PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Timo Kuikka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Benjamin Nappula (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Benjamin Nappula has the power to score a knockout today if he connects clean with Timo Kuikka's chin.

Kuikka
vs
Nappula

180 cm
23
170 lbs
5 - 15 - 0

188 cm
22
185 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Experienced

BJJ White Belt
Decent boxing
Heavy handed

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 5 - 15 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Timo Kuikka!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Benjamin Nappula!
The judges for this bout are Arvi Lind, Roosa Järviläinen and Johanna Lukiainen.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nappula throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Kuikka's waist but Kuikka gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nappula off to one side.
Nappula misses with a takedown attempt - Kuikka sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Kuikka shoots for a takedown but Nappula saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.

Kuikka moves into the clinch successfully.
Kuikka gets underhooks to prevent Nappula's takedown attempt.
Timo Kuikka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Nappula.

Kuikka breaks from the clinch.

Nappula closes the distance and clinches.
Stalling in the clinch from Kuikka.
Kuikka fails to pull guard.
Kuikka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Kuikka is stalling here.
Kuikka tries to land a knee to the head but misses.

Kuikka breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Nappula.
Nappula tries to score a power double leg takedown but Kuikka sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Nappula somewhat.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nappula bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
Kuikka is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Nappula off and has taken his back!

Kuikka is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Kuikka is breathing heavily.

Kuikka tightening his grip on Nappula, looking for the choke.
Kuikka trying to control momentarily.
You can see the frustration on Nappula's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kuikka is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Nappula knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Nappula for a finish.
Kuikka keeps control of the position as Nappula tries to break free.
Nappula just looking to survive in the bad position.
Kuikka keeps control of the position as Nappula tries to break free.
Nappula trying to control the hands but Kuikka won't let him.
Kuikka keeps control of the position as Nappula tries to break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Despite being in a bad position, Nappula is controlling the hands, preventing any submission attempts.

That's four 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.
Kuikka misses with an elbow to the head.
Nappula manages to reverse the position and now he's in Kuikka's guard. Nice work there by Nappula.
Nappula won't allow Kuikka to sweep him here.
Nappula postures up in Kuikka's guard and throws a big left but Kuikka blocks it.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nappula looks for a takedown but Kuikka sprawls well.

Nappula gets a takedown into half guard.
Nappula trying to control the pace.
Nappula works his way into full mount!
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Nappula dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Nappula tries to clinch but fails miserably
and Kuikka counters with a one-two to the body.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kuikka.
Nappula scores with a reasonable looking shot to the body. Kuikka doesn't seem bothered though.

Nappula closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
Nappula slows the pace down.
Kuikka tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Nappula wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Nappula tries for a kimura but Kuikka is defending well.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nappula postures up a little and throws a couple of hammerfists but they don't connect properly.
Sloppy strikes there by Nappula.
Kuikka sneaks back into half guard.
Kuikka is looking to improve his position.
Kuikka has no desire to be mounted, so is trying to control. Nappula is working away from the top position though.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nappula has his takedown stuffed

and Kuikka moves into the clinch.
Nappula wants to get back to striking at distance but Kuikka won't allow it.
Nappula tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Nappula pushes off and fires off an elbow that misses, before clinching up again, against the cage.
Nappula wants to break the clinch but can't.
Kuikka tries to pull guard but can't drag his opponent to the mat. Nappula just stands there and leans against the cage.
Nappula tries to circle away but Kuikka has him pinned against the cage.
Nappula can't break the clinch.
Nappula tries to jump guard but he falls flat on his backside. Kuikka smiles and moves away.
Nappula shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Kuikka defends it nicely.
Timo Kuikka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Nappula.
Nappula shoots in but no luck this time.
Nappula moves in looking to clinch but Kuikka pushes him off.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuikka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nappula's waist but Nappula gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Kuikka off to one side.
Nappula throws a half hearted mid kick.
Nappula shoots in but no luck this time.
Nappula shoots in for a takedown but Kuikka shows good takedown defense.

Kuikka clinches with his opponent.
Nappula looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nappula is trying to force a seperation but Kuikka has the dominant position.
Nappula drops down looking for an ankle pick but Kuikka pulls his leg out and moves away.
Kuikka looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nappula is fending him off so far but Kuikka persists. Nope, Nappula circles away and we're back to standing.
Nappula defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Kuikka.
Nappula is trying hard to land a takedown here. Kuikka sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kuikka fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Nappula scores with a nice looking left hook and follows it up with an uppercut!
Nappula throws a series of punches but Kuikka avoids them all with ease.
Kuikka has a takedown stuffed.
Kuikka defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nappula.

Nappula closes the distance and clinches.
Nappula fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Nappula can't break the clinch.
Kuikka tries to pull guard but Nappula won't allow it.
Kuikka letting Nappula take a breather here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Benjamin Nappula 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. And we move into the final round!

Kuikka dives in and grabs Nappula's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nappula pushes down on Kuikka's head and hops out.
Kuikka displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Nappula.
Nappula fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Nappula keeps the fight standing with a nice sprawl.
Nappula tries to clinch there but Kuikka circles away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Kuikka throws the left hand but Nappula avoids the punch easily.

Nappula closes the distance and clinches.
Nappula goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kuikka prevents it.
Timo Kuikka has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Benjamin Nappula.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
A battle for position here, against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nappula is trying to break free.
Kuikka throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Nappula blocks it with crossed arms.
Nappula wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Kuikka is trying to force a seperation but Nappula has the dominant position.
Kuikka is trying to drag Nappula to the mat but Nappula just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
Nappula tries to break the clinch but Kuikka is controlling the position.
Nappula looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
Nappula tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nappula is trying to force a seperation but Kuikka has the dominant position.
Kuikka looking for a takedown.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are hurling abuse towards the fighters... You can hardly blame them though because there isn't a lot going on in the fight.
Nappula tries to break the clinch but Kuikka is controlling the position.
Nappula fails to pull the fight into his guard.
Kuikka with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

Nappula jumps guard and drags Kuikka to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Nappula keeping full guard, as Kuikka tries to pass.
Nappula avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Kuikka is looking to work some ground and pound but Nappula has wrist control.
Nappula wants to stand but Kuikka is controlling the position.
Nappula can't keep his opponent in guard - Kuikka advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.

Kuikka is looking for a kimura here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kuikka looks to land a strike but Nappula avoids it nicely and regains full guard.
Kuikka tries to free his leg and advance position but Nappula is retaining full guard.
Nappula pulls Kuikka in close to his closed guard and prevents Kuikka from doing any damage or advancing position.

Kuikka has gone for a leg lock! Nappula slips out almost immediately though and dives into Kuikka's guard.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Kuikka looking for a sweep. Not yet Kuikka, not yet.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.
Nappula looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Kuikka avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nappula sitting in guard here, content to control.
Kuikka is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Nappula trying to stand up but can't free himself from Kuikka's guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Benjamin Nappula comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nappula winning every round here. Surely the decision will go his way and he'll pick up a well deserved decision victory. 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 Arvi Lind scores the fight 27:30
Judge Roosa Järviläinen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Johanna Lukiainen scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Benjamin Nappula!