PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a light heavyweight MMA rules bout between Solomon Obasi (ranked 8764 p4p, 641 weight class) and Nikke Niputtaja (ranked 3348 p4p, 397 weight class). Over to our ring announcer for the fighter introductions!

Obasi
vs
Niputtaja

195 cm
20
205 lbs
0 - 1 - 0

184 cm
19
208 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Excellent MT
KO power

Good takedowns
Basic striking
Good gas tank

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 0 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Las Vegas, Solomon Obasi!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nikke Niputtaja!
The judges for this bout are Vladimir Khabensky, Igor Prikhodko and Sergei Dronov.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Obasi shoots in for a takedown and gets it.

Obasi wants to work for an arm triangle but Niputtaja is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Niputtaja trying to hold on to Obasi's head to control him but Obasi postures up.

Obasi is trying a forearm choke… I don't think that's going to do much at this level of the game.
Niputtaja tries to strike from the bottom but it doesn't land.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niputtaja is pressing down on Obasi's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Niputtaja looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Obasi would like to get this fight back to the feet but can't get free from the closed guard.
Obasi throws an elbow that misses. Niputtaja uses the momentum to reverse the position. He's now in Obasi's guard. Nice move by Niputtaja!

Obasi looks to be working for a triangle here. Oh, it looks like he might have it! Niputtaja has picked Obasi up and slammed him! Obasi can't keep hold of the triangle and Niputtaja manages to pass to side control!
Obasi manages to get one leg in to regain half guard.
Niputtaja tries to pass the half guard into mount. Obasi knows what he's doing though and prevents the attempt.
Niputtaja is just sitting in half guard, waiting for something to happen.

Niputtaja is trying to work for a kimura but Obasi is defending well.
Niputtaja with the ground and pound but Obasi uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Obasi working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Niputtaja.

Obasi is looking for a guillotine. You can't force these things though and Niputtaja defends well.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Obasi keeping moving, preventing Niputtaja from controlling successfully.
Obasi avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Niputtaja slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Obasi throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.

Niputtaja got a little sloppy there for a moment and Obasi has worked his way into a loose triangle - can he finish it?! No, Niputtaja has managed to get both his arms back between Obasi's legs - danger averted.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Obasi is active off his back here, looking for submissions.
Niputtaja content to stall in guard here.

The referee has motioned to the fighters to stand back up. He just wasn't happy with the level of activity.

Niputtaja has taken the fight to the clinch.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
A few boos can be heard. I'm sure they will multiply if the fighters don't pick up the pace.

Obasi gets control of Niputtaja's arms and successfully pulls guard. Obasi will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.

Obasi working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Niputtaja doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Niputtaja manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Obasi keeping moving, preventing Niputtaja from controlling successfully.
Obasi will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

Obasi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.
Niputtaja is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Obasi knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Niputtaja on the ground.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Niputtaja looking to sit in guard and control but Obasi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Connects with an elbow from the bottom, proving to the judges that he's still active off his back.
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 Solomon Obasi will probably get the nod.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Niputtaja instigates a clinch.

Obasi jumps guard and drags Niputtaja to the mat. He's obviously going to be looking for submissions off his back.
Solomon Obasi overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.

Niputtaja avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Niputtaja controlling from the guard. I say controlling but really, he's stalling.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niputtaja advances position into side control!
Niputtaja is looking to take a break and control but Obasi is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Niputtaja goes for an armbar! This could be all over! Wait, no, Obasi rolls with the submission and now he's on top in Niputtaja's guard! Nice work there by Obasi!
We've been hearing that Obasi has been drilling a lot of ground and pound in training, so let's see if he get the finish.
Obasi is looking to stand up but Niputtaja won't let him.
Niputtaja pulls Obasi in to control the position.
Niputtaja not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Niputtaja bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Obasi's guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Niputtaja looking to sit in guard and control but Obasi gets the butterfly guard and sweeps. He's now in the guard on the top.

Niputtaja is looking for a triangle but Obasi pushes his legs off easily.
Obasi wants to pass the guard but Niputtaja is keeping the position.

Obasi drops back looking for a heel hook - he quickly realises he's not going to get it but Niputtaja manages to dive on top of him before he can escape and now Obasi has Niputtaja in his guard.

Niputtaja is stalling in the full guard.

Obasi is working actively off his back, looking to secure an arm or perhaps work for a triangle.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Niputtaja is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Niputtaja throws a big elbow that misses.
Obasi can't keep his opponent in guard - Niputtaja advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Niputtaja is looking to pass the guard... He's managed it - he's now in full mount!
Niputtaja lands a big elbow.
Niputtaja takes a little breather and maintains the position. The referee will be looking for him to stay active from such a dominant position though.
Niputtaja's corner are shouting for him to control the position and he seems happy to oblige.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Obasi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Niputtaja tucks in and makes sure he doesn't lose the dominant position.
Obasi really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Niputtaja trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Niputtaja lands a couple of nice shots there from mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nikke Niputtaja showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action. This is the final round!

Niputtaja lands with a nice body punch.
Niputtaja doesn't manage to clinch there - Obasi circles away.

Excellent takedown into side control there by Obasi.
Niputtaja struggling a bit here.
Obasi lands some shots froms side control.
Niputtaja wants to control but Obasi postures up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Niputtaja manages to work his way to half guard, despite Obasi's best efforts.

Obasi is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.

Niputtaja has hold of a guillotine but he's not going to be able to crank on it really with only half guard, so it's no trouble for Obasi. Oh but Niputtaja has got full guard now! Oh boy! This one could be over very soon! Obasi goes limp - he's gone! Niputtaja jumps up and celebrates with the crowd - fantastic submission finish!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (Guillotine). Nikke Niputtaja!
During a confident post fight interview, Nikke Niputtaja thanked all his fans. He seemed very genuine when describing how motivated his fans keep him.