PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a bantamweight MMA rules bout between Mads Nordskov (ranked 778 p4p, 35 weight class) and Koko Pinea (ranked 689 p4p, 32 weight class). Nordskov's ring entrance music is that housewives' favourite, Fugle. Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Nordskov
vs
Pinea

171 cm
31
138 lbs
23 - 9 - 1

159 cm
37
134 lbs
18 - 8 - 1

Great wrestler
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Olympic wrestler
World class MT
Good gas tank

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 23 - 9 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Mads Nordskov!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 18 - 8 - 1, fighting out of New York, Koko Pinea!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Yukihiro Shimada and Yasuomi Hirokawa.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nordskov throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Pinea tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nordskov looks to land a left hand but Pinea moved out of range nicely.
Nordskov ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Pinea tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Nordskov defends well and Pinea ends up having to push Nordskov into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Nordskov lands with a kick to the ribs.
Nordskov scores with a jab to the body.
Pinea shoots in for a takedown but Nordskov shows good takedown defense.

Nordskov gets caught napping as Pinea dives in and scores a takedown. Nordskov manages to retain guard.
Pinea stopping the sweep attempt from Nordskov.
Pinea throws a big right hand that misses.
Nordskov looking for a sweep. Not yet Nordskov, not yet.
Pinea throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Pinea throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nordskov utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pinea accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pinea throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.
Pinea working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nordskov keeping moving, preventing Pinea from controlling successfully.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Pinea moves into range and connects with a jab.
Pinea jabbing away but nothing is landing.
Nordskov is looking to counter punch.
Wow, both these guys are really going for it!
Pinea wants to clinch up but Nordskov keeps it at a distance.
Nordskov tests Pinea's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Pinea avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nordskov is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by Pinea.

Pinea gets a double leg takedown into Nordskov's guard.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Pinea accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Pinea throws an elbow that misses. Nordskov uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Pinea's guard. Nice move by Nordskov!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Pinea looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nordskov is one step ahead there.
Pinea has control of Nordskov's left arm, preventing Nordskov from doing any damage.
Nordskov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Pinea is trying to control the position but Nordskov postures up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nordskov showing good wrestling skills to control the position.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Pinea is pulling down on Nordskov's head to control his posture.
Nordskov forces his way into half guard.
Pinea wants to get back to full guard.

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.
Pinea is trying to control but can't.
Pinea has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Pinea is trying to avoid being dragged into an even worse position than he's already in but Nordskov is staying active.
Pinea is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Pinea is looking to clinch.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pinea changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nordskov tries to avoid it but Pinea manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nordskov to the ground. Nordskov escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nordskov looks to have improved his striking defense since last time we saw him fight.
Mads Nordskov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Koko Pinea.
Pinea lands a jab to the head.
Nordskov rushes in with a sloppy looking punch

and Pinea counters with a shoot takedown into half guard.
Pinea is trying to control. Nordskov wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Koko Pinea will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Pinea moves into range and clinches up with Nordskov.
Nordskov misses with a hook to the ribs.
Nordskov blocks an uppercut.
With the fighters clinched against the cage, Nordskov creates a bit of distance for himself and scores with a nice uppercut.
Pinea lands a body punch.
Nordskov prevents a body shot from Pinea.
Nordskov misses with a shot to the kidneys.
Pinea throws a punch but it's blocked by Nordskov.
Nordskov lands a left hand.

Pinea lands a takedown into guard.
My spies in Big Bear Fight Factory inform me that Pinea has been getting involved in the gym's BJJ sparring sessions. Let's see whether that pays dividends!
Pinea trying to control but Nordskov is working from the bottom.
Pinea cracks Nordskov with a solid left hand.
Pinea wants to control from the top but Nordskov keeps moving.
Pinea throwing strikes from guard but Nordskov blocks nicely.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinea pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nordskov is keeping the position for now.
Nordskov is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

Pinea drops back for a leg but he's not going to get it - he lets go and Nordskov dives on top into guard.

