PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Steven Nero (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Frank Dux (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Both fighters look fresh as a daisy as they make their way towards the cage.

Nero
vs
Dux

168 cm
21
180 lbs
5 - 0 - 0

175 cm
25
181 lbs
7 - 4 - 1

BJJ Blue Belt
Solid Muay Thai
Granite chin

[CBK] AJFC Smashwear clothing
[CBK] AJFC Smashwear clothing

[CBK] AJFC Smashwear clothing

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 5 - 0 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Steven Nero!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 4 - 1, fighting out of Tokyo, Frank Dux!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Yamamoto and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Dux lands with a nice combination. Nero backs away looking to recover.

It looks like Steven Nero has been cut.
Nero tries a switch kick but it misses it's target.
Dux misses with a half-hearted attempt at a head kick.
Dux shoots in looking for a double leg takedown. Nero defends it nicely.
Dux throws a combination but it was largely blocked by Nero.
Nero tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dux swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Nero tries to clinch but Dux moves out of range.
Nero tries to clinch up but Dux circles away and keeps his distance.
Nero tries to close the distance and clinch up against the cage but Dux paws at him with a jab and circles away.
Nice cross by Dux.
Dux fails with a takedown attempt.
Nero moves in looking to clinch but Dux pushes him off.
Dux lands a vicious shot with the stealth of a sniper and the strength of a viper. Are vipers that strong? I can think of lots of things that are stronger than a viper - not many rhyme with sniper though.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Dux looks to land a combination but Nero avoids it well.
Dux shoots in for a takedown but Nero shows good takedown defense.
Steven Nero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Dux.
Dux shoots in for a takedown. "Ole!" shouts Nero as he jumps to the side.

Nero has Dux up against the cage in a clinch.
Dux is trying to break the clinch but Nero is controlling him.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Dux goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nero prevents it.
Dux on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dux wants to get back to striking at distance but Nero won't allow it.
Dux wants to get back to striking at distance but Nero won't allow it.
Nero tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Dux tries to break the clinch but Nero is controlling the position.
Dux wants a takedown but no success here.
Nero trying to land knees to the body.
Nero throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dux wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Dux takes a knee to the side of the body.
Dux working hard to break the clinch.
Dux is trying to break the clinch but Nero has him pressed against the cage.
Nero misses with a knee to the head.
Nero lands a nice knee to the body.
Nero is pressed up against the cage. Dux has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nero down to the mat. Nero avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
Nero is looking to take this fight into the clinch.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Neither fighter has done anything of merit for a good minute or two here and the crowd are not happy about it.
Both fighters circling a little - Nero finishes the exchange with a kick to the body.
Dux looks gassed!
Dux shoots in and drives through. Nero sprawls well.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nero looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
A head kick misses from Dux.
Nero wants to clinch up but Dux keeps it at a distance.
Dux misses with a two punch combination.

Nero moves into the clinch successfully.
Nero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dux can't get the takedown.
Nero misses with a knee strike.
Nero looking to throw knees to the head but Dux is blocking nicely.
Dux looking for a takedown.
A knee to the head by Nero.
Dux is trying to work for a single leg takedown but Nero pulls him back up using the underhooks.
Dux takes a knee right on the jaw!

It looks like Frank Dux has been cut.
Nero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dux is looking to break free of the clinch but Nero has double underhooks.
Dux is trying to push Nero away but Nero has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nero throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dux blocks it with crossed arms.
Nero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dux avoids it.
Dux is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nero is pressed up against the cage. Dux has hold of a leg and is looking to drag Nero down to the mat. Nero avoids the attempt though and has circled away. We're back to striking at a distance.
A head kick misses from Nero.

