PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Naiki Nekele (ranked 1748 p4p, 2187 weight class) and Paul OConnell (ranked 69 p4p, 85 weight class). I don't know about you partner, but I'm pumped for this one!

Nekele
vs
OConnell

210 cm
32
275
25 - 16 - 0

209 cm
46
293
29 - 21 - 1

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Insanely flexible

Good wrestler
World class boxer
Granite chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 25 - 16 - 0, fighting out of London, Naiki Nekele!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 29 - 21 - 1, fighting out of New York, Paul OConnell!
The judges for this bout are Tatsuya Matsuyama, Hirohito Nitta and Yukihiro Shimada.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nekele slips a jab and a cross from OConnell.
OConnell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Nekele shoots in and drives through. OConnell sprawls well.
OConnell looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.
OConnell takes an uppercut right on the jaw but it doesn't phase him.
OConnell lands with a two punch combination before moving back out of range.
OConnell throws a hook but Nekele avoids it easily.
OConnell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
OConnell fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.

Nekele pushes OConnell up against the cage in a clinch.

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

Nekele gets to the clinch - let's see what his plan is here.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Nekele can't find room to land a body shot as OConnell controls the action.
OConnell is trying to break the clinch but Nekele has him pressed against the cage.
OConnell tries to circle away but Nekele has him pinned against the cage.
Nekele throws a blind hook that connects with the side of OConnells head.

That's one minute gone in the round.
OConnell lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nekele lands with a right to the head.

Nekele's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
A cross from OConnell lands.
OConnell lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.

It looks like Naiki Nekele has been cut.
OConnell digs a good body shot into Nekele's ribs.
OConnell circles away from the clinch attempt.
Nekele dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on OConnell. That did some damage!
Paul OConnell seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
OConnell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
OConnell throws a hook but Nekele avoids it easily.
Nekele keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Nekele fires out a quick counter leg kick but OConnell just manages to avoid it.
The fans in attendance giving it up for the two fighters, who have really let it all hang out in the last minute or so!
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Nekele.
Nekele tries to close the distance and clinch up but OConnell swats him away and circles back towards the center.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nekele takes a solid shot to the body. That one hurt him but he's trying not to show it.
OConnell misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
OConnell swings away with a body shot that misses
enabling Nekele to counter with a crisp jab.

Nekele gets a clinch.
Nekele is trying to pull guard but being pressed up against the cage enables OConnell to keep the fight standing.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Naiki Nekele. That's going to take a lot out of him.
OConnell looks like he'd prefer to be striking at range right now.
OConnell wants to break free but Nekele has control.
Nekele blocks an uppercut.
Nekele tries to take the fight to the ground by pulling guard but can't manage it.
Nekele blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
OConnell wants to push off and get back to the center of the mat but Nekele has him pressed against the cage.
OConnell blocks a punch to the side of the head.

OConnell's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnell misses with a wild combination.
OConnell throws a sloppy head kick and Nekele moves out of range easily.
OConnell just misses with a punch to the body.
OConnell misses with a body shot.
Nekele connects with a lovely right hand, straight down the pipe.
OConnell tries to bum rush Nekele with a series of wild strikes but Nekele uses good footwork to avoid the assault.
OConnell swings wildly with a couple of big hooks
and Nekele counters with a quick right hand to the jaw.
OConnell swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Nekele avoids the head kick by OConnell.
Nekele tried to counter with a leg kick but OConnell avoided it.
OConnell swats away the attempt to clinch by Nekele.
OConnell throws a series of punches but Nekele moves out of range.
OConnell is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Nekele rather than just go for the knockout.
OConnell works Nekele's body with a nice hook.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nekele uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from OConnell.
Nekele steps to the side to avoid the strikes from OConnell.
Nekele moves out of range of the strikes.
A head kick misses from OConnell.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
OConnell takes a swing at Nekele's ribcage but misses.
A quick step to the side and Nekele tries to counter with a shot to the body but it doesn't connect.
OConnell misses with a wild combination.
Nekele connects with a high kick.
Nekele scores with the left hand. OConnell knows he should have avoided that one.
OConnell throws a sloppy head kick and Nekele moves out of range easily.
OConnell throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nekele.
OConnell throws a jab, cross combination which is slipped
letting Nekele counter with a right hand.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Paul OConnell dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Naiki Nekele's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Nekele bobs and weaves into range and then changes levels and scores with a nice takedown into side control.
OConnell is looking to reverse the position.
OConnell trying to control but Nekele flips him over like a cheap hooker and has his back!
Nekele controlling well, preventing OConnell from escaping the position.

OConnell is trying to get back to his feet. He's worked up on to his knees and now he's on his feet with his head on the canvas, trying to shake Nekele off. It looks like it's working - Nekele slides off, much to his dismay, and we're back to standing! OConnell displaying calm under pressure there.

Nekele moves into range and clinches up with OConnell.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
OConnell avoids the elbow strike from Nekele, against the cage.
OConnell tries to break free but Nekele pushes him back against the cage.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nekele lands on the inside with an uppercut.
Nekele makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
OConnell wants to break the clinch but can't.
A frustrated look appears on OConnell's face as he tries to break the clinch.
OConnell tries to land knees in the clinch but Nekele avoids the damage to the body.
OConnell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nekele lands with a right to the head.
Nekele has OConnell pressed against the cage, preventing OConnell from circling away and getting back to striking at range.
OConnell can't break the clinch.
Nekele blocking some punches.
OConnell misses with a short punch on the inside.
Nekele lands a right hand.
Nekele misses with a shot to the kidneys.
OConnell is looking to break free of the clinch but Nekele has double underhooks.
Nekele fails to land with a short punch on the inside.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

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

Nekele moves into the clinch successfully.

