PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Kalti Nioka (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Ricky Roma (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nioka comes into the arena with Yellow submarines blaring out of the sound system. Well, the cameraman is lingering on a pretty young lady for a bit too long there. Keep your eyes on the fighters buddy or you'll miss the fighter intros!

Nioka
vs
Roma

198 cm
23
282 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

195 cm
21
290 lbs
3 - 0 - 0

Good wrestling
Basic striking
Very quick

Good wrestler
Decent boxing
Good gas tank

Sho Stoppa Clothing
Shango Designs

Shango Designs

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Kalti Nioka!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 3 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Sydney, Ricky Roma!
The judges for this bout are Bruno Hogan, Hugh Johnson and Donatello Bradman.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Roma with a hook.

Nioka closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nioka lands in his opponent's guard.
Nioka has to be careful here, sitting in the guard of a superior BJJ player.
Roma looking to hit a scissor sweep but Nioka is one step ahead there.
Roma wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Nioka tries to free his leg and advance position but Roma is retaining full guard.
Roma is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Roma trying to keep a closed guard but Nioka is proving a slippery customer.
Nioka tries to free his leg and advance position but Roma is retaining full guard.
Nioka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

Well, the referee has seen enough. Neither fighter is active enough on the ground so he's stood them back up.
Roma ducks down and throws a hook to the body but Nioka moves away.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nioka fails with a takedown attempt from distance.
Nioka shoots for a double leg takedown but Roma sprawls well. He's pushed Nioka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Nioka shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Roma but Roma pushes him off and we're back to square one.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kalti Nioka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Roma jabbing away but nothing is landing.
A big right from Roma misses.
Roma bobbing and weaving, closes the distance and lands a hook to the side of Nioka's head.
Roma misses with an uppercut.

Nioka fakes an overhand right and shoots for a takedown. Roma sprawls well initially but Nioka persists and gets the takedown into half guard.
Nioka throwing shots but Roma is blocking nicely.
Roma works his way to full guard. Good work.
Nioka stopping the sweep attempt from Roma.
Nioka tries to free his leg and advance position but Roma is retaining full guard.
Roma avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Roma preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roma looking to sweep here. No luck so far.
Nioka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Roma misses with a body shot.
Roma leaves Nioka with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Nioka shoots in with a lovely double leg takedown. Roma manages to land in full guard to minimise the damage.
Nioka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nioka trying to land body shots but he keeps hitting the mat.
Nioka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Roma is controlling Nioka's posture.
Roma manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Roma looking to ground and pound his opponent to a finish here.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roma landing strikes, looking to finish!
Roma trying to control but he's not successful this time.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
BOOM! Roma connects with a massive shot to the dome!
The fighters are going at a pretty good pace and they're both starting to sweat now.
Nioka is writhing around trying to get back to his feet.
Nioka is in a horrible position here. Roma smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nioka is wriggling around trying to escape.
Nioka is working hard here to advance position.
Nioka on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nioka tries to get out of the position.
Roma landing strikes from the mount and Nioka is in trouble!
Roma has the superior BJJ but he's also working some ground strikes into his gameplan.
Roma unloading with bombs!
Roma throwing sloppy strikes, which aren't doing any damage.
Nioka is looking to get to half guard.
Roma cracks Nioka with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Roma pausing momentarily but resumes with a couple of decent strikes that do a bit of damage.
Roma sends his fist crashing into the mat - the crowd let out a collective ooooooh. Let's hope he's not broken it!
Nioka is looking to improve his position but Roma isn't that keen on the idea.
Roma trying to control but Nioka is having none of it.
Nioka is in a horrible position here. Roma smacks him with another shot as he tries to escape the position.
Nioka is looking to get to half guard.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Roma with the ground and pound from mount.
Nioka tries to lock up and control but Roma gives him a forearm to the face and pushes him away.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

A slow jab from Roma misses its intended target.
Nioka ducks under a wild hook from Roma.

