PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gao Chao (ranked 4068 p4p, 4199 weight class) and Aaron Nevemore (ranked 482 p4p, 489 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Chao
vs
Nevemore

172 cm
21
180
1 - 0 - 0

177 cm
20
170
1 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Counter fighter
Good chin

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Intelligent

Sakura Style

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 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Gao Chao!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 1 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Aaron Nevemore!
The judges for this bout are Daniel Franklin, Chris Downing and George Francis.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Chao fails to land the takedown.
Nevemore stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nevemore lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Nevemore fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
A chopping leg kick lands by Nevemore.
Chao shakes his hands off, looking to compose himself, but takes a jab to the jaw whilst he does it.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nevemore, as that shot connected.
Chao shoots for a double leg takedown but Nevemore sprawls well. He's pushed Chao's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Chao avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Chao attempts a counter takedown but Nevemore avoids it well and moves away.
Nevemore lands a glancing blow to the side of Chao's head.
Nevemore will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Nevemore lands a pitter patter jab to the forehead of his opponent.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nevemore scores with a jab to the head.
Nevemore tries to clinch but Chao moves away

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

Nevemore uses the cage to get back to his feet.
Nice takedown defense from Chao. No joy for Nevemore on that attempt.
A punch combination from Nevemore misses.
Chao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gao Chao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chao is trying hard to land a takedown here. Nevemore sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Chao fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nevemore connects with a jab.
Nevemore digs a good body shot into Chao's ribs.

Chao drives through with a takedown into guard.
We could do with one of the fighters taking the initiative a bit more on the ground - they're both waiting to capitalize on a mistake.
Nevemore wants to stand but Chao is controlling the position.
Chao has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Nevemore is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chao is looking to advance position but Nevemore has hit a scissor sweep - now he's on top in mount!

Nevemore controlling the pace for now.
Chao tries to buck Nevemore off but he can't manage it.
Chao tries to hold on but Nevemore postures up.
Chao controls the position.

Nevemore stands up from mount. Strange move.
Nevemore tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Chao paws at him with a jab and circles away.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Horrible takedown attempt by Chao or perhaps it was just good defense by Nevemore, which made it look bad.
Jab, jab by Nevemore - just one landing.
Nevemore tries to clinch there but Chao circles away.
Jab, jab by Nevemore - just one landing.
Nevemore scores with a jab to the head.
Nevemore misses with a wild body shot.
Chao wants to take advantage of his opponent's missed offense by moving into the clinch.

Chao shoots in and scores a nice double leg takedown into half guard.
Chao lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Chao definitely looks more muscular than last time we saw him fight.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Chao prevents Nevemore from standing back up.
Nevemore wants to control but Chao is keeping busy and won't allow it.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Chao landing with strikes to the body and head, softening up his opponent.
Chao lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Chao is looking to take a break and control but Nevemore is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nevemore is trying to stand up here but Chao is controlling him well.
Nevemore looks winded!
Nevemore wants to control but Chao is keeping busy.
Nevemore won't allow Chao to pass to mount.
Chao slips a nice elbow through Nevemore's hands, connecting with Nevemore's forehead.
Chao controlling the action here.
The referee walks around the fighters to get a better view of the action. Chao lands a nice short elbow.
And that is the end of the round. The fighters go back to their corners.

Aaron Nevemore dominated that round.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nevemore lands a slapping body shot.
Gao Chao is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Nevemore fakes a jab and then connects with a hook.

Chao closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Chao lands in his opponent's guard.
Chao is standing up over Nevemore. Nevemore looks to escape but Chao dives into side control.

Nevemore throws his opponent off and manages to get back to his feet! Nicely done!
Nevemore connects with a good right hand that stumbles Chao. Chao circles away out of range and recomposes himself.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chao keeps the fight on the outside.
Chao doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Nevemore avoids a low kick by using good footwork.
Nevemore drops down looking to force a counter takedown but Chao defends it well.
Nevemore throws a nice outside leg kick.
Chao looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nevemore is fending him off so far but Chao persists. Nope, Nevemore circles away and we're back to standing.
Nevemore looks more muscular than last time we saw him. He must have been on the weights.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nevemore cracks a nice hook into Chao's ribs.
Chao on the wrong end of a decent looking cross there.
Nevemore punishes Chao's body with a nice straight punch.
Nevemore tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Chao paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Chao misses with a takedown attempt - Nevemore sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Chao gets cracked there but stands up to it.
Nevemore misses with a few strikes there.
Chao will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gao Chao. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Chao takes a jab right on the nose. That must have hurt but he shrugs his shoulders and looks to return the favor.
Chao shoots in for a double leg but Nevemore sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.
Chao looks for a takedown but Nevemore sprawls well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Chao tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nevemore sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Chao somewhat.
Chao has his head snapped back a nice jab. A little nod from Chao there as he acknowledges the shot.
Nevemore tries to clinch up.
Nevemore throws a nice outside leg kick.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Chao slaps away a takedown attempt from Nevemore, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Chao avoids the clinch attempt nicely.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Chao moves his head to the side to avoid a jab but walks straight into a cross.
Chao with a lazy takedown attempt

and Nevemore counters by moving into the clinch. Good anticipation by Nevemore.
Nevemore wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Chao.
Nevemore is looking to break free of the clinch but Chao has double underhooks.

Nevemore has managed to pull guard. Let's see whether he can work an aggressive guard. It will also be interesting to see what tactics Chao uses from the top position.
Chao lands a couple of elbows.
Chao postures up and scores with a shot to the body and a follow up elbow to the head.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Nevemore trying to control the position.
Chao won't allow Nevemore to sweep him here.
Nevemore is breathing heavily.
Nevemore keeps trying to improve his position.
Nevemore has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Chao scoring with some ground and pound.

The fighters are working up against the cage. Nevemore manages to wriggle his way back to his feet, so the fighters are now clinched against the cage.
Nevemore swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Chao tightens his grip and picks Nevemore up, before dumping him to the ground. Nevemore manages to land in guard.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Chao with a nice head shot there.
Gao Chao overall seems to be getting the better of the ground position in the fight so far.
Chao chips away with some ground and pound.
Chao landing some decent shots from guard.
Chao stops Nevemore from standing up.
Chao lands a couple of digs.

Nevemore is rocked!
Chao prevents Nevemore from getting back to his feet.
Nevemore is still in real trouble! Can Chao finish him?
Chao distracts Nevemore with his right hand and drops a big elbow with his other arm.
Chao stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nevemore swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Chao content to strike from guard, landing some decent shots.
Chao is working Nevemore over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
Chao tries to free his leg and advance position but Nevemore is retaining full guard.
Nevemore is trying to keep Chao in close.
Chao is in close to Nevemore's body, working some short punches and elbows.
Chao stops Nevemore from standing up.
Chao with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Chao looking to control the position here, rather than advance.
Chao arches his back and unloads with a massive left and a right! Nevemore's eyes roll back into his head, he's out cold! The ref dives in to stop the fight - wow, they were hard shots!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 4:55 of round 2, we have a winner by way of KO (Strikes). Gao Chao!