PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Joan Lester (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Juha Nimmaki (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lester
vs
Nimmaki

192 cm
25
140 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

170 cm
23
140 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cuts easily

Good takedowns
Brawler
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the bantamweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Joan Lester!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Juha Nimmaki!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Lester gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Nimmaki is trying to pull guard but Lester has him pressed against the cage.

Lester breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

Lester drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Nimmaki is looking to regain half guard here but Lester keeps moving and retains side control.

Lester is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Nimmaki has escaped the position, nice work there.
Nimmaki tries to bench press Lester off him but Lester keeps the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Lester swings around for an armbar but Nimmaki sees it coming a mile off and turns beautifully into Lester's guard.

Lester looking for a guillotine here but Nimmaki defends easily.
Nimmaki throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nimmaki is sitting in guard, working some ground and pound.
Nimmaki has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

Nimmaki avoids a guillotine attempt easily.

Lester looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nimmaki passes into half guard.
Nimmaki controlling the pace.
Lester tries to kick Nimmaki off in order to stand up. Nimmaki Avoids the leg push though and dives into side control.
Nimmaki moves into full mount!
Lester is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nimmaki controlling from the full mount.
Nimmaki is still in mount, landing shots to his trapped opponent. Lester can't stay in a position like this for much longer.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nimmaki controlling from the full mount.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
It looks like Nimmaki might be adopting somewhat of a lay and pray gameplan here, which I'm sure won't go down too well with the paying fans in attendance... Or the ring announcers come to think of it.
Nimmaki trying to control but Lester is having none of it.
Nimmaki is landing with some decent strikes but Lester is trying to advance his position so the referee is letting the fight continue.
Nimmaki lands a heavy elbow.
Lester tries to hold on but Nimmaki postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lester really wants to buck Nimmaki off and get back to his feet.
Lester is trying to stand but he's not in a good position to be doing that! Nimmaki has taken his back!
Lester covers up after taking a massive shot to the side of the head.
Nimmaki loading up with punches from the back mount - how long can Lester hold on?
Lester looks to control his opponent's hands but he's not mananging it at the moment.

Nimmaki is working for the choke. I would put my money on him to finish from this position. He's rolled onto his back and has dragged Lester with him. Lester is trying to defend but Nimmaki has an arm under the chin now! Lester grimaces and is forced to tap out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:48 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Juha Nimmaki!