PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a featherweight MMA rules bout between Kimbo Nelson (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Joey Cardinal (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Nelson comes to the cage accompanied by Step into a world - KRS One. Cardinal is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by In Mourning - In The Failing Hour. Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nelson
vs
Cardinal

170 cm
21
155 lbs
7 - 1 - 0

175 cm
24
155 lbs
8 - 5 - 0

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Very strong

BJJ Brown Belt
Decent boxing
Solid chin

Punishment Nutrition

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the featherweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 7 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Kimbo Nelson!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 8 - 5 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Joey Cardinal!
The judges for this bout are Saam Ante, Paul Aken and Albert Achterberg.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Cardinal is defended easily by Nelson.
Cardinal throws a looping left and ducks down for a takedown. He's got his arms around Nelson's waist but Nelson gets an underhook and avoids the takedown by throwing Cardinal off to one side.
Nelson thows a left - swing and a miss!
Nice takedown defense from Nelson. No joy for Cardinal on that attempt.
Kimbo Nelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
Nelson throws a body kick but he wasn't in range.
Horrible takedown by Cardinal or perhaps it was just good defense by Nelson which made him look bad.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nelson. That's going to slow Cardinal down.

Cardinal closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
The fighters are battling for position here. Nelson manages to regain full guard. Nice work.
Nelson on his back here. We all know that wrestlers don't like being on their back so let's see if Nelson tries to get out of the position.
Cardinal postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Cardinal thinks about going for a leg but decides against it, in order to maintain the position.
Nelson looking to hit a scissor sweep but Cardinal is one step ahead there.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Cardinal accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Cardinal drops back looking for a leg! Nelson is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nelson manages to kick Cardinal off! Cardinal jumps back into Nelson's guard.
Cardinal looks gassed!
Nelson is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Nelson stuffs a takedown. It's all about dictating where the fight takes place and Nelson wants it to stay on the feet.
Nelson misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Cardinal shoots in looking for a takedown. Nelson tries to sprawl out of it but Cardinal keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Nelson manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Cardinal shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are getting on the fighters' backs, as the pace has dropped off in the last minute or so.
A big left from Nelson misses.
Kimbo Nelson is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Cardinal closes this distance looking for a takedown but Nelson circles away.
Cardinal has a takedown stuffed.
A solid leg kick lands there for Nelson.
Nelson swings wildly with a right hand that was never going to find it's target.
Cardinal looks for a takedown here. Will he get it? Nelson is fending him off so far but Cardinal persists. Nope, Nelson circles away and we're back to standing.
Nice sprawl there from Nelson as Cardinal shoots in.
Nelson stooping low to avoid any incoming strikes and then lunges in with an uppercut come cross that lands flush.
Nelson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nelson scores with a leg kick.
Cardinal drops his hands momentarily and Nelson takes advantage with a crisp shot to the head.
Nelson throws out a loose jab but Cardinal uses good head movement to avoid it.
Nelson lands a with a good body shot.
Cardinal takes a body kick right on the floating rib. Ouchie.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal takes one on the chin but seems OK.
Cardinal fails with the takedown.
Cardinal closes the distance and takes a jab right on the nose as he does so.
Nice cross by Nelson.
Nelson throws a nice outside leg kick.
A slapping leg kick lands for Nelson.
Nelson lands a jab to Cardinal's midsection.
Nelson wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Nelson feints and then cracks Cardinal's leading leg with a nice low kick. He's obviously looking to slow Cardinal down.
Nelson looks to land a combination. Cardinal sees it coming but can only parry a couple of the shots.
Nelson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nelson throws a right high kick that is partially blocked by Cardinal.

It looks like Joey Cardinal has been cut.
Nelson chopping away at his opponent's legs.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson throws a sloppy head kick and Cardinal moves out of range easily.
Nelson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nice uppercut lands for Nelson. That snapped Cardinal's head back.
Nelson scores with a leg kick.
Nelson connects with a leg kick. He turned his hip over nicely there.
Cardinal takes a head kick and shrugs it off.
Nelson lands a nice looking body shot.
Nelson scores with a nice body kick.
Nelson connects with a slap. Keep your fist closed son.
Nelson tests Cardinal's chin there with a solid looking shot.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Cardinal shoots in and drives through. Nelson sprawls well.
Joey Cardinal seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Nelson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Nelson connects with a right hand. Cardinal shakes it off.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Nelson dominated that round.
The cut man is working on Joey Cardinal's cut.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin!

