PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Paul Herrera (ranked 4962 p4p, 25238 weight class) and Oko Nawa (ranked 528 p4p, 604 weight class). Both these guys have really solid chins. Will we see a standup war or will they both decide that a knockout is unlikely and try to win the fight elsewhere?

Herrera
vs
Nawa

185 cm
24
180
4 - 11 - 0

181 cm
22
176
2 - 2 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Solid boxing
Granite chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Good elbows
Solid chin

Furnace Performance 🔥
Silverguard Outfitters 🛡

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the welterweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 4 - 11 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Paul Herrera!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Oko Nawa!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paul Aken and Aafke Stam.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Herrera clinches.

Herrera has moved round to his opponent's back and is looking for a suplex! Oh snap! He's tossed Nawa clear over his head and slammed him to the mat!
Herrera not allowing Nawa to control his hands.
Nawa tries to roll but Herrera sticks to his back.
Nawa is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Herrera.
Nawa is really stuck here.
Herrera lands a shot to the body.

Herrera is working for the rear naked choke. He has one arm under the chin but Nawa has hold of the other arm. A bit of a stalemate here.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Herrera slows the pace down here. Having a little breather whilst he's in a dominant position, looking to rest and regain some energy, ready to go for the finish.
Herrera has controlled the position for a good 20 seconds, which will no doubt be starting to frustrate his opponent.
Nawa wants to control his opponent's hands but Herrera gets his hands free.
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.
Nawa is trying to get back to his feet but Herrera has full control of the position and if anything, Nawa has just worked his way into a worse spot.
Herrera is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.
Nawa wants to control his opponent's hands but Herrera gets his hands free.
Herrera biding his time, looking for the opening.
Nawa wants to escape the position.
Herrera controlling the position well here. Nawa rolled but Herrera kept the hooks locked in and stayed in the dominant position.

Herrera is looking to finish the fight by rear naked choke. Nawa knows exactly what he's got planned though, so he's defending well. Maybe a few strikes would soften Nawa for a finish.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nawa can't escape the position.

Herrera is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Nawa defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
Herrera not allowing Nawa to control his hands.
Herrera is looking cool and calm here, just waiting for a good opportunity to attack and finish the fight from this dominant position.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Herrera is remaining active here, looking for the choke. The more discerning members of the crowd will appreciate his efforts.
Nawa is very frustrated here, being controlled quite effectively by Herrera.
Nawa wants to control his opponent's hands but Herrera gets his hands free.
Herrera has the hooks in. Nawa is trying to push off one leg but he has to do so cautiously to avoid being submitted.
Nawa is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.
Herrera is controlling his opponent, waiting for an opportunity to finish.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herrera seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Nawa for as long as he can get away with.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Herrera dominated that round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Nawa misses with a double jab

and Herrera counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Herrera.

Herrera avoids a guillotine attempt easily.
Herrera not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Herrera is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Nawa can do to turn this around?
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Herrera's ground tactics aren't going to win him many fans. Let's hope he's got fireworks for us if he gets back to his feet because he's not doing much on the ground.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Herrera is in close to Nawa's body, working some short punches and elbows.

Herrera stands up and waves to Nawa to follow him.

Herrera shoots in for a takedown and gets it.
Nawa is trying to defend against the ground and pound but Herrera scores with a couple of nice shots.
Herrera lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Herrera is figuring out what he wants to do next.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Herrera continues to stall.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Herrera lands strikes from half guard.

Herrera decides to stand up.

Herrera closes the distance and clinches.

Herrera tightens his grip and picks Nawa up, before dumping him to the ground. Nawa manages to land in guard.
Herrera slows down the pace of the fight, as he sits in guard.

Nawa throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Herrera is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
More hug and hope from Herrera.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Herrera lands a nice shot whilst sitting in his opponent's guard.
Herrera is frustrating his opponent with some stalling tactics from top position.
Nawa trying to control the position.
Boooooooooooooooooooo!!! God, this has been a terrible round. Come on you two, sort yourselves out!
Herrera controls from within his opponent's guard.

The referee has stepped in and called for a break in the action. We'll restart on the feet.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Paul Herrera dominated that second round.
That's time! Back to the action! So, we enter the final round. Let's see if either fighter can bring us a finish, or whether we're going to the judges scorecards.

Nawa tries for a takedown but Herrera circles away easily

and Herrera counters with a takedown into side control.

Herrera stands up and beckons Nawa to his feet.

Herrera drives through with a takedown into Nawa's guard. Let's see what he can do from the top position.
Herrera preventing the sweep.
Herrera scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Herrera's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Nawa is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Herrera not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Herrera gets to his feet. Nawa looking to butt scoot but the ref puts an end to that. On your feet son!
The fight stays on the outside here - Nawa looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Herrera lands a jab followed by a nice looking cross.
Herrera circles away from the clinch attempt

and Herrera counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Herrera.

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

Nawa looking for submissions off his back, moving his hips, looking for an opening.
Nawa takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nawa being controlled here, momentarily.

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Herrera stands up from Nawa's guard - Herrera perhaps looking for a knockout.
Paul Herrera is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.

Herrera darts in and clinches Nawa up against the cage.

Herrera breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Nawa is looking to clinch but Herrera is avoiding it.
Nawa shoots in for a double leg but Herrera sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

Herrera closes the distance, clinches up and gets a nice trip takedown into side control. Very smooth.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Herrera controlling the position.
Nawa is looking to slip a leg under and get half guard but Herrera is one step ahead and moves to full mount!

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Herrera looking for an armbar but decides to keep the dominant position instead.
Herrera sitting in mount, just looking to control for the moment.
Nawa is in all sorts of trouble here.
Herrera controlling from mount.
Herrera takes his opponent's back. Perhaps a chance to lock up a rear naked choke here.
Nawa can't escape the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Herrera working for the choke.

Herrera is working really hard to secure the rear naked choke. Nawa defends successfully for a significant amount of time. Both fighters are looking very determined.
What can Nawa do to escape this position? He's going to have to figure it out pretty quick if he wants to stay in the fight!
Herrera lands strikes to the head.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Nawa won't enjoy being in this position. Herrera looking for the choke. Oh... he's slipped the arm under the neck - Nawa is tapping - it's over boys! Herrera picks up the submission victory!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:59 of round 3, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Paul Herrera!
Our winner, Paul Herrera, made sure he spent some time buttering up the crowd during his post fight interview, which will no doubt bring him a few more fans.