PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Tommi Ritola (ranked 2777 p4p, 4509 weight class) and Jimmy Nickels (ranked 312 p4p, 448 weight class). This should be fireworks!

Ritola
vs
Nickels

200 cm
25
265
9 - 13 - 1

190 cm
47
245
20 - 21 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent MT
Granite chin

Good wrestler
Great elbows
Granite chin

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 9 - 13 - 1, fighting out of Helsinki, Tommi Ritola!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 20 - 21 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Jimmy Nickels!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Blasius, Albert Achterberg and Patrick Alders.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nickels avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
We've been told by Ritola's head coaches at Tappelukerho that he's been working on his takedown defense in preparation for this fight.
Nickels misses the shot to the body.
Nickels throws a sloppy head kick and Ritola moves out of range easily.
Nickels circles away from the clinch attempt.
The fighters circling - Ritola throws out the jab but it was never going to land.
A decent looking cross lands there for Ritola.

It looks like Jimmy Nickels has been cut.

Nickels shoots in for a takedown! He's got it and he's managed to land in side control! That's better than Nickels was expecting from the takedown attempt, I'm sure!
Nickels wants to control but Ritola is keeping him busy.
Ritola avoids any damage from the ground and pound of Nickels.

Nickels is looking to finish here, going for an Americana. Ritola knows the correct defense though, so he's OK.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nickels is looking for a kimura. He might have it! No, Ritola has escaped the position, nice work there.

Nickels decides to stand back up.
Ritola with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nickels shoots for a takedown but Ritola saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Ritola tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. Nickels manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nickels takes a step back and watches a body kick go sailing past his mid section.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Both fighters circling a little - Nickels finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.

Nickels fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ritola, pushing him back against the cage.
Ritola trying to land knees to the body.
Nickels on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.

Nickels gets a trip takedown into half guard.
Nickels trying to mount his opponent but Ritola defends it.
Ritola wants to get back to full guard.
Nickels is looking to take a break and control but Ritola is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Ritola is holding on to half guard well.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Nickels stands up out of the half guard.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Ritola enables Nickels to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Ritola manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.

Nickels gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Ritola is looking to land body kicks.
Nickels fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Ritola avoids it really well and circles away.
A swing and a miss from Ritola.
Ritola swings for the body but Nickels moves out of range.
Nickels throws a head kick that looked like it stung.

Nickels moves into the clinch successfully.
Ritola tries to land knees in the clinch but Nickels avoids the damage to the body.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickels managing to block the knees to the body from Ritola.
Nickels just leaning against Ritola, taking a breather.

Nickels's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Nickels throws a sloppy head kick and Ritola moves out of range easily.
Nickels tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Ritola swivels and escapes.
Tommi Ritola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Nickels.
Nickels with a lazy takedown attempt
and Ritola counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Nickels looks winded!
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
The crowd cheers as Ritola lands an impressive looking overhand right. Nickels doesn't seem phased though.
A good leg kick by Ritola.
Ritola tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Nickels tries a counter takedown but it's more of a dummy move, and he uses it to push himself away.
Nickels looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Ritola is fending him off so far but Nickels persists. Nope, Ritola circles away and we're back to standing.
Ritola looks for the body kick but Nickels saw that one coming.
Tommi Ritola is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Nickels shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Ritola's guard.
Ritola has his hands on Nickels's head, controlling the position.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Jimmy Nickels dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Nickels's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action.

Ritola moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Ritola throws a jab but it's blocked by Nickels.
Jimmy Nickels is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Nickels shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Ritola manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nickels controls from within his opponent's guard.
Nickels pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Ritola is keeping the position for now.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickels trying to control but Ritola is working from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nickels sitting in guard here, content to control.
Nickels is continuing to stall.
Nickels has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Nickels with a nice head shot there.
Nickels looking to pass the guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
Nickels tries to move into range but Ritola moves to the side and lands with a nice right hand.

That's two 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.