Cardinal takes one to the side of the head.
Nelson throws a nice looking combination but Cardinal bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
Cardinal fails with a takedown attempt.
Cardinal fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Cardinal stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nelson.
Kimbo Nelson is winning the standup battle so far.
Nelson lands a straight punch to the body, keeping Cardinal at a distance.
Nelson lands a high kick!
Cardinal is breathing heavily.
Nice body punch from Nelson.
Nelson lands a kick to the ribs of his opponent. Nice work there - in and out in a flash.
A jab lands there for Nelson.
Cardinal's leg has a nasty welt from taking a succession of leg kicks. That must be slowing him down.
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!
Danga de danga de dang - Nelson scores with a four punch combination!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Cardinal shoots in with a takedown attempt and he has Nelson pinned against the cage. Nelson gets the underhooks and manages to circle away.
Kimbo Nelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
Nelson takes a step towards his opponent and connects with a left hand, before circling away.
Nelson misses with an uppercut. Cardinal saw that one coming.
Danga de danga de dang - Nelson scores with a four punch combination!
No luck for Cardinal with that takedown attempt.
Nelson bobs and weaves and unloads with a good uppercut.
Nelson dances in quickly and lands a nice inside leg kick on Cardinal. That did some damage!
Cardinal has his hands up protecting his head but a hook from Nelson finds it's way round the side to connect with Cardinal's head.
Nelson throws a body kick that digs right into the meat.
Nelson throws a head kick that connects with a bit of head and a bit of hand.
Nelson scores to the head and body with a nice combination!

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nelson throws a front kick that sends Cardinal stumbling back into the cage.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Nelson lands a nice shot that snaps Cardinal's head back.
Nelson scores with a big left there. The judges will like that one.
Nelson cracks the inside of Cardinal's front leg.
Nelson is really dominating this fight. Is there anything that Cardinal can do to turn this around?
Nelson throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Cardinal with poor footwork there. He got himself in a bit of a tangle, enabling Nelson to score with a decent uppercut.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Cardinal.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Nelson with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Nelson lunges in with swinging rights and lefts but Cardinal circles away quickly and effectively.
Nice sprawl there from Nelson as Cardinal shoots in.
Nelson fakes the leg kick and cracks Cardinal in the body.
Cardinal chopped to the floor by a nice leg kick but he springs right back up before Nelson can pounce on him.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Cardinal takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Nelson tries a head kick but it misses.
Cardinal takes one to the side of the head.
Nelson misses with a jab, cross combination.
Nelson thows a body kick. Cardinal tries to catch it but that hurt him.
Nelson throws out a token jab with nothing on it.
Cardinal fails with an attempt to clinch.
Cardinal shoots for a double leg takedown but Nelson sprawls well. He's pushed Cardinal's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Cardinal on the wrong end of a nice hook.
Nelson with a nice cross.
Horrible takedown by Cardinal or perhaps it was just good defense by Nelson which made him look bad.
Cardinal tries to check the leg kick but that clearly hurt him.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson throws a nice inside leg kick.
Nelson scores with a nice strike.
Nelson throws a feint and then finishes with a kick to the body.
Nelson misses with a wild body shot.
Nelson lands with a cross to side of his opponent's head.
Cardinal fails with the takedown.
A decent looking body kick lands there for Nelson.
Cardinal will have to do better than that with his takedown attempts.
Nelson connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Cardinal momentarily.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nelson swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Cardinal takes a shot right to the bread basket.
Cardinal takes a body punch that cleary hurt but he's trying not to show any weakness.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Nelson dominated that second round.
The cut man is working on Joey Cardinal's cut.
That's the end of the interval. I'm sure that seemed a lot quicker than a minute for our two fighters! Back to the action. This is the final round!