Nero forces Dux back against the cage and clinches.
Nero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nero landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nero landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nero with a knee to the head.
Nero misses with a knee to the head.
Nero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dux avoiding damage as Nero throws knees to the body.
Nero stops a takedown attempt from Dux.
Nero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nero using the Thai clinch to land knees to the body.
Dux is trying to push Nero away but Nero has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dux wants to break free but Nero has control.
Nero lands a good knee to the midsection. Dux won't want to take too many of those.
Nero tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nero tries to land a knee to the head but Dux blocks with his arms.
Dux is working for a takedown up against the cage. He can't get it on this occasion though.
Nero landing knees to the body. They look like they could hurt.
Nero throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nero lands a knee to the head.
Dux is looking to break free of the clinch but Nero has double underhooks.
Dux can't get the takedown.
Nero looking to throw knees to the head but Dux is blocking nicely.
Nero prevents the takedown attempt.
Nero throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dux blocks it with crossed arms.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Nero connects with a nasty looking knee right to Dux's face.
Nero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nero gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Dux.
Nero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

That was a close round but I would say that Steven Nero will probably get the nod.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
The minute break is over - no more time for sponges and pep talks - back to the action!

Nero has closed the distance and engaged Dux in a clinch.
Nero connects with a knee to the head.
Dux tries to score a body lock takedown but Nero shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Dux on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nero keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dux's efforts to push away.
Nero tries to land knees in the clinch but Dux avoids the damage to the body.
Dux wants to break free but Nero has control.
Nero is looking to score with knees to the body. Maybe he'll change it up and go body then head. Dux is defending well for now.
Dux wants a takedown.
Nero tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nero misses with a knee strike.
Dux tries to score a body lock takedown but Nero shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Steven Nero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Dux.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Nero misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dux.
Dux is breathing heavily.
Dux wants a takedown.
The fighters are starting to get sweaty, which will make takedowns a bit more tricky.
Knees in the clinch landing for Nero.
Nero utilising his Muay Thai to score with a knee to the body.
Dux tries for a takedown. No joy.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.
Nero with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nero with a knee to the head.
Dux takes a knee right on the jaw!
Kneeeeees! The crowd are calling for knees to the body. Nero obliges.
Dux wants to get back to striking at distance but Nero won't allow it.
Nero with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nero missing with knees to the body.
Dux has Nero pressed up against the cage and is working for takedown. Nero manages to improve position though and keeps the fight standing.
Nero with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dux looking for a takedown.
Nero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dux managing to block the knees to the body from Nero.
Nero with a knee to the head.
Nero lands a knee to the body.
Nero connects with a knee to the head.
Dux changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nero fights it off and pushes away nicely.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nero looks like he's thinking about clinching though.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nero doesn't manage to clinch there - Dux circles away.
Dux avoids the head kick by Nero.
Nero doesn't manage to clinch there - Dux circles away.
Steven Nero is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Dux throws a head kick that misses and slips in the process. He scrambles back to his feet and the fighters circle.
A combination from Dux does no damage.
Nero dodges the punch combination from Dux.

Nero closes the distance and clinches.
Nero looking to throw knees to the head but Dux is blocking nicely.
Nero misses the knee to the body. Nice hip positioning from Dux.
Dux tries to score a body lock takedown but Nero shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dux avoids it.
Nero lands a knee to the body.
Nero lands a knee to the body.
Nero working Dux over with knees to the body.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nero tries to land a knee to the head but Dux blocks with his arms.
Nero prevents a takedown attempt there.
Nero scores a nice knee to the body.
Nero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nero lands a good knee to the midsection. Dux won't want to take too many of those.
Dux tries to break free but Nero pushes him back against the cage.
Nero lands a knee to the head.
Dux tries for a takedown but Nero manages to get underhooks.
Nero crunches a lovely knee into Dux's ribcage.
Nero landing some nice looking knees to the body.
Nero throws a knee to the head but misses.
Nero working Dux over with knees to the body.
Nero with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Dux goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nero prevents it.
Nero connects with a knee to the head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Dux goes for a takedown attempt but Nero pushes him away and we're back to fighting at a distance.

Nero moves into range and clinches up with Dux.
Nero with a knee to the head.
Nero looking to throw knees to the head but Dux is blocking nicely.
Dux can't break the clinch.
Nero with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Nero lands a knee to the head.
Dux takes a knee right on the jaw!
Dux wants to break free. God knows he wants to breaaaak freeee.
Nero tries a knee to the head but Dux blocks it.
Dux tries to break free but Nero pushes him back against the cage.
Nero with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nero misses with a knee strike.
Steven Nero has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Nero tries to land a knee to the body but he is off balance and Dux avoids it.
Nero throws a knee to the head but misses.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Steven Nero dominated that second round.
Both fighters have cut men working on them during the interval.
Well, the break between rounds is over. Let's get back to the scrappin! Let's get this one finished - here comes the final round!

