PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Igor Kreten (ranked 25452 p4p, 6717 weight class) and Favour Nzelibe (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Igor Kreten could well score a knockout today. He has the power to get to Favour Nzelibe's chin.

Kreten
vs
Nzelibe

205 cm
18
265
0 - 5 - 0

190 cm
25
270
0 - 2 - 0

BJJ White Belt
Brawler
Good chin

BJJ White Belt
Excellent boxer
Likes musicals

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 0 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Igor Kreten!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 0 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Favour Nzelibe!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Michael Johnstone and David Hoff.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Kreten throws a head kick but Nzelibe moves out of range.

A momentary lapse in concentration from Nzelibe enables Kreten to shoot in and score with a neat double leg. Nzelibe manages to secure a closed guard as the fighters hit the mat.
Nzelibe pulls Kreten in close to his closed guard and prevents Kreten from doing any damage or advancing position.
Kreten definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
Kreten with a flurry of punches that miss.
Nzelibe is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Kreten stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nzelibe swivels though and keeps the full guard.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Nzelibe had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Kreten defends it easily.
Kreten wants to control from the top but Nzelibe keeps moving.
Kreten will need to keep those long limbs tucked in whilst he's on the ground, to prevent any submissions.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nzelibe looking to sweep here. No luck so far.

Nzelibe is looking for a triangle but Kreten pushes his legs off easily.
Nzelibe wants to stand and escape but Kreten is having none of it.
Nzelibe keeping full guard, as Kreten tries to pass.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nzelibe manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Kreten manages to get himself to full guard.

Nzelibe wants to pass the guard but Kreten is keeping the position.
Kreten is trying to control the position from the bottom.
Kreten throws a couple of shots from the bottom but they don't land.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nzelibe looking to control the position here, rather than advance.

The fighters are starting to get a bit slippery now, which will make submissions a bit more difficult.
Nzelibe drops back for a leg! It's a sloppy attempt though and Nzelibe jumps back into guard quickly, to retain the dominant position.

Kreten pushes Nzelibe off and scrambles back to his feet.
Kreten swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Kreten looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.

Nzelibe looks for a takedown. He's got it. We're now in half guard.

Kreten manages to escape and get back to his feet!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Kreten throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nzelibe.
Kreten misses with a body shot.
Kreten has a takedown stuffed.
Kreten throws a head kick that Nzelibe semi-blocks.

It looks like Favour Nzelibe has been cut.
Kreten tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nzelibe swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Left hook, right uppercut from Nzelibe.
Kreten tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Nzelibe swivels and escapes.
Kreten leaves Nzelibe with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
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 Igor Kreten will probably get the nod.
The cut man is working on Favour Nzelibe's cut.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business.

Kreten shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nzelibe defends it nicely.
Kreten shoots in but no luck this time.

Kreten gets a clinch.
Kreten has had enough of the clinch but Nzelibe keeps him there for the moment.
Kreten is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Igor Kreten. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nzelibe tries to pull guard but Kreten holds him up against the cage and eventually Nzelibe drops back down to his feet.

Nzelibe pushes off and circles away, back to the middle of the mat.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nzelibe shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A head kick misses from Kreten.

Nzelibe tries to keep at a distance but Kreten has taken the fight into the clinch.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nzelibe prevents the takedown attempt.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Kreten.
Kreten jumps guard but Nzelibe stands there with Kreten around his waist. Kreten gives up and drops back to his feet. We remain in the clinch.

Nzelibe gets control of Kreten's arms and successfully pulls guard. Nzelibe will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Kreten trying to control but Nzelibe is working from the bottom.
Nzelibe bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Kreten's guard.

Nzelibe won't allow Kreten to get back to his feet.
Nzelibe pushes down on Kreten's leg and manages to get into half guard.
Nzelibe scoring with strikes to the body and head.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nzelibe working Kreten over with strikes.
Kreten trying to control here.
Nzelibe looks over to his corner - he wants some instructions but his corner are not responding.

Nzelibe is thinking about going for an arm triangle but he can't free his leg.
Kreten is trying to maintain the position but Nzelibe is very close to passing his half guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nzelibe trying to control the pace.

Nzelibe is working for submissions here but there's nothing on.
Well, if Nzelibe 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.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Kreten trying to control but Nzelibe postures up.
Kreten tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Nzelibe has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Nzelibe lands a couple of good shots and Kreten has given up his back, trying to escape the position!
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Kreten is really stuck here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Favour Nzelibe showed his class in that round. I'd imagine he'll take it on all the scorecards.
The cut man is working on Favour Nzelibe's cut.
That's time! Kreten's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight. This is the final round!

Nzelibe tries to close the distance and clinch up but Kreten swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Kreten fails in his attempt to clinch.
Kreten dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Igor Kreten is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Kreten shoots in looking for a takedown but Nzelibe manages to keep the fight standing, pushing Kreten's face into the canvas for good measure before circling away.
Kreten tries to clinch but Nzelibe moves out of range.
Nzelibe shoots in and drives through. Kreten sprawls well.
Nzelibe leaves Kreten with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Nzelibe fails with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nzelibe closes this distance looking for a takedown but Kreten circles away.
Igor Kreten has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Favour Nzelibe.
Kreten fails with a takedown attempt from distance.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nzelibe leaves Kreten with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
Kreten changes levels and looks for a double leg takedown. Nzelibe tries to avoid it but Kreten manages to keep hold of a leg and drag Nzelibe to the ground. Nzelibe escapes though and pops straight back up to his feet.
Nzelibe displaying good standup as he scores with a three punch combination.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Kreten fails with an attempt to clinch.
Kreten fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Nzelibe checks it well.
Despite the aggression on Nzelibe's face he doesn't fully commit to the counter.
Nzelibe avoids the head kick by Kreten.
A shot to the liver by Nzelibe. Beautiful body shot.
Kreten defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Nzelibe.
Kreten tries to clinch but Nzelibe is having none of it.
Nzelibe is clearly looking to counter with head kicks.
Kreten ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nzelibe moves away.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Kreten moves into range and clinches up with Nzelibe.
A frustrated look appears on Kreten's face as he tries to break the clinch.
Nzelibe tries for a takedown. No joy.

Kreten gets control of Nzelibe's arms and successfully pulls guard. Kreten will no doubt be looking for submissions off his back.
Kreten being controlled here, momentarily.
Kreten is looking to stand up but Nzelibe isn't so interested in that idea.
Kreten lands a beautiful sweep and he's now moved into his opponent's guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Kreten's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nzelibe wants to sweep here but Kreten controlling him for the moment.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Nzelibe manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Nzelibe keeps control of Kreten as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nzelibe wants a takedown.
Nzelibe goes for a takedown in the clinch but Kreten prevents it.
Kreten slowing the pace effectively.
Nzelibe is looking to take this one to the mat.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Nzelibe breaks from the clinch.
Nzelibe shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Kreten sprawls well. Kreten wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Nzelibe gets slowly back to his feet.

Kreten shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nzelibe's guard.
Nzelibe wants to sweep but no luck.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nzelibe preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Kreten content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Kreten trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

And that's the end of the fight!
That was a close round. You could make an argument for either fighter but I would give it to Igor Kreten.
I think Kreten 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 29:28
Judge Michael Johnstone scores the fight 29:28
Judge David Hoff scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Igor Kreten!