Pinea looking for a sweep. Not yet Pinea, not yet.

Pinea looking for submissions from the bottom but instead Nordskov passes into half guard.
Nordskov is taking a breather. Pinea says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nordskov continues to stall.
The fighters are battling for position here. Pinea manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Pinea trying to control the position.
Nordskov preventing the sweep.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Pinea keeps trying to improve his position.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nordskov misses with a low kick as Pinea jumps back.
Nordskov swats away the attempt to clinch by Pinea.
Nordskov tries a head kick but it misses.
Nordskov circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nordskov misses with a leg kick

and Pinea counters with a takedown into side control.
Nordskov regains half guard there - taking advantage of Pinea's attempt to lay and pray for a moment.
Pinea wants to take a breather but Nordskov is having none of it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Pinea is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Nordskov on the receiving end of some nice ground and pound.
Pinea throwing punches and elbows but they're not doing any damage.
Pinea throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Nordskov to regain full guard.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Pinea landing some decent shots from guard.
Pinea trying to control but Nordskov is working from the bottom.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Koko Pinea showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
That's the end of the round. The referee orders the cornermen out of the cage so we can get back down to business. This is the final round!

Nordskov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.
Jab from Nordskov.
Nordskov on the wrong end of a nice jab.
Pinea throws a jab but it's blocked by Nordskov.
Nordskov throws a series of punches but Pinea avoids them all with ease.
Nordskov avoids a lazy jab quite easily.
Nordskov misses with a kick to the body.
Pinea fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
A big right from Nordskov misses.
Nordskov scores with a leg kick.
Pinea dives in for a single leg takedown but Nordskov sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Nordskov connects with a body shot that sends Pinea's belly button to the back.
Nordskov scores with a jab to the jaw.
Pinea looks for a takedown but Nordskov sprawls well.
Mads Nordskov has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Koko Pinea.
Pinea staying out of range there.
Mads Nordskov seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Pinea fails with an attempt to clinch.
Nordskov slips a jab and a cross from Pinea.
Nordskov ducks low and lands a nice hook to the body of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Pinea fails with a takedown attempt.
That kick from Pinea tenderised Nordskov's leg. Nordskov is trying to keep his angry face on.
Nordskov throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nordskov misses the jab.
Nordskov tries to clinch up but Pinea circles away and keeps his distance.
Pinea takes a thudding leg kick, right into the meat of the thigh.
Pinea tries to clinch there but Nordskov circles away.
Pinea fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nordskov lands with a nice low kick. That'll leave a bruise.
Pinea missing with a left hand there. Nordskov was out of range so wasted energy throwing that one.
Pinea goes for a double leg but Nordskov avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Nordskov continues to drive forward.
Nordskov lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Nordskov misses with a body shot.
Nordskov throws a jab but it's blocked by Pinea.
Nordskov swings for the body but Pinea moves out of range.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nordskov moves into range and connects with a jab.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Pinea.
Nordskov throws a lazy right hand but Pinea sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nice defenses there by Pinea.
Pinea steps in looking to clinch after the strikes miss from Nordskov.
Pinea takes a shot to the nose. Hopefully that hasn't broken it.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!

Pinea shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Nordskov is trying to defend but Pinea finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Nordskov manages to get to full guard.
Pinea loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nordskov avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Pinea postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Pinea looking to sit in guard and control but Nordskov gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Pinea looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Koko Pinea is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
Nordskov wants to control from the top but Pinea keeps moving.
Pinea is pulling down on Nordskov's head to control his posture.
Pinea is continuing to stall.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
Pinea is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Nordskov seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Pinea is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.

And that's the end of the fight!
Mads Nordskov showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Pinea has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yukihiro Shimada scores the fight 29:28
Judge Yasuomi Hirokawa scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Mads Nordskov!
An out of breath and clearly excited Mads Nordskov thanked Aspire Clothing for their help and support (and free stuff they sent him).