PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Alexandr Nikitin (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Jurmas Uusisto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nikitin comes into the arena with Smack My Bitch Up blaring out of the sound system. Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Nikitin
vs
Uusisto

170 cm
28
175 lbs
13 - 14 - 2

177 cm
38
178 lbs
42 - 24 - 1

BJJ Red Belt
Excellent boxer
Insanely flexible

Excellent grappler
World class boxer
Good gas tank

On Tap (160Q & Laundry)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 1 rounds, in the middleweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 14 - 2, fighting out of New York, Alexandr Nikitin!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 42 - 24 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Jurmas Uusisto!
The judges for this bout are Lou da Vinci, Bruno Lombardi and Jorge Garcia.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed right hand from Nikitin misses the target.
Uusisto keeps Nikitin at a distance using the push kick.

Nikitin has managed to clinch.
Uusisto can't find room to land a body shot as Nikitin controls the action.

Uusisto is fighting off a takedown attempt but Nikitin is just too persistent for him and manages to trip Uusisto to the mat. Uusisto regains guard as soon as the fighters hit the mat.
Nikitin won't allow Uusisto to sweep him here.
Uusisto is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Uusisto keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.
Uusisto seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Nikitin does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nikitin gets full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Uusisto throws a big right hand that misses.
Uusisto trying to control the position from guard on top but Nikitin is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Nikitin is controlling Uusisto's posture.
Nikitin is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Uusisto wants to control but Nikitin is keeping busy and won't allow it.
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. Nikitin connects with a nice short shot to Uusisto's temple.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nikitin seems very keen to just sit and control from half guard but Uusisto does not like that idea so much and is remaining active off his back.
Nikitin wants to free his trapped foot but Uusisto is holding on for dear life with his legs.
Uusisto trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin is stalling here. Uusisto is in no mood to hang around though. He's locked up a kimura from the bottom! Nikitin seems to be keeping calm but he's forced to roll out of the hold and Uusisto has ended up in side control on the top. Nice work.
Uusisto in side control, just content to control the action for now.
Nikitin is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Uusisto off and has taken his back!

Nikitin looking for the choke but no joy.
Nikitin has the hooks in. Uusisto is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin lands a shot to the body.
Uusisto is really stuck here.

Nikitin is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Uusisto defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Nikitin doesn't have the hooks in and Uusisto manages to turn into his guard.
Uusisto content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.

Uusisto got a little sloppy there for a moment and Nikitin has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Uusisto has managed to get both his arms back between Nikitin's legs - danger averted.
Nikitin working a defensive guard here.
Uusisto's corner is telling him to maintain position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin is trying to control the position but Uusisto postures up.
Uusisto trying to control but Nikitin is working from the bottom.
Nikitin working a defensive guard but Uusisto passes into half guard.
Uusisto wants to advance to full mount but Nikitin doesn't think that's going to happen and regains full guard instead.
Nikitin seems keen to control rather than go for a submission, at least for now.
Nikitin manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Uusisto manages to get himself to full guard.

Nikitin won't allow Uusisto to sweep him here.
Nikitin pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Uusisto is keeping the position for now.

That's five minutes gone in the round.
Uusisto working a defensive guard here.
Uusisto keeping full guard, as Nikitin tries to pass.
Uusisto tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Uusisto keeping moving, preventing Nikitin from controlling successfully.

Uusisto throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Uusisto throws his legs up looking to secure a triangle. Oh, that looks pretty tight, I gotta say! Nikitin escapes and throws Uusisto's legs to the side, diving into side control!
Nikitin working away.

That's six minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
An elbow from Nikitin crashes against the mat.

Nikitin goes for an armbar here - this could be all over! But no, Uusisto has escaped beautifully and is now on top in side control! Oh, that's unlucky for Nikitin but great work by Uusisto.
Uusisto sitting in side control, looking to soften his opponent up with elbows and hammerfists but Nikitin is avoiding damage well and looking to escape the position.
Nikitin gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Nikitin is concentrating on defense, preventing Uusisto from advancing position.

Uusisto is looking for a kimura. It's going to be difficult to finish that from half guard though and Nikitin defends it well.
Nikitin is doing well to control the position and prevent Uusisto from advancing to side control.

That's seven minutes gone in the round.
Nikitin is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Uusisto's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Uusisto's back!
Nikitin keeps control of the position as Uusisto tries to break free.
Nikitin lands with a big left hand that may well have hurt his opponent. Can Uusisto hold on?!
Can Uusisto hold on?! Nikitin is landing more strikes to his hapless foe.

Nikitin working for the choke.
Uusisto controlling the position well but he knows he's in a bad spot.
Nikitin cracks Uusisto with a big shot to body and one to the head - really punishing Uusisto from the back mount here, looking to soften him up.

That's eight minutes gone in the round.
Uusisto tries to break free.
Nikitin is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
A lull in the action here.
Uusisto trying to control the action but Nikitin just sinks the hooks in.
Uusisto tries to roll but Nikitin sticks to his back.

Nikitin looking to break Uusisto's wrist control so he can sink in the choke. Uusisto remaining controlled and patient though - he really has to keep calm otherwise Nikitin will wrap this one up with the rear naked choke!

That's nine minutes gone in the round.
Uusisto can't escape the position.
Nikitin tries to keep control of the position but Uusisto is staying busy.
Nikitin avoiding Uusisto 's attempts to control his hands.

Uusisto is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.
Uusisto tries to escape the position - he's now mounted. Is that better or worse? Hard to tell!
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nikitin wants to control the pace but Uusisto is squirming around nicely.
Nikitin looking to control and managing it successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Alexandr Nikitin showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Nikitin has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1 round of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Lou da Vinci scores the fight 10:9
Judge Bruno Lombardi scores the fight 10:9
Judge Jorge Garcia scores the fight 10:9

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Alexandr Nikitin!
Our winner, Alexandr Nikitin, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.