PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a lightweight MMA rules bout between Koa Nightmarcher (ranked 1910 p4p, 1349 weight class) and Barry Bonon (ranked 248 p4p, 176 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nightmarcher
vs
Bonon

170 cm
26
149
5 - 5 - 0

170 cm
25
168
4 - 2 - 0

BJJ Blue Belt
Counter fighter
Cardio machine

Powerful takedowns
Brawler
Powerful

Beachside Supplements

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the lightweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 5 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Koa Nightmarcher!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 4 - 2 - 0, fighting out of The Island, Barry Bonon!
The judges for this bout are Dirk Anderson, Santiago Holmes and Peter Branson.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Nightmarcher stuffs the takedown attempt from Bonon. Bonon gets slowly back to his feet.
Nightmarcher lands with a straight right. Bonon didn't see that one coming.
Bonon shoots for a double leg takedown but Nightmarcher sprawls well. He's pushed Bonon's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Bonon will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nightmarcher throwing a counter right hand but Bonon manages to avoid it.
Koa Nightmarcher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Bonon.
Nightmarcher defends well against a solid takedown attempt from Bonon.

Bonon closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Nightmarcher is looking to improve his position.
Nightmarcher is trying to control but can't.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Bonon is trying to work for a kimura but Nightmarcher is defending well.
Bonon works his way into side control.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonon trying to control the action but Nightmarcher is working from the bottom.

Bonon wants to work for a kimura but he's foiled early by Nightmarcher, who protects the arm well.
Nightmarcher is positioning himself to get back to half guard.
Nightmarcher is not content to let Bonon control the position.
Nightmarcher gets back to half guard.

Bonon is working for a submission of some sort.
Nightmarcher trying to control here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
My god... these two guys really need to pick up the pace or everyone will leave to go get a beer.
Nightmarcher is refusing to be controlled, as Bonon sits in half guard.

Bonon is looking for a kimura but he's never going to get it from there.
Bonon is trying to control the action in half guard but Nightmarcher is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Bonon is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Nightmarcher!
Bonon fails to take his opponent's back.
Nightmarcher really trying hard to get back to half guard here.
Bonon looking to control and managing it successfully.
Bonon can't quite control the action as he would like just now, as Nightmarcher is looking to escape.
Nightmarcher is trying to escape the mount.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nightmarcher tries to lock up and control but Bonon gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.

Nightmarcher defends a decent attempt at a guillotine from Bonon.
Bonon with some aggressive grappling here, looking for the finish.

Bonon looking for a guillotine from mount but Nightmarcher is having none of it.
Bonon wants to control the pace but Nightmarcher is squirming around nicely.
Nightmarcher has improved his flexibility recently so we will have to see if he can use that to his advantage.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Bonon looks like he's working for a submission but he's not found anything just yet.

Bonon looking for a guillotine from mount but Nightmarcher is having none of it.
Nightmarcher tries to get back to half guard but can't.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nightmarcher regains half guard.
Bonon wants to pass the guard but Nightmarcher is defending well.
Nightmarcher is pressing down on Bonon's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Bonon passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Bonon wants to lay and pray for a moment but Nightmarcher keeps working.
Nightmarcher gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.
Nightmarcher is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nightmarcher gets back to full guard.
Bonon stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nightmarcher swivels though and keeps the full guard.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Barry Bonon dominated that round.
That's time! Nightmarcher's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Nightmarcher lands a nice hook to Bonon's body. Bonon takes it in his stride and looks to land his own strikes.
Bonon shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nightmarcher defends it nicely.
Nightmarcher appears to be looking for a counter takedown.
Bonon has a takedown stuffed.
Bonon dives in and grabs Nightmarcher's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nightmarcher pushes down on Bonon's head and hops out.
Koa Nightmarcher has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Barry Bonon.
Nice uppercut there from Nightmarcher.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nightmarcher lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Bonon fails with a takedown attempt.
Bonon fails to land the takedown.
Barry Bonon seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Bonon looks frustrated there after his takedown attempt is stuffed easily.
An attempted straight right counter from Nightmarcher misses the target.

Nightmarcher drops his shoulder and cracks Bonon with a huge uppercut! Bonon goes down! Can Nightmarcher finish him?

Bonon is rocked!
Nightmarcher preventing the sweep.
Bonon is still in real trouble! Can Nightmarcher finish him?
Nightmarcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Bonon escapes his hips to the side and looks to be working for an armbar. Nightmarcher gives him a little smile and shakes his head. No chance.
Nightmarcher knows he needs to get back to his feet asap. He's simply no match for Bonon on the ground.
Bonon is breathing heavily.
Bonon manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Nightmarcher manages to get himself to full guard.

