PBP Commentary

Coming up we have a heavyweight MMA rules bout between Nathan Speed (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class) and Mark Abbott (ranked 0 p4p, 0 weight class). Speed comes to the cage accompanied by The Ramones / Blitzkrieg Bop. Abbott has chosen War Ensemble - Slayer as his entrance music. Mark Abbott acknowledges the crowd's support as he enters the cage.

Speed
vs
Abbott

192 cm
22
230 lbs
9 - 1 - 0

180 cm
28
286 lbs
7 - 2 - 0

Good wrestling
World class boxer
Cardio machine

Good wrestler
Excellent boxer
Heavy handed

Brute
Perkele!

Hell's Kitchen Lab Corp (159.49 $75)

Ladies and gentlemen. This fight is 5 rounds, for the heavyweight championship of the world!
Introducing the champion to my left, fighting out of the red corner.
With a record of 9 - 1 - 0, fighting out of Helsinki, Nathan Speed!
And introducing the challenger to my right, fighting out of the blue corner.
With a record of 7 - 2 - 0, fighting out of Tokyo, Mark Abbott!
The judges for this bout are Shigeki Sano, Kenichi Hosakawa and Yukihiro Yamamoto.

The bell rings for round one and we are underway!
Abbott uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Speed.
A looping hook to the body misses from Speed. Abbott does a little dance to reset his feet.
Speed misses with a right hand
and Abbott counters with a right hand to the body.
Speed thuds his right hand into Abbott's forehead from close range. That could be painful for both fighters.
Abbott misses with a looping left.
Nathan Speed seems to be the more aggressive standup fighter in this bout.
Abbott fakes high and swings low for a body shot but Speed manages to avoid it.
Abbott shoots in for a takedown. He's persisting with it as Speed sprawls well. Speed wins this battle and keeps the fight standing. Abbott gets slowly back to his feet.
Abbott defending well as Speed loads up on a big left hand.
Speed with a nice looking leg kick. You could hear that one land in a back row.
Speed throws a chopping leg kick but Abbott manages to avoid taking any serious damage.
Abbott avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
A telegraphed right hand from Abbott misses the target.
Speed ducks under a wild hook from Abbott.

That's one minute gone in the round.

Abbott drives through with a takedown into guard.
The referee claps his hands together and tells the fighters to work.
Abbott throwing shots from guard but he's hitting more mat than opponent.
Abbott wants to control from the top but Speed keeps moving.
Abbott scores with a decent looking elbow strike.
Speed has control of Abbott's left arm, preventing Abbott from doing any damage.
Abbott wants to control from the top but Speed keeps moving.
Abbott trying to pass the guard but can't manage it just yet.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speed keeping moving, preventing Abbott from controlling successfully.
Abbott throwing elbows and punches but not connecting, as Speed works some decent striking defense from the bottom.
Speed is working an open guard here, looking to improve his position. No doubt that will leave him open to counters but at least he's being more offensive.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up.
Abbott takes a shot to the body in his stride.
Speed throws a lazy right hand but Abbott sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Speed moves into range and throws a lovely three punch combination.
This has been an exciting period of action!

Speed drives through and clinches with Abbott against the cage.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Speed lands a right hand.
Speed goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Speed tries to throw a body punch but Abbott avoids it by throwing Speed back against the cage.
Abbott drops to a knee looking for a takedown but Speed gets the underhooks and prevents it.
Abbott working aggressively here.
Speed swings away with an uppercut that misses.
Speed scores with a nice hook to the head.

Abbott's corner calls for him to break the clinch, which he does.
Good shot there by Speed.
Speed connects with a looping left hand that seems like it dazed Abbott momentarily.
Abbott 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.
Speed misses with a double jab.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speed lands a jab to Abbott's midsection.
Speed comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Abbott moves out of range as Speed strikes.
Nathan Speed is looking to keep the fight on the feet at all costs.
Abbott takes a really solid shot there but just smiles back and shrugs his shoulders.
Speed doesn't react quick enough there as he takes a shot to the body.
Speed tries to clinch but Abbott moves away
and Abbott counters with a nice body shot.
Speed looks to score with a jab to the body but Abbott is just out of range.
Abbott takes one on the button.
Speed moves forwards but Abbott connects with a nice, crisp jab.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abbott misses with a body shot
and Speed connects with a straight left hand counter down the middle.
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Abbott is defended easily by Speed.
Nathan Speed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Abbott.
Abbott just misses with a punch to the body.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Speed dominated that round.
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.

