PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Randy West (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Epeli Nailatikau (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nailatikau is bobbing his head along to his entrance song: Number of the Bollywood. 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.

West
vs
Nailatikau

180 cm
32
166 lbs
16 - 14 - 0

172 cm
27
162 lbs
17 - 13 - 0

Good wrestling
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Good gas tank

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 16 - 14 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Randy West!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 17 - 13 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Epeli Nailatikau!
The judges for this bout are Tarja Halkonen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nailatikau tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
West swings for the body but Nailatikau moves out of range.
An inside leg kick from Nailatikau misses.
West throws a quick counter head kick but Nailatikau was just out of range.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick but West sees it coming and moves out of range.
West uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Epeli Nailatikau seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
West scores with a spinning back kick!
Nailatikau ducks under an overhand right and circles away with a smile on his face.
West darts in and out, connecting with a jab.

Nailatikau darts in and clinches West up against the cage.
West has Nailatikau pressed against the cage.
West dodges an elbow strike from Nailatikau.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
West is pushing Nailatikau up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
West dodges an elbow strike from Nailatikau.
Our sources have told us that West has been working on his knees in the buildup to the fight.
West tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nailatikau's elbow.
West missing with knees to the body.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau lands a hook to the side of the head.
West blocking some punches.
Both guys are working to get underhooks.
West blocks an elbow strike from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nailatikau.
West fails to land with a short punch on the inside.
Nailatikau with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nailatikau using the Thai plumb to throw knees but West has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
West throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Nailatikaus head.
Nailatikau lands a damaging elbow.
Nailatikau throws a punch but it's blocked by West.
West avoids the elbow strike from Nailatikau, against the cage.
Nailatikau putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has West in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nailatikau lands an elbow inside.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
West blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nailatikau told us before the fight that he's been working on his elbows. An under utilised technique these days - let's see if it can sway the outcome of the fight.
West is trying to wear down his opponent with knees to the body.
Both fighters working to control the clinch.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Nailatikau.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West working aggressively here.
Nailatikau unloads a knee to the mid-section.
West misses with some punches.
West lands with a short punch from the clinch.
West swings wildly with an uppercut but Nailatikau uses good head movement to avoid it.
West tries to land knees in the clinch but Nailatikau avoids the damage to the body.
West on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
West working Nailatikau over with knees to the body.
Good body shot from West.
West landing some nice looking knees to the body.
West makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
West dictating the pace here, as the fighters clinch against the cage.
West unloads a knee to the mid-section.
Nailatikau looks winded!
West slowing the pace effectively.
Nailatikau trying to land knees to the body.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nailatikau throws an elbow but misses.
West lands with a good tight uppercut to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau throws an elbow but it's blocked.
West blocking some punches.
West is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from West.
West stalling in the clinch but Nailatikau improves position.
West tried to land a shot to the body but connects with Nailatikau's elbow.
West tries to land knees in the clinch but Nailatikau avoids the damage to the body.
Nailatikau throws an elbow but it misses.
Nailatikau misses with a knee to the head.
Nailatikau working West over with knees to the body.
Nailatikau lands an elbow just above West 's eye.
West goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
West lands a glancing elbow in the clinch.

It looks like Epeli Nailatikau has been cut.
Nailatikau lands a damaging elbow.
West avoids the elbow strike from Nailatikau, against the cage.
A short uppercut from West.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
West tries to land knees in the clinch but Nailatikau avoids the damage to the body.
Nailatikau lands a nice elbow from the clinch.
Some stalling of biblical proportions here from West.
West tries a body shot but Nailatikau blocks it.
Nailatikau tries to land knees in the clinch but West avoids the damage to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
West lands a nice uppercut.
Nailatikau throws an elbow but it misses.
Nailatikau lands a knee to the body.
Nailatikau managing to block the knees to the body from West.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Nailatikau.
West avoiding damage as Nailatikau throws knees to the body.
Nailatikau creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
West blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
West misses with a hook to the ribs.
West wants to stall.
West working aggressively here.
Nailatikau tries a knee to the head but West blocks it.
Nailatikau managing to block the knees to the body from West.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close round but Epeli Nailatikau will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Epeli Nailatikau's cut.
That's time! West's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nailatikau 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.
A low kick from Nailatikau misses
and West counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
West moves out of range as Nailatikau strikes.
Nailatikau throws a chopping leg kick but West manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Nailatikau is looking to land body kicks.
Nailatikau uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from West.
Nailatikau lands a right hook to the body.
West avoids a kick to the body.
The sound of bone on bone echoes around the arena as West checks a leg kick.
Nailatikau cracks West with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A head kick misses from Nailatikau.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
West cracks Nailatikau with an open hand slap.
Nailatikau throws a wild body kick that West sees coming a mile off.
Nailatikau takes a kick to the side of the head.
West avoids the head kick by Nailatikau.
West waving his hands out in front of him, looking to distract Nailatikau.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nailatikau slips a jab and a cross from West.
West throws a leg kick which misses Nailatikau's front leg but catches the back leg as Nailatikau tries to avoid it.
A big right from West misses.
A big right from West misses.
Nailatikau moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Nailatikau throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
West lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.
Nailatikau throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nailatikau cracks West with a right hand to the side of the head.
Randy West is winning the standup battle so far.
West throws a leg kick but he was too far away and it doesn't land.
Nailatikau throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Nailatikau motions for West to come forward. Nailatikau throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Nailatikau moves in looking to clinch but West pushes him off.
Nailatikau chopping away at his opponent's legs.
Nailatikau avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nailatikau throws a shot from downtown. West moves away and avoids it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
West misses with a series of wild punches.
West misses with a leg kick.
Nailatikau thumps West with a low kick.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Nailatikau closes the distance and clinches.
West is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Nailatikau is defending well for now.
West's head jolts backwards as he takes an uppercut right on the button!
West on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
West goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nailatikau tries a knee to the head but West blocks it.
Nailatikau lands a damaging elbow.
West wants to stall.
West lands with a right to the head.
Nice body punch from West - that landed with a thud.
West is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nailatikau is keeping busy.
West connects with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau tries to land a knee to the head but West blocks with his arms.
Nailatikau throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but West blocks it with crossed arms.
West tries to throw a body punch but Nailatikau avoids it by throwing West back against the cage.
West landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nailatikau is breathing heavily.
West blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Nailatikau lands a good knee to the midsection. West won't want to take too many of those.
West is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Nailatikau is keeping busy.
West blocks the elbow strike.
Epeli Nailatikau seems to be working more effectively in the clinch in the fight so far.
West is pushing Nailatikau up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
West lands a hook that snaps the head of Nailatikau backwards.
West throws a punch but it's blocked by Nailatikau.
A shot in the inside from Nailatikau.
West goes for a body shot but it's blocked.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau missing with knees to the body.
West misses with a shot to the kidneys.
West throws an elbow but it misses.
Nailatikau working aggressively here.
West is clearly stalling here... Pick up the pace son.
Nailatikau creates a bit of distance and throws an elbow that only just misses.
West lands a right hand that snaps the head of Nailatikau backwards.
West struggles to land a body shot inside as Nailatikau controls his hands.
A head punch on the inside from West fails to land.
Nailatikau landing knees to the body.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
West is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
Nailatikau lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of West backwards.
Nailatikau tries to land a knee to the head but West blocks with his arms.
With the fighters up against the cage, Nailatikau throws an elbow but misses.
Nailatikau lands a hook to the side of the head.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

