PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a super heavyweight MMA rules bout between Siphiwe Tshabalala (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Gio Naza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Naza is bouncing up and down as he enters the arena, backed by Saliva - Ladies and Gentlemen. 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?

Tshabalala
vs
Naza

170 cm
21
165 lbs
2 - 2 - 0

185 cm
27
176 lbs
11 - 7 - 2

BJJ Purple Belt
Dangerous knees
Cardio machine

Olympic wrestler
Counter striker
Powerful

Hellbent, Inc.™

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 3 rounds, in the super heavyweight division.
Introducing the fighter to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Amsterdam, Siphiwe Tshabalala!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 11 - 7 - 2, fighting out of London, Gio Naza!
The judges for this bout are Yuuki Gou, Yukihiro Shimada and Sosuke Kotani.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Tshabalala lands a nice leg kick that just misses Naza's sensitive parts.

Naza shoots in for a takedown from distance. He catches Tshabalala napping and manages to drive through into side control!
You can see the frustration on Tshabalala's face, being in this tough position on the bottom.
Tshabalala manages to get back to half guard.
Tshabalala moves into full guard.
Naza throws a big right hand that misses.
A big thud reverberates around the arena there as Naza accidentally thumps the mat. Hopefully he's not broken his hand.
Tshabalala is working the butterfly guard. He manages to land a nice scissor sweep and is now in half guard on the top. Nice move.
Tshabalala is taking a breather. Naza says something to him but it's hard to make out. Perhaps he's telling him to get on with it and actually do something.
Naza wants to get back to his feet.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Tshabalala gets to his feet - back to striking we go!
Tshabalala cracks the inside of Naza's front leg.
Tshabalala misses with a body shot

so Naza counters with a double leg into guard. Good agility.
Tshabalala might be looking to lock onto one of his opponent's long limbs for a submission, whilst we're on the ground.
Naza working some ground and pound from guard but it's not doing any damage.
Naza slips effortlessly into side control - very nice.
Naza misses with a strike but at least he's keeping busy, looking to cause some damage - that will still help him when it comes to the judges scorecards.
Naza is looking to take a break and control but Tshabalala is keeping him honest, looking to work from the bottom.
Naza looking to punish the body of his opponent here but Tshabalala is avoiding damage well.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naza landing strikes.
Naza throwing ground and pound but whilst doing so, he forgets to control position and Tshabalala works his way back to half guard. Good composure under pressure.
Tshabalala is pressing down on Naza's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.
The crowd are loving this. Great action here.
Tshabalala preventing the ground and pound from doing any damage.
Tshabalala wants to improve his position but instead Naza has moved into half guard.
Naza takes advantage of the dominant position to land a couple of big hammer fists.
Ground and pound from Naza.
Naza with the ground and pound but Tshabalala uses the opportunity to regain guard.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naza is working Tshabalala over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

Tshabalala is actively looking for submissions from his back. He's worked himself a little space on the bottom and seems to be going for a triangle. No, he's switched into an armbar! That was slick! Naza rolls with it to try and escape but Tshabalala cranks on the arm and Naza is forced to tap out! This one is aaaaaaaaall over!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 3:28 of round 1, we have a winner by way of Submission (Armbar). Siphiwe Tshabalala!