PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Phil Nurse (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Timo Kotipelto (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nurse comes to the cage accompanied by Neon Genesis Evangelion. Kotipelto is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Peter Cetera & Amy Grant- Next Time I Fall . These two fighters really are very evenly matched on the feet - it will be fascinating to see who can assert themselves in that aspect of the fight.

Nurse
vs
Kotipelto

180 cm
26
175 lbs
6 - 1 - 0

187 cm
24
181 lbs
7 - 5 - 0

Decent wrestler
World class MT
Insanely flexible

ADCC Champion
Excellent boxer
Good gas tank

RMC - Rio Mma Clothing

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 6 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Phil Nurse!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Timo Kotipelto!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Cesar, Alexandre Firmino and Paulo Santos.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kotipelto changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nurse tries to avoid it but Kotipelto manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nurse to the ground. Nurse escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Kotipelto tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nurse sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Kotipelto somewhat.
Nurse keeps his opponent at a distance with a nice jab.
Kotipelto misses the shot to the body.
Kotipelto takes a nice looking leg kick right on the meat of his thigh there.
Nurse leaves Kotipelto with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Phil Nurse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timo Kotipelto.
Kotipelto takes one on the chin but keeps coming.
Nurse tries to clinch but Kotipelto is having none of it.
Nurse throws a head kick but Kotipelto moves out of range.
Nurse tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Kotipelto fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nurse avoids it really well and circles away.
Kotipelto looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nurse is fending him off so far but Kotipelto persists. Nope, Nurse circles away and we're back to standing.
Kotipelto closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nurse circles away.
Kotipelto walks into a stiff left hand from Nurse.
Phil Nurse is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.

Kotipelto closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Kotipelto throws a big elbow that misses, also allowing Nurse to regain full guard.
Nurse keeping full guard, as Kotipelto tries to pass.
Kotipelto is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Kotipelto working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Kotipelto has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto postures up in Nurse's guard and throws a big left but Nurse blocks it.
Nurse keeping full guard, as Kotipelto tries to pass.
Kotipelto throwing strikes but missing.
Kotipelto postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Nurse knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Kotipelto on the ground.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurse wants to stand but Kotipelto is controlling the position.
Nurse working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Kotipelto.
Nurse wants to get back to his feet but Kotipelto is in a dominant position and won't allow it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto wants to pass the guard but Nurse is keeping the position.
Nurse on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nurse tries to get out of the position.
Nurse wants to stand but Kotipelto is controlling the position.
Kotipelto pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nurse is keeping the position for now.
Nurse preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kotipelto is pushing down on Nurse's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nurse is fighting to maintain full guard but Kotipelto has managed to sneak the leg through.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Kotipelto is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nurse is just riding it out for now. Kotipelto eventually gives up the hold.
Kotipelto is trying to control. Nurse wants to improve his position but can't escape this time.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto trying to mount his opponent but Nurse defends it.
Kotipelto works his foot free and advances to mount.
Kotipelto lands a big elbow.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.

Kotipelto goes for an armbar but he's fallen flat on his backside there and now Nurse is on top in guard.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nurse wants to stand but Kotipelto has a closed guard, so he can't escape.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Kotipelto dominated that round.
That's time! Back to the action!

Kotipelto avoids the head kick by Nurse.
Kotipelto fails to land the takedown.
Kotipelto will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Kotipelto looks for a takedown but Nurse sprawls well.
Phil Nurse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timo Kotipelto.
Kotipelto fails with a takedown attempt.
Kotipelto tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nurse swivels and escapes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nice straight punches there by Nurse. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nurse.
Kotipelto dives in and grabs Nurse's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nurse pushes down on Kotipelto's head and hops out.

Nurse gets a clinch.
Kotipelto is trying to pull guard but Nurse has him pressed against the cage.
Kotipelto is trying to pull guard but Nurse has him pressed against the cage.
Nurse lands an elbow inside that Kotipelto shrugs off.
Nurse using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Kotipelto has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

Kotipelto gets a nice trip takedown into half guard.
Kotipelto prevents Nurse from standing back up.

Nurse is defending against the submission attempts here by Kotipelto.
Kotipelto not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Timo Kotipelto has got the better of the ground game so far.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto not throwing his punches with enough precision this time.

Kotipelto is trying to work for a kimura. This could be trouble! No, Nurse has managed to free his arm - good work.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kotipelto content to control rather than advance.
Nurse keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Nurse is trying to stand.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nurse is not content to let Kotipelto control the position.
Nurse wants to control but Kotipelto is keeping busy.

Kotipelto is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nurse doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Kotipelto.
Nurse keeping his head moving to avoid the ground and pound.
Kotipelto looks to score some points with some ground and pound.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Kotipelto is trying for a guillotine from the top but the pressure isn't in the right place so Nurse is just riding it out for now. Kotipelto eventually gives up the hold.
Nurse pushes Kotipelto off looking to stand but Kotipelto dives back in and keeps control.

Kotipelto is looking for a kimura but Nurse is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kotipelto to get the leverage.
Kotipelto thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nurse's head.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nurse avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Kotipelto.

Kotipelto is looking for a kimura but Nurse is holding onto that half guard position, so it's hard for Kotipelto to get the leverage.
Kotipelto is scoring with some nice ground and pound from the dominant position.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Timo Kotipelto showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! This is the final round!

Nurse lands a leg kick and bounces back out of range.
Nurse lands a jab.
Kotipelto has his takedown stuffed
and Nurse counters with a thumping low kick.
Nurse throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Kotipelto.
Nurse slaps away a takedown attempt from Kotipelto, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Nurse is looking to slow Kotipelto down with leg kicks.
Kotipelto fails with a takedown attempt.
Phil Nurse has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Timo Kotipelto.
Nurse lands a nice hook to Kotipelto's body. Kotipelto takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.

That's one minute gone in the round.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Kotipelto.
Kotipelto takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nurse tries to clinch but Kotipelto is having none of it.
Nurse goes for a spinning back kick but it misses.
Nurse throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
No luck with that takedown attempt from Kotipelto.
Phil Nurse is winning the standup battle so far.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nurse.
Phil Nurse seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
That's a knee to de groin and it's over and out! Kotipelto crumples to the ground after an illegal strike from Nurse - the referee stops the clock and Kotipelto gets 5 minutes to recover from that one. "I'm sorry" says Nurse. Kotipelto manages to get back to his feet and the fight resumes.
Phil Nurse has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kotipelto closes the distance and gets a trip takedown into side control. Nurse quickly recovers to half guard.
Kotipelto with the ground and pound but Nurse uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Nurse preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Kotipelto accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Nurse keeping moving, preventing Kotipelto from controlling successfully.
Kotipelto trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nurse is looking to stand up but Kotipelto isn't so interested in that idea.
Kotipelto throwing strikes from guard but Nurse blocks nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto trying to control the position from guard on top but Nurse is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

Kotipelto drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Kotipelto jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.
Kotipelto chips away with some ground and pound.
Kotipelto trying to control the position from guard on top but Nurse is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Kotipelto lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Kotipelto sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Kotipelto forces his way into half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Kotipelto missing with the ground and pound from half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Timo Kotipelto comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Kotipelto 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 Daniel Cesar scores the fight 27:30
Judge Alexandre Firmino scores the fight 27:30
Judge Paulo Santos scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Timo Kotipelto!
A less than humble Timo Kotipelto misjudged his post fight interview somewhat and came across a little too arrogant whilst trying to hype up his own abilities.