PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a welterweight MMA rules bout between Gio Naza (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Dupree Owens (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Naza's entrance music is Saliva - Ladies and Gentlemen. A fine choice. Dupree Owens told me before the fight that he's been watching a lot of DVDs so let's see if that helps him in this one! I can't wait to find out!

Naza
vs
Owens

185 cm
29
176 lbs
14 - 11 - 2

181 cm
21
179 lbs
6 - 3 - 0

Great wrestler
Solid boxing
Very strong

BJJ Purple Belt
Excellent boxer
Granite chin

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 14 - 11 - 2, fighting out of London, Gio Naza!
And introducing the fighter to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 6 - 3 - 0, fighting out of London, Dupree Owens!
The judges for this bout are Colin Fotheringham, James Glass and Steven Brown.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Owens swings and misses with a hook to the body.
Naza fakes a jab and throws a low kick but Owens checks it well.
Owens connects with a lovely jab that went straight through the gap between Naza's hands.
Naza blocks a jab.
Naza throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
A telegraphed right hand from Owens misses the target.

Naza looking for a takedown here - he's got it.
Naza throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Owens is trying to stand up but he's not managed so far.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naza postures up to throw the ground and pound strikes but they don't connect.

Owens has his feet on Naza's hips. He pushes off and gets to his feet. Nice work.
Naza misses with a body punch
and Owens counters with a crisp hook to the side of the head.
Owens throws a left and a right that both miss
and Naza counters with a thumping low kick.
Owens will need to tighten up his combinations if he doesn't want to gas himself out, swinging at thin air.
Owens uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Naza.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naza fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Owens manages to avoid it.
Naza feints with a shoulder and throws a nice leg kick to Owens's calf.
Owens throws a lazy right hand but Naza sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.

Owens gets caught flat footed, as Naza shoots in with a quick takedown into guard.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Owens keeping moving, preventing Naza from controlling successfully.
Naza connects with a couple of short punches.
Naza tries to free his leg and advance position but Owens is retaining full guard.
Naza not doing a lot at the moment. He'll have to show some more aggression or the fight will get stood up.
Naza seems to have a rather negative gameplan on the ground. He seems keen to just score the takedown and hold down Owens for as long as he can get away with.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naza trying to control but Owens is working from the bottom.
We may be looking at a referee standup if the pace doesn't pick up soon.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Gio Naza wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Owens throws a right hand that Naza ducks under and follows up with a left that Naza also avoids with ease.
Owens moves into range and lands a nice leg kick.
Naza misses the shot to the body.
Owens moves in looking to clinch but Naza pushes him off.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owens throws a body kick that misses.
Naza throws a combination but comes up with nothing but fresh air.
Owens misses with a straight left.
Naza shoots in for a takedown. "I don't think so" says Owens as he avoids it easily.
Naza tries for a takedown but Owens sees it coming a mile off and avoids it easily.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Naza throws a nice looking combination but Owens bobs and weaves to avoid any damage.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

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

Owens throws a jab when Naza was well out of range.
Naza is looking to wear down Owens with body shots, infact he's throwing more body shots than head shots at the moment.
Naza steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Owens.

Owens rushes Naza and presses him up against the cage.
Naza blocking some punches.

Owens breaks the clinch and we're back to striking at distance.
Owens doesn't manage to clinch there - Naza circles away.
Naza throws a chopping leg kick but Owens manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Naza listening to his corner there, landing a nice uppercut.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naza tries to shoot in for a takedown. He's got hold of a leg but Owens swivels and escapes.

Naza fakes a strike and closes the distance, dragging Owens to the ground. Naza is now in Owens's guard.
Naza won't allow Owens to get back to his feet.
Owens is using up a lot of energy trying to get back to his feet. Perhaps he should improve his position first.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.
Naza trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.
Naza landing some decent shots from guard.
Owens is trying to keep Naza in close.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Naza is intent on slowing down the pace of the fight, simply looking to control.
Owens is trying to keep Naza in close.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Naza throwing strikes from guard but Owens blocks nicely.
Naza is working Owens over from the guard. He should look to pass the guard and do a little more damage with these strikes.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Owens working the defensive guard well to avoid strikes from Naza.
Naza wants to pass the guard but Owens is keeping the position.
Naza seems content to control from guard here. He's going to have to remain active though if he doesn't want to get stood back up.
Owens tries to land a sweep but no joy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Naza throwing strikes but missing.
Naza wants to control from the top but Owens keeps moving.

The referee has ruled that neither fighter is active enough on the ground and has stood them back up.
A looping hook to the body misses from Naza. Owens does a little dance to reset his feet.
Naza keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Dupree Owens is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Owens cracks Naza with a good shot that sees him stumbling back into the cage.
A head kick misses from Owens.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Owens misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Naza shoots in looking for a takedown. Owens tries to sprawl out of it but Naza keeps driving through. The fighters are pinned against the cage. Owens manages to get underhooks and after a bit of a struggle, circles away and we're back to standing.
Owens leaves Naza with his face pressed against the mat as he sprawls beautifully, defending against a solid takedown attempt.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gio Naza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.
Owens tries to close the distance and clinch up but Naza swats him away and circles back towards the center.
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 Gio Naza will probably get the nod.
The fighters get back to their feet, the hooter sounds and we're back to the action! This is the final round!

Naza uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Owens.
Naza pivots, looking for a leg kick but Owens is out of range and Naza settles back down.
Naza showing good head movement there, avoiding the strikes from Owens.
Naza misses with a takedown attempt
and Owens counters with a two punch combo.
Owens misses with the combination.
Naza thows a left - swing and a miss!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Naza shoots in for a takedown but doesn't get it.
A chopping leg kick lands by Owens.
Naza throws a leg kick but Owens moved away.
Naza just misses with a punch to the body.
A good leg kick by Owens.
Naza wings a very wild body shot but it does the job and lands to the midsection.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Owens swings away but doesn't land with a series of punches.
Naza moves away from the strike by Owens.
Owens doesn't manage to clinch there - Naza circles away.
Both fighters are looking to counter, which isn't making for the most exciting fight in the world.
Owens displays good takedown defense there as he swats away a double leg from Naza.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Gio Naza. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Owens fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Naza manages to avoid it.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Owens steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Naza.
Owens throws a hook but Naza blocks it.
Naza connects with an inside leg kick.
Naza takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Dupree Owens has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!
Owens looks to land a right hand but Naza moved out of range.
Owens throws a right hand that Naza ducks under and follows up with a left that Naza also avoids with ease.
Gio Naza is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Naza is trying hard to land a takedown here. Owens sprawls well and keeps this one on the feet.

Owens drops Naza with a beautiful combination! Naza stares up at his opponent, who ushers him back to his feet - Owens is looking for the KO!

It looks like Gio Naza has been cut.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.

Naza shoots in looking for a single leg takedown. Owens is trying to defend but Naza finishes it well and ends up in half guard. Let's see if he can advance position further.
Owens is trying to stand back up but Naza is controlling him
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Owens avoiding damage under a succession of punches from Naza.
Naza blocks the strikes from Owens.
Owens wants to get back to his feet.
Owens throws a strike from the bottom that misses.

And that's the end of the fight!
Dupree Owens comfortably won the final round on my scorecard.
I think Naza has won this one but let's see what the judges have to say. 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 Colin Fotheringham scores the fight 29:28
Judge James Glass scores the fight 29:28
Judge Steven Brown scores the fight 29:28

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Gio Naza!
A relieved looking Gio Naza thanked the fans for their support and gave the usual line about them being amazing. They seemed to believe that he actually meant it.