PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a middleweight MMA rules bout between Kimbo Sambo (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mahtava Nopea (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Kimbo Sambo has the edge in experience - let's see if he can make that count tonight.

Sambo
vs
Nopea

180 cm
21
196 lbs
2 - 3 - 0

175 cm
22
195 lbs
2 - 1 - 0

Dangerous GnP
Brawler
Good chin

Good takedowns
Counter striker
Solid chin

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the middleweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 2 - 3 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Kimbo Sambo!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 2 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mahtava Nopea!
The judges for this bout are Sosuke Kotani, Shirou Masuda and Tatsuya Matsuyama.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!

Sambo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.

Sambo is trying to work for a kimura. He's got his hands clasped together - this could be trouble! No, Nopea has managed to free his arm - good work.
Nopea tries to regain full guard. Instead though, Sambo has advanced to mount. Uh oh.
Sambo wants to take his opponent's back but Nopea doesn't allow it.
Nopea is trying to escape the mount.

Sambo wants to finish this one by submission but Nopea is holding onto his waist, trying to prevent any attacks from Sambo.
Nopea tries to control the position but Sambo now has his back.
Sambo keeps control of the position as Nopea tries to break free.
The ref warns both fighters not to hold the cage as they work up against the meshing.

Sambo working for the choke.
The fighters are pressed up against the cage, both looking to find a bit of space to work.

That's one minute gone in the round.
You can see the frustration on Nopea's face… He knows he is in trouble unless he improves his position sooner rather than later.

Sambo looking for the choke from the back.
Nopea wants to escape the position.
The crowd hopeful of a finish here - Sambo's supporters are on their feet, screaming for him to go for the rear naked choke.
Sambo is going to have to think about doing something other than just controlling because Nopea is managing to avoid having the position dictated to him.
Sambo is trying to stick to Nopea's back but Nopea is turning into Sambo. He's managed to reverse the position - now he's in Sambo's guard. Polite applause from the crowd in appreciation of some nice Jiu Jitsu by Nopea.

Sambo has his foot on Nopea's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nopea works his way back into a safe position though.
Nopea forces his way into half guard.
Sambo is breathing heavily.
Sambo is looking to improve his position.
Sambo trying to control from the bottom.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nopea wants to pass to mount but Sambo is defending the position.
Nopea lands a big shot. The thud that echoes around the arena is like music to the fans' ears.
Sambo tries to roll over but Nopea keeps him under control.

Nopea looking for a kimura but he'll have to free his other leg if he wants to finish that. Perhaps he's just using it as a distraction technique.

Nopea seems to be looking for submissions.

It looks like we're going to have a standup here. Neither fight is doing enough on the ground.
Sambo fails with an attempt to clinch.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sambo is looking to clinch.

Sambo shoots in for a takedown and gets it. Let's see what he's got on the mat.
Nopea keeping moving, preventing Sambo from controlling successfully.
Nopea has Sambo pulled in close to control his posture.
Sambo forces his way into half guard.

Sambo wants to work for an arm triangle but Nopea is really keeping half guard well and defending the submission attempt.
Nopea makes his way to full guard. A much better position for Nopea.

Nopea working away from the bottom but not quite defensive enough there because Sambo has passed into half guard!

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nopea regains full guard. Nicely done.
Nopea can't keep his opponent in guard - Sambo advances to half guard, no doubt looking to mount.
Sambo is working hard to pass the guard. He's done it - he's now in full mount! Trouble for Nopea!

Sambo has control of Nopea's right arm, working for a kimura. It's a bit of a token attempt though and Nopea regains control of the situation pretty easily.
Nopea working to try and regain half guard.
Nopea sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Sambo controlling the action here.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Sambo dominated that round.
That's time! Sambo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sambo attempts a leg kick but it's missed by a good margin.
Sambo doesn't manage to clinch there - Nopea circles away.
Sambo is looking to clinch but Nopea is avoiding it.
Sambo throws a head kick but Nopea moves out of range.
Kimbo Sambo is looking to throw some combinations by the looks of things.
Sambo tries to clinch there but Nopea circles away.
Sambo fails miserably with a takedown attempt.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.

Sambo clinches up against the cage.
Nopea tries to pull guard but Sambo won't allow it.
Nopea wants a takedown.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Nopea pulls Sambo into guard.
Sambo is pushing down on Nopea's leg trying to pass to half guard. Nopea is fighting to maintain full guard but Sambo has managed to sneak the leg through.

Sambo seems to be working for a kimura but Nopea defends the submission attempt.
Both fighters are absolutely exhausted here.
Nopea wants to get back to full guard.

Nopea has guillotine here! It looks pretty tight! Could this be all over! No, Sambo escapes and passes into side control at the same time. Nice work there by Sambo!

Sambo thinks about going for a far side armbar but bails out and retains the dominant position instead.
Sambo tries to move into full mount but can't pass Nopea's legs.
Nopea tries to work a leg under to get back to half guard but Sambo wriggles his own leg back out and remains in side control.

Sambo working hard here to secure a kimura but he's not really in the right position for it.
Both fighters really going for it on the ground here!
Nopea regains half guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Sambo wants to pass the guard but Nopea is defending well.
Nopea tries to roll over but Sambo keeps him under control.
Nopea gets full guard.
Nopea trying to keep a closed guard but Sambo is proving a slippery customer.

Sambo drops back looking for a leg! Nopea is in trouble here! The fighters roll with the hold and Nopea manages to kick Sambo off! Sambo jumps back into Nopea's guard.
Nopea looking for a sweep. Not yet Nopea, not yet.
Sambo pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Nopea is keeping the position for now.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Sambo trying to control the position from guard on top but Nopea is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.