Speed throws a body punch but Abbott moves out of range.
Abbott misses with a takedown attempt - Speed sprawls well and throws a nice strike on the way out which just misses.
Speed is using his reach advantage well here, landing the more effective single shots from range.
Abbott walks into a jab.
An inside leg kick lands from Speed.

Abbott darts in and lands a nice takedown into half guard.
Abbott sitting in half guard, looking to land shots. Speed defending well though.
Abbott is looking to stall here but Speed recovers full guard.
Abbott showing good wrestling skills to control the position.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abbott is fighting to break Speed's control of his arms but Speed is doing a good job of controlling the position at the moment.
Speed trying to control the position.
Speed pulls Abbott in close to his closed guard and prevents Abbott from doing any damage or advancing position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
It looks like the ref is thinking about a standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up because Nathan Speed just wasn't active enough.
Abbott thows a left - swing and a miss!
A telegraphed takedown attempt from Abbott is defended easily by Speed.
Speed tries to close the distance and clinch but Abbott swats him to one side with an open hand palm strike and circles away.
Abbott swings for the body but Speed moves out of range.
Speed tries to clinch up against the cage, rushing in the close the distance. Abbott manages to break the clinch and circles back to the middle of the mat.
Abbott misses with a body shot. Nice footwork from Speed.
Speed scores with a sloppy right hand. Abbott should have avoided that one.
Speed looks to land a left hand but Abbott moved out of range nicely.
Abbott takes one to the side of the head.
It really doesn't seem like the step up in weight is hurting Speed here at all. He's more than holding his own against the bigger man.

That's three minutes gone in the round.

Abbott gets tackled into the cage by Speed. Speed maintains the clinch.
Speed is looking to control Abbott's arms but Abbott gets an underhook and turns him. Now Speed has his back to the cage.
Abbott wants to strike at distance but he can't break free of the clinch.
Speed blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Speed tries to work over Abbott's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.
Abbott tries to score a body lock takedown but Speed shows good agility there to stay on his feet.
Nathan Speed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Abbott.
Speed misses with a punch on the inside.
A shot in the inside from Speed.
A quick uppercut on the inside from Abbott.
Speed scores with a shot to the side of Abbott's head.
Speed lands with a short shot to the head.
The crowd cheering loudly, showing their appreciation for the quality fight we're seeing here.
Speed stalling against the cage.
Speed tries to work over Abbott's body with a swooping hook but it only glances the target.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speed goes for a body shot but it's blocked.
Abbott blocks a punch to the side of the head.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Speed.
Speed misses with the head strike.
Speed stalling here - the referee won't stand for too much of that.
The pace really dropping off here, momentarily.
Abbott has hold of a leg and is looking for a trip takedown. Speed avoids it nicely though and we remain in the clinch.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abbott prevents a body shot from Speed.
Speed can't find room to land a body shot as Abbott controls the action.
A head punch blocked on the inside by Abbott.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Speed dominated that second round.
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.

Speed fakes a head shot and lands one to the body.
Abbott looks shocked there as he takes a right hand to the temple.
Speed lands with a straight right. Abbott didn't see that one coming.
Abbott tries to land with a swinging hook to the body but Speed was well out of range. Poor timing from Abbott.

Speed darts in and clinches Abbott up against the cage.
Speed lands a right hand that snaps the head of Abbott backwards.
A short right hand to the side of the head by Speed.
Speed is using his height advantage well here, landing a good percentage of his punches.
Abbott prevents a body shot from Speed.
Speed being controlled against the cage.
Speed is trying to slow down the pace in the clinch, to catch his breath.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
A nice right hand lands inside from Speed.

That's one minute gone in the round.
The two fighters are working to gain dominance in the clinch.
Speed tries to throw a body punch but Abbott avoids it by throwing Speed back against the cage.
Speed lands punches inside but they're not really causing much damage.

Abbott breaks the clinch and we return to the middle of the mat.
Speed misses the shot to the body.
Speed uses some good footwork to avoid the body shot by Abbott.

