PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Holden Topokrs (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nick Gage (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighter's entrance songs getting the crowd jumping here.

Topokrs
vs
Gage

190 cm
25
225 lbs
3 - 2 - 0

190 cm
23
240 lbs
0 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Experienced

BJJ Blue Belt
Brawler
Solid 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 3 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Holden Topokrs!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nick Gage!
The judges for this bout are Anni Minnemäki, Tarja Halkonen and Arvi Lind.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Gage fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Topokrs to the ground. Gage is now in Topokrs's guard.
Gage trying to control the position from guard on top but Topokrs is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Gage wants to pass the guard but Topokrs is keeping the position.
Topokrs has his hands on Gage's head, controlling the position.
Topokrs wants to stand and escape but Gage is having none of it.
Gage stopping the sweep attempt from Topokrs.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Gage looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Topokrs is fending him off so far but Gage persists. Nope, Topokrs circles away and we're back to standing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gage tries to clinch up but Topokrs circles away and keeps his distance.
Gage wants to clinch up but Topokrs keeps it at a distance.
Gage doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Topokrs counters with a shoot takedown. Gage fights it but they end up in guard.
Topokrs trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Topokrs sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Gage not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Topokrs is just sitting in guard, looking to avoid any submissions.
The referee is asking the fighters to pick up the pace.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Holden Topokrs just wasn't active enough.

The fight moves into the clinch position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Gage is defending well against a takedown attempt.
Gage is looking to take this one to the mat.
Holden Topokrs has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nick Gage.
Gage prevents the takedown attempt.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Topokrs has had enough of the clinch and is looking to separate.

Gage ties up his opponent against the cage and manages to drag the fight down to the ground. Gage no doubt will be looking to work submissions from his guard.
Topokrs tries to free his leg and advance position but Gage is retaining full guard.
Topokrs is working hard here to advance position.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Topokrs seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Topokrs knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Gage on the ground.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
The referee must be thinking about standing these guys back up.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Holden Topokrs just wasn't active enough.

Topokrs looking to score a takedown here. Gage is defending well but Topokrs drives through and ends up in Gage's guard.
Gage wants to get back to his feet but Topokrs is in a dominant position and won't allow it.
Gage looking to hit a scissor sweep but Topokrs is one step ahead there.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Topokrs stops Gage from standing up.

Gage escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Topokrs gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Gage is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Gage looks gassed!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Holden Topokrs will probably get the nod.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Topokrs shoots in but no luck this time.
Topokrs leaves Gage with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Topokrs shoots for a takedown but Gage saw that one coming a mile off and avoided it easily.
Topokrs is looking to clinch.
Topokrs looks for a takedown but Gage sprawls well.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Holden Topokrs. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Gage gets a clinch.
Topokrs is trying to break the clinch but Gage is controlling him.

Gage has hold of one of Topokrs's legs. Topokrs is fighting the takedown attempt but Gage gets the trip and lands the takedown into guard.
Topokrs wants to stand but Gage is controlling the position.

Gage is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gage wants to control from the top but Topokrs keeps moving.

Topokrs working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Gage has passed into half guard!
Gage tries to pass to full mount but Topokrs defends it.
Gage trying to control from half guard but Topokrs is working away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Topokrs wants to get back to his feet.
Topokrs is looking to improve his position.
Gage prevents Topokrs from standing back up.
Gage wants to control but Topokrs is keeping him busy.

The ref stands the fighters back up, due to lack of action by Nick Gage.

Gage moves into the clinch.

Gage jumps guard.
Topokrs engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gage is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.
Gage is breathing heavily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Topokrs engaging in some classic timewasting tactics.
Gage avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.

We're going to have a standup here because Holden Topokrs wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Gage dives in and grabs Topokrs's left leg, looking for a takedown. Topokrs pushes down on Gage's head and hops out.

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.

Topokrs shoots in and gets a takedown into Gage's guard.
Gage looking to hit a scissor sweep but Topokrs is one step ahead there.
Topokrs looking to pass the guard.
Gage is trying to keep Topokrs in close.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Gage looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Nick Gage will probably get the nod - 10:9.
That's time! Topokrs's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Gage swats away the attempt to clinch by Topokrs.
Gage shoots in looking for a takedown. Topokrs tries to sprawl out of it but Gage keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Topokrs manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Topokrs wants to clinch.

Topokrs shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Gage is trying to defend but Topokrs finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Gage wants to get back to full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Gage is trying to stand.
Topokrs trying to control from half guard but Gage is working away.
Gage avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Topokrs.
Topokrs keeping composed on the top, looking to control the action.

We're going to have a standup here because Holden Topokrs wasn't active enough for the referee's liking.
Topokrs wants to clinch up but Gage keeps it at a distance.
Topokrs shoots in for a takedown but Gage shows good takedown defense.
Gage throws a sloppy head kick and Topokrs moves out of range easily.
Topokrs defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Gage.
Gage takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Topokrs avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Topokrs closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Topokrs tries to pass to full mount but Gage defends it.
Well, if Topokrs is going to just lie there, perhaps we should talk about what we're having for dinner tonight… I'm having a ham and pineapple pizza… Yum. Can't wait.
Topokrs prevents Gage from standing back up.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Holden Topokrs.
Topokrs is looking to clinch but Gage is avoiding it.
Gage misses with a hook to the body

and Topokrs counters with a nice single leg takedown and he's in Gage's guard now.
We get told so often about how wrestlers don't like to be on their backs. Let's see if Gage can do anything to dispel that myth.
Topokrs postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.
Topokrs stops Gage from standing up.
Topokrs pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Gage is keeping the position for now.
Topokrs seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Holden Topokrs.
Topokrs tries to clinch there but Gage circles away.
Topokrs fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Gage avoids it really well and circles away.

Topokrs shoots in and gets a takedown into Gage's guard.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Gage working for a triangle but Topokrs defends it easily.

And that's the end of the fight!
Holden Topokrs showed his dominance in that final round.
I think Topokrs 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 Anni Minnemäki scores the fight 29:28
Judge Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 29:28
Judge Arvi Lind scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Holden Topokrs!