PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Charles Kota (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikola Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kota comes into the arena with Airplanes - B.o.B ft Hayley Williams blaring out of the sound system. Nikola Veljanovski will no doubt be trying to keep this one on the feet, where he has a distinct advantage.

Kota
vs
Veljanovski

183 cm
30
214 lbs
6 - 7 - 0

182 cm
31
222 lbs
29 - 19 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Very strong

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

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 6 - 7 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Charles Kota!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Veljanovski!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kota shoots in for a takedown but Veljanovski shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kota fails with a takedown attempt.

Veljanovski has Kota up against the cage in a clinch.
Veljanovski pushes Kota back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.

Kota has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Veljanovski clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Kota throwing lazy shots from the back mount that aren't doing any damage.
Kota is throwing shots to the body but Veljanovski manages to wriggle free. Kota pounces on him again and ends up in Veljanovski's guard.
Kota postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Kota working from the guard for now, landing some ground and pound.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veljanovski wants to stand and escape but Kota is having none of it.
Kota trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Veljanovski is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Kota stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Veljanovski swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Kota stops Veljanovski from standing up.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Veljanovski wants to clinch up but Kota keeps it at a distance.
Veljanovski tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.

Kota tries to keep at a distance but Veljanovski has taken the fight into the clinch.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.

Kota wants the takedown. Veljanovski is fighting it off but Kota persists and manages to bring the fight to the ground, ending up in Veljanovski's guard against the cage.
Kota looking to pass the guard.
Kota is working hard here to advance position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski wants to stand and escape but Kota is having none of it.
Kota with a flurry of punches that miss.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Kota is holding a leg here, probably looking for an ankle lock - he drops back and goes for it! Veljanovski is in trouble! Is it all over??? No! Veljanovski has escaped and now he's on top!
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Veljanovski wanted to stand there but Kota had control of the position.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.

Veljanovski moves into range and clinches up with Kota.
Veljanovski swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Veljanovski throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Kota blocks it with crossed arms.
Veljanovski throws a head punch that misses.

Kota has picked Veljanovski up - he's going for a ride! Kota dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.

Veljanovski makes some distance and scrambles quickly back to his feet. Nice work!
Kota will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Kota. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Veljanovski doesn't manage to clinch there - Kota circles away.
Kota seemed to be looking to counter by closing the distance.
Veljanovski tries to close the distance and clinch but Kota swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kota dives in and scores a takedown into Veljanovski's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Kota with a flurry of punches that miss.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Nikola Veljanovski will probably get the nod.
That's time! Kota's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Veljanovski tries to close the distance and clinch but Kota swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Kota gets tackled into the cage by Veljanovski. Veljanovski maintains the clinch.
Veljanovski is looking to control Kota's arms but Kota gets an underhook and turns him. Now Veljanovski has his back to the cage.
Veljanovski throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Kota drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Kota is looking to take this one to the mat.
Kota is looking to take this one to the mat.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Kota. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice left hand lands by Veljanovski.
Kota tries for a takedown. No joy.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Veljanovski stalling.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Veljanovski dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
Veljanovski misses with a hook from the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kota tries for a takedown. No joy.

Veljanovski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
Nikola Veljanovski seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Veljanovski scores with a sloppy punch to the body. Not much technique there but it did the business.
Veljanovski is looking to clinch.
It looked like Kota was trying to counter with a body shot coming off that last attack from Veljanovski.

Veljanovski instigates a clinch.
Veljanovski prevents a takedown attempt there.
Veljanovski is pushing Kota up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Veljanovski tries to break the clinch but Kota is controlling the position.
Kota goes for a takedown attempt but Veljanovski pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Veljanovski closes the distance and pushes Kota back into the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kota drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Veljanovski gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Veljanovski misses with some punches.
A left hand lands to the body for Veljanovski.
Veljanovski is looking to control Kota's arms but Kota gets an underhook and turns him. Now Veljanovski has his back to the cage.
Kota has Veljanovski pressed against the cage, preventing Veljanovski from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
Veljanovski gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Kota.

Veljanovski pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.

Veljanovski moves into range and clinches up with Kota.
Veljanovski is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Veljanovski tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Veljanovski prevents the takedown attempt.

Veljanovski manages to break the clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski doesn't manage to clinch there - Kota circles away.

