PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Constantin Niculescu (ranked 749 p4p, 378 weight class) and Tony Viikinki (ranked 93 p4p, 55 weight class). Both fighters look pumped up here. Let's hope this is a good fight!

Niculescu
vs
Viikinki

183 cm
29
230
17 - 10 - 0

192 cm
25
292
11 - 4 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Very quick

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Urban Fighter
Bondi MMA 🏝️

NARCOS
Shadow Realm Apparel

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 17 - 10 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Constantin Niculescu!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 4 - 0, fighting out of Los Angeles, Tony Viikinki!
The judges for this bout are Phil Schofield, William Gold and James Atkins.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Niculescu looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
Niculescu fails to land the takedown.
Constantin Niculescu seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Niculescu takes a jab right on the kisser.
Niculescu connects with a good right hand that stumbles Viikinki. Viikinki circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Viikinki throws an overhand right that lands on Niculescu's shoulder, as Niculescu tries to avoid the shot.
Viikinki ducks under a wild hook from Niculescu.

Niculescu looking to shoot here. He's gone for it and he's landed a takedown into side control! Oh, that's bad for Viikinki!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niculescu wants to control but Viikinki is keeping him busy.
Viikinki managing to avoid any damage from the strikes thrown by Niculescu.
Niculescu has been looking to land a fair amount of strikes on the ground. He might be looking to soften his opponent up in order to work for a submission.
Viikinki is trying to stand back up. He's worked his way up against the cage but Niculescu has just dragged him back down to the mat.
Viikinki is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Viikinki avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Niculescu.
Viikinki parries the strikes from Niculescu easily there. Niculescu is wary of posturing up too much because it might enable Viikinki to escape.
Viikinki wants to escape from the position here - easier said than done!
Sloppy strikes there by Niculescu.
Viikinki is looking for a sweep.
Niculescu misses with the ground and pound.
Viikinki is trying to get back to his feet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu throws a knee to the body but it doesn't do much damage.
Viikinki is trying to escape and get back to his feet.

Viikinki explodes and escapes back to his feet! Nice escape there!
Niculescu uses good footwork to get in and out, landing a nice hook.
Tony Viikinki is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Viikinki tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Niculescu was well out of range. Poor timing from Viikinki.

Niculescu scores with a takedown into Viikinki's guard.
We've been hearing that Niculescu has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Viikinki is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Niculescu is controlling him.
Niculescu scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Niculescu slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Niculescu won't allow Viikinki to get back to his feet.
Viikinki trying to keep a closed guard but Niculescu is proving a slippery customer.
Niculescu postures up in Viikinki's guard and throws a big left but Viikinki blocks it.
Viikinki is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Niculescu is controlling him.
Niculescu trying to control but Viikinki is working from the bottom.
Viikinki has control of Niculescu's left arm, preventing Niculescu from doing any damage.
Niculescu won't allow Viikinki to get back to his feet.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Niculescu misses with a right hand
and Niculescu takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Niculescu throws out a powerful jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Niculescu clinches with his opponent.
Niculescu has dropped down and is looking to force the takedown but it's defended by Viikinki after a bit of a struggle.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Constantin Niculescu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
A nice right hand lands inside from Niculescu.
Viikinki looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Niculescu lands a body punch in the clinch.
Niculescu is trying to drag Viikinki to the mat but Viikinki just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Viikinki tries to break free but Niculescu pushes him back against the cage.
Viikinki wants to break the clinch but can't.
Niculescu tries to work over Viikinki's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Niculescu digs a right hand into Viikinki's ribs. Those have got to be taking their toll on Viikinki's gas tank.
Niculescu swings wildly with an uppercut but Viikinki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Viikinki is trying to work out of this bad position, with his back against the cage.

Viikinki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Viikinki gets his head snapped back by a nice shot there.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Constantin Niculescu dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Niculescu connects with a body shot.
Viikinki just misses with a punch to the body.
Niculescu lands a jab to Viikinki's midsection.
Viikinki dodges the punch combination from Niculescu.
Viikinki looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Niculescu tries to close the distance and clinch up but Viikinki swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niculescu tries to bum rush Viikinki with a series of wild strikes but Viikinki uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
Niculescu has his takedown stuffed
and Viikinki counters with a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Viikinki fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Niculescu manages to avoid it.
Viikinki has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Niculescu finds it's way round the side to connect with Viikinki's head.
Niculescu works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Niculescu throws a poor cross that misses
enabling Viikinki to counter with a crisp jab.
Niculescu tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Viikinki paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Niculescu throws out a loose jab but Viikinki uses good head movement to avoid it.
Viikinki let fly with a counter punch to the body but it didn't land.
Niculescu misses the shot to the body.
Viikinki looked like he wanted to counter with a punch but didn't throw it.
Niculescu slips under a jab from Viikinki.
Niculescu is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Viikinki can do to turn this around?

