PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nikola Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Pekka Arhinmaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Pekka Arhinmaki has the better chin. Will he look to stand and bang today?

Veljanovski
vs
Arhinmaki

182 cm
26
222 lbs
19 - 9 - 0

188 cm
25
210 lbs
0 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

Good takedowns
Counter fighter
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 19 - 9 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Veljanovski!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Pekka Arhinmaki!
The judges for this bout are Nard Betker, Wagner Zegers and Saam Ante.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Arhinmaki takes one to the chin there.

Veljanovski gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Veljanovski lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.

Veljanovski manages to break the clinch.

Veljanovski shoots in and bounces Arhinmaki off the cage to secure the takedown into guard.
Arhinmaki trying to control the position here.
Arhinmaki can't do much from the bottom at the moment, as Veljanovski controls the pace.
Arhinmaki wants to sweep but no luck.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Arhinmaki looking for a guillotine here but Veljanovski defends easily.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Arhinmaki is looking for a triangle but Veljanovski pushes his legs off easily.

Arhinmaki is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Veljanovski defends well.

Arhinmaki looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.

Arhinmaki looking for a guillotine here but Veljanovski defends easily.
Veljanovski trying to control but Arhinmaki is working from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Arhinmaki looking for subs off his back but Veljanovski has passed one foot through into half guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Veljanovski winds up and cracks Arhinmaki with a swinging punch to the side of the head.
Arhinmaki on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Veljanovski knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Arhinmaki on the ground.
Veljanovski thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Veljanovski wants to control but Arhinmaki is keeping him busy.
Veljanovski working Arhinmaki over with strikes.
Veljanovski trying to control from half guard but Arhinmaki is working away.

Arhinmaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Arhinmaki looks winded!
Arhinmaki avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Veljanovski.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Veljanovski lands a nice short elbow.
Veljanovski lands strikes from half guard.
Veljanovski working Arhinmaki over with strikes.

Veljanovski is looking for a kimura but Arhinmaki is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Veljanovski to get the leverage.

Veljanovski is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.

Arhinmaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Arhinmaki keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arhinmaki is trying to stand up here but Veljanovski is controlling him well.
Veljanovski working over Arhinmaki with some ground and pound. Arhinmaki looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Arhinmaki on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Veljanovski works his way into side control.

Veljanovski working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Arhinmaki takes a couple of big shots there - the referee warns him that he has to defend himself better.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!

Veljanovski is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Arhinmaki has escaped the position, nice work there.
Arhinmaki defending against the ground and pound.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski dominated that round.
That's time! Veljanovski's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Veljanovski moves into the clinch.
Arhinmaki has Veljanovski pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Veljanovski manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Veljanovski working some nice short punches in the clinch.
Veljanovski lands a hook to the side of the head.
Veljanovski lands a shoulder strike.
Arhinmaki is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.

Veljanovski manages to break the clinch.
Veljanovski displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.

Veljanovski shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
This has been an exciting period of action!
Veljanovski is looking to work some ground and pound but Arhinmaki has wrist control.
Veljanovski pushes down on Arhinmaki's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Veljanovski not landing any meaningful shots this time.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Veljanovski is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Arhinmaki is just riding it out for now. Veljanovski eventually gives up the hold.
Arhinmaki is not content to let Veljanovski control the position.

Veljanovski is trying to work for a kimura but Arhinmaki is defending well.
Arhinmaki gets full guard.
Veljanovski wants to control from the top but Arhinmaki keeps moving.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Veljanovski avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Arhinmaki is looking for a triangle here but Veljanovski uses the submission attempt to pass into side control.
Arhinmaki is breathing heavily.
Veljanovski wants to lay and pray for a moment but Arhinmaki keeps working.
Veljanovski lands a decent elbow from side control.
Arhinmaki taking punishment in the form of punches.
Arhinmaki manages to work his way to half guard, despite Veljanovski's best efforts.
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!
Neither fighter is being very active at the moment, with Veljanovski in particular looking to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Arhinmaki looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
Arhinmaki is not content to let Veljanovski control the position.
Arhinmaki gets back to full guard.
Veljanovski wants to get up but he can't break Arhinmaki's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Arhinmaki wants to sweep here but Veljanovski controlling him for the moment.
Veljanovski stands up out of Arhinmaki's guard for a moment - Arhinmaki manages to land a nice upkick.
Veljanovski has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Veljanovski trying to control but Arhinmaki is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Arhinmaki has a closed guard, preventing Veljanovski from standing up.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.
Arhinmaki trying to control the position.
Veljanovski wants to control from the top but Arhinmaki keeps moving.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nikola Veljanovski wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Veljanovski moves in looking to clinch but Arhinmaki pushes him off.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Veljanovski drives through with a takedown into guard.
Veljanovski throwing strikes but missing.
Veljanovski slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski dominated that second round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Veljanovski gets a takedown into half guard.

Arhinmaki looking to force a kimura from the bottom here. He's concentrating on that move too much though and Veljanovski pushes past his half guard into mount!
Arhinmaki tries to reverse the position but Veljanovski maintains control.
Veljanovski scores with a couple of good head shots there.
Veljanovski tries to control but Arhinmaki wriggling away.
Veljanovski lands a couple of good shots and Arhinmaki has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Veljanovski lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Arhinmaki takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Veljanovski is punishing Arhinmaki with strikes - can he finish him?!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Can Arhinmaki hold on?! Veljanovski is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.
Veljanovski punches Arhinmaki on the ear.

Veljanovski is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Arhinmaki just trying to survive but Veljanovski is wriggling into a better position, looking to finish.
Veljanovski softening up his opponent with strikes here.

Arhinmaki showing good submission defense here.
Veljanovski struggling to keep hold of the position.
Veljanovski is landing with strikes from the back.

Veljanovski looking for the RNC.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
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!
Veljanovski is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.
Arhinmaki tries to roll but Veljanovski sticks to his back.
Veljanovski landing with strikes.
Arhinmaki can't escape the position.
Veljanovski gets his hands free as Arhinmaki looks to control.
Veljanovski lands an elbow to the side of the head.
Veljanovski is punishing Arhinmaki with some ground and pound.

Veljanovski tightening his grip on Arhinmaki, looking for the choke.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Arhinmaki trying to control the action but Veljanovski just sinks the hooks in.

Veljanovski is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Arhinmaki has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
Veljanovski is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Arhinmaki can do to turn this around?
Veljanovski lands a punch that was close to the back of the head but the ref thinks it's OK.
Veljanovski is punishing Arhinmaki with some ground and pound.
Arhinmaki is really stuck here.
Veljanovski trying to control.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski scores with punches to the body.
Arhinmaki grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Arhinmaki trying to control the hands but Veljanovski won't let him.
Veljanovski is trying to stick to Arhinmaki's back but Arhinmaki is turning into Veljanovski. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Veljanovski's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Arhinmaki.
Veljanovski is trying to control the position but Arhinmaki postures up.
Arhinmaki stops Veljanovski from standing up.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Arhinmaki stopping the sweep attempt from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski working a defensive guard here.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikola Veljanovski showed his dominance in that final round.
Well Veljanovski 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Nard Betker scores the fight 30:27
Judge Wagner Zegers scores the fight 30:27
Judge Saam Ante scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikola Veljanovski!