PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steve Asap (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Kenric Nyyrikki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kenric Nyyrikki has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Steve Asap's chin.

Asap
vs
Nyyrikki

180 cm
25
180 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

183 cm
23
170 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
Dangerous knees
Very strong

BJJ White Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Steve Asap!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Hilo, Kenric Nyyrikki!
The judges for this bout are Josh West, Chris Saunders and Micheangelo Fripello.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nyyrikki tries to clinch up

and Asap counters by moving into the clinch.
Nyyrikki looks really tired already! That doesn't bode well for a good, competitive fight!

Asap breaks from the clinch.
Nyyrikki wants to clinch but Asap slips to the side

and Asap counters by clinching up.
Nyyrikki tries to break free but Asap pushes him back against the cage.

Asap gets control of Nyyrikki's arms and successfully pulls guard. Asap will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Asap on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Asap tries to get out of the position.
Asap wants to get back to his feet but Nyyrikki is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Asap is trying to keep Nyyrikki in close.
Asap is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Nyyrikki trying to control but Asap is working from the bottom.
Asap looking for a sweep. Not yet Asap, not yet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asap wants to stand and escape but Nyyrikki is having none of it.

Nyyrikki got a little sloppy there for a moment and Asap has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Nyyrikki has managed to get both his arms back between Asap's legs - danger averted.
Nyyrikki prevents Asap from getting back to his feet.
Nyyrikki wants to get up but he can't break Asap's closed guard. He needs to be careful trying to break the legs open, as he's open to submissions here.
Asap is adopting a defensive guard.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Asap closes the distance and clinches.

Asap breaks from the clinch.
Asap lands a leg kick that knocks Nyyrikki off balance momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Asap.
Asap misses with a wild combination.
Asap tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nyyrikki swivels and escapes.
Asap throws a series of punches but Nyyrikki avoids them all with ease.
A looping hook to the body misses from Nyyrikki. Asap does a little dance to reset his feet.

Asap gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.

Asap lands a takedown into guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Asap controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
Asap has decided he wants to stand but the closed guard of Nyyrikki is proving hard to escape from.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Asap controlling from the top position.

Asap drops back looking for a leg! Nyyrikki is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nyyrikki manages to kick Asap off! Asap jumps back into Nyyrikki's guard.
Asap wants to control from the top but Nyyrikki keeps moving.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nyyrikki wants to stand but Asap is controlling the position.
Our spies down at at Cozad MMA Hilo inform us that Nyyrikki has really been working on his submissions in the buildup to this fight. Will it pay off?

We're going to have a standup here because Steve Asap wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Asap dives in and grabs Nyyrikki's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nyyrikki pushes down on Asap's head and hops out.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Asap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asap fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Asap has a takedown stuffed.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Asap shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Nyyrikki sprawls well. Nyyrikki wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Asap gets slowly back to his feet.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Asap dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nyyrikki tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Asap paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nyyrikki scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Asap doesn't seem bothered though.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nyyrikki crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Asap - the referee stops the clock and Nyyrikki gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Asap. Nyyrikki manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Steve Asap is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nyyrikki stuffs the takedown attempt from Asap. Asap gets slowly back to his feet.
Nyyrikki moves away from the strike by Asap.
Asap jabs Nyyrikki right on the nose. Nyyrikki blinks but takes it well.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Asap is defended easily by Nyyrikki.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Asap tries to bum rush Nyyrikki with a series of wild strikes but Nyyrikki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Asap has closed the distance and engaged Nyyrikki in a clinch.
Nyyrikki gets underhooks to prevent Asap's takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Asap. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Asap has Nyyrikki pressed against the cage, preventing Nyyrikki from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Asap has Nyyrikki pushed against the cage.

Asap manages to pull guard.
Asap tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Asap wants to stand up but Nyyrikki is controlling him.
Nyyrikki wanted to stand there but Asap had control of the position.
Nyyrikki is working the ground and pound from guard. He might want to try advancing position though to get more of an impact.
Asap is trying to hold Nyyrikki in close to prevent damage but Nyyrikki has managed to pass into half guard.
Nyyrikki is pressing down on Asap's thigh, looking to free his foot. Asap is holding on for now.
Nyyrikki trying to control the action but Asap is working from the bottom.
Asap is trying to get back to full guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nyyrikki is trying to work for a kimura but Asap is defending well.
Asap desperately trying to maintain half guard.

Nyyrikki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Asap trying to control here.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Asap looking for submissions from an awkward position here.
Nyyrikki prevents Asap from improving his position.
Nyyrikki thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Asap is trying to stand.
Asap trying to keep hold of his opponent's head but Nyyrikki manages to pass to mount!
Asap is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Nyyrikki has taken his back!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steve Asap dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Nyyrikki changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Asap tries to avoid it but Nyyrikki manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Asap to the ground. Asap escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Asap misses with a takedown attempt - Nyyrikki sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

Asap darts in and clinches Nyyrikki up against the cage.

Asap pulls guard.
Nyyrikki trying to stand up but can't free himself from Asap's guard.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Asap working for a triangle but Nyyrikki defends it easily.

Nyyrikki drops back looking for a leg! Asap is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Asap manages to kick Nyyrikki off! Nyyrikki jumps back into Asap's guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Asap trying to control the position.
Nyyrikki wants to stand but Asap is controlling his posture from full guard.
Nyyrikki trying to control the position from guard on top but Asap is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.
Nyyrikki won't allow Asap to sweep him here.
Asap has his hands on Nyyrikki's head, controlling the position.
Asap throwing some rather feeble looking strikes off his back.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Asap explodes with a nice body kick and back out of range. Nice work.
Asap fails with the takedown.
Asap darts in looking for a takedown but Nyyrikki gets double underhooks and turns Asap into the cage.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Steve Asap. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Asap pulls guard effortlessly.
Asap is looking to stand back up but Nyyrikki counters by passing into half guard. Oops... bit sloppy there by Asap.
Asap tries to roll over but Nyyrikki keeps him under control.
Nyyrikki tries to pass the half guard into mount. Asap knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Asap knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Nyyrikki on the ground.
Nyyrikki wants to stand up but Asap manages to regain full guard.
Asap wants to sweep here but Nyyrikki controlling him for the moment.

Nyyrikki drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nyyrikki jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nyyrikki wants to stand but Asap has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
Asap wants to sweep here but Nyyrikki controlling him for the moment.
Asap is striking off his back. Nyyrikki thinks nothing of it though and passes easily into half guard.
Asap taking some punishment here, with Nyyrikki in his half guard.
Nyyrikki tries to stand but his hand is stuck under Asap.
Kenric Nyyrikki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Steve Asap is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

Nyyrikki is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Steve Asap.
Well Asap 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 Josh West scores the fight 30:27
Judge Chris Saunders scores the fight 30:27
Judge Micheangelo Fripello scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steve Asap!