Nioka feints and then dives in with a takedown. That was a long way out but the feint bought him enough time to close the distance and complete the takedown. Now we'll play guard for a bit and see who can get the better of that position.
Nioka tries to free his leg and advance position but Roma is retaining full guard.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.
Roma wants to control here, rather than go for any submissions from the bottom. At least for now.
Nioka with a couple of shots to the head there. Not particularly brutal.
Roma avoiding any damage from the ground and pound.
Nioka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Roma is keeping the position for now.
Roma is working from a closed guard but he's struggling to control his opponent.
Nioka tries to free his leg and advance position but Roma is retaining full guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nioka throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.

Nioka changes levels and drives through with a really nice takedown into side control. Roma looks really pissed at himself for not defending that better.
Roma is trying to get back to half guard. He's pushing on Nioka's leg. He's managed it. Nice work.
Nioka lands with an elbow from half guard - that looked like it hurt.
Nioka not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Nioka with the ground and pound but Roma uses the opportunity to regain guard.
Roma is pulling down on Nioka's head. It's preventing any offense from Nioka, at least for the moment.
Roma is looking to get back to his feet but can't, whilst Nioka is controlling him.
Nioka won't allow Roma to sweep him here.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nioka working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Roma is doing well to control the posture of his opponent and prevent any damage.
Roma is breathing heavily.
Roma keeping full guard, as Nioka tries to pass.
Roma preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
There's a bit of a scramble here and now Roma is on top in guard.
Nioka pulls Roma in close to prevent any damage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roma postures up and lands some nice ground and pound.
Nioka trying to keep a closed guard but Roma is proving a slippery customer.
Nioka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.
Roma thows a big elbow that misses.
Nioka looking to hit a scissor sweep but Roma is one step ahead there.
Roma's corner is telling him to maintain position.
Roma in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nioka wants to sweep but no luck.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
There's not a lot going on here and the crowd are letting the fighters know they're not willing to tolerate a lack of action.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fighter is doing enough on the ground.
Nioka uses decent footwork to sidestep a right hand from Roma.
Kalti Nioka is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Roma stuffs the takedown.
Nioka defending well as Roma loads up on a big left hand.
Nioka shoots in for a takedown but Roma shows good takedown defense.
Roma throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Roma throws a jab but it's blocked by Nioka.

Roma rushes Nioka and pushes him back against the cage in a clinch.
Roma struggles to land a body shot inside as Nioka controls his hands.
Roma tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Roma can't find room to land a body shot as Nioka controls the action.
Roma misses with a body punch.
Roma is pushing Nioka up against the cage, for a bit of lean and pray action. Action being used the in the loosest possible sense of the word.

Roma breaks from the clinch.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close second round but I would say that Kalti Nioka will probably get the nod.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Roma misses the shot to the body.
Nioka dives in and grabs Roma's left leg, looking for a takedown. Roma pushes down on Nioka's head and hops out.
Nioka is trying hard to land a takedown here. Roma sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.
Nioka moves away from the strike by Roma.
Roma throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Roma takes a swing at Nioka's ribcage but misses.
Roma stuffs the takedown.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kalti Nioka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Nioka darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Roma tries to kick Nioka off but Nioka keeps his base steady and stays in half guard.
Roma gets full guard.
Nioka won't allow Roma to sweep him here.
Roma takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nioka pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Roma is keeping the position for now.
Nioka loading up with the ground and pound but he's missing more than he's landing in this flurry.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nioka throws a big right hand that misses.
Nioka trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nioka fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Roma avoids it really well and circles away.
Nioka misses with a takedown attempt - Roma sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Roma stuffs the takedown.
Nioka shoots for a double leg takedown but Roma sprawls well. He's pushed Nioka's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Roma cracks Nioka with a hook to the jaw. Both fighters smile at eachother and high-five before getting back down to business.
Nice takedown defense from Roma. No joy for Nioka on that attempt.
Roma jabs Nioka right on the nose. Nioka blinks but takes it well.
Nioka walks into a stiff left hand from Roma.
Roma swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Nioka throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Roma's waist but Roma gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Nioka off to one side.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Roma fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Nioka shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Roma as he avoids it easily.
Roma pushing out the jab but it's not landing.
Roma digs a good hook to Nioka's body.
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!
Roma lands a jab to the head.
Roma tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Nioka was well out of range. Poor timing from Roma.

