PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kristoff Klinkhammer (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Nikola Veljanovski (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Klinkhammer
vs
Veljanovski

185 cm
20
205 lbs
1 - 5 - 0

182 cm
31
222 lbs
28 - 19 - 0

Good takedowns
Brawler
Experienced

Good wrestler
Basic striking
Knockout power

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the light heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 1 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Kristoff Klinkhammer!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 28 - 19 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikola Veljanovski!
The judges for this bout are Matti Vanhoillinen, Marco Blurström and Ben Zyskovitsi.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Klinkhammer tries to clinch up.
Klinkhammer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Veljanovski.
Veljanovski shoots in for a takedown but Klinkhammer shows good takedown defense.
Veljanovski will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Klinkhammer feinted with a counter takedown.
Kristoff Klinkhammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikola Veljanovski.

Veljanovski moves into the clinch successfully.
Klinkhammer blocks an uppercut.
Klinkhammer is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables Veljanovski to keep the fight standing.
Veljanovski is pushing Klinkhammer up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.
Klinkhammer blocks a punch to the side of the head.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klinkhammer dodges an elbow strike from Veljanovski.
Klinkhammer blocks an uppercut.
Veljanovski is struggling to control the position.
Veljanovski is pushing Klinkhammer up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Veljanovski escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.

Veljanovski shoots in and gets a takedown into Klinkhammer's guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Klinkhammer pulls Veljanovski in to control the position.
Veljanovski slows down the pace of the fight for a moment. He'll need to remain active if he doesn't want to see the fight stood back up.
Let's hope that Veljanovski has the urge to step up the pace any second now because for the last 15 or 20 seconds he's just been holding on tight.
Veljanovski trying to control but Klinkhammer is working from the bottom.
Klinkhammer keeping full guard, as Veljanovski tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski trying to control the position from guard on top but Klinkhammer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Veljanovski is looking to work some ground and pound but Klinkhammer has wrist control.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.
Veljanovski throwing strikes but missing.

The referee has decided to stand the fighters back up, so we'll restart on the feet.
Klinkhammer has been working on his balance at MMA Sanok Training Center, so perhaps that has help him stuff some of the takedown attempts by Veljanovski.
Veljanovski fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Klinkhammer went nuts there looking for a big combo counter but none of the flurry connected.

Klinkhammer tries to sprawl but Veljanovski drives through with a takedown into half guard.
Veljanovski thows a wild elbow that connects with the canvas.
Veljanovski has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Veljanovski prevents Klinkhammer from improving his position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski trying to control the action but Klinkhammer is working from the bottom.
Veljanovski content to sit in half guard and control for a moment.

Klinkhammer is defending against the submission attempts here by Veljanovski.
Klinkhammer works his way to full guard. Good work.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A lull in the action here being met with boos from the crowd.
Veljanovski working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Veljanovski lands a couple of decent looking shots.
Veljanovski trying to control the position from guard on top but Klinkhammer is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Veljanovski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Klinkhammer is trying to control the position but Veljanovski postures up.
Veljanovski slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Klinkhammer is looking for a sweep.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Veljanovski tries to advance to mount but can't.
Veljanovski lands a knee to the body and a forearm to the face.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikola Veljanovski dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Veljanovski fails in his attempt to clinch.
Klinkhammer throws a quick counter kick to the body but Veljanovski avoids it.
Veljanovski misses with a takedown attempt
and Veljanovski takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Veljanovski looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Klinkhammer is fending him off so far but Veljanovski persists. Nope, Klinkhammer circles away and we're back to standing.
Veljanovski tries to clinch up.
Klinkhammer throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Veljanovski's waist but Veljanovski gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Klinkhammer off to one side.
Veljanovski dives in for a single leg takedown but Klinkhammer sprawls and the fighters end up clinched against the cage.
Klinkhammer swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.
Kristoff Klinkhammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikola Veljanovski.
Nice sprawl there from Klinkhammer as Veljanovski shoots in.
Klinkhammer displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Veljanovski.
Klinkhammer shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Veljanovski pinned against the cage. Veljanovski gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klinkhammer circles away from the clinch attempt.
Klinkhammer is looking to counter punch.
Klinkhammer tries to clinch up but Veljanovski circles away and keeps his distance.
Veljanovski appears to be waiting to throw a counter punch to the body.
Veljanovski gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Klinkhammer counters with a series of strikes. Veljanovski will be more careful next time no doubt.
Veljanovski misses with a takedown attempt - Klinkhammer sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Klinkhammer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
Veljanovski shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Klinkhammer counters with a right hand to the body.
Klinkhammer darts in looking for a takedown but Veljanovski gets double underhooks and turns Klinkhammer into the cage.

Klinkhammer dives in and scores a takedown into Veljanovski's guard.
Veljanovski trying to control the position.

