PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nakki Fakiiri (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Paul OConnell (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Fakiiri comes to the cage accompanied by Go Hard or Go Home. Both fighters really staring each other down here, as Paul OConnell enters the cage!

Fakiiri
vs
OConnell

202 cm
26
265 lbs
10 - 1 - 0

209 cm
28
285 lbs
14 - 8 - 0

Good wrestling
World class MT
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Lion Fightwear

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 10 - 1 - 0, fighting out of New York, Nakki Fakiiri!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 14 - 8 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Paul OConnell!
The judges for this bout are Ben Zyskovitsi, Johanna Lukiainen and Marco Blurström.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Fakiiri tries to clinch but OConnell is having none of it.
A nice side step and OConnell releases a counter shot to the body, but it doesn't find it's home.
Fakiiri uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by OConnell.
OConnell throws a hook but Fakiiri blocks it.
Fakiiri slips under a jab.
Fakiiri's jab looks to have found its range, popping OConnell under the eye.
Fakiiri keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from OConnell.
OConnell throws a low kick but it's checked well by Fakiiri.
Fakiiri fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
OConnell takes a swing at Fakiiri's ribcage but misses.
OConnell dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
OConnell throws a body shot but no joy.
OConnell tries a head kick but it misses.
OConnell lands a nice hook to Fakiiri's body. Fakiiri takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
OConnell is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Fakiiri rather than just go for the knockout.
Fakiiri takes a big uppercut there. He seems a bit wobbly but no, he's OK.
Fakiiri wants to clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Fakiiri keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
OConnell has been spending a lot of time sparring his boxing in the run up to the fight, trying to sharpen up those hands and look for a knockout.
OConnell swats away the attempt to clinch by Fakiiri.
Fakiiri doesn't manage to clinch there - OConnell circles away.
OConnell keeping his hands up high there, blocking the jab from Fakiiri.
OConnell pulls out of a head kick attempt.
OConnell takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Well, he's not going to score with shots like that. A lazy body kick attempt from Fakiiri.
Fakiiri throws a low kick but it's checked well by OConnell.
OConnell looks like he wants to counter punch here.
Fakiiri misses with a hook
enabling OConnell to counter with a crisp jab.
OConnell misses with a straight left.
OConnell throws a wild body kick that Fakiiri sees coming a mile off.
A little feinted left hand from Fakiiri on the counter but he doesn't commit to it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
OConnell misses with a wild body shot.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Fakiiri.
OConnell is looking to slow Fakiiri down with leg kicks.
Fakiiri throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
It seemed like OConnell was going to counter with the hook but didn't fully commit to it.
Fakiiri moves in looking to clinch but OConnell pushes him off.
Nakki Fakiiri seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Fakiiri connects with a right hand. OConnell shakes it off.
Fakiiri seems to be moving with more speed, compared to his last bout. He must have been working on that in the gym.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Fakiiri misses with a body kick.
OConnell circles away from the clinch attempt.
OConnell looks like he wants to counter punch here.
OConnell does a little shimmy and throws a leg kick. The leg kick missed by a considerable margin though, making him look a little bit silly for doing the shimmy.
OConnell moves out of range as Fakiiri strikes.
Fakiiri cracks the inside of OConnell's front leg.
OConnell connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Fakiiri momentarily.
Fakiiri tries to score with an inside leg kick but telegraphs it and OConnell is able to avoid easily.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Fakiiri looks to land a right hand but OConnell moved out of range.
Fakiiri is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.

It looks like Paul OConnell has been cut.
Fakiiri tries to clinch but OConnell is having none of it.
OConnell with a hook.
Fakiiri swings away with a leg kick that misses.

Fakiiri lands a big head kick that sends OConnell tumbling to the mat! Fakiiri takes a step backwards and waves OConnell back to his feet - he wants the finish!

OConnell is rocked!
Fakiiri lands with a massive overhand right! Stick a fork in OConnell - he's out cold! Ermm... I think I just mixed my metaphors but yeah... That was a nice KO! Big win for Fakiiri!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:34 of round 1, we have a winner by way of KO (Punch). Nakki Fakiiri!
Nakki Fakiiri retains his heavyweight title!
During a confident post fight interview, Nakki Fakiiri thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.