A combination from Nelson does no damage.
Cardinal moves in looking to clinch but Nelson pushes him off.
Ooooh, nice body kick lands from Nelson. Cardinal shrugs it off though.
Joey Cardinal is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Cardinal fakes high and shoots in for a takedown but Nelson avoids it really well and circles away.
A nice leg kick lands there from Nelson.
Cardinal has a pretty nasty looking mouse under his right eye.
Donk. Nelson catches Cardinal right on the button with a cross.
Nelson lands with an uppercut that bounces Cardinal off the cage and back into rage.
This fight brought to you by 5M nutrition - it's mmmmm tasty. Nice jab by Nelson.
Nelson misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Nelson slaps away a takedown attempt from Cardinal, before circling back to the center of the mat.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Nelson lands a leg kick. The shin dug right into the meat of the thigh.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nelson lands with a right hand.
Nelson lands with a head kick! That's gotta hurt.
Cardinal shoots in but no luck this time.
Kimbo Nelson has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Joey Cardinal.
Cardinal takes a jab right on the kisser.
Nice jab there from Nelson.
Cardinal throws a combination that misses
and Nelson counters with a solid body kick.
Nelson keeps Cardinal at a distance using the push kick.
Nelson rushes forward with a series of wild hooks but Cardinal moves out of range and avoids them all easily.
Nelson throws a good cross that connects.
Nelson scores with a shot to the body.
Nelson lands a beauty of a right hand that gets the crowd cheering.
Cardinal shoots in but doesn't get the takedown
and Nelson counters with a body kick that brings a smile to the face of both fighters.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
A nice inside leg kick there by Nelson. That's going to slow Cardinal down.
Nelson goes for a high kick. It partially lands.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Nelson misses with a head kick.
Boom, another hit is landed. "You're gunna get knocked out" taunts Nelson, as that shot connected.
Nelson throws a jab but it's blocked by Cardinal.
Cardinal has his takedown stuffed
and Nelson counters with a leg kick.
Nelson throws out a powerful jab.
Cardinal tries to score a power double leg takedown but Nelson sees that one coming and sprawls well. That will dishearten Cardinal somewhat.
Cardinal has developed a nice purple lump on his ribcage, as a result of some heavy body kicks from Nelson.
Cardinal walks into a jab.
Cardinal takes a kick to the body and keeps moving.
Kimbo Nelson is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nelson throws out a powerful jab.
Cardinal dives in and grabs Nelson's left leg, looking for a takedown. Nelson pushes down on Cardinal's head and hops out.
Nelson lands a with a good body shot.
Nelson fails to land with the punch combination there - jab, cross, hook, miss, miss, miss.
Cardinal walks into a stiff left hand from Nelson.
Nelson with a body punch. A glancing blow.
Nelson lunges at Cardinal with a hook that half lands and is half blocked by Cardinal's hand.
Cardinal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nelson counters with a nice body kick.
Cardinal takes a push kick to the midsection and stumbles backwards.
Cardinal doesn't succeed with the takedown
and Nelson counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Cardinal stumbles momentarily as he takes a strong leg kick from Nelson.
Nelson scores with a nice strike.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nelson lands a jab, followed by a cross and another cross, as Cardinal backs up against the cage.
Nice straight punches there by Nelson. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Nelson.
Cardinal misses with a takedown attempt
and Cardinal takes a counter punch right on the button for his troubles.
Nelson lands with an overhand left.
Cardinal walks straight into a jab right on the nose. That one stung - he's blinking and trying to clear his head.
Nelson throws a quick inside leg kick.
Nelson throws a quick head kick that skims the top of Cardinal's head.
Cardinal misses with a takedown
and Nelson counters with a leg kick that reverborates around the arena.
Nelson cracks Cardinal with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Nelson lands a nice looking kick to the body. Cardinal takes a step back to recover.
Nelson scores with a jab.

And that's the end of the fight!
Kimbo Nelson showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nelson, winning every round. Will the judges agree? They are the ones who matter, even if they are often depressingly incompetent. 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 Saam Ante scores the fight 30:24
Judge Paul Aken scores the fight 30:24
Judge Albert Achterberg scores the fight 30:24

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Kimbo Nelson!