Speed takes the fight into the clinch.
Speed trying to control the position but instead, Abbott has worked for underhooks and has pushed Speed into the cage.
Nathan Speed has scored more points in the clinch so far.
Speed prevents a takedown attempt there.
Speed lands on the inside with an uppercut.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speed struggles to land a body shot inside as Abbott controls his hands.
Speed misses with a punch to the body.
Speed lands with a left to the head.
Wooooo! Give it up for these two warriors! They are putting on a show!
Abbott is working for takedown but Speed is calmly controlling the position for now.
A short left from Speed.
Speed lands a hook to the side of the head.
Speed slowing the pace effectively.
Abbott has had enough of the clinch but Speed keeps him there for the moment.
Abbott misses with a body punch.
Abbott wants to break free but Speed has control.

Abbott breaks from the clinch.
Abbott looks to score with a jab to the body but Speed is just out of range.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abbott jabs Speed to the body, keeping him at a distance.
Speed wants to clinch.
Speed stuffs the takedown attempt from Abbott. Abbott gets slowly back to his feet.
Nathan Speed has stuffed three takedown attempts in the round now. That's going to take a lot out of Mark Abbott.
Speed keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Abbott keeping a good distance there, avoiding the body shot.
Speed lands with a shot to the body.
Abbott scores with a crisp jab that stopped Speed in his tracks.
Abbott throws a body punch but Speed moves out of range.
Abbott lands a glancing blow to the side of Speed's head.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Nice takedown defense from Speed. No joy for Abbott on that attempt.
Good standup being displayed there by Speed as he connects with a hook.
Speed motions for Abbott to come forward. Speed throws a leg kick but it misses it's target.
Abbott looks to throw the jab but Speed is out of range.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
Speed fakes a head punch and goes low to the body. Nicely done.
Abbott is pinned up against the cage taking some big shots here. The referee is looking closely deciding whether he should stop the fight.
Abbott thows a body shot but no joy.
The fight stays on the outside here - Speed looks like he's thinking about clinching though.
Speed stuffs the takedown attempt from Abbott. Abbott gets slowly back to his feet.
The crowd are going absolutely nuts as the round comes to an end - what a fantastic round of action!
Speed comes forward and lands a shot to the body, then darts back out of range.
Abbott takes a big intake of breath there - he's definitely tired.
Speed misses with a wild combination.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Speed clearly takes that round.
That's time! Speed's corner gives him a slap on the ass as he gets ready to fight.

Abbott dips down and scores with a jab to the body.
Abbott bobs and weaves well there to avoid the strikes.
Speed digs a good body shot into Abbott's ribs.
Abbott avoids the clinch attempt nicely.
Jab by Speed.
Speed moves to clinch but Abbott breaks away

and Abbott counters with a takedown into side control.
Abbott working the ground and pound.
Abbott wants to lay and pray for a moment but Speed keeps working.
This is a great period of action - very entertaining stuff!
Abbott throwing strikes but Speed manages to buck up and roll into a nice reversal - now he's on top in side control!

That's one minute gone in the round.
Speed controls the position.
Abbott tries to get back to half guard but can't.
Abbott prevents Speed from improving position.
Abbott tries to bench press Speed off him but Speed keeps the position.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Speed controlling the position.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nathan Speed wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Speed throws a hard body shot but it just misses.
Abbott is throwing a lot of body shots here, looking to wear down Speed rather than just go for the knockout.
Speed uses good head movement to avoid the hook from Abbott.
Speed scores with a jab.
Nice straight punches there by Speed. You know Roy Jones Jr respects the hands of Speed.
A combination from Speed does no damage.
Abbott takes a swing at Speed's ribcage but misses.

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abbott shoots in for a takedown - he's clinched up with Speed but Speed pushes him off and we're back to square one.
Abbott misses with a body shot.
Speed moves out of range as Abbott strikes.
Speed misses with a jab and misses with a cross straight after too.
Abbott misses with a telegraphed body shot

and Speed counters by moving into the clinch.
Speed blocks a punch to the side of the head.
Abbott blocks a couple of punches on the inside.
Abbott makes some space for himself and lands an uppercut.
Abbott drops down for a takedown but doesn't get it.
Speed swings away with an uppercut that misses.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Speed lands a hook to the side of the head.
Abbott working hard to break the clinch.
Abbott is working hard here but doesn't seem to be able to control effectively, up against the cage.
An uppercut on the inside fails to land for Speed.
A nice left hand lands by Speed.
We've seen a great period of action over the last minute or so - credit to both fighters for going all out!
Abbott is trying to slow down the pace of the fight but Speed is keeping busy.
Speed has a couple of punches blocked by Abbott.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Speed swings wildly with an uppercut but Abbott uses good head movement to avoid it.
Speed lands a right uppercut that snaps the head of Abbott backwards.
And that’s the end of the round – the fighters go back to their corners.