Bonon drops back looking for a leg! Nightmarcher is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nightmarcher manages to kick Bonon off! Bonon jumps back into Nightmarcher's guard.
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!
Nightmarcher bucks up whilst keeping hold of a body lock, managing to reverse the position. Now he's in top in Bonon's guard.

Bonon seems to have recovered his senses.
Nightmarcher trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Nightmarcher with a flurry of punches that miss.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Nightmarcher here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.
Bonon wants to sweep but no luck.
Nightmarcher wants to control from the top but Bonon keeps moving.
Nightmarcher is looking to work some ground and pound but Bonon has wrist control.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nightmarcher trying to control but Bonon is working from the bottom.
Bonon looking for a sweep. Not yet Bonon, not yet.
Nightmarcher sitting in guard, not really doing much.
Nightmarcher wants to control from the top but Bonon keeps moving.

Bonon had isolated an arm as going for a kimura. Nightmarcher defends it easily.
Nightmarcher pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Bonon is keeping the position for now.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Bonon is on top in guard.

Bonon wants to control from the top but Nightmarcher keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonon wants to pass the guard but Nightmarcher is keeping the position.

Nightmarcher looking for a guillotine here but Bonon defends easily.

Nightmarcher has his foot on Bonon's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Bonon works his way back into a safe position though.
Bonon passes easily into side control. Nice work.
Nightmarcher is trying to improve his position.
Nightmarcher gives up the full mount - oops, sloppy defensive grappling there!
Bonon sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nightmarcher is working to get back to half guard.
Bonon avoids the attempt from Nightmarcher to control.
Nightmarcher has given up his back - I don’t know if this is a deliberate ploy to try and escape or if he is just struggling down there.

Nightmarcher defending nicely against the rear naked choke attempt.

Nightmarcher is staying cool under pressure, defending well against the rear naked choke attempt from his opponent.

Bonon is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Nightmarcher defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.

Bonon is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Koa Nightmarcher dominated that second round.
The referee calls time. The cornermen exit stage left and we're back to business. This is the final round!

Bonon manages to get an easy takedown there - catching Nightmarcher on his heels. He'll look to pass Nightmarcher's guard now, I'm sure.
Nightmarcher wants to sweep here but Bonon controlling him for the moment.
Bonon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nightmarcher is keeping the position for now.
Bonon wants to control from the top but Nightmarcher keeps moving.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nightmarcher not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Bonon advances position into side control!
Barry Bonon has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nightmarcher is looking for a sweep.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Bonon tries for a kimura. Not really close to a finish though.
Nightmarcher is looking to reverse the position.

Bonon thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Nightmarcher tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Bonon wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.
Nightmarcher wants to get back to his feet but Bonon drags him back down.
Nightmarcher wants to control but Bonon postures up.
Nightmarcher stops Bonon from passing to mount.
Nightmarcher manages to get back to half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Bonon is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Nightmarcher!
Nightmarcher is squirming around, avoiding Bonon's attempts to control the action.

Bonon working to secure an arm triangle but it's not happening for him just yet.
Bonon takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Bonon controlling from mount.
Bonon trying to control but Nightmarcher is having none of it.
Nightmarcher gets back to half guard.
Nightmarcher is not content to let Bonon control the position.
Nightmarcher is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nightmarcher is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Bonon's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Bonon's back!
Bonon tries to escape but Nightmarcher has the hooks in and won't let him break free.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Bonon turns into Nightmarcher and is now in his guard.
Bonon trying to control but Nightmarcher is working from the bottom.

Nightmarcher working from the bottom, still in full guard. He's managed to get a loose triangle. Bonon doesn't seem to be doing much to defend here, obviously he feels comfortable in the position. Bonon manages to throw the legs off his shoulder and he's back into guard - no problem.
Bonon pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nightmarcher is keeping the position for now.
Bonon postures up.
Bonon advances position into side control!
Nightmarcher is looking for a sweep.
Bonon tries to move to mount but Nightmarcher blocks the move with his legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nightmarcher is looking for a sweep.
Bonon wants to control but Nightmarcher is keeping him busy.
Nightmarcher gets one leg under and gets the fight to half guard.

Bonon is trying to work for a kimura but Nightmarcher is defending well.

Nightmarcher looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.

Nightmarcher looking to work for a kimura from the bottom.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nightmarcher is refusing to be controlled, as Bonon sits in half guard.

And that's the end of the fight!
Barry Bonon comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Bonon 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 Dirk Anderson scores the fight 28:29
Judge Santiago Holmes scores the fight 28:29
Judge Peter Branson scores the fight 28:29

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Barry Bonon!