Veljanovski looking for a guillotine here but Klinkhammer defends easily.
Klinkhammer working in close now, lands a nice elbow to the side of Veljanovski's head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski keeping moving, preventing Klinkhammer from controlling successfully.
Klinkhammer won't allow Veljanovski to sweep him here.
Klinkhammer trying to control the position from guard on top but Veljanovski is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
Veljanovski looking to control.
Klinkhammer won't allow Veljanovski to get back to his feet.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Klinkhammer fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
A countering left hand to the body from Veljanovski misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Klinkhammer tries to close the distance and clinch but Veljanovski swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.

Veljanovski darts in and clinches Klinkhammer up against the cage.
Veljanovski misses with the head strike.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Veljanovski stalling in the clinch.
Veljanovski gets underhooks to prevent Klinkhammer's takedown attempt.
Veljanovski is stalling here.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
No luck for Veljanovski with that takedown attempt.
Klinkhammer swung with a counter punch to the body but it didn't connect.

Klinkhammer gets a takedown into half guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski tries to roll over but Klinkhammer keeps him under control.
Klinkhammer wants to control but Veljanovski is keeping him busy.
Veljanovski wants to control but Klinkhammer is keeping busy and won't allow it.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Klinkhammer throwing shots but Veljanovski is blocking nicely.
Klinkhammer thows a huge punch but Veljanovski dodges it nicely.
Klinkhammer wants to take a breather but Veljanovski is having none of it.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kristoff Klinkhammer dominated that second round.
The corners get their ten second warning. Both fighters stand from their stools and stare eachother down, ready to get back to the action. This is the final round!

Veljanovski slaps away a takedown attempt from Klinkhammer, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Veljanovski goes for a double leg but Klinkhammer avoids the attempt and the two fighters end up clinched against the cage as Klinkhammer continues to drive forward.
Veljanovski fails to land the takedown.
Veljanovski shoots in for a takedown but Klinkhammer shows good takedown defense there and keeps this one on the feet.
Kristoff Klinkhammer has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Nikola Veljanovski.
Veljanovski shoots and misses
and Klinkhammer counters with a two punch combo.
Klinkhammer shoots for a double leg takedown but Veljanovski sprawls well. He's pushed Klinkhammer's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Veljanovski tries to clinch there but Klinkhammer circles away.
Klinkhammer is trying hard to land a takedown here. Veljanovski sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Veljanovski fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with Klinkhammer, pushing him back against the cage.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Klinkhammer blocking some punches.
Klinkhammer is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Veljanovski gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Veljanovski is stalling here.
Come on Veljanovski - let's have some action - none of this stalling nonsense.
Veljanovski receives a warning from the referee for stalling.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The pace slowing considerably in the clinch, as Veljanovski takes a break from that fighting nonsense to think about the finer things in life.
The crowd are getting on Veljanovski's back here. They're not happy about his lack of aggression in the clinch.
Veljanovski throws a punch but it's blocked by Klinkhammer.
Veljanovski prevents Klinkhammer from breaking the clinch.
Veljanovski lands a left hand that snaps the head of Klinkhammer backwards.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Klinkhammer throws a nice looking combination but Veljanovski bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Klinkhammer connects with a body shot that sends Veljanovski's belly button to the back.

Veljanovski moves into the clinch successfully.
Veljanovski lands a hook to the body. It's hard to tell if that hurt Klinkhammer or not.
Veljanovski leaning his opponent against the cage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Veljanovski throws a punch but it's blocked by Klinkhammer.
Veljanovski tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Veljanovski lands an uppercut.
Veljanovski blocks a knee to the body. He'll have a nicely bruised forearm in the morning.
Veljanovski tries a shoulder strike but it doesn't do any damage.
Veljanovski controlling the action here for a moment.
Klinkhammer fails to pull guard.

Veljanovski breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Veljanovski drives through with a takedown into Klinkhammer's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Klinkhammer trying to strike from the bottom but really, it's not the best position to be doing that from!
Veljanovski trying to control but Klinkhammer is working from the bottom.
Veljanovski loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.
Klinkhammer manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Veljanovski manages to get himself to full guard.

Veljanovski keeping moving, preventing Klinkhammer from controlling successfully.

Veljanovski is looking for a triangle but Klinkhammer pushes his legs off easily.
Klinkhammer postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Veljanovski has a closed guard, preventing anything of note from happening. Perhaps he's looking to stall.
Klinkhammer trying to control but Veljanovski is working from the bottom.
Veljanovski is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Veljanovski is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Veljanovski keeping moving, preventing Klinkhammer from controlling successfully.

And that's the end of the fight!
Nikola Veljanovski comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Veljanovski has won this one but let's see whether the judges agree with me. 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 Matti Vanhoillinen scores the fight 28:29
Judge Marco Blurström scores the fight 28:29
Judge Ben Zyskovitsi scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nikola Veljanovski!