Veljanovski takes the fight into the clinch.
Veljanovski wants to stall.
Kota wants to take the fight to the mat but Veljanovski manages to get underhooks and keep the fight in the clinch.

Veljanovski breaks from the clinch.
Kota circles away from the clinch attempt.
Veljanovski moves in looking to clinch but Kota pushes him off.
Veljanovski has been the more effective fighter overall so far.

Veljanovski clinches with his opponent.
Kota can't get the takedown.
Veljanovski is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.
Veljanovski is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Kota is keeping busy.
Kota wants a takedown.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Kota keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Veljanovski's efforts to push away.
Veljanovski gets underhooks to prevent Kota's takedown attempt.
Kota is trying to drag Veljanovski to the mat but Veljanovski just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Veljanovski pushes Kota back against the cage and lands a hook to the side of the head.
Veljanovski holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Veljanovski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Veljanovski forces Kota back against the cage and clinches.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Kota avoids a wild elbow strike from Veljanovski.
Kota blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Stalling in the clinch from Veljanovski.
Kota looking for a takedown.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Veljanovski moves in looking to clinch but Kota pushes him off.

Veljanovski drives through and clinches with Kota against the cage.
Veljanovski misses with a hook to the ribs.
Veljanovski lands a hook to the side of the head.
Kota drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Veljanovski gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Veljanovski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Veljanovski creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
Veljanovski is trying to push Kota away but Kota has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Veljanovski misses with a knee to the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Veljanovski is pressed up against the cage. Kota has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Veljanovski down to the mat. Veljanovski avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Kota will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Charles Kota. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Veljanovski fails with an attempt to clinch.

Veljanovski gets in close and instigates a clinch.
Veljanovski can't find room to land a body shot as Kota controls the action.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Veljanovski stops a takedown attempt from Kota.

Veljanovski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Veljanovski takes the fight into the clinch.
Veljanovski stalling the fight.
Veljanovski working aggressively here.
Veljanovski is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Veljanovski wants to break the clinch but can't.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Kota just misses with a elbow thrown towards Veljanovski's brow.
Veljanovski has Kota pressed against the cage.

Kota gets double underhooks and manages to take the fight to the ground.

Veljanovski manages to wriggle out and sneak his way back up to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched up against the cage.
Kota drops down looking for an ankle pick but Veljanovski pulls his leg out and moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Veljanovski rushes Kota and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Kota is looking to take this one to the mat.
Veljanovski is trying to stall.
Veljanovski lands a right hand.
Veljanovski fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Kota is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Veljanovski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.

Veljanovski breaks from the clinch.

Veljanovski moves into the clinch successfully.
A bit of stalling here from Veljanovski.

Veljanovski's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

Veljanovski darts in and clinches Kota up against the cage.
Veljanovski is trying to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kota throws an elbow but it's blocked.
Veljanovski misses with a knee to the head.
Veljanovski throws a knee to the head but misses.
Veljanovski working hard to break the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kota.

Kota breaks from the clinch.
Veljanovski tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kota swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kota throwing a counter right hand but Veljanovski manages to avoid it.

Veljanovski gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
Kota tries to score a body lock takedown but Veljanovski shows good agility there to stay on his feet.

Veljanovski manages to break the clinch.
Veljanovski tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Kota manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
As Veljanovski looks to move away, Kota throws a big counter combo bu Veljanovski just gets out of the way.
Veljanovski is looking to clinch but Kota is avoiding it.
Kota throws a quick counter head kick but Veljanovski was just out of range.

Veljanovski instigates a clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kota wants a takedown but no success here.
Nikola Veljanovski seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
Veljanovski holding his opponent close, against the cage.

Kota's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Kota avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Kota tries to counter by moving into the clinch but Veljanovski manages to circle out of the way.

Veljanovski drives through and clinches with Kota against the cage.
A short right from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski working aggressively here.
Veljanovski taking a breather.
Veljanovski misses with a punch on the inside.

Kota works for the underhooks and manages to get a trip takedown into guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Kota prevents Veljanovski from getting back to his feet.
Charles Kota has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Kota is standing up over Veljanovski. Veljanovski looks to escape but Kota dives into side control.
Nikola Veljanovski is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Veljanovski is working hard to escape and get back to his feet. After a battle for position, Kota asserts his dominance and retains side control.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikola Veljanovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Veljanovski 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 26:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 26:30
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 26:30

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