Horrible takedown by Dux or perhaps it was just good defense by Nero which made him look bad.
Nero tries to clinch up.
Nero tries to clinch up.
Nero leaves Dux with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.

Nero clinches.

Dux breaks from the clinch.
Nero tries to close the distance and clinch but Dux swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
The fight stays on the outside here - Nero looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nero tries to close the distance and clinch up but Dux swats him away and circles back towards the center.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Dux attempts a low kick but it misses it's target.

Nero closes the distance and clinches.
Dux takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Nero connects with a knee to the head.
Nero tries a knee to the head but Dux blocks it.
Dux is looking for a takedown up against the cage. Nero gets underhooks though and prevents the takedown attempt.
Steven Nero has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Frank Dux.
Dux is trying to push Nero away but Nero has him pressed against the cage, so he's going nowhere.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Nero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dux tries to break free but Nero pushes him back against the cage.
Nero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Dux is trying to break free.
Nero gets double underhooks to prevent a takedown attempt from Dux.
Dux tries to break the clinch but Nero is controlling the position.
Dux has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Nero avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
Dux tries to score a body lock takedown but Nero shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Dux takes a knee right on the jaw!
Nero tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nero misses with a knee strike.
Nero keeps the fight in the clinch, despite Dux's efforts to push away.
Nero throws a knee to the head but misses.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
The crowd are showing their displeasure at the lack of action as loud boos ring out around the arena.
Dux has a body lock and is looking for a takedown. Nero is bouncing around trying to prevent the takedown and somehow he has indeed managed to stay on his feet.
Dux avoiding damage as Nero throws knees to the body.
Nero with an attempt at a knee that misses.
Dux drops down looking for an ankle pick but Nero pulls his leg out and moves away.
Nero tries to clinch there but Dux circles away.

The fight moves into the clinch position.
Nero lands a nice knee to the body.
A knee to the head by Nero.
Nero lands a knee to the head there! That was nasty!
Nero trying to land knees to the body.
Dux is looking to break free of the clinch but Nero has double underhooks.
Dux tries to score a body lock takedown but Nero shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nero putting his Muay Thai to good use. He has Dux in a tight clinch and is doing some damage with knees to the body.
Nero tries to land a knee to the head but misses.
Nero throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dux blocks it with crossed arms.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Dux working hard to break the clinch.
Nero misses with a knee strike.
Nero with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Nero tries a knee to the head but Dux blocks it.
Dux can't get the takedown.
Dux managing to block the knees to the body from Nero.
Nero lands a nice knee to the body.
Dux wants a takedown but no success here.
Dux takes a knee to the side of the body.
Dux on the defensive, avoiding the knees to the body.
Nero throws a vicious knee straight up the middle but Dux blocks it with crossed arms.
Nero keeps control of Dux as he tries to wriggle out of the double underhooks.
Nero using the Thai plumb to throw knees but Dux has his back arched nicely, preventing the strike.
Nero tries a knee to the head but he's missed.
Nero tries to land a knee to the head but Dux blocks with his arms.
Dux avoiding damage as Nero throws knees to the body.
Dux drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Frank Dux has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

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.
Dux changes levels and goes for a takedown here. Nero fights it off and pushes away nicely.

Nero takes the fight into the clinch.
Nero misses with a knee to the head.
Dux goes for a takedown in the clinch but Nero prevents it.
Nero with the Thai clinch. He's looking to land a big knee but he's not managed it this time.
Steven Nero is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.
Nero looking to throw knees to the head but Dux is blocking nicely.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.
Nero scores with a knee to the head.
Nero throws a knee to the head but misses.
Dux wants to break free but Nero has control.
Nero with the Thai clinch, lands a knee to the head.

And that's the end of the fight!
Steven Nero showed his dominance in that final round.
Well I reckon that's a shut out for Nero, 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 Yuuki Gou scores the fight 30:28
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 30:27
Judge Sosuke Kotani scores the fight 30:27

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Steven Nero!