A close second round but Epeli Nailatikau will probably get the nod - 10:9.
The cut man is working on Epeli Nailatikau's cut.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action! Ladies and gentlemen, this is the final round!

Nailatikau looks to land a left hand but West moved out of range nicely.
West throws a lazy uppercut
and Nailatikau counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
West misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Nailatikau is the aggressor but that punch slipped nicely by West.
Nailatikau tries to clinch but West is having none of it.
Nailatikau avoids a kick to the body.
Nailatikau avoids the head kick by West.
A clash of legs there as West blocks the low kick.
Nailatikau misses with a leg kick

and West counters into the clinch. Nicely done.
Still in the clinch, West scores with a nice short uppercut.
West blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nailatikau missing with knees to the body.
Nailatikau tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and West avoids it.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nailatikau just misses with a elbow thrown towards West's brow.
With the two fighters working up against the cage, Nailatikau just misses with a elbow thrown towards West's brow.
Nailatikau landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nailatikau scores with a shot to the side of West's head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
West working Nailatikau over with knees to the body.
Nailatikau lands a knee to the head.
West looking to throw knees to the head but Nailatikau is blocking nicely.
Nailatikau missing with knees to the body.
West misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nailatikau tries to land a knee to the head but West blocks with his arms.
West is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
Nailatikau lands a hook to the side of the head.
West managing to block the knees to the body from Nailatikau.
West landing knees to the body.
West lands a nice looking hook to the body, against the cage.
West taking a breather.
Nailatikau blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
A head punch on the inside from West fails to land.
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. West obliges.
West lands with a light punch inside.
Randy West has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nailatikau trying to land knees to the body.
Nailatikau is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. West is defending well for now.
Nailatikau is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. West is defending well for now.
West takes a knee to the side of the body.
West lands a left hand.
A short right from West.
Nailatikau creates a bit of space for himself and sneaks an elbow through West's defenses.
Nailatikau throws an elbow but it misses.
A head punch on the inside from West fails to land.
The referee is keeping an eye on West - much more stalling and he will separate the fighters.
Nailatikau putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has West in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
West goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Nailatikau throws an elbow that misses.
Nailatikau with a knee to the head.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nice elbow from Nailatikau.
Nailatikau tries to land knees in the clinch but West avoids the damage to the body.
Nailatikau softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nailatikau.
West pushes Nailatikau back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nailatikau lands a good knee to the midsection. West won't want to take too many of those.
Nailatikau scores a nice knee to the body.
Nailatikau misses with an elbow over the top.
Nailatikau working some nice short punches in the clinch.
West makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
A short uppercut from West.
A head punch blocked on the inside by West.
Nailatikau using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nailatikau lands a nice knee to the body.
Nailatikau lands an elbow just above West 's eye.
Nailatikau blocking some punches.
Nailatikau using the Thai plumb to throw knees but West has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nailatikau throws an elbow that misses.
West blocks the elbow strike.
Nailatikau throws an elbow but it misses.
Nailatikau missing with knees to the body.
Nailatikau trying to land knees to the body.
West softening up his opponent with strikes, against the cage.
West pushes Nailatikau back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
Nailatikau lands with a left to the head.
Nailatikau on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
West wants to stall.
A knee to the head by West.
Nailatikau tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and West avoids it.
Nailatikau pushes off an throws an elbow but West leans to the side and avoids it. We're back to clinching against the cage.
A nice right hand lands inside from Nailatikau.
Epeli Nailatikau is fighting for a decision - hopefully he's judged it right and he's actually winning the fight.
West lands a knee to the body.

And that's the end of the fight!
Epeli Nailatikau comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I've got Nailatikau 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 Tarja Halkonen scores the fight 27:30
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 27:30
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 27:30

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Epeli Nailatikau!
Epeli Nailatikau decided to thank the fans in attendance for making a great atmosphere. It seemed to go down pretty well.