Nathan Speed had his way with Mark Abbott in that round.
The fighters' corners scream their final instructions, as the referee calls time. Here we go, back to the action! This is the final round!

Abbott avoids the body shot from Speed.
Speed tries to clinch but Abbott moves out of range.
Speed scores with a nice right hand.
Abbott blocks a jab.
Speed tries to clinch but is not successful on this occasion.
Abbott ducks down and throws a hook to the body.
Speed tries to grapple but his opponent circles

and Abbott counters with a nice double leg into half guard.
Speed is trying to control but can't.

That's one minute gone in the round.
Abbott is trying to control the action in half guard but Speed is working away on the bottom, looking perhaps to get back to full guard.
Abbott is trying to advance to mount but he's lost his balance and Speed reverses the position - he's now on top in Abbott's guard.
Abbott trying to keep a closed guard but Speed is proving a slippery customer.
We've had a lack of effective grappling in the last minute or so, which could well see a referee standup.

The ref stands the fighters back up. Nathan Speed wasn't doing enough on the ground.
Speed throws a hook to the body but it doesn't connect.
Abbott fails with a rather predictable takedown attempt.
Speed just misses with a punch to the body.

That's two minutes gone in the round.
Donk. Speed catches Abbott right on the button with a cross.
Abbott steps to the side to avoid the strikes from Speed.
Speed lands an overhand right.
Speed lands a right hook to the body.
Abbott misses with a looping right.
Speed cracks Abbott with a nice right hand that draws applause from the crowd.
Speed with a hook.
Speed misses with a low kick.
Speed takes a swing at Abbott's ribcage but misses.
Abbott swings widly with a right hand
and Speed counters with a good right hand that lands right on the jaw.
Mark Abbott has stepped it up - he knows he needs a finish here!

That's three minutes gone in the round.
Abbott throws a lazy right hand but Speed sees it coming a mile off and sidesteps it easily.
Nathan Speed is winning the standup battle so far.
Abbott circles away from the clinch attempt
and Abbott counters with a nice body shot.
Speed scores with a jab.
Abbott on the wrong end of a nice low kick. He's acting like it's no big deal but he doesn't want to take many more of those.
Abbott needs to keep his hands up - Speed had a free shot at his head there.

Abbott drops down and drives through with a powerful takedown into guard.
Abbott is wobbling all over the place through exhaustion. Will he make it to the final bell?
Speed is trying to control the position but Abbott postures up.
Abbott trying to control but Speed is working from the bottom.
Speed pulls Abbott in to control the position.

That's four minutes gone in the round.
Fantastic stuff here - a very entertaining period of action, which has drawn cheers from the crowd.
The referee looks like he's ready to step in and stand the fighters back up.
Abbott trying to control but Speed is working from the bottom.
Nathan Speed is fighting for a decision here - he's started to take the cautious approach.

The referee decides to stand the fighters back up, due to lack of activity on the part of Nathan Speed.
Abbott scores with a body shot.

Abbott scores a trip takedown into side control. Nice.
Abbott throws an elbow but Speed slips to the side and avoids it well.
Abbott working the ground and pound but Speed is defending the strikes.
As the round comes to an end the crowd are showing their appreciation for a great round of action.
Abbott working the body and head with strikes.

And that's the end of the fight!
I would just about give that final round to Mark Abbott.
I think Speed 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 5 rounds of action, we go to the scorecards for a decision.
Judge Shigeki Sano scores the fight 49:46
Judge Kenichi Hosakawa scores the fight 49:46
Judge Yukihiro Yamamoto scores the fight 49:46

In favor of your winner, by unanimous decision... Nathan Speed!
Nathan Speed retains his heavyweight title!
After winning the bout, Nathan Speed thanked all his fans and promised he'd do even better in his next fight. The crowd seemed to love his humility.