OConnell breaks the clinch.

Nekele clinches.

OConnell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
OConnell misses with a straight left.
Nekele swung with a counter right hand that didn't connect.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nekele moving in and out of range nicely, whilst landing the scoring shot.
OConnell throws a series of punches but Nekele avoids them all with ease.

Nekele gets in close and instigates a clinch.
OConnell is trying to push Nekele away but Nekele has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.
Nekele working aggressively here.
OConnell pushes Nekele back against the cage and unloads with a body punch.
OConnell blocking some punches.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
OConnell tries to circle away but Nekele has him pinned against the cage.
Nice body punch from OConnell.
Nekele works on OConnell's body with a couple of short punches.
OConnell wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.

Nekele breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Paul OConnell is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
OConnell uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from Nekele.
Paul OConnell seems to be getting the better of the standup.
Nekele with a hook.

Nekele closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.
OConnell wants to get back to striking at distance but Nekele won't allow it.
OConnell tries to break the clinch but Nekele is controlling the position.

OConnell breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nekele tries to clinch up.
Nekele avoids a punch combination nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nekele uses good footwork to avoid the strikes from OConnell.
Nekele fails in his attempt to clinch.
Nekele is looking to chop away at OConnell's legs.
As Nekele backs off OConnell throws a huge counter combo but Nekele manages to avoid it all.
Nekele tries to clinch there but OConnell circles away.
OConnell is loading up here, looking for a big counter of his own.
Nekele moves in looking to clinch but OConnell pushes him off.
Nekele is looking to clinch.
Nekele lands a body shot.
OConnell punishes Nekele's body with a nice straight punch.
OConnell moves forwards but Nekele connects with a nice, crisp jab.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
OConnell scores with a jab to the body.
OConnell throws a lazy right hand but Nekele sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nekele tries to close the distance and clinch up but OConnell swats him away and circles back towards the center.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Naiki Nekele dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Naiki Nekele's cut.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

OConnell looks to land a combination but Nekele avoids it well.
OConnell throws a lazy right hand but Nekele sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nekele tests OConnell's chin there with a solid looking shot.
Nekele bobs and weaves and throws out a fast jab that snaps OConnell's head backwards.
A punch combination from OConnell misses.
Nekele wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.
Nekele wants to clinch up but OConnell keeps it at a distance.
Nekele connects with a body shot that sends OConnell's belly button to the back.
OConnell tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nekele was well out of range. Poor timing from OConnell.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

OConnell tries to keep at a distance but Nekele has taken the fight into the clinch.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Nekele.
Nekele lands a right hand that snaps the head of OConnell backwards.
OConnell presses Nekele against the cage and delivers a mid-strength body shot.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nekele makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.

Nekele's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
OConnell connects with a nice looking jab.
OConnell rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Nekele moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
It looked like Nekele wanted to counter with a hook but didn't fully commit.

Nekele closes the distance and presses his opponent up against the cage.

OConnell escapes the clinch and we're back to striking.
OConnell digs a good hook to Nekele's body.
A left and a right from OConnell both land. Nice combination.

Nekele fakes with an overhand right and moves in to clinch with OConnell, pushing him back against the cage.

OConnell breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Paul OConnell is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nekele wants to clinch up but OConnell keeps it at a distance.
Nekele throws a sloppy head kick and OConnell moves out of range easily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
OConnell connects with a body shot.
Nekele tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in to close the distance. OConnell manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Nekele scores with a jab to the jaw of his opponent.
OConnell throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
OConnell misses with the combination.
OConnell throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
OConnell throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Nekele tries to clinch up.
OConnell throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nekele counters with a straight right hand.
Nice defenses there by Nekele.
OConnell ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nekele moves away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nekele is moving around nicely and scores here with a single head shot.
OConnell throws a push kick but Nekele slaps the foot to one side.
OConnell throws a lazy head kick
and Nekele counters with a straight right hand.
OConnell takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
OConnell takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nekele moves in looking to clinch but OConnell pushes him off.
OConnell is clearly trying to counter these attacks from Nekele with a body shot.

Nekele clinches with his opponent.
OConnell takes a knee right on the jaw!
OConnell tries to throw a body punch but Nekele avoids it by throwing OConnell back against the cage.
Nekele taking a break, stalling in the clinch.

Nekele breaks from the clinch.
OConnell throws a wild combination but nothing lands.
Jab from Nekele.
OConnell tries a head kick but it misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nekele lands an overhand right.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Nice defenses there by Nekele.
OConnell swats away the attempt to clinch by Nekele.
OConnell throws a right and a left that both miss.
OConnell looks to score with a combo but nothing lands.
A jab from Nekele does it's job there.
OConnell throws a left and a right that both miss
and Nekele counters with a big right hand! Oh OConnell is in trouble here! Nekele follows up with more strikes and that's it! The ref has stopped it!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:43 of round 3, we have a winner by way of TKO (Strikes). Naiki Nekele!
Naiki Nekele really struggled to get his t-shirt on before his hand was raised. Making sure that HELLBENT logo gets some air time is pretty tricky when you're all sweaty.