there but Nate circles away.
Nate tries to bum rush Stillao with a series of wild strikes but Stillao uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Stillao misses with a head kick.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nate fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Stillao fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
The fighters circle momentarily. Nate darts into range and connects with a nice straight punch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Mike Stillao will probably get the nod - 10:9.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Stillao fails with a takedown attempt.
Stillao fails in his attempt to clinch.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Stillao.
Nate throws a series of punches but Stillao moves out of range.
Nate tries to bum rush Stillao with a series of wild strikes but Stillao uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

Stillao instigates a clinch.
Nate is pressed up against the cage. Stillao has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nate down to the mat. Nate avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Liam Nate has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mike Stillao.
Nate slips a jab and a cross from Stillao.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Stillao throws a nice looking combination but Nate bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Stillao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Stillao shoots in and drives through. Nate sprawls well.
Stillao throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nate's waist but Nate gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Stillao off to one side.
Stillao fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Stillao has his head slapped from side to side by a 3 punch combination. That must have hurt him.
Stillao walks into a jab.
Stillao moves in looking to clinch but Nate pushes him off.
Stillao shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nate pinned against the cage. Nate gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Nate scores with a nice strike.
Stillao misses with a head kick.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nate lunges at Stillao with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Stillao's hand.
Nate scores with a nice one two combo and darts back out of range to avoid anything coming in the opposite direction.
Stillao tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nate swinging wildly here.
Nate circles away from the clinch attempt.
Stillao misses with a takedown attempt. He shot from a bit too far out.
Nate feints a jab promting Stillao to slip. Nate then demonstrates his capabilities by jabbing again. Stillao slips again and ducks right into an uppercut.
Stillao fails in his attempt to clinch.
No joy there for Nate, who threw a few shots but didn't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stillao is defended easily by Nate.
Horrible takedown by Stillao or perhaps it was just good defense by Nate which made him look bad.
Stillao misses with a few strikes there.
Liam Nate has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Nate lets the fists fly and connects with a left straight followed by a right hook.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Stillao is defended easily by Nate.
Stillao fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nate avoids it really well and circles away.
Liam Nate is winning the standup battle so far.
Stillao's hands are dropping dangerously low here and Nate connects clean with a right hook that sends him down to one knee! Stillao scrambles back to his feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Stillao fails in his attempt to clinch.
Stillao takes a punch to the jaw and another one to the bread basket.
Nate keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nate keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.

Nate gets caught napping as Stillao dives in and scores a takedown. Nate manages to retain guard.
Stillao wants to control from the top but Nate keeps moving.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Stillao is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.

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

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mike Stillao.
I've got Stillao 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 Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Mike Stillao!