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

Nickels tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.

Nickels has had enough of the ground for now and decides to stand.

Ritola gets caught napping as Nickels dives in and scores a takedown. Ritola manages to retain guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nickels throws a big right hand that misses.
Nickels slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nickels looking to pass the guard.
Nickels is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.

Nickels stands up from Ritola's guard - Nickels perhaps looking for a knockout.
Ritola lands a head kick. Nickels smiles back at him and beckons him forward.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Ritola scores with a hook to the body. Nickels takes a step back and tries to catch his breath.
Ritola tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Ritola lands a front kick.
Nickels is breathing heavily.
Ritola throws a solid leg kick but Nickels takes the impact on his shin and smiles at Ritola.
Ritola throws out a loose jab but Nickels uses good head movement to avoid it.
Ritola throws a body shot but no joy.
Tommi Ritola is winning the standup battle so far.
Nickels goes for a double leg but Ritola avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Ritola continues to drive forward.
Ritola pulls out of a head kick attempt.
Ritola lands a leg kick that knocks Nickels off balance momentarily.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
A head kick misses from Ritola.
Nickels avoids the head kick by Ritola.
Nickels lets it all go there with a big combo counter but none of the punches connected.
Nickels moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Ritola looking to throw a kick but he's pulled out of it.
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 Tommi Ritola will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Jimmy Nickels's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nickels walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Ritola is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.

Nickels fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Ritola, pushing him back against the cage.
Nickels can't get the takedown.
Ritola is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nickels is defending well for now.
Ritola misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Nickels.
Nickels is trying to drag Ritola to the mat but Ritola just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Ritola lands a short shot on the inside that snaps the head of Nickels backwards.
Ritola is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nickels is defending well for now.
Nickels lands a body punch - he's looking to wear down Ritola.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nickels can't get the takedown.
Tommi Ritola has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Jimmy Nickels.
Ritola missing with knees to the body.
Nickels takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nickels managing to block the knees to the body from Ritola.
Nickels avoiding damage as Ritola throws knees to the body.
Nickels is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Ritola gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Ritola lands a good knee to the midsection. Nickels won't want to take too many of those.
Ritola working Nickels over with knees to the body.
Nickels blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ritola scores a nice knee to the body.
Nickels avoiding damage as Ritola throws knees to the body.
Nickels blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Ritola missing with knees to the body.
Nickels goes for a takedown attempt but Ritola pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.
Nickels takes a nasty kick to the mid section... That should keep him thinking. Does he try and block and risk a head kick landing?
Ritola with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Ritola throws a sloppy head kick and Nickels moves out of range easily.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Nickels crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Ritola - the referee stops the clock and Nickels gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Ritola. Nickels manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Ritola fakes with a right hand and throws a good leg kick, right into the thigh. That had to hurt Nickels.
Ritola works his jab well there, keeping his opponent at a distance.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nickels on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Tommi Ritola seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nickels avoids a kick to the body.
You can see that Nickels has visibly slowed down as a result of the leg kicks
A big left from Ritola misses.
Nickels avoids a kick to the body.
Ritola misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nickels wants to counter with a clinch but Ritola pushes him away.
Nickels fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Ritola manages to avoid it.

Ritola gets caught flat footed, as Nickels shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Nickels wants to control from the top but Ritola keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Ritola trying to keep a closed guard but Nickels is proving a slippery customer.
Nickels throws a strike but Ritola rolls with it and manages to sweep. Now he's in guard on top.

Nickels is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.

Nickels performing his best blanket impression for a moment.
Nickels trying to control the action but Ritola is working from the bottom.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nickels trying to mount his opponent but Ritola defends it.

Ritola makes his way to full guard, as Nickels worked for a kimura.
Nickels controlling from the top position.

And that's the end of the fight!
Tommi Ritola showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Ritola 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 Daniel Blasius scores the fight 29:28
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 28:29
Judge Patrick Alders scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by split decision... Tommi Ritola!