Neither fighter is doing enough for the referee's liking and he's decided to stand them back up.
Sambo tries a head kick but it misses.

Sambo closes the distance and clinches up, looking for a takedown. He shifts his weight and gets a nice trip into half guard.
Sambo is keen to just control but Nopea is a slippery customer.
Nopea wants to improve his position but Sambo is controlling well.

Sambo is looking for an arm triangle, whilst trying to pass to side control. Nopea doesn't seem that keen to cooperate though. No luck this time Sambo.
Nopea manages to get to full guard.

That's four minutes gone in the round.

Sambo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.

Sambo is trying to work a guillotine from the top, or something like that? Don't know how he thinks he's going to get a finish from there.
Nopea keeping moving, preventing Sambo from controlling successfully.
Sambo stands up and looks to throw the legs aside to pass to side control. Nopea swivels though and keeps the full guard.
Nopea keeping moving, preventing Sambo from controlling successfully.
The crowd thankful this round is nearly over.

Nopea has his foot on Sambo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sambo works his way back into a safe position though.
Sambo advances to half guard.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Sambo dominated that second round.
That's time! Sambo's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Sambo wants to clinch up but Nopea keeps it at a distance.
Sambo tries to clinch up but Nopea circles away and keeps his distance.
Sambo tries to close the distance and clinch but Nopea swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
A really sloppy takedown attempt there from Sambo.
Nopea circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sambo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nopea swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sambo misses with the combination.
We've had a slow start to the round here - hopefully the action picks up.
Sambo shoots for a double leg takedown but Nopea sprawls well. He's pushed Sambo's face into the mat and manages to get back to his feet relatively easily.
Sambo tries to clinch up.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sambo is looking to clinch.
Sambo misses with a takedown attempt - Nopea sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
That's three failed takedown attempts in the round for Kimbo Sambo. That's going to take a lot out of him.
Both fighters are breathing heavily.
Sambo tries to close the distance and clinch up but Nopea swats him away and circles back towards the center.
Sambo throws a sloppy head kick and Nopea moves out of range easily.
Nopea circles away from the clinch attempt.
Sambo throws a head kick but Nopea moves out of range.
The fight stays on the outside here - Sambo looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Nopea keeps the fight on the outside.

Sambo feints and as Nopea raises his hands in defense, Sambo changes levels and drives through with a takedown into guard.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Nopea trying to keep a closed guard but Sambo is proving a slippery customer.
Nopea keeping full guard, as Sambo tries to pass.
Nopea wants to sweep here but Sambo controlling him for the moment.
Nopea manages to sweep nicely, so he's now on top. Sambo manages to get himself to full guard.

Sambo working for a triangle but Nopea defends it easily.
Nopea pressing down on his opponent's thigh, looking to pass guard. Sambo is keeping the position for now.

Sambo is working an open guard so Nopea takes the opportunity to get back to his feet.
Sambo shoots in for a double leg but Nopea sprawls well. That's going to sap some energy.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Nopea gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Sambo counters with a single leg into guard. Nopea didn't expect that.
Sambo won't allow Nopea to sweep him here.

Sambo decides he's had enough of playing guard and decides to stand. Come on Nopea, up you get!
Nopea doesn't succeed with the takedown

and Sambo counters with a driving takedown into guard. Nice work there by Sambo.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.

Nopea working for a triangle but Sambo defends it easily.
Nopea trying to control the position.
Nopea keeping full guard, as Sambo tries to pass.
Nopea is trying to control the position but Sambo postures up.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nopea manages to land a sweep and now he's in mount on top!
Sambo is working to get back to half guard.
Sambo sneaks a leg under to get to half guard.
Sambo blocking the ground and pound attempt from Nopea.
Nopea not landing any meaningful shots this time.
Sambo is pressing down on Nopea's left leg trying to get back to full guard. He's managed it.

Sambo has his foot on Nopea's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Nopea works his way back into a safe position though.
The crowd applaud the fighters efforts here as the round comes to an end.

Sambo throwing his legs up looking for a triangle.
Nopea trying to control the position from guard on top but Sambo is wriggling around, looking for whatever he can.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Kimbo Sambo clearly takes that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action!

Sambo gets his takedown attempt stuffed easily

and Nopea counters with a shoot takedown. Sambo fights it but they end up in guard.

Nopea has gone for a leg lock! Sambo slips out almost immediately though and dives into Nopea's guard.

Nopea has his foot on Sambo's thigh. He's trying to push off and get in position for a triangle, I think. Sambo works his way back into a safe position though.
Nopea wants to sweep but no luck.
Nopea keeping full guard, as Sambo tries to pass.

Sambo gets to his feet and steps away from his opponent.
Nopea circles away from the clinch attempt

and Nopea counters with a nice shoot takedown that brings the fighters to the ground.
It's got to the stage where if one of these guys blows hard enough, the other might fall over.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Nopea passes Sambo's right leg, so he's now in half guard.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Sambo is looking to improve his position.
Sambo is working for an escape here. He's hooked one of Nopea's legs and he's managed to sneak out and take Nopea's back!
Nopea wants to escape the position.
Nopea is persisting with the attempt to improve his position.

Nopea preventing the rear naked choke attempt from Sambo.

Sambo has his opponent's back and is working for the choke.

Sambo sinks in the hooks and is looking for the choke. He's got it! Nopea taps out!

Ladies and gentlemen, after 1:57 of round 4, we have a winner by way of Submission (RNC). Kimbo Sambo!
Kimbo Sambo retains his middleweight title!