PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Nova Lankinen (ranked 1076 p4p, 2101 weight class) and Michael Fochi (ranked 138 p4p, 275 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Lankinen
vs
Fochi

180 cm
33
177
13 - 12 - 0

168 cm
29
182
16 - 13 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class MT
Heavy handed

Conquer
Furnace Performance 🔥

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 13 - 12 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Nova Lankinen!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 16 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Michael Fochi!
The judges for this bout are James Atkins, Steven Brown and Andrew Berry.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Lankinen waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Fochi.
Lankinen swings for the body but Fochi moves out of range.
Fochi scores with a jab to the body.
Lankinen scores with a nice strike.
Lankinen thows a left - swing and a miss!
Lankinen scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
Fochi throws a poor cross that misses
and Lankinen counters with a straight right hand.
Lankinen is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Fochi ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Lankinen moves away.
Lankinen throws a shot to the body.
Lankinen misses with a hook.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fochi throws a hook but Lankinen avoids it easily.
Lankinen takes a shot right to the liver - Bas would have been proud of that punch.
We can't be sure of the tactics at this early stage but we have heard that Fochi has been working on his takedowns a lot in the buildup to the fight and we can only assume he's going to look to take this to the mat.
Fochi defending well as Lankinen loads up on a big left hand.
Fochi with the counter takedown but Lankinen avoids it easily.
Fochi throws a predictable looking body shot
enabling Lankinen to counter with a crisp jab.
Fochi staying out of range there.

Fochi drives through with a really nice takedown into side control.
Fochi wants to lay and pray for a moment but Lankinen keeps working.
Lankinen is looking for a sweep.
Fochi is looking to take a break and control but Lankinen is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Fochi has knee on belly momentarily but Lankinen bucks him off and regains half guard.
Fochi controlling the pace.
Lankinen is refusing to be controlled, as Fochi sits in half guard.
Fochi controlling the action here.
Lankinen tries to get to full guard but Fochi has control of the leg.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Lankinen is in a tricky position but he's been working on his transitions down at Chuckles Strenght and Conditioning, so we'll see if he gets out of it.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Fochi is trying to control. Lankinen wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.
Fochi is pressing down on Lankinen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lankinen is holding on for now.
Fochi keeps trying to improve his position.
Fochi wants to control but Lankinen is keeping him busy.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Fochi is pressing down on Lankinen's thigh, looking to free his foot. Lankinen is holding on for now.

Fochi is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Lankinen has managed to free his arm - good work.
Fochi trying to control from Lankinen's half guard. Lankinen has other ideas though and has regained full guard.
Lankinen will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Lankinen keeping full guard, as Fochi tries to pass.
Fochi looking to sit in guard and control but Lankinen gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

The fighters are starting to perspire pretty heavily.
Fochi lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Fochi looking to pass the guard.
Fochi advances position into side control!
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

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

Fochi misses with a jab to the body
and Lankinen counters with a stiff right hand.
Fochi is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Lankinen rather than just go for the knockout.
Fochi misses with an uppercut.
Fochi moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Fochi avoids the body shot from Lankinen.
Fochi misses with a body punch
and Lankinen counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Lankinen keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Michael Fochi seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fochi shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Lankinen defends it nicely.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Lankinen scores with a jab.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fochi throws a poor cross that misses

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

Fochi is rocked!

It looks like Michael Fochi has been cut.
A big right from Lankinen misses.
It seemed like Fochi was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Fochi is still on wobbly legs! Can Lankinen finish him?
Lankinen drops a shoulder and throws a monster hook that connects perfectly to the side of Fochi's head, knocking him out cold! Lankinen is extatic as he celebrates with his cornermen.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:32 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Nova Lankinen!
An out of breath Nova Lankinen thanked his loyal fans in his post fight interview, giving them credit for his success over the course of his career.