Roma shoots in from a long way out. He's driving through with the takedown attempt and he eventually gets it, landing in Nioka's guard.
Roma stays in close to Nioka's body and controls the position.
Nioka keeping moving, preventing Roma from controlling successfully.
Roma throwing strikes from guard but Nioka blocks nicely.
Nioka trying to control the position.
Roma wants to control from the top but Nioka keeps moving.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Roma preventing the sweep.
Roma missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nioka is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Roma misses with a hook. Nioka ducked under it nicely.

Nioka shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Roma napping and manages to drive through into side control!
Nioka working away diligently from side control. Landing strikes effectively there - that will score him some points on the judges scorecards.
Roma manages to get back to half guard.
Nioka is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Roma!
Nioka throwing sloppy strikes here. Perhaps if he tightened up his striking from such a dominant position, he'd be able to finish easier.
Roma slips a leg in and gets back to half guard.
Nioka throwing shots but Roma is blocking nicely.
Ricky Roma has got the better of the ground game so far.
Nioka thows a huge punch but Roma dodges it nicely.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nioka thows a huge punch but Roma dodges it nicely.
Roma is doing well to avoid being mounted. He's controlling the position at the moment.
Nioka throwing shots but they're hitting the canvas more than the man.
Roma is looking to regain full guard. Not this time though.
Nioka working over Roma with some ground and pound. Roma looks like he wants out of this position, which is understandable.
Roma is pressing down on Nioka's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
Nioka works over Roma with some ground and pound from guard.
Nioka lands a couple of decent looking shots.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Roma manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Nioka is desperately trying to improve his position but Roma has a good base and remains in mount.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Roma really dominated that round.
OK. That's time! The bell goes and we're back to the action.

Roma throws a shot from downtown. Nioka moves away and avoids it.
Nioka with a lazy takedown attempt
and Roma counters with a lovely straight right hand!

Roma closes the distance and pushes Nioka back into the cage.
Roma misses with a hook to the ribs.
Roma taking a break, stalling in the clinch.
Roma tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Roma tries a body shot but Nioka blocks it.
Nioka blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Roma stalling in the clinch.
Good anti-grappling being displayed by Nioka as Roma tries to tie him up.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
The fighters are pressed against the cage, as the pace of the fight slows.
Roma tries to land a shot to the body but it's blocked.
Roma is absolutely dripping with sweat - he looks exhausted.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Roma lands with a quick shot inside that doesn't really do much damage.
Roma stops a takedown attempt from Nioka.
Nioka is trying to drag Roma to the mat but Roma just about manages to keep his footing. He used the cage to his advantage there.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kalti Nioka. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Nioka has Roma pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Roma manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Roma can't find room to land a body shot as Nioka controls the action.
Roma has had enough of the clinch but Nioka keeps him there for the moment.
Roma tries to work over Nioka's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Roma is working Nioka over against the cage.

Roma has picked Nioka up - he's going for a ride! Roma dumps his opponent to the mat with a thud and settles into half guard.
Nioka avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Roma.
Nioka is trying to control but can't.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nioka has hold of Roma's hands but Roma slips his arm to the side and lands an elbow.
Roma takes a deep breath and rests his weight momentarily on top of his opponent, to control the position.
Nioka blocking the ground and pound attempt from Roma.
Nioka wants to get back to full guard.
Roma thumps the canvas. Not on purpose obviously - he just missed Nioka's head.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nioka with a lazy takedown attempt

and Roma counters with a nice double leg into side control. Nioka won't be happy with that.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nioka wants to control but Roma postures up.
Roma throwing shots but missing, from side control.
Roma creates some space and throws a big elbow, but Nioka sees it coming and moves his head just enough to avoid the strike.
Roma is looking to take a break and control but Nioka is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Nioka is sneaking out the side here. He's bucked Roma off and has taken his back!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nioka lands shots from the back.
Roma grimaces as he takes a shot to the body.
Nioka landing with strikes.
Nioka misses with a punch to the head.
Nioka missing with strikes from the back.
Nioka doesn't have the hooks in and Roma manages to turn into his guard.
Nioka wants to sweep but no luck.
Roma is looking to work some ground and pound but Nioka has wrist control.
Roma stopping the sweep attempt from Nioka.
Roma scores with a decent looking elbow strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Roma pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nioka is keeping the position for now.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
Nioka with a lazy takedown attempt
and Roma counters with a lovely straight right hand!
Roma throws a big shot that misses.
Nioka with a poor takedown