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Viikinki uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Niculescu.
Constantin Niculescu is winning the standup battle so far.
Viikinki ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Niculescu moves away.
Niculescu lands a nice shot to the body.
Niculescu misses with an uppercut
and Viikinki counters with a nice uppercut.
Niculescu looks to score with a jab to the body but Viikinki is just out of range.
Viikinki throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Niculescu slips under a jab.
Niculescu moves into range and connects with a jab.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Niculescu wants to clinch up but Viikinki keeps it at a distance.
Viikinki throws out a counter right but Niculescu avoids it with no problem.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Niculescu darts in and clinches Viikinki up against the cage.
Viikinki misses with a punch to the body.
Viikinki blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Viikinki has had enough of the clinch but Niculescu keeps him there for the moment.
Viikinki can't break the clinch.
Viikinki is trying to break the clinch but Niculescu is controlling him.
Viikinki has been looking to improve his clinch game in recent weeks. Niculescu seems to have the measure of him in the clinch so far, so let's see if Viikinki can turn it around.
Niculescu tries for a takedown but Viikinki manages to get underhooks.
Niculescu doesn't land with the attempted body shot.

Viikinki breaks the clinch.
Niculescu jabs at Viikinki's body.
Niculescu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Viikinki moves away.
Niculescu throws a sloppy body shot
letting Viikinki counter with a right hand.

It looks like Constantin Niculescu has been cut.
Viikinki has used his reach advantage pretty well so far tonight.
Niculescu tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Viikinki swivels and escapes.
And an attempted straight right on the counter from Viikinki! But no joy.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Constantin Niculescu. That's going to take a lot out of him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Viikinki momentarily.
Niculescu shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Viikinki pinned against the cage. Viikinki gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Viikinki swings away with a counter right hand but no contact made.
Viikinki walks into a left hand.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Viikinki takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Niculescu swings away with a body shot that misses
and Viikinki counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Constantin Niculescu will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Constantin Niculescu's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! The crowd applaud as we get ready to start the final round!

Niculescu tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Viikinki was well out of range. Poor timing from Niculescu.
A little jabbing left from Viikinki on the counter but it doesn't find it's target.
Niculescu throws a jab to the body, straight down the pipe. Boom. That sent Viikinki stumbling backwards but he manages to regain his composure quickly.
Niculescu throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Viikinki circles away from the clinch attempt.
Viikinki throws out a counter right but Niculescu avoids it with no problem.
Viikinki ducks under a wild hook from Niculescu.
Viikinki avoids the body shot from Niculescu.
Viikinki throws out a counter right but Niculescu avoids it with no problem.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Niculescu here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nice uppercut there from Viikinki.
Viikinki throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Niculescu takes a shot right to the bread basket.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Niculescu staying out of range there.
Niculescu scores with a shot to the body.
Viikinki misses with a looping right.
Niculescu fakes and then throws a beautiful body shot. Viikinki looks a bit winded and takes a step backwards to take a breath.
Niculescu closes the distance and clinches up with Viikinki, looking for a takedown. Niculescu pushes Viikinki against the cage but Viikinki circles to the side and manages to break the clinch.
A big right from Niculescu misses.
It seemed like Viikinki was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.

Niculescu clinches.

Viikinki breaks from the clinch.
No luck for Niculescu with that takedown attempt.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu misses with a body shot.
Niculescu throws a poor cross that misses
letting Viikinki counter with a right hand.
Niculescu ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Viikinki moves away.
Niculescu fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Viikinki manages to avoid it.
Viikinki now looks to counter with a shot at the body.
Niculescu shoots and misses
and Viikinki counters with a straight right hand.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Constantin Niculescu. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Niculescu shoots in for a takedown but Viikinki shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Viikinki doesn't fully commit to the body shot counter.
Niculescu tries to drive through with a takedown attempt but Viikinki defends well and Niculescu ends up having to push Viikinki into the cage where they will battle it out in the clinch.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Niculescu is working on a leg, looking for a takedown but Viikinki is defending well.

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

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niculescu changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Viikinki tries to avoid it but Niculescu manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Viikinki to the ground. Viikinki escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Niculescu misses with a straight right.
Viikinki looks like he wants to counter punch here.
A looping hook to the body misses from Niculescu. Viikinki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Viikinki appeared to try and counter that last move with a leg kick.
Niculescu with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Viikinki to score with a decent uppercut.
Viikinki wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Niculescu misses with a hook

and Viikinki counters with a nice right hand that sends Niculescu toppling to the canvas! Niculescu scrambles and gets back to his feet - can Viikinki finish him?!

Niculescu is rocked!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Niculescu fails in his attempt to clinch.
Niculescu is looking to wear down Viikinki with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Niculescu uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Viikinki.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Niculescu has taken the fight to the clinch.
A nice right hand lands inside from Niculescu.

Viikinki's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Niculescu scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Viikinki doesn't seem bothered though.
Nice uppercut there from Viikinki.
Niculescu dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
A looping hook to the body misses from Niculescu. Viikinki does a little dance to reset his feet.
Niculescu throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Niculescu swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Tony Viikinki has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Niculescu avoids a lazy jab quite easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tony Viikinki comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Niculescu 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 3 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Phil Schofield scores the fight 29:28
Judge William Gold scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Atkins scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Constantin Niculescu!
A very excited looking Constantin Niculescu rambled incoherently for about 5 minutes post fight about how awesome he is. It was kinda funny for a while but then everyone got annoyed.