and Roma counters with a single leg into guard. Nioka didn't expect that.
Nioka looking for a sweep. Not yet Nioka, not yet.
Roma throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Nioka works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Roma working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Nioka not looking particularly offensive just at the moment.
Hammerfist, elbow! yells Roma's corner. There ya go! There ya go!
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nioka tries to land a sweep but no joy.
Roma missing there with some ground and pound from the guard.
Nioka wants to sweep here but Roma controlling him for the moment.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Ricky Roma dominated that fourth round.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! This is the final round!

Donk. Roma catches Nioka right on the button with a cross.
Nioka gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily
and Nioka takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nioka has his takedown stuffed
letting Roma counter with a right hand.
Roma swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Roma swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Nioka tries for a takedown but Roma circles away easily
enabling Roma to counter with a crisp jab.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kalti Nioka. That's going to take a lot out of him.

Roma clinches up with Nioka and pushes him back against the cage.
A head punch on the inside from Roma fails to land.
Roma throws a blind hook that connects with the side of Niokas head.
Both of our modern day gladiators look out of it here - an gruelling 5 rounds of action taking it's toll on them, no doubt.
Roma works for underhooks and lands a body shot in the process.
Roma stalling.
A looping hook to the body misses from Roma. Nioka does a little dance to reset his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nioka shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Roma cracks him with a counter punch right on the button.

Nioka closes the distance and looks for a trip takedown... aaaand he's got it - Nioka lands in his opponent's guard.
Roma is looking to stand up but Nioka isn't so interested in that idea.
Nioka postures up in Roma's guard and throws a big left but Roma blocks it.
Nioka in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Nioka trying to move into half guard but instead Roma has managed to sweep!
Nioka utilising some decent striking defenses from the guard, preventing the ground and pound.
Nioka is trying to control the position but Roma postures up.
Roma in full guard, throwing the ground and pound. No damage this time.
Roma throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Kalti Nioka has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's two minutes gone in the round.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Nioka misses with a takedown attempt

and Roma counters with a takedown into full mount! That could mean trouble for Nioka!
Nioka tries to hold on but Roma pushes him away.
Roma has been the more effective fighter overall so far.
Roma cracks Nioka with a nasty head shot there - the crowd let out an audible gasp there, as the noise reverberated around the arena.
Roma tries to control but Nioka wriggling away.
Poor strikes thrown by Roma there. More accuracy and less frantic strikes would help!
Nioka in a bad spot here, taking shots to the head.
Nioka is desperately trying to get back to half guard.
Roma fakes a shot to the body and cracks his opponent in the head. Nice ground and pound there!
A nice elbow there by Roma.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nioka keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Roma lands a big elbow.
Roma lands a nice shot to the head.
Roma looking to control and managing it successfully.
Nioka keeping his composure momentarily, calmly looking to get back to half guard.
Roma controlling from the full mount.
Nioka is looking to improve his position but Roma isn't that keen on the idea.
Ricky Roma is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

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.
Roma punishing his opponent with strikes.
Roma working the ground and pound effectively.
Roma lands a heavy elbow.
Nioka taking shots to the head.
Roma avoids the attempt from Nioka to control.
Nioka regains half guard.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Roma looks to score some points with some ground and pound.
Roma scores with a couple of good hammerfists.

And that's the end of the fight!
Ricky Roma comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
Well Roma has outworked and out performed his opponent in all aspects of the game today. He was simply too good and the decision should be no more than a formality. Over to the ring announcer for the scorecards.

Ladies and gentlemen, after 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Bruno Hogan scores the fight 46:49
Judge Hugh Johnson scores the fight 46:49
Judge Donatello Bradman scores the fight 46:50

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Ricky Roma!
Ricky Roma is the new heavyweight champion!